(WASHINGTON) — On Monday, the House Ethics Committee published a report alleging that Matt Gaetz engaged in paid sexual activities, including with a minor, and used illegal drugs during his time as a congressman. This report is the result of a nearly four-year-long investigation that ultimately contributed to the failure of his nomination for attorney general.

The 37-page report from the bipartisan committee unveils concerning information about Gaetz’s conduct between 2017 and 2020, while he served Florida’s western panhandle. It details a series of extravagant parties and vacations that revolved around sexual encounters.

Investigators found that Gaetz violated several state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office; however, he was not found to have breached federal sex trafficking laws. The committee also concluded that Gaetz attempted to obstruct their investigation.

“The evidence shows that Representative Gaetz contravened House Rules and standards by partaking in prostitution, statutory rape, illegal drug usage, accepting improper gifts, and obstructing Congress,” the report outlines.

Prior to the report’s release, Gaetz denied any wrongdoing and criticized the investigation’s methodology. He expressed skepticism on X (formerly Twitter), questioning whether providing money to a partner without an accompanying sexual act constituted prostitution. He also suggested that the timing of the report’s release seemed more geared toward public relations than legal substance.

Since his election as a Republican in 2017, Gaetz has faced numerous scandals that culminated in President-elect Donald Trump withdrawing his nomination for attorney general. His political future now hangs in the balance, although he has indicated interest in pursuing an open Senate seat in Florida.

The committee’s report creates a damaging portrayal of Gaetz’s actions, backed by various pieces of evidence, including text messages, financial records, travel documents, and online payment histories. The Ethics Committee compiled this information after issuing 29 subpoenas and interviewing over two dozen witnesses.

In addition to allegations of soliciting prostitution, the report details that Gaetz “accepted gifts, including travel and accommodation for a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, surpassing permissible limits.”

In 2018, investigators assert that Gaetz assisted his chief of staff in securing a passport for a woman he was involved with, misrepresenting her as a constituent to the State Department.

Text messages indicate Gaetz inviting various women to events and coordinating travel plans. In one conversation, he asks if a woman owns a “cute black dress” for an occasion, along with chats about sending items.

One piece of evidence features a dialogue between two women expressing concerns about finances, while another shows someone seeking Gaetz’s help with educational costs.

Regarding the allegation involving a 17-year-old girl, the committee found no evidence that Gaetz knew her age during their encounter. The woman testified that she did not disclose her minor status, and Gaetz was unaware at the time.

The committee noted that Gaetz discovered her age a month later but continued to communicate with her and had sexual encounters shortly after she turned 18. Under Florida law, individuals 24 or older engaging in sexual activities with minors can face felony charges, with no allowance for ignorance as a defense.

Joel Leppard, an attorney representing two women who testified against Gaetz, stated that the findings bolster his clients’ allegations and affirm their credibility. He praised the committee for its transparency in releasing the detailed report.

Despite initial resistance from many GOP members, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, at least one Republican aligned with all five Democrats on the Ethics Committee to release the report to the public.

While ethics reports typically emerge after a member’s resignation, it is uncommon for them to be disclosed while the individual is still active in politics.

Michael Guest, the Ethics chairman and a Republican opposed to the report’s release, contended that the committee strayed from established practices by continuing investigations into former members.

“We believe that acting outside the jurisdictional boundaries set by House Rules poses a significant risk that could lead to serious consequences,” he stated.

In a last-ditch effort to prevent the report’s publication, Gaetz filed a lawsuit claiming it contained “false and defamatory information” that could damage his reputation. His legal team argued that he no longer falls within the committee’s jurisdiction following his resignation.

“The committee’s claim that it can publish potentially defamatory findings about a private citizen, over whom it asserts no jurisdiction, represents an unprecedented overreach of Congressional authority that threatens constitutional rights,” Gaetz’s attorneys claimed in their bid for a temporary restraining order.

The bipartisan committee has been investigating allegations against Gaetz since 2021, but the urgency of their inquiry intensified when Trump named Gaetz as his preferred attorney general candidate shortly after the recent elections. Gaetz then resigned from Congress, placing him beyond the committee’s jurisdiction.

Despite Gaetz’s resignation and withdrawal from the attorney general nomination, Democrats advocated for the report’s release. A recent House vote to make the report public failed, with nearly all Republicans opposing it.

The committee outlined the difficulties encountered during its investigation, including delays caused by the Justice Department’s concurrent investigation into Gaetz, which ultimately did not result in any charges.

Lawmakers attempted to gather details from the Justice Department regarding its findings, but the agency refused to disclose information about investigations that did not lead to charges.

After issuing subpoenas to the Justice Department for information, the committee received minimal responses, primarily consisting of publicly available information related to deceased witness testimony.

“To this point, the DOJ has provided no substantial evidence or justification for its actions,” the committee remarked.

In its report, the committee also pointed out Gaetz’s lack of cooperation throughout the investigation, noting that he submitted limited documentation and declined to participate in a voluntary interview.

___ This report includes contributions from Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer.