Representative Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, listens during a markup on H.R. 7120, the “Justice in Policing Act of 2020,” on June 17, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
Erin Scott | Getty Images
The House Ethics Committee on Friday launched an investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz, the embattled Florida Republican who is facing a federal sex-trafficking investigation.
“The Committee is aware of public allegations that Representative Matt Gaetz may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift, in violation of House Rules, laws, or other standards of conduct,” the panel said in a statement.
“The Committee, pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a), has begun an investigation and will gather additional information regarding the allegations,” the committee said.
The statement noted that the investigation itself “does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee.”
A spokeswoman for Gaetz’s congressional office did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The public relations firm Gaetz retained this week did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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