House Ethics Committee votes to release Matt Gaetz report

The House Ethics Committee voted to release its report on the investigation into sexual misconduct and obstruction allegations regarding former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. This came after the committee convinced two Republican members to join its Democratic counterparts in releasing the report, despite previous opposition from Republicans on the committee, sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.

The vote to release the report was taken on Dec. 5. The committee is evenly split, with five Republican members and five Democratic members. The source said the report will likely be released in the coming days.

House Republicans recently voted to return the case to the Ethics Committee, blocking two Democratic resolutions that would have forced the Ethics Committee to publish the potentially damning report on its probe into Gaetz. The report was sprung back into the spotlight shortly after President-elect Donald Trump nominated Gaetz to be attorney general of the United States. Gaetz resigned from Congress immediately upon his nomination; however, he subsequently withdrew from consideration after a confirmation process that was likely to be contentious.

It is uncommon for the House Ethics Committee to publish a report regarding a member who has vacated their position. Many senior legislators, including Democrats, have expressed apprehension regarding the precedent that has been established by disclosing the Gaetz findings after he has already resigned from Congress. In June, the committee issued a statement announcing it was conducting an investigation into allegations against Gaetz, which included allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit substance use, and bribery.

Gaetz has repeatedly denied all allegations against him, suggesting the investigation was a politically weaponized witch hunt. On Wednesday, the former congressman released a statement about the matter on X, stating that he has not been charged with any crimes, "not even a campaign finance violation," following a Biden DOJ investigation.

"The people investigating me hated me," he said. "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 and my attorneys. 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."

Some of the allegations included sexual misconduct involving minors.

"In my single days," Gaetz continued, "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 30s were an era of working very hard—and playing hard too. It's embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank, and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live in a different life now."

Gaetz will be anchoring a show on news network OAN after leaving Congress. He was nominated by President-elect Trump to serve as Attorney General, but after meeting with senators he withdrew over concerns that he would not make it through the confirmation process.