Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) issued a statement about his past “embarrassing” behavior after it was reported that the House Ethics Committee secretly voted to release its investigation into him.
It was reported first by CNN on Wednesday that the House Ethics Committee voted in secret to release its long-anticipated report into Gaetz about allegations of sexual misconduct with minors and illicit drug use brought against him. Gaetz—who resigned from Congress last month—has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
In his lengthy statement, Gaetz highlighted that the Justice Department decided not to charge him after it investigated him for possible sex trafficking violations. He went on explain that he “often sent funds” to women he dated in the past before noting that his previous behavior was “embarrassing.”
“In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim was ever made in court,” he wrote.
“My 30’s were an era of working very hard – and playing hard too. It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life,” he said.
“I live a different life now. But at least I didn’t vote for CR’s that f— over the country!” he added, referring to the bipartisan stopgap spending deal that has been met with backlash from conservatives.
The secret vote—later confirmed by several news outlets—is a reversal from when the panel voted along party lines last month to not release the report.
The panel was reportedly set to vote on the release of the report last month just days after it was announced that President-elect Donald Trump tapped Gaetz to serve as his attorney general. Gaetz ultimately withdrew from consideration after concerns were made about his qualifications for the role and the long-awaited Ethics Committee report.
According to CNN, the report is expected to be released after the final day of House votes this year.
Most Republicans have argued that any congressional investigation into Gaetz ended when he resigned from the House. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also requested that the committee not publish its report, saying it would be a terrible precedent.
While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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