House Ethics Probe Reveals $10K in Payments from Matt Gaetz to Women Testifying in Misconduct Case

The House Ethics Committee has gathered extensive evidence in its investigation into former Representative Matt Gaetz, including records of Venmo payments totaling over $10,000 to two women who later testified in sexual misconduct probes conducted by both the committee and the Department of Justice. Documents obtained by ABC News indicate that Gaetz, who served as a congressman from Florida, made 27 Venmo payments between July 2017 and January 2019 to the two witnesses, both of whom were over the age of 18 at the time.

The payments, which ranged from $100 to over $700, were allegedly displayed during closed-door testimony. According to sources familiar with the investigation, House investigators questioned whether these payments were linked to sex or drugs, showing the witnesses records of transactions labeled with terms such as "Gift," "Car deductible," and "Refreshments." Some payments contained emojis, including a wrapped gift and a hug emoji, while others referenced travel arrangements, aligning with a 2018 trip to the Bahamas that was previously part of the Justice Department's probe.

The House Ethics Committee's inquiry took on new urgency after Gaetz was tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as attorney general in the incoming administration. Gaetz resigned from Congress immediately following Trump's announcement, a move that came just days before the committee was set to consider releasing its report. Despite his resignation, discussions about whether to release the report continue.

Gaetz has consistently denied any allegations of wrongdoing. "The Justice Department received access to roughly every financial transaction Matt Gaetz ever undertook and came to the conclusion that he committed no crime," Alex Pfeiffer, a spokesperson for the Trump transition team, said in response to the reports. He characterized the leaks as politically motivated attempts to derail the second Trump administration.

The investigation has also included numerous photos provided by two women who claim they were paid by Gaetz for sex, according to their lawyer, Joel Leppard. The images include selfies allegedly sent by Gaetz, along with other material provided as evidence to the committee. The women testified that they traveled with Gaetz, including a 2019 trip to New York, where they joined him at a Fox News appearance and attended social events. Leppard also revealed that one client testified to feeling pressured to "please" Gaetz during the trip.

While the House Ethics Committee's investigation ran concurrently with a Justice Department probe, federal prosecutors ultimately chose not to pursue charges against Gaetz, including allegations of misconduct involving a then-underage woman who testified. Gaetz has pointed to the Justice Department's decision as vindication. "Merrick Garland's DOJ cleared Matt Gaetz and didn't charge him," a spokesperson for Gaetz reiterated.

Records obtained by the House investigators reportedly show payments from Gaetz totaling more than $6,000 to one woman and over $4,000 to another. Leppard indicated that the evidence collected extends well beyond these payments, with thousands of documents reportedly obtained by the committee. "The evidence that the House has, I would presume, is overwhelming," Leppard told CNN, noting that his clients were just two of many witnesses.

In addition to electronic payment records, the committee reportedly obtained a signed check from Gaetz, dated October 2018, for $750 with a memo indicating "tuition reimbursement." A witness testified that this check was handed over by Gaetz. Gaetz has dismissed claims that he paid for sex, suggesting instead that his financial transactions have been misconstrued, characterizing them as "generosity to ex-girlfriends."

The House Ethics Committee's pending decision on whether to release its findings has ignited calls for transparency, with both Democrats and some Republicans advocating for public access to the report. House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, has expressed reluctance to interfere with the committee's work, signaling potential roadblocks ahead.