A last-minute lawsuit filed by former Congressman Matt Gaetz failed to prevent the release of a House Ethics Committee report detailing serious allegations against him, including illegal drug use and payments to women for sex—one of whom was reportedly a 17-year-old girl.
According to multiple outlets, the report, scheduled for public release today despite Gaetz’s legal challenges, stated:
“There is substantial evidence that Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress.”
FLASH: @CBSNews has obtained a final draft of the House Ethics Committee report on former Congressman Matt Gaetz
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) December 23, 2024
With @mkaplantv
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Alleged Misconduct Violates Florida Laws
According to the findings, Gaetz’s alleged actions also breached Florida state laws.
The former congressman, who withdrew from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general amid mounting scrutiny, filed the lawsuit on Monday morning. However, his attempt to delay or block the report was unsuccessful, as noted in coverage by The Hill.
The former congressman, who withdrew from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general due to mounting scrutiny, filed the lawsuit Monday morning:
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., asks a judge to issue an emergency order blocking the report’s release.
Gaetz claims the committee is acting beyond its authority because it has no jurisdiction over him now that he has resigned from Congress. Gaetz’s attorneys said the report contains “untruthful and defamatory information” that would “significantly damage” his reputation.
“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,” Gaetz’s attorneys wrote.
The suit names the Ethics Committee and its chair, Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.), as defendants.
While Gaetz’s legal team disputes the claims, the evidence outlined in the report could have lasting consequences for his political future and any potential legal proceedings.
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I really hope the scum in congress get all their illegal, and improper actions publicly exposed in deep detail, and in both Parties. The Leaker should be given prison time to reflect on the value of their imprisonment for breaking the laws of congress,and senate.
i hope he sues the hell out of c bs and abc, cnn, msnbc etc, that will straighten them up!
To bad congress did not take the same stance when Teddy Kennedy conduct was questionably in appropriate. He got away with not only vile conduct, he and Dodd had the waitress sandwich; all in public view. Then there is Mary Jo Kopechne. What is a one more murder, after all those who were killed in Vietnam.
Soo? Where the Slander Suit against those that accused you?
……………waiting!