Matt Gaetz

The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation in 2021 covering several allegations. After deferring its work at the DOJ's request, it resumed the inquiry in 2023 and continued examining sexual conduct, drugs, gifts, special favours and obstruction in 2024.

The House Ethics Committee concluded that Gaetz had obstructed its investigation, notably through limited cooperation, responses it considered insufficient or misleading and failure to comply with requests or subpoenas.

State of the evidence

Documented

Donald Trump selected Gaetz as his nominee for Attorney General. Gaetz resigned from the House almost immediately, as the ethics committee was nearing completion of its investigation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Eight days after his selection, Gaetz withdrew his nomination for Attorney General, facing substantial opposition among Republican senators and controversy over investigations into his conduct.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Gaetz went to court seeking to prevent the House Ethics Committee from publishing its report after his resignation from Congress, arguing notably that the committee no longer had jurisdiction over a former member.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is the complainant

The DOJ and FBI investigated allegations over several years, including sex trafficking and sexual relations with a minor, in the context of a wider investigation linked to former tax collector Joel Greenberg.

An FEC complaint alleged that Friends of Matt Gaetz had converted campaign funds to personal use by paying lawyers connected with the investigation into his private activities.

Attribution

Accused

Gaetz introduced the motion that led to Kevin McCarthy's removal as Speaker. Eight Republicans joined Democrats, and McCarthy was ousted by 216 votes to 210, the first removal of a Speaker through this mechanism.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Gaetz supported objections to certification of the 2020 election results, notably concerning Arizona and Pennsylvania, as part of Republican efforts to challenge Joe Biden's victory.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

On the eve of Michael Cohen's congressional testimony, Gaetz posted a tweet referring to Cohen's 'girlfriends' and asking whether his wife would remain faithful, a message widely interpreted as intimidating. The House Ethics Committee subsequently admonished him.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

At the beginning of the pandemic, Gaetz appeared in the House chamber wearing a gas mask during a vote on emergency COVID-19 funding, a gesture accused of trivialising the health threat. Shortly afterwards, he self-quarantined following possible exposure.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

House Ethics Committee Report 118-943 concluded that there was 'substantial evidence' that Gaetz had regularly paid women for sexual relations, with approximately $90,000 paid to twelve women according to Reuters' summary.

State of the evidence

Documented

The House Ethics Committee report concluded that there was 'substantial evidence' that Gaetz repeatedly used illegal drugs, notably cocaine and ecstasy, in connection with the meetings and parties examined.

State of the evidence

Documented

The Ethics report found evidence that Gaetz had used his position or resources to grant special favours to certain associates, notably expedited assistance concerning a passport.

State of the evidence

Documented

The House Ethics Committee concluded that Gaetz had received prohibited gifts, notably linked to a trip to the Bahamas, including accommodation, travel or other benefits provided by associates.

State of the evidence

Documented

The House Ethics Committee concluded that there was 'substantial evidence' that Gaetz had sexual relations twice with a 17-year-old girl and paid her money, which the committee considered a violation of Florida statutory rape law.

State of the evidence

Documented

Gaetz was arrested in Florida in 2008 for driving under the influence. The case was subsequently dismissed, and he was not convicted of DUI.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Course of the proceedings

1. Formally charged — Formal charge before the current outcome