Bill Clark/CQ Roll Name by way of AP Photography
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) responded to the news that the House Ethics Committee will unencumber its investigatory file into his alleged behavior with a fiery tweet Wednesday, categorizing his personal conduct as “embarrassing, though now not prison.”
Gaetz used to be nominated with the aid of President-opt for Donald Trump to be the next attorney normal and resigned from Congress before losing his bid. It was once a controversial nomination because of his extraordinarily thin résumé for the gig and the way he had burned many a bridge along with his GOP congressional colleagues.
However it used to be Gaetz’s alleged entanglement in a sprawling series of schemes and crimes — including accusations about illegal drug use, bribes, and allegations he sexually trafficked a 17-year-outdated woman — that brought the most noise to his nomination course. A House Ethics Committee investigation was once opened into the allegations and rumors in regards to the “extremely destructive” contents of the committee’s report had been swirling for months.
Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and has now not been charged with any crimes so far, but the situation used to be too messy for each the Senators who balked at consenting to his nomination and the president-select who has different controversial nominees to get across the end line. Mediaite’s Diana Falzone stated ultimate month that Gaetz had “misled” Trump’s workforce “in regards to the extent of the misconduct allegations” in opposition to him.
Wednesday morning, CNN reported that the committee had reversed its earlier vote and determined to unencumber the report in a secret vote. Because of the partisan makeup of the committee, a vote to liberate implies that some Republicans crossed birthday celebration traces to vote in want of the record’s e-newsletter. Consistent with CNN reporter Alayna Treene, the record “is anticipated to be made public as soon as this session of Congress ends and lawmakers depart Washington to come home for the holidays.”
Gaetz fired back on the committee in a statement he tweeted Wednesday that stated he used to be “charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED” even supposing “the people investigating me hated me.” The now-42-12 months-outdated former congressman characterised his “single days” in his thirties as “an era of working onerous — and enjoying hard too.”
“It’s embarrassing, although now not prison, that I most likely partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have previous in existence,” he wrote. “I are living a different existence now.”
Gaetz went on to explain how he “ceaselessly sent dollars to ladies I dated – even some I certainly not dated however who requested” however “NEVER had sexual contact with somebody beneath 18.”
He concluded with a swipe at his former colleagues, who are currently making ready to vote on but any other persevering with resolution to manage the gargantuan federal funds, writing “at the least I didn’t vote for CR’s that fuck over the u . s . a .!”
The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I dedicated quite a lot of crimes.
I was once charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the folks investigating me hated me.
Then, the very “witnesses” DOJ deemed not-credible were…
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) December 18, 2024
The full text of Gaetz’s commentary:
The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I dedicated various crimes.
I was once charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Now Not even a campaign finance violation. And the individuals investigating me hated me.
Then, the very “witnesses” DOJ deemed now not-credible have been assembled by using House Ethics to repeat their claims absent any move-examination or challenge from me or my attorneys. I’ve had no likelihood to ever confront any accusers. I’ve certainly not been charged. I’ve not ever been sued.
Instead, Home Ethics will reportedly put up a document on-line that I haven’t any opportunity to debate or rebut as a former member of the physique.
In my single days, I regularly sent funds to ladies I dated – even some I on no account dated but who asked. I dated a couple of of those girls for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with any person under 18. Any declare that I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim used to be ever made in court docket.
My 30’s were an generation of working very exhausting – and playing exhausting too.
It’s embarrassing, though now not legal, that I most likely partied, womanized, drank and smoked greater than I must have past in existence. I are living a special existence now.
But at least I didn’t vote for CR’s that fuck over the united states!
The put up Gaetz Defiantly Responds to Looming Release of Home Ethics Document in Fiery Tweet, Calls His Conduct ‘Embarrassing, alThough Not Felony’ first regarded on Mediaite.