Is Matt Gaetz's time in Congress coming to an end?
According to multiple reports, a young woman told prosecutors she was paid to have sex with Gaetz at drug-fueled parties. The woman turned over text messages, photographs and other evidence to the Justice Department.
Responding to the latest developments, a spokesperson for the congressman told ABC News that Gaetz “does not know anything about the woman you're referencing.”
At least one congressional committee finds that explanation unsatisfactory:
The House Ethics Committee has issued a subpoena for the testimony of a former girlfriend of Rep. Matt Gaetz as part of the panel's ongoing investigation into the Florida Republican.
The committee is demanding Gaetz's ex-girlfriend appear before the committee over a Zoom call on Feb. 29, according to a letter sent to the woman's lawyer.
The woman, who ABC News is not identifying, had previously been contacted by the committee about voluntarily sitting for an interview and had informed the committee that she had planned to “plead the fifth” on any questions related to the congressman, a source familiar told ABC News.
“Of course we will comply with the subpoena and we will appear before the committee,” the woman's lawyer, Tim Jansen, told ABC News.
“I can confirm I received a subpoena on behalf of my client. We will certainly appear before the committee as required. However, we have informed the Staff that my client will be invoking her Fifth Amendment right before the Committee,” Jansen added.
Justice Department officials announced last February that they would not prosecute Gaetz for sex trafficking. The decision followed an extensive investigation into the Republican firebrand, with federal prosecutors scrutinizing claims that he participated in a sex trafficking scheme involving a 17-year-old girl.
The criminal investigation into Gaetz commenced following the arrest of his friend, former Florida tax collector Joel Greenberg. Greenberg eventually pleaded guilty to six federal crimes, including sex trafficking of a minor. District Judge Gregory Presnell sentenced him to 11 years in prison.
At one point, one of Gaetz's ex-girlfriends testified before a Seminole County, Florida, grand jury in the sex crimes investigation. Prosecutors considered her an integral witness. The ex, whose name was withheld by media outlets out of respect for her privacy, had talked with prosecutors about an immunity deal for months.
Months after prosecutors told Gaetz that he wouldn't be charged, the House Ethics Committee breathed new life into the investigation.
The House committee has not responded to ABC News' requests for comment on the latest developments. However, sources close to the committee told ABC that investigators want to speak to Gaetz's ex about allegations of prostitution, illegal drug use and lobbying violations.
A recent report claimed that Gaetz had privately admitted to his colleagues that he instigated the historic removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy because he believed McCarthy was unable, or unwilling, to end the ethics probe.
The inquiry into Gaetz began in 2021 under Nancy Pelosi's speakership. Gaetz supposedly insisted McCarthy drop the investigation, an accusation that Gaetz vehemently denies.
Gaetz maintains that he did not commit any wrongdoings.
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