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Jimmy Williams
As President-elect Donald Trump pushes for Matt Gaetz to lead the Justice Department, allegations have surfaced that the former Florida congressman paid women for sex at exclusive parties, including one involving a minor. The accusations, made by attorney Joel Leppard on behalf of two women, have reignited scrutiny of Gaetz as he prepares for a contentious Senate confirmation process.
Leppard said one of his clients, 19 at the time, was introduced to Gaetz at a private 2017 party in Orlando. She alleged that within minutes of meeting him, she was taken upstairs to have sex. Later that evening, she reportedly witnessed Gaetz having sex with her 17-year-old friend against a game table.
“This is a very vivid memory that she has,” Leppard said during an interview Monday.
Leppard’s clients testified about these incidents during a House Ethics Committee investigation that spanned years. Although the Justice Department investigated Gaetz over allegations of sex trafficking involving the minor, no charges were filed.
Text Messages and Trips Cited in Claims
Leppard said his clients provided text messages and other documentation to the House Ethics Committee, including exchanges where Gaetz allegedly referred to drugs as “party favors.” He added that his clients also alleged Gaetz flew them to New York City in 2019 and the Bahamas in 2018, paying for their flights, lodging, and entertainment.
On both occasions, the women reportedly had consensual sex with Gaetz but were not explicitly paid. However, Leppard emphasized that the travel arrangements could raise further legal concerns.
Gaetz and Trump Deny Allegations
Gaetz, 42, has consistently denied wrongdoing, alleging he is the target of a politically motivated extortion plot. Representatives for Gaetz directed NBC News to a statement from Trump’s transition team dismissing the allegations as “baseless.”
“Matt Gaetz will be the next Attorney General,” transition spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer said Monday. “He’s the right man for the job and will end the weaponization of our justice system.”
Leppard’s clients, who he said have no political affiliations or motivations, are calling for the Ethics Committee to release its report on Gaetz. They are unwilling to testify publicly and hope the documentation they provided will allow the public to judge the allegations for themselves.
A Rocky Road to Confirmation
Gaetz’s nomination has already drawn skepticism from Republicans and Democrats alike. With the Senate Judiciary Committee set to review his nomination, members have expressed interest in the Ethics Committee’s findings.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who holds a key swing vote, has signaled that the allegations merit close examination. “These are serious claims, and they will weigh heavily in the confirmation process,” she said Monday.
Democrats, including Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin of Illinois, have demanded the Ethics Committee preserve all evidence and immediately share its findings with the Senate.
“Gaetz shouldn’t be able to resign away an ethics investigation involving allegations of grave misconduct,” said Durbin’s spokesperson, Josh Sorbe.
The Ethics Committee will meet Wednesday to discuss the report, but whether it will release it remains uncertain. For now, the shadow of controversy looms over Gaetz’s path to leading the Justice Department.
