The House Ethics Committee said Tuesday it is probing whether Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) sought to obstruct investigations into his conduct, is dropping some other lines of investigation into him and has issued 25 subpoenas in matters surrounding the congressman.
In a rare public update about the investigation, the committee said the high-profile probe into the firebrand Florida congressman has been the subject of “a significant and unusual amount of public reporting,” and that “much of that reporting has been inaccurate.”
“Notwithstanding the difficulty in obtaining relevant information from Representative Gaetz and others, the Committee has spoken with more than a dozen witnesses, issued 25 subpoenas, and reviewed thousands of pages of documents in this matter. Based on its review to date, the Committee has determined that certain of the allegations merit continued review,” the committee said. “During the course of its investigation, the Committee has also identified additional allegations that merit review.”
It is continuing to investigate whether Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct, engaged in illicit drug use or accepted improper gifts, matters it first started investigating in April 2021, the panel said.
The committee also confirmed new lines of inquiry: whether Gaetz “dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship” and “sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct.”
At the same time, the House panel said it will take no further action on whether Gaetz shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use or accepted a bribe or improper gratuity.
