CNN obtains draft concluding GOP congressman paid tens of thousands for sex and drugs among other violations. A leaked draft of a House ethics committee report on Matt Gaetz, the former Florida Republican congressman, found “substantial evidence” that he engaged in sex trafficking and paid for sex with a minor, among other serious violations of state law and congressional rules. The draft investigation was obtained by CNN and concludes that Gaetz, Trump’s first pick for attorney general, made payments totalling tens of thousands of dollars to women for sex and drugs across at least 20 separate occasions. The draft report also states that in 2017 Gaetz paid a 17-year-old girl for sex, which would constitute statutory rape under Florida law. “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 GOP-led panel reportedly wrote in the investigation. According to the final draft document reported by CNN, Gaetz used payment apps including Venmo and PayPal to transfer money directly to more than a dozen women during his time in Congress. Investigators also highlighted a 2018 trip to the Bahamas where Gaetz allegedly “engaged in sexual activity” with multiple women. One woman told the committee that the trip itself served as “payment” for sexual services. The same witness reported that Gaetz took ecstasy during the Bahamas visit, which investigators determined violated House gift rules.
via guardian: Leaked draft of Matt Gaetz ethics report finds evidence he paid for sex with minor