(5MinNewsBreak.com) – At a time when he was tapped as President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Attorney General, a huge scandal surrounding former Rep. Matt Gaetz has exploded.
The firebrand Republican has been no stranger to controversy during his time in the House of Representatives.
The House Ethics Committee launched a probe into accusations that Gaetz allegedly paid for sexual relations and an encounter with a minor.
Two women, represented by Florida attorney Joel Leppard, have come forward with claims against Gaetz and testified before the committee.
They claim that Gaetz paid them for sexual relations, with one even claiming to have witnessed him with a 17-year-old at a party in 2017.
If true, these accusations would be deeply troubling. However, allegations are not facts and the timing of these claims raises serious questions about their credibility.
Leppard asserted the committee cross-checked his clients’ testimonies with Gaetz’s Venmo records, stating, “They essentially put the Venmo payments on the screen and asked about them, And my clients repeatedly testified, ‘What was this payment for?’ ‘That was for sex.'”
It is worth noting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to pursue charges against Gaetz after a thorough investigation.
The House Ethics Committee’s investigation, which began in April 2021, was paused during the DOJ’s inquiry and only resumed in May 2022.
Some have argued that the timing of these allegations is suspicious. Gaetz has been a thorn in the establishment’s side, leading a revolt against former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October 2023.
Gaetz spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer said in response to the allegation, “Matt Gaetz will be the next Attorney General. He’s the right man for the job and will end the weaponization of our justice system.”
“These are baseless allegations intended to derail the second Trump administration. The Biden Justice Department investigated Gaetz for years and cleared him of wrongdoing,” Pfeiffer added.
Even though the House Ethics Committee may have its report, Gaetz has not been charged with any crime.
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