Ethics Committee expands Matt Gaetz investigation as it looks into sexual misconduct, drug use allegations

WASHINGTON – The House Ethics Committee said Tuesday that it's expanding its investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz, R.-Fla., to include “additional allegations” that the Florida lawmaker sought to obstruct the probe as the panel looks into accusations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and more.

In a statement, the Committee said it had difficulty obtaining information from Gaetz during the course of its 3-year investigation. It added that the officials reviewing the case have issued “25 subpoenas and reviewed thousands of pages of documents,” related to misconduct accusations.

The probe into the Florida lawmaker has been ongoing since April 2021. The ethics committee is looking into a variety of claims that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illegal drug use, accepted “improper gifts” and gave out special favors.

Gaetz was also under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl and paid for her to travel with him. The DOJ ended the investigation in February 2023 and did not bring charges against Gaetz.

The House Ethics Committee said on Tuesday that it is also dropping its investigation into a series of other allegations against Gaetz. It said it “will take no further action at this time on the allegations that he may have shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe or improper gratuity.”

When reached for comment, Gaetz’s office directed USA TODAY to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, from the congressman on Monday blaming former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for the investigation.

Gaetz and led an effort to oust McCarthy from the speakership last fall. McCarthy resigned from Congress months later.

“This is Soviet,” Gaetz said in the post. “Kevin McCarthy showed them the man, and they are now trying to find the crime.”

Gaetz also said in the post that the investigation would end in his “exoneration.” He has maintained his innocence since it began.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House Ethics Committee expands investigation into Matt Gaetz