Gaetz has continued to deny wrongdoing after the New York Times reported he was the subject of a federal investigation. That investigation centers around whether Gaetz had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel with him, according to the Times, which also reported investigators are looking into whether Gaetz violated sex trafficking laws. Gaetz has not been charged with a crime.
The House Ethics Committee is investigating Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Tom Reed of New York.
Reed is accused of inappropriately touching a woman at a bar four years ago, and Gaetz faces a laundry list of allegations in connection with a Justice Department investigation.
“The Committee is aware of public allegations” against both congressmen, the two statements say. “The Committee, pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a), has begun an investigation and will gather additional information regarding the allegations.”
Reed recently announced he would not run for reelection or for New York governor in 2022 and “therefore will be retiring from public service on January 2nd, 2023.”
Gaetz did not discuss the specifics of the investigation in a speech Friday to a conservative group, but told supporters that political enemies are lying about him because he is a threat to their power.
