The Florida Attorney General’s office has confirmed that local law enforcement, rather than state authorities, would be responsible for pursuing charges, if any, against former Rep. Matt Gaetz after a report from the House Ethics Committee accused him of sexual misconduct.

The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, which holds jurisdiction over the area where the alleged incident took place, stated that it could not investigate further due to an expired statute of limitations and a lack of a victim’s statement, as the Washington Examiner reports.

On Monday, the House Ethics Committee released a report detailing allegations against Gaetz, claiming there was “substantial evidence” that he paid multiple women, including at least one minor, for sex. The report also suggested that Gaetz may have violated several Florida laws, including those prohibiting prostitution and sex with minors.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office has made it clear that any potential state charges would have to be pursued by local law enforcement in the appropriate jurisdiction. Nick Cox, a state prosecutor, emphasized that local police departments, sheriff’s offices, or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement would be responsible for investigating any alleged crimes.

The statement further clarified that crimes would be prosecuted by the state attorney’s office in the jurisdiction where the alleged offense occurred. According to Cox, it would be necessary to contact local law enforcement agencies to determine whether they had received information from the House Ethics Committee or initiated their own investigations.

Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Declines to Pursue Case

Authorities in Seminole County, where one of the alleged incidents occurred, have publicly stated they are unable to pursue an independent investigation into the matter. The sheriff’s office clarified that investigations into criminal activity can only begin when there is a victim or direct knowledge of a crime, such as a sworn statement or affidavit from the alleged victim.

Despite the claims in the House Ethics report, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office noted that no victim had come forward with allegations, nor had any sworn affidavit been filed to substantiate the claims. This lack of a formal complaint has led the sheriff’s office to downplay speculation regarding the filing of charges against Gaetz.

In addition to the absence of a victim’s statement, the sheriff’s office also pointed out that the statute of limitations for the alleged crimes had expired. This time frame had passed by the time federal investigators had spoken with officials about the case.

Gaetz Resigns Amid Legal Scrutiny

Gaetz, who resigned from Congress last month, had been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of attorney general. However, Gaetz quickly withdrew from consideration after facing significant opposition in the Senate. The resignation and withdrawal from the attorney general nomination have only added more attention to the ongoing investigations and allegations against him.

Despite the legal challenges surrounding Gaetz, including the House Ethics report, it remains unclear whether criminal charges will be filed against him. As the statute of limitations has expired for these alleged incidents, the likelihood of a prosecution grows even more uncertain.

Local Law Enforcement Limits Scope of Investigation

The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, which holds jurisdiction over the area in which one of the alleged crimes supposedly occurred, made it clear that they could not take further action due to the lack of a victim or formal complaint. The office’s statement underlined that criminal investigations require either a sworn affidavit from a victim or substantial evidence from law enforcement, neither of which has been provided in this case.

Furthermore, the sheriff’s office reiterated that the statute of limitations for the alleged offenses had already passed before federal authorities had engaged with local law enforcement. This fact significantly limits any potential for further legal action, regardless of the findings from the House Ethics Committee.

House Ethics Report Adds to Gaetz’s Legal Troubles

The release of the House Ethics Committee report only intensifies the scrutiny surrounding Gaetz. The report accuses Gaetz of paying women, including a minor, for sex, further compounding the allegations against him. The report's findings, however, have not led to any new charges or criminal investigations to date.

Cox, the state prosecutor, explained that criminal investigations related to the allegations would need to be handled by law enforcement agencies within the relevant jurisdictions. This means that despite the House Ethics Committee’s report, local police would still need to investigate and gather further evidence before any criminal charges could be pursued.

Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Takes Cautious Approach

In response to the House Ethics Committee's findings, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the importance of having a victim or sworn affidavit in order to proceed with an investigation. Without such a formal complaint, officials there indicated that they were not able to move forward with any independent inquiries into the matter.

“The SCSO is committed to investigating criminal activity, but an investigation can only begin when there is a victim or direct knowledge of a crime,” the sheriff’s office said in its statement. This standard procedure means that without a formal victim or new evidence, the case may not proceed further in Seminole County.

Final Thoughts on Gaetz’s Legal Future

While the allegations against Gaetz are serious, the lack of a victim’s formal statement and the expiration of the statute of limitations present significant obstacles to any further investigation or charges. Even with the House Ethics Committee’s findings, it remains unclear whether local authorities will be able to pursue charges in the case.

As of now, no new criminal investigations have been launched, and local law enforcement agencies appear unlikely to take action unless new evidence emerges. Whether or not Gaetz faces legal repercussions in Florida will depend on any new developments, though the expiration of the statute of limitations poses a substantial barrier to prosecution.

The future of the case remains uncertain, with authorities waiting for further steps from local law enforcement agencies or potential new victims who might come forward with formal complaints. For now, Gaetz’s legal challenges continue, but the path forward appears unclear given the limitations of the current investigation.