America’s next Attorney General described himself as ‘the most investigated man in the United States Congress’ following a probe into allegations he was involved in sex trafficking a minor.
Matt Gaetz, 42, never faced criminal charges and has long denied any wrongdoing relating to the claims.
The Department of Justice probed whether Gaetz had sex with the 17-year-old minor and had played a part in her being transported across state lines for prostitution.
A former associate of Gaetz, Joel Greenberg, reached a deal with investigators which saw him plead guilty to sex trafficking of a minor and identity theft, but there was not substantial evidence which tied Gaetz to the incident.
‘I am the most investigated man in the United States Congress,’ Gaetz said in 2023.
Now, his fortunes have changed with President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement that Gaetz will serve as AG in his administration.
‘It is my Great Honor to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The Attorney General of the United States,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social.
‘Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice.
‘Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System. Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.’
The House Ethics Committee first opened an investigation into Gaetz in April 2021, but paused it while the Department of Justice launched its own probe.
At the time, Greenberg was a cooperating witness as part of a plea bargain he’d struck with authorities.
The investigation into Gaetz centered on questions relating to a 2017 incident with the same 17-year-old girl Greenberg had been convicted of sexually trafficking.
Greenberg had introduced the minor to other ‘adult men.’
CNN alleged at the time that Gaetz was also being investigated for using campaign money to fund relationships with young women.
A trip that Gaetz took to the Bahamas in September of 2018 was also thoroughly investigated, to determine whether Gaetz had accepted escort services – paid for by others – in exchange for political access.
Gaetz went on to claim that he and his family were ‘victims of an organized criminal extortion.’
In September, he addressed some of the allegations head-on in a letter published to social media.
‘Your correspondence… asks whether I have engaged in sexual activity with any individual under 18,’ Gaetz wrote.
‘The answer to this question is unequivocally NO. The lawful, consensual sexual activities of adults are not the business of Congress.
‘Asking about my sexual history as a single man with adult women is a bridge too far.’
Investigators dropped the investigation in February 2023, in part because of questions surrounding the credibility of the two central witnesses.
The longtime MAGA loyalist was first elected to Congress in 2016 to represent Florida’s first congressional district. He previously served in the Florida House or Representatives.
Gaetz gained prominence for his controversial remarks as a member of Congress and actions as a member of the Freedom Caucus.
After taking office during Trump’s first term, he became one of the lead critics into the Russia investigations into the 45th president.
Gaetz served as a member of the House Judiciary Committee.
If confirmed by the Senate, Gaetz would oversee the Department of Justice including the FBI.