ABC News - House Ethics report finds 'substantial evidence' Gaetz violated statutory rape law
The House Ethics Committee's report on former Congressman Matt Gaetz reveals substantial evidence of his involvement in a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old girl in 2017, violating Florida's statutory rape law. The report is based on the girl's testimony and other corroborating witnesses, detailing Gaetz's drug use and payments to women for sex. The report includes a chart summarizing nearly $100,000 in payments made by Gaetz or his associate to 12 women, believed to be related to sexual activity or drug use. Despite Gaetz's attempts to discredit the witnesses, the committee found them credible. Gaetz's political career has been affected, as he withdrew from consideration for Attorney General amidst these allegations. The investigation began with Joel Greenberg, a local tax collector, who introduced Gaetz to women through a sugar daddy website, leading to federal scrutiny.
Key Points:
- The Ethics Committee found evidence of Gaetz's sexual encounter with a 17-year-old, violating statutory rape laws.
- Gaetz allegedly paid nearly $100,000 to 12 women for sex, with payments made through cash and apps like PayPal and Venmo.
- The report highlights Gaetz's drug use, corroborated by multiple witnesses.
- Gaetz's political career has been impacted, as he withdrew from the Attorney General race due to these allegations.
- The investigation stemmed from Joel Greenberg's activities, who introduced Gaetz to women through a sugar daddy website.
Details:
1. 📜 Introduction and Ethics Committee Report
- The House Ethics Committee found substantial evidence that former Congressman Matt Gates had sex with a 17-year-old in 2017, violating Florida's statutory rape law.
- The report indicates a broader pattern of Gates paying women for sex.
- The investigation process involved reviewing extensive evidence, including testimonies and financial records.
- Matt Gates has denied the allegations, stating that he has never paid for sex and that the accusations are politically motivated.
2. 🔍 Key Findings and Testimonies
- The committee has gathered substantial evidence supporting an alleged sexual encounter with a 17-year-old girl, identified as victim A, at a party in Florida in 2017.
- The girl, who had just completed her junior year of high school, testified she was under the influence of drugs during the encounter and reported seeing Matt Gates using drugs at the party.
- The evidence includes testimonies and possibly other corroborative materials that substantiate the claims made by the victim.
- The committee's role involves collecting, verifying, and presenting this evidence to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the incident.
3. 💰 Payments and Drug Use Allegations
- Multiple women testified seeing Matt Gates personally using drugs, highlighting a pattern of alleged substance abuse.
- From 2017 to 2020, payments totaling nearly $100,000 were made by Gates or his associate to 12 women and Joel Greenberg, suggesting a significant financial outlay potentially linked to illicit activities.
- These payments were conducted in cash and through digital platforms like PayPal and Venmo, indicating a mix of traditional and modern transaction methods.
- The committee suspects these payments were related to sexual activity or drug use, although not all payments could be conclusively linked to these activities, reflecting challenges in substantiating all allegations.
4. 📉 Impact on Matt Gates' Career
- Matt Gates released a statement acknowledging past behavior, including partying, womanizing, drinking, and smoking, which he described as embarrassing but not criminal.
- The release of a report has derailed his potential appointment as Attorney General, leading to his withdrawal from consideration.
- The Department of Justice investigation did not find criminal activity, and no charges were brought against him.
- Following the investigation, Gates resigned from his position as a congressman, significantly impacting his political career trajectory.
- He attempted to prevent the release of the report, arguing he is now a private citizen and the committee lacked jurisdiction, but this was unsuccessful.
- The situation has significantly affected his short-term career plans, leaving his future prospects uncertain.
5. 🗣️ Witness Testimonies and Credibility
- The committee has substantial evidence of a sexual relationship involving former Congressman Matt Gates and a 17-year-old, who is now in her 20s.
- The 17-year-old testified in front of the committee on multiple days, providing credible allegations according to the committee's findings.
- Despite attempts by Gates to discredit the witness, the committee found her testimony credible and supported by other documents and witnesses.
- Other witnesses corroborated the testimony of the 17-year-old, strengthening the committee's case.
6. 💼 Connections and Arrangements
- Matt Gates allegedly paid 12 women nearly $100,000 for sex, highlighting significant financial transactions.
- The report consolidates information gathered over several years, using subpoenas to get women involved on record, ensuring a comprehensive investigation.
- Matt Gates met Joel Greenberg, a local tax collector, in 2017, who introduced him to women from a sugar daddy website called Seeking Arrangements, establishing a clear connection between the two.
- Joel Greenberg sometimes paid these women to have sex with Matt Gates and others, with payments made via Venmo and other methods, indicating a pattern of financial transactions.
- The activities continued for several years until federal investigators began investigating Joel Greenberg, which subsequently led them to Matt Gates, showing the progression of the investigation.
7. 🔗 Unfolding of Events and Investigations
- Joel Greenberg, elected as tax collector in SEMO County, was involved in various crimes and corruption, including paying women for sex through seeking arrangements.
- Matt Gates was allegedly involved with Greenberg in these activities, leading to a federal investigation.
- The Justice Department investigated Matt Gates for several years but declined to bring charges.
- A report has been released detailing allegations against Gates, providing an investigative body's perspective on the facts.
- The report's release has implications for Gates' political career, as it outlines serious allegations despite the lack of formal charges.