In a contentious twist to the ongoing saga involving former Congressman Matt Gaetz, an attorney representing two women who provided testimony to the House Ethics Committee has called for the immediate release of the committee's findings. One of his clients allegedly testified that she witnessed Gaetz engaging in sexual relations with a minor, according to a statement from the attorney, Joel Leppard, shared with ABC News.
"My client testified to the House Ethics Committee that she witnessed Matt Gaetz having sex with a minor," Leppard asserted.
The timing of this demand comes as Gaetz prepares for a potentially contentious nomination process to become Attorney General, a post he was nominated for by President-elect Donald Trump. "As the Senate considers former Rep. Gaetz's nomination for attorney general, several questions demand answers," Leppard continued. "What if multiple credible witnesses provided evidence of behavior that would constitute serious criminal violations?"
Gaetz, who has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing, reiterated his position through a spokesperson. "Merrick Garland's DOJ cleared Matt Gaetz and didn't charge him. Are you alleging Garland is part of a cover-up?" the spokesperson said, highlighting that a federal investigation conducted over several years resulted in no charges.
The House Ethics Committee's investigation into Gaetz encompassed claims of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and other alleged improprieties. The inquiry resumed earlier this year after being deferred at the Department of Justice's request. Gaetz's former associate, Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to a range of federal crimes, remains a central figure in the allegations. Greenberg's plea deal included admissions of introducing a minor to "adult men," who then engaged in sexual acts with her when she was underage. However, Gaetz has denied any involvement in such activities.
Attorney John Clune, representing the woman at the center of the controversy, has also called for transparency. "Mr. Gaetz's likely nomination as Attorney General is a perverse development in a truly dark series of events," Clune remarked. He urged the House Ethics Committee to release its report immediately, emphasizing, "She was a high school student and there were witnesses."
Gaetz, who formally resigned from Congress following his nomination, has argued that the allegations are baseless. In a public statement, he characterized the claims as "invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress." Gaetz further described the investigations as politically motivated and claimed that they amounted to a smear campaign against him.
The question of whether the Ethics Committee's findings will be disclosed has prompted vigorous debate. House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed opposition to their release, stating, "I believe it is very important to maintain the House's tradition of not issuing ethics reports on people who are no longer members of Congress. I think it would open a Pandora's box." Johnson's remarks signal a reluctance within the GOP leadership to further publicize the committee's findings.
Despite this, calls for the report's disclosure have garnered bipartisan support, particularly in the Senate, where some lawmakers argue that the information is critical for evaluating Gaetz's suitability for the role of Attorney General. "The American people deserve to know the truth about the person slated to become the top law enforcement officer in the country," Leppard insisted.
The Ethics Committee was reportedly nearing the conclusion of its inquiry before Gaetz's resignation, leaving the fate of the report uncertain. Republican senators, among others, have expressed a desire to review the findings as part of their constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on the nomination. "We cannot allow this valuable information from a bipartisan investigation to be hidden from the American people," said Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin.
In defending himself, Gaetz has released detailed responses to the Ethics Committee's questions, categorically denying any sexual misconduct. "Your correspondence of September 4 asks whether I have engaged in sexual activity with any individual under 18. The answer to this question is unequivocally NO," Gaetz wrote in a public statement.
The Ethics Committee, comprised of equal members from both parties, was scheduled to meet last week to determine whether to release its findings. However, that meeting was abruptly postponed, leaving lingering uncertainty about the next steps in this contentious case. As the Senate gears up for a heated confirmation process, the question of what Gaetz's record entails-and whether it should be made public-remains at the forefront.
