Matt Gaetz filed a lawsuit against the House Ethics Committee on Monday, seeking a temporary restraining order to block the public release of a critical report stemming from an investigation into allegations of sexual and drug-related misconduct. The former House Republican recently resigned from Congress following his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Attorney General. At the time of his resignation, the confidential ethics report was nearing publication; however, the investigation was halted after he stepped down.
Under mounting public and party pressure, Matt Gaetz eventually withdrew from his nomination by Donald Trump. However, during a secret vote by the GOP-controlled House Ethics Committee late last week, it was decided that the report on his conduct should be made public. In his request for a restraining order to block the report’s release, Gaetz argued, as reported by CBS congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane, that the “media coverage would be immediate and widespread.”
FLASH: Matt Gaetz files suit against House Ethics Committee, seeking temporary restraining order to prevent public release of committee investigation of his alleged sexual and drug misconduct
Among other things, Gaetz argues: “Media coverage would be immediate and widespread” pic.twitter.com/AbMwDoKNqM
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) December 23, 2024
CBS has reportedly obtained a “final draft” of the Gaetz investigation report, most likely through a leak to the news agency by an anti-Gaetz RINO on Capitol Hill. On Monday, the network revealed findings alleging that the former congressman “paid numerous women — including a 17-year-old girl — for sex” and “purchased and used illegal drugs, including from his Capitol Hill office.” Gaetz has consistently denied all allegations of legal misconduct and recently announced that he will be joining One American News in a new role.
Last week, CNN said that the Ethics Committee report was expected to be released before the end of the current session of Congress, when lawmakers are scheduled for their final votes of the year before leaving Washington. Tom Rust, a spokesperson for the panel, refused to confirm CNN’s reporting, according to the Washington Times. The ethics investigation into Gaetz began in 2021, also focused on allegations that he shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds for personal use, and accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift.
The inquiry was sidelined when the Justice Department launched a two-year sex trafficking probe, which ultimately concluded with no charges against the Florida lawmaker. The ethics panel continued its investigation after the Justice Department’s probe ended, revisiting some of the original charges. Gaetz’s resignation ended the Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction over him, and he later withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general amid significant opposition from Senate Republicans. Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest, opposed releasing the report, citing precedent against making reports about former lawmakers public.
