Washington — An “unknown and unauthorized third celebration” has gained entry to 2 dozen depositions of witnesses tied to the varied investigations into former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, CBS Information has discovered.
The leaked supplies are a part of a civil defamation case filed by Chris Dorworth, a lobbyist who’s near Gaetz. These supplies embody the sworn deposition of the minor with whom Gaetz allegedly had intercourse.
In keeping with a supply aware of the matter and an e mail considered by CBS Information, the one that gained entry glided by the title “Altam Beezley.”
Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing. The New York Occasions first reported on the alleged leak.
Gaetz was below investigation by the Home Ethics Committee and Justice Division, although federal prosecutors declined to convey fees in opposition to him final 12 months. The Ethics panel was wanting into allegations the previous congressman engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, amongst different accusations. However Gaetz resigned his seat within the Home final week after President-elect Donald Trump introduced he had chosen the Florida Republican to function his lawyer normal.
As a result of Gaetz is not a Home member, the Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction over him has ended.
Trump’s announcement of Gaetz as his decide for lawyer normal got here days earlier than the ethics panel was set to convene to vote on whether or not to launch a probably damaging report detailing the findings of its investigation into the previous congressman.
The committee postponed the assembly, which was set for Friday, although two sources instructed CBS Information that it’s now set to assemble Wednesday. Home Speaker Mike Johnson has cautioned in opposition to releasing the report on Gaetz, telling CNN on Sunday that the Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction doesn’t prolong to non-members of Congress.
However some lawmakers, together with within the Senate, have mentioned the general public ought to have entry to it. Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, the highest Democrat on the Ethics Committee, instructed reporters Monday that the panel’s report must be made public and launched to the Senate, which might vote after Trump takes workplace on whether or not to verify Gaetz as lawyer normal.
Wild mentioned she believes the committee ought to vote on whether or not to reveal the report and estimates there’s unanimous assist from Democrats on the Ethics Committee to take action. However making the report public would require assist from a majority of the panel, so not less than one Republican must be part of their Democratic colleagues in voting to offer the American individuals entry.
The Home Ethics Committee launched into allegations of misconduct in opposition to Gaetz in April 2021, however deferred its consideration in response to a request from the Justice Division. It resumed its investigation in Could 2023 after federal investigators declined to cost Gaetz following their sex-trafficking and obstruction probe.
In June, the Ethics Committee mentioned “sure allegations benefit continued evaluation” after it issued greater than two dozen subpoenas and spoke with greater than a dozen witnesses. The panel mentioned it was wanting into claims Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper presents, gave “particular privileges and favors” to individuals near him and sought to hinder authorities investigations into his conduct.
The previous congressman has denied any wrongdoing and has referred to as the ethics investigation a “smear.” Alex Pfeiffer, a spokesman for Trump’s transition, mentioned in a press release Monday that “Matt Gaetz would be the subsequent Legal professional Basic. He is the appropriate man for the job and can finish the weaponization of our justice system. These are baseless allegations meant to derail the second Trump administration.”
A lawyer for 2 ladies who spoke with the Ethics Committee instructed CBS Information on Monday that they testified that Gaetz paid them instantly and repeatedly for intercourse, and mentioned Venmo transactions for the encounters had been obtained by the panel.
The lawyer, Joel Leppard, additionally mentioned the ladies instructed Home investigators that Gaetz requested about “celebration favors” and “nutritional vitamins” at upcoming events through textual content messages, which was understood to be code for medication. One in every of Leppard’s purchasers testified earlier than the Ethics Committee that she witnessed Gaetz having intercourse with a 17-year-old in opposition to a recreation desk throughout a July 2017 celebration, months after he was sworn in as a Home member.
Melissa Quinn
contributed to this report.
