3 days Ago
Two women testified before the House Ethics Committee that former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) paid them for sex, an attorney revealed to ABC News on Monday.
Florida attorney Joel Leppard told the network that his two clients were “very clear” to the committee that Gaetz, now President-elect Donald Trump ’s nominee for U.S. attorney general, paid them for sex and shared evidence of Venmo payments he made to them.
The remarks from Leppard come a few days after he told media outlets that one of those clients also testified that she witnessed Gaetz, now 42, having sex with her 17-year-old friend at a party seven years ago. “She testified [that] in July of 2017, at this house party, she was walking out to the pool area, and she looked to her right, and she saw Rep. Gaetz having sex with her friend, who was 17,” he reiterated to ABC News on Monday.
Gaetz had been sworn in as a member of Congress earlier that year. “Her understanding was that Matt Gaetz did not know that she was a minor and that when he learned that she was a minor, that he broke off things and did not continue a sexual relationship until she turned 18,” Leppard continued. Leppard’s claims come as the committee weighs releasing its ethics report on Gaetz, whom the committee has been investigating over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.
When Gaetz resigned from the House last week, saying he was doing so to allow his replacement to be picked in time for the next Congress, the committee was forced to cease its investigation two days before a scheduled vote on releasing its report. A representative of Gaetz deferred comment to Trump transition team spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer, who denied the attorney’s accusations. “These are baseless allegations intended to derail the second Trump administration,” the statement read in part.
Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down.
Would you help us keep our news free for all? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again .
We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again .
We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
Leppard joined several top lawmakers in calling for the House Ethics Committee to release its report on Gaetz, even though he’s no longer in office. Despite protestations from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), there is precedent for releasing ethics reports in such circumstances.
“As the Senate considers former Rep. Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general, several questions demand answers,” Leppard said. “What if multiple credible witnesses provided evidence of behavior that would constitute serious criminal violations?” The ethics committee plans to meet Wednesday to discuss its Gaetz report, several news outlets reported.
Related From Our Partner.
