House Ethics Committee interviews women witnesses in Gaetz sex trafficking probe

In recent weeks, House Ethics Committee investigators have conducted a series of closed-door interviews with numerous women who were witnesses in the years-long Justice Department sex trafficking investigation into Representative Matt Gaetz, multiple sources familiar with the committee's work have told the US channel ABC News.

Several women who testified during the lengthy Justice Department sex trafficking investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz have been interviewed in private by House Ethics Committee investigators in recent weeks, multiple sources familiar with the committee's work told ABC News.

At least six women have been questioned by investigators about their alleged attendance at parties attended by the Florida Congressman and paid for by Joel Greenberg, a former close friend of Gaetz.

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After pleading guilty to numerous crimes, including sex trafficking and introducing a minor to other "adult men," Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison in 2022.

All of the accusations, including the one about paying for sex, have long been refuted by Gaetz, who previously dismissed them with the statement, "Someone is trying to recategorise my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward." Following a year-long inquiry, the Justice Department informed Gaetz in 2023 that it would not be pursuing charges against him.

Earlier this year, the Committee subpoenaed documents from the Justice Department about its investigation into the Florida lawmaker. Still, sources claimed that the agency has refused to provide the data. But after sending the company a subpoena, the committee was able to collect Gaetz's Venmo records, sources told ABC News.

A fresh update on the investigation into Gaetz was given by the House Ethics Committee on Tuesday. The bipartisan panel will continue to look into claims that the Florida congressman "engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use" and that he "sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct." The committee has spoken with over a dozen witnesses, issued 25 subpoenas, and reviewed thousands of documents.

Furthermore, the committee stated that it will no longer look into claims made against Gaetz, including that he "may have accepted a bribe or improper gratuity, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor."

On Monday, Gaetz claimed that "every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration" and referred to the House Ethics Committee as "Soviet."

Investigators have also questioned many witnesses regarding a party in July 2017. According to sources, the committee was given a sworn statement by a woman who claimed to have been there at the Florida party that Gaetz also attended. According to reports, the committee has also been informed by several witnesses that they witnessed Gaetz using illegal drugs at parties.

The committee began its investigation against Gaetz in 2021 before putting it on hold while the Justice Department conducted its investigation.

(With inputs from agencies)