Republican congressman Matt Gaetz is reportedly being investigated over allegations he had a relationship with a 17-year-old girl, according to The New York Times.
Quoting three people familiar with the matter, the Times reported that the investigation began in the final months of the Trump administration under attorney general William Barr.
They are reportedly looking into whether the rising GOP star and close ally to Donald Trump had a sexual relationship with the teenager two years ago and whether he paid for her travel across state lines, in violation of sex trafficking laws.
Mr Gaetz told the Times that his lawyers had been in contact with the Justice Department and that they were told he was a subject, but not the target, of an investigation, which is reported to be focused on a political ally in Florida.
“I only know that it has to do with women,” Mr Gaetz told the newspaper. “I have a suspicion that someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward.”
In a tweet late Tuesday, the Florida congressman said his family has been victim to an organized crime extortion threat involving an ex-Department of Justice official seeking $25m.
“We have been cooperating with federal authorities in this matter and my father has even been wearing a wire at the FBI’s direction to catch these criminals,” he said.
Gaetz said no part of the allegations were true and called on the DOJ to “immediately release the tapes” that implicate the former DOJ official.
Gaetz: ‘I’ve been generous as a partner’
Gaetz has spoken to Axios – as well as the New York Times and of course, Fox News – on Tuesday night regarding the allegations.
He told Axios that his lawyers were informed that he was the subject of an investigation “regarding sexual conduct with women” but that he was not a target of the probe. He denied that he ever had a relationship with any underage girls and said the allegations against him were “as searing as they are false.”
“I believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to criminalize my sexual conduct, you know, when I was a single guy,” Gaetz told Axios.
“I have definitely, in my single days, provided for women I’ve dated,” Gaetz said.
“You know, I’ve paid for flights, for hotel rooms. I’ve been, you know, generous as a partner. I think someone is trying to make that look criminal when it is not.”
Gaetz has not been charged with a crime.
Adam Withnall31 March 2021 06:51
Matt Gaetz: The Florida congressman who became Donald Trump’s most outspoken ally
Florida congressman Matt Gaetz has been one of the most outspoken Republicans on Capitol Hill since entering the House five years ago – and one of Donald Trump’s most fierce allies.
The GOP rising star is reportedly being investigated over an alleged relationship with a 17-year-old girl two years ago, which he says is part of an organised $25m extortion scam plot against him and his family. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Graeme Massie31 March 2021 04:08
Matt Gaetz: Everything we know about investigation into Trump supporting congressman
Congressman Matt Gaetz has fiercely denied allegations of sexual misconduct against him and claimed instead they are part of a $25 million organised crime extortion plot.
The Republican lawmaker is being investigated by the Justice Department over the nature of his relationship with a 17-year-old girl and whether he paid for her to travel with him, according to the New York Times.
Graeme Massie31 March 2021 04:05
Tucker Carlson says Matt Gaetz interview was ‘one of the weirdest’ he has done
In an interview with Fox News, US Rep Matt Gaetz has claimed that allegations the Republican congressman trafficked a 17-year-old girl are “horrible”, “a lie” and “verifiably false”.
He appeared on the network after responding to reports that the Justice Department is investigating whether Mr Gaetz paid for the girl to travel with him, according to The New York Times, which first reported the story.
Mr Gaetz has claimed that his family is being targeted by a former Justice Department official in an extortion scheme.
Alex Woodward has more details.
Graeme Massie31 March 2021 03:32
Wyoming man charged with threatening to kill Matt Gaetz ahead of rally to unseat Liz Cheney
Florida congressman Matt Gaetz was among several Republicans who were allegedly sent death threats on the day of a planned rally in Wyoming to unseat Liz Cheney for voting to impeach Donald Trump.
In federal court on Tuesday, Christopher Kent Podlesnik pleaded not guilty to leaving threatening voicemail messages to Mr Gaetz and other elected officials on the day of the rally.
The court appearance came as Mr Gaetz himself was accused of being under federal investigation over an alleged relationship with a 17-year-old girl two years ago, which he says is part of an organised $25m extortion plot. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Justin Vallejo has the story.
Graeme Massie31 March 2021 03:01
Tucker Carlson says Matt Gaetz interview was ‘one of the weirdest’ he has done
Fox News host had Matt Gaetz on his show then told viewers that it was “one of the weirdest interviews I’ve ever conducted.”
Graeme Massie31 March 2021 02:07
Matt Gaetz tells Tucker Carlson he has never travelled with a 17-year-old girl
Matt Gaetz defended himself on Fox News and said that the claims against him were part of a $25 million extortion plot.
Graeme Massie31 March 2021 01:47
Ted Lieu takes swipe at Matt Gaetz ‘wire’ claim
The congressman took to Twitter to blast his Republican colleague for revealing details of the FBI investigation.
Graeme Massie31 March 2021 01:25
Ted Lieu calls for Matt Gaetz to be removed from House Judiciary committee
The Democratic congressman from California took to Twitter to demand that Mr Gaetz not be on the committee until the reported DOJ investigation is completed.
Graeme Massie31 March 2021 00:48
Matt Gaetz says he’s working with FBI on $25m extortion plot over false allegations
The Florida congressman said in a Twitter thread that his family has been victim to an organized crime extortion threat involving an ex-Department of Justice official seeking $25m.
“We have been cooperating with federal authorities in this matter and my father has even been wearing a wire at the FBI’s direction to catch these criminals,” he said.
Gaetz said no part of the allegations were true and called on the DOJ to “immediately release the tapes” that implicate the former DOJ official.
“The planted leak to the FBI tonight was intended to thwart that investigation,” he said, in an apparent reference to The New York Time’s story.
Justin vallejo31 March 2021 00:00