Matt Gaetz says he's under federal investigation for sexual misconduct

[RandySF]

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), one of the nation's rising-star conservative firebrands, told Axios he is under federal investigation for sexual activity with women, and fears being criminally charged.

What he's saying: "The allegations against me are as searing as they are false," Gaetz said in a 13-minute phone interview with Axios. "I believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to criminalize my sexual conduct, you know when I was a single guy."

Axios reported earlier Tuesday that Gaetz has privately told confidants he's seriously considering not seeking re-election, and possibly leaving Congress early for a job at Newsmax.

The big picture: Gaetz, 38, said the specifics of the allegations are "unclear," and he said he's been told "very little." But the New York Times reported late Tuesday afternoon that the Justice Department is investigating Gaetz "over whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel with him."

"The allegations of sexual misconduct against me are false," Gaetz told Axios. "They are rooted in an extortion effort against my family for $25 million … in exchange for making this case go away."

Gaetz sent Axios screenshots of text messages, emails and documents outlining the alleged extortion scheme, which he claimed was being run by a former DOJ employee. The Justice Department declined to comment.

Sounding shaken, Gaetz said that for weeks, he and his father been working with the FBI in the Northern District of Florida on the extortion case. Gaetz said his lawyers were informed by the Justice Department that "I was not a target but a subject of an investigation regarding sexual conduct with women."

Asked what the charges could relate to, Gaetz said: "I have definitely, in my single days, provided for women I've dated. You know, I've paid for flights, for hotel rooms. I’ve been, you know, generous as a partner. I think someone is trying to make that look criminal when it is not."




https://www.axios.com/matt-gaetz-sexual-misconduct-investigation-2755fd4f-f72e-4283-b8ac-9233c952b914.html

[FSogol]

1. To Gaetz, generous as a partner equals paying for the sexual trafficking. Lock him up*.

* After a fair trial of course.

[dawg day]

6. Also "adopting" a former girlfriend's teen brother...

You can't say that's weird!

[Corgigal]

2. I'm not a target

but a subject.

Might work in republican land, doesn’t work in the real world.

[Skittles]

3. I don't even want to THINK about Matt Gaetz's "sexual conduct"

criminal or not

[marble falls]

4. He does himself no favors, he should get a lawyer and STFU, but I hope he doesn't ...

"I believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to criminalize my sexual conduct, you know when I was a single guy."

That's a confession right there.

[Claire Oh Nette]

8. Always someone else's fault

THe laws on the boos about sex crimes haven't changed much in the last few years.

They aren't trying to criminalize your actions retroactively, there, Matt. Looks like paying for underage women to meet you hither and yon across state lines was a crime when you did it, and is still a crime. 35 year old guy nailing 17 year olds makes me ask why the guy can't relate to women his own age.

If it's all false, then what good would extorting you or your daddy do? If it's false, you'd let them investigate, and wouldn't worry about bribes or extortion or hush money.

No, Matt. You broke the law. Any father of a 16 year old would beat the shit out of you gladly if you trying transporting their daughter across state lines for immoral purposes. If you'd adopted a daughter, you'd know that.

Mr. Gaetz is who Q's been talking about all along. Projection and confession. THey wouldn't be so interested in regulating bathrooms and transwomen in middle school track and field events and pedophilia if it weren't their obsession.

His prison mates will love this child molester, won't theY?

[marble falls]

16. They're all interested in keeping others from doing as they do, good and bad. They all feel entitled

[Beastly Boy]

5. Extortion scheme being run by a former DOJ employee?

So working for trump was just a stepping stone for Bill Barr! I never doubted his future was bright!

[stillcool]

7. good one! Never would have thunk it...

but it fits him well. Carl Hiaasen needs to write a book.

[GulfCoast66]

13. Gold star for the Hiassen mention!

Although I think he’s had already written a few that cover this ground! One of my favorite reads and one of the few writers where I re-read the books! I’m in stitches just thinking about the killer Rhino, the swordfish impalement and the weed-eater hand! As a Floridian it hits home.

Know what I’m reading tomorrow night!

[stillcool]

17. I have not been paying attention!

Didn't know he had a new one. Thank You If anyone can make me laugh about the Con, he can.

[WarGamer]

9. Did he know she was 17?

[RandySF]

10. The law doesn't care.

[GulfCoast66]

14. Oh, but they really do!

Grown man having relationships with a 17 year old? They really care!

[RandySF]

15. I mean they don't care whether the adult knew the true age of the minor.

[WarGamer]

18. either way, the boy ain't bright.

[Kid Berwyn]

11. Joel Micah Greenberg

Friend of Gaetz, Roger Stone and the Proud Boys.

The spaghetti is hitting the fan.

[gldstwmn]

12. A 17 year old is not a partner to a 39 year old.

[Paladin]

19. "...as searing as they are false."

Yeah, something major going on here. Enjoy it, Matt.