The House Ethics Committee reported on Friday that Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz is the subject of an investigation. Federal authorities are looking into whether the congressman violated any sex trafficking laws.
According to several sources, federal investigators are looking into a trip Gaetz reportedly took to the Bahamas in late 2018 or early 2019 as part of their investigation. Gaetz is also accused of having an improper sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paying for her to accompany him on a trip, which he denies.
On Friday, the House Ethics Committee also announced the launch of an investigation into Republican Congressman Tom Reed, who is accused of sexual assault. Reed, the mayor of New York, has already declared that he will not seek reelection in 2022 and has apologized for sexual assault allegations leveled against him by a former lobbyist.
Gaetz, who has refused to resign, is thought to have asked then-President Trump for a blanket pardon before he left office. Mr. Trump said in a statement that Gaetz did not request a pardon from him, but he did not say if Gaetz had requested a pardon from someone else at the White House. Gaetz has been one of Trump’s most vocal supporters.
