A report by the House Ethics Committee found former Rep. Matt Gaetz paid multiple women, including a 17-year-old girl, for sex.

From the report: “The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress.”

More: “The record overwhelmingly suggests that Representative Gaetz had sex with multiple women at a 2017 Florida party, including the then-17-year-old, for which they were paid… Victim A recalled receiving $400 in cash from Representative Gaetz that evening, which she understood to be payment for sex. At the time, she had just completed her junior year of high school. Victim A said that she did not inform Representative Gaetz that she was under 18 at the time, nor did he ask her age.”

  • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
    513·
    11 months ago

    I know it’s still illegal, but if he didn’t know that’s not nearly as salacious as what was suggested (I thought this was more than one, like a regular thing). I guess the rumors were hyped up. Or the evidence was not provable enough to document?

      • Nollij@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        2·
        11 months ago

        I don’t know Florida’s law, but mine (and others) say things like “did knowingly, or was negligent in”. If they met at a bar/club that’s checking IDs, that would probably be ok. But I somehow doubt that’s where he met the high schooler. High schoolers tend to associate with other high schoolers, in places full of high schoolers.