As controversy swirls around former Rep. Matt Gaetz, a confidential report detailing alleged misconduct could soon reach the public eye, according to former GOP Rep. Charlie Dent.

Dent, former House Ethics Committee chair, speculated that the confidential misconduct report on Matt Gaetz might be disclosed despite recent decisions to keep it sealed, as The Hill reports.

Having led the House Ethics Committee from 2015 to 2017, Dent remarked on the unusual decision to potentially appoint Gaetz as attorney general given the severe allegations against him.

The report, Dent noted, contains serious accusations of sexual misconduct that could influence public and political opinion.

The Ethics Committee, which Dent once chaired, opted this Wednesday to keep the investigative report on Gaetz confidential.

This decision comes amid heightened scrutiny in the wake of President-elect Trump's now-scuttled selection of Gaetz as his choice for attorney general.

However, some lawmakers are pushing back. They propose using a privileged resolution to bring the matter to the House floor for a vote, which would bypass the committee’s decision if it refuses to release the report.

Lawmakers Consider Forced Release of Gaetz Report

Dent, having seen his share of cases referred to the Justice Department, described the undisclosed report as "pretty nasty." He expressed no shock at the possibility of its release, given the contentious nature of Gaetz’s standing among his peers.

“There are plenty of House Republicans who are going to want to vote for this -- we all know that they have great disdain for Matt Gaetz. So, I wouldn’t be at all shocked if this is released one way or the other,” Dent stated, highlighting the internal conflicts within the party.

Dent also commented on the broader implications of such reports, noting that it is not uncommon for Congress to release them even after a member has resigned.

This precedent adds another layer of complexity to Gaetz's case, especially as he did not resign following the allegations, but only after receiving the AG nod.

Unprecedented Path from Scandal to Top Nomination

“I don’t know what’s in this report. This is really messy, and Matt Gaetz did not resign because this report was going to be clean,” Dent explained. His observations underscore the messy and potentially damaging nature of the allegations against Gaetz.

Another point of contention is the typical pathway for disgraced politicians. “Usually when a member of Congress resigns due to scandal, they go away quietly … rebuilding their lives. … They don’t get elevated to the attorney general of the United States,” Dent remarked, underscoring the anomaly of Gaetz's situation.

Dent's insights reveal a critical view of the unfolding situation, describing it as unprecedented and highly unusual. “That’s why this is so different,” he added, highlighting the stark departure from normal political recovery and reintegration.

Anticipation Builds for Committee's December Decision

A committee meeting scheduled for Dec. 5 could pivot the current narrative, depending on its outcome regarding the report's release. Dent believes that either the committee will resolve to release the report, or the pressure will mount to such an extent that the details will emerge through other channels.

"I believe the committee will get to it, or that the information will be made public one way or another," Dent predicted, emphasizing the inevitability of the report’s disclosure given the current political climate and the legal precedents involved.

The panel, under significant public and political pressure, faces a crucial decision that could have lasting impacts on the careers involved and the broader political landscape.

As this story develops, all eyes will be on the December meeting and the subsequent actions of the House.