Matt Gaetz accused of paying for sex and drugs, including with a minor

The U.S. House Ethics Committee has concluded that former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women for drugs and sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, U.S. media reported on Monday (23 December), citing a final draft of the panel's report.

Gaetz, who has denied any wrongdoing, resigned from the House of Representatives last month after being selected by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as attorney general. He withdrew from consideration due to facing a challenging confirmation battle in the Senate.

In an effort to prevent the release of the report, expected on Monday, Gaetz filed a lawsuit on Monday in federal court in Washington, DC, against the Ethics panel, arguing that it no longer had jurisdiction after Gaetz resigned from Congress.

"The Committee's position regarding its lack of authority over former members represents a clear, well-established policy rather than an isolated interpretation," Gaetz's lawyers wrote in a complaint.

His lawyers sought an emergency order to temporarily block the publication of the report, which they argued would contain "untruthful and defamatory information" about Gaetz.

Reuters was not immediately able to contact Gaetz for comment.

The report found that Gaetz paid more than $90,000 to 12 different women, payments the Ethics panel determined were likely in connection with sexual activity and drug use, CBS News reported. CNN reported similar details of the draft report. Both outlets said his actions violated Florida state laws.

The panel's report concluded that Gaetz violated House rules and other standards of conduct banning prostitution, statutory rape, and drug use, CBS reported.

It also found "substantial evidence" that Gaetz engaged in illicit drug use, CBS reported. Additionally, it accused him of accepting gifts of luxury travel exceeding permissible limits during a 2018 trip to The Bahamas, CBS added.