Matt Gaetz sues Ethics Committee to block report on sex and drugs allegations: Live updates
Gaetz stands accused of violating Florida’s statutory rape laws, among others, report finds
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Your support makes all the difference.Former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida is suing the House Ethics Committee to block a report that has reportedly found that he paid thousands of dollars to more than a dozen women — including a 17-year-old girl — for sex.
In a federal lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., the Republican accused the committee of making an “unconstitutional” attempt to “exercise jurisdiction over a private citizen” by releasing a report “containing potentially defamatory allegations.”
He asked for a judge to issue an emergency order to block the report’s release. Drafts had already been published in several news outlets Monday morning.
Publishing the report would mark an “unprecedented overreach that threatens fundamental constitutional rights and established procedural protections,” attorneys for the former congressman wrote.
Gaetz stands accused of buying and using illegal drugs, including from his office on Capitol Hill, according to the report, a draft of which was first obtained by CBS News and CNN.
Gaetz is also accused of violating Florida’s statutory rape laws, among others, the report found.
“The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report states.
Read the full House Ethics Committee report into Matt Gaetz
The House Ethics Committee has released the report into Matt Gaetz.
Read it in full below:
Congress is looking to ban Chinese drones that are widely used in US. What to know about the debate
The economic and technological rivalry between the United States and China has come to the drone market, where Chinese-made flying devices are a dominant player.
Lawmakers in Washington are seeking to ban new sales of drones from two dominant Chinese manufacturers, arguing they could be used to spy on Americans and that the low-cost models are hurting the U.S. drone industry.
A defense bill that passed Congress last week would bar new Chinese drones from DJI Technology and Autel Robotics should a review find them to pose an “unacceptable” risk to U.S. national security.
But American users, from police officers to farmers, mappers and filmmakers, have come to rely on Chinese-made drones, especially those by DJI.
Here are things to know about the debate.
Congress is looking to ban Chinese drones that are widely used in US. What to know about the debate
The economic and technological rivalry between the U.S. and China has come to the drone market
Gaetz takes to X to defend himself amid sexual misconduct allegations
‘There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom,’ Gaetz says
Matt Gaetz wrote in a post on X: “Giving funds to someone you are dating - that they didn’t ask for - and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?”
He added: “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses. This is testimony from one of the alleged ‘prostitutes’ that you won’t see in the report!”
‘There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom,’ Gaetz says
Matt Gaetz wrote in a post on X: “Giving funds to someone you are dating - that they didn’t ask for - and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?”
He added: “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses. This is testimony from one of the alleged ‘prostitutes’ that you won’t see in the report!”
Matt Gaetz sues ethics committee to block ‘defamatory’ report
Matt Gaetz is suing the House Ethics Committee to block the publication of a damning report into allegations he paid for sex with more than a dozen women, including a 17-year-old girl.
The report follows a long-running investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use while he was a member of Congress, when he allegedly spent tens of thousands of dollars on sex- and drug-fueled parties and travel.
He is accused of paying more than $90,000 to at least 12 different women, including a high school student, according to leaks of a draft of the report, which is expected to be released as early as Monday.
Read more:
Matt Gaetz sues ethics committee to block ‘defamatory’ report
Gaetz is accused of spending tens of thousands of dollars on sex- and drug-fueled parties and travel
An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump
President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally.
In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration.
What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Read more:
An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump
President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally
Mandelson an ‘asset’ to UK-US ties, No 10 says after Trump ally jibe
Downing Street has rejected suggestions that Lord Mandelson becoming the UK’s ambassador to the US will cause more problems than benefits for the UK after he was insulted by a Donald Trump adviser.
Number 10 defended the Labour grandee as a “significant asset” to the transatlantic relationship after Chris LaCivita, an architect of the president-elect’s 2024 campaign, called him an “absolute moron”.
Asked whether the remark indicated that his appointment would be more problematic than beneficial for the UK, Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: “No… his appointment shows just how seriously we’re taking this relationship.
Read more:
Mandelson an ‘asset’ to UK-US ties, No 10 says after Trump ally jibe
Downing Street defended the Labour grandee as a ‘significant asset’ to the transatlantic relationship.
Who is Matt Gaetz’s wife, Ginger? The woman proudly standing by her man amid sex allegations
Ginger Gaetz beams as she stands beside her husband in loved-up photos curated on her Instagram page.
The 30-year-old wife of the former Florida congressman and Donald Trump’s original pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, proudly describes herself as his “wifey” in her profile bio.
Her supportive posts about Gaetz, 42, signaled an intent to stand by him as he battled resurfaced sexual allegations from his past.
Read more:
Who is Matt Gaetz’s wife, Ginger? The woman standing by her man amid sex allegations
Gaetz’s 30-year-old wife Ginger describes herself as his ‘wifey’ in her Instagram profile bio. Rhian Lubin reports
‘These claims would be destroyed in court,’ Gaetz says
“These claims would be destroyed in court — which is why they were never made in any court against me,” Gaetz told Politico.
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