House Ethics Report Finds Gaetz Paid Teen for Sex
U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz speaking with attendees at The People's Convention at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan, 2024. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0.
A new chapter in the Matt Gaetz saga has unfolded with the release of court documents that paint a grim picture of the former congressman's alleged conduct. The documents reveal that Gaetz, once a rising star in Republican politics and Donald Trump's initial pick for US attorney general, allegedly engaged in sexual acts with a 17-year-old girl in 2017. The revelations also describe a drug- and sex-fueled party where Gaetz reportedly paid the teenager for sex, raising fresh questions about his political future and personal reputation.
A Vulnerable Teen's Story Comes to Light
The woman at the center of these allegations was described by her attorney, Laura B. Wolf, as a vulnerable high school junior living in and out of a homeless shelter with one of her parents. She worked at McDonald's and was saving money to buy braces for her teeth. To supplement her income, she turned to a "sugar dating" website, SeekingArrangement.com, which connects older men with younger women. On this site, she reportedly met Joel Greenberg, a former Florida tax collector and political ally of Gaetz, who is now serving an 11-year prison sentence for sex crimes.
Greenberg allegedly paid the teenager $400 during their first meeting on his boat and gave her ecstasy to try. Court records indicate that Greenberg had sex with the girl seven times before she turned 18, sometimes paying her extra to take drugs during intercourse. The teenager also attended a party at the home of ex-Florida legislator Chris Dorworth, where Gaetz was present. According to the House Ethics Committee report, there is "substantial evidence" that Gaetz had sex with the girl at this party and paid her $400 in cash, as reported by the New York Post.
The Party Scene and Drug Use
The party described in the documents was rife with alcohol, cocaine, and young women. The teenager testified that she danced and swam naked at the gathering and had sex with Gaetz twice that night, either on a pool table or an air hockey table, as reported by The Daily Beast. She also reported witnessing Gaetz using cocaine during the event. According to the Independent, the House Ethics Committee's report states that the girl was under the influence of ecstasy at the time and that Gaetz paid her for sex, a claim he has vehemently denied.
Financial Transactions and Evidence
The documents detail a series of payments Gaetz allegedly made to more than a dozen women, including the teenager, through Venmo and PayPal. Many of these transactions were reportedly arranged via the sugar-dating website and involved Greenberg as a facilitator. The report highlights that Gaetz paid thousands of dollars to women for sexual activity while serving in Congress. Greenberg admitted to introducing the minor to "other adult men" who "engaged in commercial sex acts" with her, according to court filings, as reported by the Independent.
Gaetz's Denials and Legal Status
Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations. In a text message to The New York Times, he stated, "I never had sex with this person. This person threatened me with a lawsuit if I didn't pay her $2.3 million dollars. She never sued me because her story is fiction," as reported by the New York Post. He has also filed a federal lawsuit against the House Ethics Committee, claiming the publication of the report was "unconstitutional" publication of "potentially defamatory statements" against a now-private citizen, as reported by the Independent.
Despite the House Ethics Committee finding "substantial evidence" that Gaetz violated Florida's statutory rape laws and other conduct rules, the Department of Justice declined to bring charges against him. Gaetz resigned from Congress shortly after being named Trump's initial pick for attorney general, a nomination that collapsed amid bipartisan opposition.
Voices From the Investigation
Attorney Laura B. Wolf emphasized the financial and power imbalances that made the teenager vulnerable. She told The New York Times that her client's economic insecurity allowed for "financial leverage" over her, highlighting the complexity behind the allegations, as reported by Newsweek.
Political commentators and public figures have also weighed in. Meghan McCain described the situation as a case of "pure evil," pointing to the exploitation of a homeless 17-year-old girl by a sitting member of Congress, as reported by Newsweek. Senator Tina Smith recalled the controversy surrounding Gaetz's failed attorney general nomination, saying, "Remember when Trump tried to make this guy Attorney General?" MSNBC contributor Rotimi Adeoye called for accountability for all involved in enabling the alleged misconduct, adding "This is shameful and disgusting. The Epstein class must be held accountable for raping."
What This Means for Gaetz
The unsealed documents and public report have intensified scrutiny on Gaetz, whose political career has been derailed by the scandal. Now a pundit for One America News Network, Gaetz has suggested he may run for the US Senate, saying, "Many have asked which perch I will be fighting from. Maybe I'll just run for Marco Rubio's vacant seat in the United States Senate and join some of those folks," as reported by the Independent. Regardless, the allegations and detailed testimony continue to cast a long shadow over his ambitions.
The House Ethics Committee's decision to release the report despite Gaetz's resignation underscores the public interest in transparency. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson opposed the release, warning it could open a "Pandora's box," but the committee proceeded, citing precedent and the importance of accountability, as reported by the Independent.
A Complex and Ongoing Story
While Gaetz has not faced criminal charges, the allegations and evidence presented in the unsealed documents provide a detailed account of a troubling episode involving a vulnerable teenager, a convicted sex trafficker, and a former congressman. The story reveals how financial desperation, online "sugar dating," and political connections intersected in a case that continues to unfold in the public eye.
As the former congressman navigates his new role in media and contemplates future political moves, the revelations serve as a stark reminder of the risks and consequences tied to allegations of sexual misconduct and exploitation.
The teenager, once living in a homeless shelter and working minimum-wage jobs, now has her story heard publicly, shedding light on the human side of a scandal that has gripped Washington and the nation.
References: Matt Gaetz's Teen Sex Allegations Take Horrific New Twist | Ethics committee report finds evidence Matt Gaetz paid 17-year-old-girl for sex | Matt Gaetz sex case teen sold herself to pay for braces: report | Matt Gaetz Responds to Report on 17-Year-Old Who Testified They Had Sex
