Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) is suing to block the release of the House Ethics Committee's report on his alleged conduct.
In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Republican lawyers maintain that Gates is innocent, saying the acts detailed in the report are false and that Gates has since left office. The commission claims it has no jurisdiction over him.
The House Ethics Committee's multiyear investigation into Gates, which includes allegations of sex with minors and illegal drug use, comes hours after President-elect Trump nominated Gates to be attorney general. It was abruptly suspended last month after he resigned. Gaetz later withdrew his nomination.
“The anticipated statements and disclosures by the defendants are expected to include references and conclusions that the plaintiffs have engaged in conduct that amounts to 'misconduct' or is otherwise unethical.” says the complaint. “Because Plaintiff has not violated any criminal law or other ethical standards within Defendant's jurisdiction, the prospective statements and information are false, factually incorrect, and false.”
“Once released, the damage to the plaintiff's reputation and professional standing would be immediate, serious and irreparable because, among other things: a. b. media coverage would be immediate and widespread; CD allegations would remain in the public record forever; d. the ability to withdraw or correct information once published; There are no adequate remedies.”
Housing Ethics Commission's Matt Gates report to be released
On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Oversight of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,” former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) presents ATF Director Steven – Ask Dettelbach a question. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
The report could be released by the House Ethics Committee as early as Monday.
“After Plaintiff resigned from Congress, Defendant continued to act inappropriately with respect to the investigation, releasing reports and investigative materials related to Plaintiff without proper notice or disclosure to Plaintiff,” the filing states. It appears that he voted for.''
“Publishing the report with clear admission that the commission lacked jurisdiction over former members, failed to follow constitutional concepts of due process, and failed to adhere to its own procedural rules and precedents. The Commission's apparent intent to do so represents an unprecedented overreach that threatens fundamental constitutional rights and precedents.”
Last week, after the committee voted to release the report, Gaetz wrote to Z: “I was not charged with any crime and was completely innocent.”
Gates declines attorney general candidacy
“It's not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me. Then the very 'witnesses' that the Department of Justice deemed unreliable were assembled by House Ethics, and I and I They were to repeat their arguments unless cross-examined or challenged by their lawyers. I never had the opportunity to confront my accusers, and I was never charged,” Gates said.
“When I was single, I used to send money to women I dated. Some women asked me to do it even though I had never dated them. I had been with some of these women for years. “He had no sexual contact with anyone under the age of 18,” he continued. “Any claim of mine will be thrown out in court. That's why no such claim has ever been made in court.”
“My 30s were a time of working hard and playing hard. It's not a crime, but it's shameful that I partied more than I should have, womanized, drank and smoked early in my life. “, Gates concluded. “I'm living a different life now.”
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The House Ethics Committee did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment Monday.
This is a developing story. Please check back for the latest information.
Fox News' Elizabeth Elkind and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
