Timeline Investigation of Matt Gaetz

Sometime 2017. “In 2017, Representative Gaetz engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl.” …. “Under Florida’s statutory rape law, it is a felony for a person 24 years of age or older to engage in sexual activity with a 16- or 17-year-old. 17 A person charged with this offense may not claim ignorance or misrepresentation of the minor’s age as a defense.” House Ethics Committee Report

Sometime 2020. Florida’s Statute of Limitations on Statutory Rape expires for prosecuting Matt Gaetz.

“The statute of limitations for statutory rape in the state of Florida is three years. In other words, the victim must bring forth and file any rape charges within three years after the commission of the offense to be legally binding and valid for prosecution. However, the state legislature has recently found ways to minimize the application of the statute of limitations, particularly on rape or other sexual offenses involving children. Thus, if a Florida resident gets accused of statutory rape, it is possible that the prosecution can commence at any time, with no regard to the 3-year statute of limitations. For instance, the Florida Legislature recently passed “Donna’s Law.” The law states that if a specified sexual battery offense involves a minor, the prosecution can commence at any time without following the general time limitations. The law came into effect for sexual crimes committed on July 1, 2020, or after.” Meltzer & Bell, P.A.

3.31.21. “On Tuesday night, The New York Times alleged that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R–Fla.) is "under investigation over possible sex trafficking" of a minor. Gaetz has denied the allegations and spun some accusations of his own, involving a former federal prosecutor attempting to extort his family. According to "three people briefed on the matter," Gaetz "is being investigated by the Justice Department over whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel with him," the Times reported. "Investigators are examining whether Mr. Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws, the people said." ” Reason.

3.31.21. “Matt Gaetz's father says the FBI is investigating an alleged extortion scheme and that he wore a wire as part of the probe. … The younger Gaetz also shared emails with the news outlet that appeared to confirm the existence of the bureau's inquiry. The March 25 correspondence was between Don Gaetz's lawyer, Jeffrey Neiman, and David Goldberg, an assistant US attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Politico said.” Business Insider.

4.9.21. “On April 9, 2021, the Committee announced it was investigating a series of widely reported allegations relating to Representative Matt Gaetz. At the request of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Committee deferred its review during the 117th Congress. After it was organized for the 118th Congress, the Committee reauthorized its investigation into the allegations involving Representative Gaetz.” House Ethics Committee Report

2.X.23. “In February 2023, after the Committee asked DOJ for an update on its deferral request, public reports indicated that DOJ had informed Representative Gaetz and multiple witnesses that the congressman would not be charged in connection with the investigation. Shortly thereafter, DOJ informed the Committee it was no longer requesting a deferral. The Chairman and Ranking Member reauthorized the matter in May of 2023 in accordance with Committee Rule 18(a).4.” House Ethics Committee Report

“Shortly after DOJ withdrew its deferral request and the Committee reauthorized its review, the Committee sent DOJ a request for information. After three months without a response despite repeated follow up, the Committee submitted FOIA requests to several relevant DOJ offices, which to date have not been adequately processed.6 The Committee continued to reach out to DOJ throughout 2023, having still not received a substantive response to its request for information.” House Ethics Committee Report

2.15.23. “The Justice Department has informed lawyers for Rep. Matt Gaetz and multiple witnesses that it will not bring charges against the Florida Republican after a years long federal sex-trafficking investigation. Senior officials reached out to lawyers for multiple witnesses on Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter told CNN, to inform them of the decision not to prosecute Gaetz. The final decision was made by Department of Justice leadership after investigators recommended against charges last year.” CNN

1.12.24. “On January 12, 2024, the Committee received its first correspondence from DOJ on the matter. At that time, DOJ provided no substantive response or explanation for its delay; instead, DOJ simply stated that it “do[es] not provide non-public information about law enforcement investigations that do not result in charges.” 7 This “policy” is, however, inconsistent with DOJ’s historical conduct with respect to the Committee and its unique role in upholding the integrity of the House.” House Ethics Committee Report

“Thereafter, the Committee determined to issue a subpoena to DOJ to obtain records relating to its investigation of Representative Gaetz. DOJ did not comply with the subpoena by the date required, but suggested it remained “committed to good-faith engagement with the Committee.”9 In the spirit of cooperation, the Committee provided a list of specific responsive documents, setting out particularized demands to the subpoena. Among the particularized demands was a request for any exculpatory evidence relating to Representative Gaetz.” House Ethics Committee Report

3.13.24. “On March 13, 2024, Committee Members met with the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs and the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division of DOJ. The DOJ officials again cited no legal basis for failing to comply with the subpoena. DOJ subsequently requested additional context for the Committee’s demands, which the Committee provided. After further attempts at meaningful accommodation of DOJ’s concerns about the breadth of the Committee’s request, DOJ ultimately provided publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual. To date, DOJ has provided no meaningful evidence or information to the Committee or cited any lawful basis for its responses. The Committee hopes to continue to engage with DOJ on the broader issues raised by its failure to recognize the Committee’s unique mandate. As the Committee has told DOJ, the Committee and DOJ should be partners in their shared mission of upholding the integrity of our government institutions.” House Ethics Committee Report

5.20.24. “On May 20, 2024, the Committee requested Representative Gaetz inform the Committee whether he would agree to participate in a voluntary interview and provided him a list of allegations so that he could make any response or provide any information regarding the allegations. On May 24, 2024, Representative Gaetz provided brief written denials of the allegations and “demand[ed] that the [C]ommittee address [‘leaks’] prior to me providing any oral testimony to the Committee.” House Ethics Committee Report

6.18.24. On June 18, 2024, the Committee announced that the scope of the inquiry would focus on allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, acceptance of improper gifts, dispensation of special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and obstruction of government investigations. At that time, the Committee also stated it would not continue to investigate allegations of sharing inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misusing state identification records, converting campaign funds to personal use, and accepting a bribe or improper gratuity. House Ethics Committee Report

6.28.24. On June 28, 2024, the Committee requested that Representative Gaetz provide the Committee with all records previously produced to DOJ, as well as dates of availability for an interview, by July 8. At that time, the Committee made an explicit request for any exonerating information.10 The Committee also informed Representative Gaetz that it could not permit further delays. Representative Gaetz did not produce the requested documents or dates of availability, and on July 10, he asked for an extension through the August recess to produce documents he deemed “appropriate.” Representative Gaetz did not provide these documents, despite multiple extensions provided by the Committee. House Ethics Committee Report

7.11.24. The Committee noted to Representative Gaetz that an interview would be an “opportunity to respond to the allegations against you and relevant questions arising out of the review.”11 However, he declined to voluntarily participate, again making demands of the Committee instead. On July 11, the Committee issued a subpoena for Representative Gaetz’s testimony; the subpoena was served electronically to Representative Gaetz and his Chief of Staff, who had communicated with the Committee on behalf of the Congressman throughout the investigation. Representative Gaetz did not appear to testify pursuant to the Committee’s subpoena. Representative Gaetz did not provide a legal basis for his failure to appear, but informed the Committee that, “[u]pon information and belief, the House will not take action to enforce” the subpoena. The Committee informed Representative Gaetz that, following his failure to comply with a subpoena and to provide a fulsome response to previous requests for information, the Committee would “rely on the record available to it to make its findings in this matter.” Representative Gaetz responded by stating that he had prioritized providing evidence that “most clearly and directly proves [his] innocence,” and stated that he “welcomed” written questions from the Committee. The Committee subsequently sent a set of written questions to Representative Gaetz. Representative Gaetz issued his response publicly, which did not answer most questions and asserted he would “no longer voluntarily participate” in the investigation. House Ethics Committee Report

11.13.24. President-elect Trump on Wednesday announced Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., as his pick for attorney general — an unexpected pick that took many, including fellow House Republicans, by surprise. …. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., who chairs the House Ethics Committee, told Fox News Digital that their investigation would cease as soon as Gaetz leaves the House. "Once a member is no longer a member of Congress, then Ethics has no jurisdiction," he said. FOX

11.14.24. On November 14, 2024, Representative Gaetz resigned from the House, after the President Elect announced his intention to nominate Representative Gaetz for the position of United States Attorney General. As a result of Representative Gaetz’s resignation, the Committee lost jurisdiction to continue its investigation. Representative Gaetz subsequently withdrew from consideration for the position of Attorney General; at this time, he has not announced any intent to seek higher office or return to Congress. House Ethics Committee Report

11.21.24. Matt Gaetz, the former Florida representative and Trump nominee for attorney general, on Thursday announced that he is withdrawing as Trump's pick for the top prosecutor, citing what he described as the "distraction" his nomination had caused due to a swirl of allegations about paying underage women for sex. FOX

12.10.24. On December 10, 2024, while several Members of the Committee objected, a majority of the Members voted to release the Report. House Ethics Committee Report

12.23.24. House Ethics Committee Report released.

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