Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to prevent the release of a U.S. House Ethics Committee report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use during his time in office. Gaetz, who resigned from Congress in November, argues the committee lacks jurisdiction over him as a private citizen.
Gaetz Alleges Jurisdictional Overreach
In his complaint, Gaetz contends the committee’s plan to release the report violates his constitutional rights and due process. He asserts the committee previously acknowledged it lacks authority over former members of Congress, describing the move as an “unprecedented overreach.”
“The release represents an unprecedented overreach that threatens fundamental constitutional rights and established procedural protections,” the lawsuit states.
Allegations in the Report
According to a leaked draft obtained by CNN, the ethics committee’s investigation uncovered evidence that Gaetz paid women for sex, including a 17-year-old girl in 2017, and engaged in drug use involving substances like cocaine and ecstasy between 2017 and 2019.
