Former Trump nominee for U.S. Attorney General paid for sex with a minor, according to a report.

This is mentioned in the report.

The report claims that Gaetz paid $90,000 to 12 women over several years while he was a public official. Specifically, he is accused of transporting women across state lines for the purpose of commercial sex.

Media reports indicated that during a trip to the Bahamas in September 2018, Gaetz paid a minor for participating in sexual acts. However, the committee notes that his youngest partner at that time was 18 years old. Therefore, despite the "power imbalance," there was no violation of the law.

Nevertheless, the committee found "substantial evidence" that Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl at a party in 2017, paying her $400 in cash. At that time, Gaetz was 35.

According to the committee, Gaetz learned that the girl was 17 only a month after their first sexual encounter, yet he continued the relationship. However, the committee points out that sex with minors is considered statutory rape in any case.

The committee also states there is significant evidence that Gaetz used cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana. He allegedly created an email account under a pseudonym from his office in the Capitol complex to purchase marijuana.

Thus, he is accused of violating Florida state laws and rules as well as "other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, drug use, improper gifts, special services or privileges, and obstructing the work of Congress."

The investigation against Gaetz began during the first administration of Donald Trump and expanded in 2021, but ultimately the U.S. Department of Justice did not file charges against him. The U.S. House of Representatives committee investigated his conduct until Gaetz resigned, effectively concluding the investigation.

Gaetz himself has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. However, when newly elected President Donald Trump introduced him as his nominee for Attorney General, questions regarding possible violations by Gaetz were actively discussed again.

Eventually, Gaetz withdrew from the race for the Attorney General position and attempted to legally prevent the publication of the report about him. He argued that the ethics committee no longer had jurisdiction after Gaetz resigned from Congress.