THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE released its highly anticipated report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) on Monday, finding "substantial evidence" he paid a minor for sex, used illicit drugs and "knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct” the committee's investigation.
The report comes after a nearly four-year investigation into the former congressman and on the heels of a grueling government funding fight that went into the early hours of Saturday morning.
“The committee concluded there was substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules, state and federal laws, and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, acceptance of impermissible gifts, the provision of special favors and privileges, and obstruction of Congress."
The committee did not find evidence that he violated federal sex trafficking laws.
While Gaetz admits he has previously engaged in “embarrassing, though not criminal” behavior, he denies that he has ever had sex with a minor.
