Lawyer for woman claims she witnessed Gaetz engaging in sexual activity with a minor, House Ethics Committee informed

A woman testified to the House Ethics Committee that she witnessed Rep. Matt Gaetz having sex with a minor at a house party in 2017. Gaetz, who was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the U.S. attorney general position, has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct. The woman’s lawyer, Joel Leppard, stated that he represents two witnesses who have provided testimony to the committee regarding Gaetz. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated Gaetz on sex-trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old, but he was not charged with any crime. The Department of Justice deferred the House Ethics Committee investigation last year, but it was reauthorized in 2023. Gaetz resigned from Congress this week, raising questions about what will happen with the committee’s report. Some Republican senators are seeking details from the investigation before a confirmation vote. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has requested that the ethics panel not release its report, calling it a breach of protocol since Gaetz is no longer in Congress. The Senate is expected to vote on whether Gaetz will be confirmed as attorney general, and a recess appointment may also be possible. The House Ethics Committee, made up of 10 members, was scheduled to meet to discuss the report on Gaetz, but it was called off. Gaetz, a former lawyer, was elected to Congress in 2016 and re-elected in 2018.

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