Reaction & Commentary
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., is suing to block the release of a House Ethics Committee report on his alleged behavior.
In a complaint filed in federal district court in Washington, D.C., the Republican’s attorneys maintain Gaetz’s innocence, say that the conduct detailed in the report is untrue, and claim the committee does not have jurisdiction over him because he is no longer in office.
The House Ethics Committee’s multi-year investigation into Gaetz, involving allegations of sex with a minor and illicit drug use, came to an abrupt halt last month after he resigned from Congress hours after President-elect Trump tapped him to be his attorney general. Gaetz later withdrew his nomination.
“The anticipated statements and release of information by Defendants is expected to include reference and make conclusions that Plaintiff engaged in conduct amounting to ‘misconduct’ or was otherwise unethical,” the complaint says. “The anticipated statements and information is false, factually incorrect, and untrue because Plaintiff did not violate any criminal code or other standard of ethics within the jurisdiction of Defendants.”
“Once released, the damage to Plaintiff’s reputation and professional standing would be immediate, severe and irreversible, particularly because: a. The Committee’s findings would carry the imprimatur of official Congressional action; b. Media coverage would be immediate and widespread; c. The allegations would permanently remain in the public record; d. No adequate remedy exists to retract or correct information once released,” it adds.
MATT GAETZ REPORT BY HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE TO BE RELEASED
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., questions ATF Director Steven Dettelbach during the House Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Oversight of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives” on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The report could be released by the House Ethics Committee as early as Monday.
The filing says “After Plaintiff’s resignation from Congress, Defendants improperly continued to act on its investigation, and apparently voted to publicly release reports and/or investigative materials related to Plaintiff without proper notice or disclosure to Plaintiff.”
“The Committee’s apparent intention to release its report after explicitly acknowledging it lacks jurisdiction over former members, its failure to follow constitutional notions of due process, and failure to adhere to its own procedural rules and precedent represents an unprecedented overreach that threatens fundamental constitutional rights and established procedural protections,” it also states.
Last week, after the Committee voted to release the report, Gaetz wrote on Z that “”I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED.”
GAETZ WITHDRAWS AS ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINEE
“Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me. Then, the very ‘witnesses’ DOJ deemed not-credible were assembled by House Ethics to repeat their claims absent any cross-examination or challenge from me or my attorneys. I’ve had no chance to ever confront any accusers. I’ve never been charged. I’ve never been sued,” Gaetz said.
“In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated — even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18,” he continued. “Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court — which is why no such claim was ever made in court.”
“My 30’s were an era of working very hard – and playing hard too. It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life,” Gaetz concluded. “I live a different life now.”
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The House Ethics Committee did not immediately respond Monday to a request for comment by Fox News Digital.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
