A woman told the House Ethics Committee that she saw former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) “having sex with a minor” at a party, according to her attorney.
“My client testified before the House Ethics Committee that he witnessed Matt Gaetz having sex with a minor,” said Florida attorney Joel Leppard. said ABC News on Friday.
“As the Senate considers former Congressman Gates' nomination for attorney general, several questions demand answers,” Leppard added. “What happens when multiple reliable witnesses provide evidence of conduct that constitutes a serious criminal offense?”
Leppard represents two women who testified privately before the committee this year. The Hill has reached out to attorneys representing the two women for comment.
Gaetz, a congressional ally of President-elect Trump, resigned from the House on Wednesday, just hours after Trump nominated him to be the next attorney general.
The former congressman has repeatedly denied wrongdoing during a years-long investigation into allegations he had sexual relations with minors. The Department of Justice (DOJ) closed its investigation last year and did not file criminal charges against Gates.
“Merrick Garland's Justice Department acquitted Matt Gaetz and did not indict him. Are you claiming that Garland is part of a cover-up?” a spokesperson for Gaetz told The Hill.
The House Ethics Committee's investigation into Gates began in 2021 over a variety of allegations, including illegal drug use and sexual misconduct.
The committee has scheduled a Friday meeting to decide whether to release its findings before Gates is named as the nation's top law enforcement official by President Trump.
Officials told The Hill that scheduled meetings have been canceled, but that committee meetings have been canceled despite opposition from some House Republicans, including Chairman Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana). acknowledged that it may still publish its findings. The fact-finding committee has 10 members.
“If he's going to continue with that process…I think he needs to issue an ethics report,” Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.) told The Hill. “I don't want a compromised attorney general to have a report like that out there that could be used to compromise the attorney general.”
Mr. Gates' selection as the next top cop has shocked many lawmakers and officials in Washington, with some Republican senators expressing concern that Mr. Gates will not be confirmed by the Senate. are.
“He's on an uphill climb,” said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).
