A recent House Ethics Committee report has alleged that former Rep. Matt Gaetz engaged in a variety of illegal activities which include making payments for sex and unlawful drug use.

The 37-page House panel document details numerous alleged infractions, including attempts by Gaetz to obstruct the investigation, as Fox News reports.

The findings, released on Monday, followed an earlier federal investigation that concluded without any charges against Gaetz.

This level of detail emerged from the subsequent House investigation into the former congressman's conduct.

According to the report, from 2017 to 2020, Gaetz allegedly participated in illicit activities involving payments totaling tens of thousands of dollars to multiple women.

The payments were allegedly connected to sexual acts and drug use, involving substances like cocaine and ecstasy.

Illicit Sexual Misconduct Alleged

The report highlights a particularly alarming incident involving an underage girl at a party in 2017.

Gaetz is alleged to have paid the girl, referred to as "Victim A," $400, which she interpreted as payment for sex while under the influence of ecstasy.

During this party, Gaetz is claimed to have engaged in sexual activities with Victim A twice, and in one instance, these acts took place in the presence of other attendees.

The document clarifies, however, that there was no evidence found that Gaetz knew of the girl's age at the time.

The report strongly condemned these actions as violations of Florida's statutory rape laws, prompting further scrutiny of Gaetz's behavior during his office tenure.

Attempted Obstruction, Continued Controversy

Beyond the misconduct, Gaetz also attempted to obstruct the committee's investigation by refusing to comply with some subpoenas and by filing a lawsuit on the same day the report was published, in an attempt to prevent its release.

These actions were deemed by the committee as attempts to mislead and obstruct the investigation, contributing to the committee’s decision to proceed with making their findings public.

The report additionally included evidence such as text messages from Gaetz asking women to bring drugs to their encounters and witness testimonies of him using marijuana.

Political Fallout and Resignation

The exposure of these allegations led to significant political fallout for Gaetz, culminating in his resignation from Congress.

He had been considered for the position of attorney general under then-President-elect Trump but eventually withdrew his candidacy amid emerging opposition from some in his own party.

By releasing this report publicly, the House Ethics Committee underscored the serious nature of the allegations and its commitment to transparency, setting a precedent for handling such cases involving high-profile political figures.

The publication reinforces on the significance of maintaining ethical standards and accountability, particularly for elected representatives, to uphold the integrity of the office.