The House Ethics Committee secretly voted to release the findings of its investigation of sexual misconduct allegations against former Rep. Matt Gaetz, according to a new report.
Gaetz (R-Fla.) resigned from Congress on Nov. 13 when President-elect Donald Trump announced him as his pick for attorney general — before Gaetz withdrew eight days later due to Senate Republican concerns about those allegations.
The Republican-led Ethics Committee’s secret vote occurred sometime in December, CNN first reported Wednesday, and the document is expected to be released sometime before the end of the month.
The panel’s spokespeople did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Gaetz, 42, for years has faced allegations of sexual misconduct involving at least one alleged underage partner, which he has denied and said amounts to a political smear, pointing to the fact that the Justice Department did not pursue charges when it looked into the claims.
The MAGA firebrand denied the allegations again in a Wednesday tweet following CNN’s report — while saying that he was embarrassed of the fact that he had “womanized” in his 30s.”The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I committed various crimes. I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED,” Gaetz wrote.
“Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me. Then, the very ‘witnesses’ DOJ deemed not-credible were assembled by House Ethics to repeat their claims absent any cross-examination or challenge from me or my attorneys.”
Gaetz added: “I’ve had no chance to ever confront any accusers. I’ve never been charged. I’ve never been sued. Instead, House Ethics will reportedly post a report online that I have no opportunity to debate or rebut as a former member of the body.”
“In my single days,” he went on, “I often sent funds to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim was ever made in court.”
“My 30’s were an era of working very hard – and playing hard too,” he wrote.
“It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now. But at least I didn’t vote for CR’s that fuck over the country!”
House Republicans previously blocked release of the report, with the Ethics Committee voting last month along party lines not to release it.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) argued at the time that it would be wrong to do so following Gaetz’s departure from Congress.
Earlier this month, the House GOP majority voted down privileged motions to disclose its contents — and referred the matter back to the ethics panel.
Gaetz is now working as a host at the One America News Network.
