ORLANDO, Fla. – Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz will not face any charges from Central Florida law enforcement agencies over allegations stemming from a congressional report.
The 37-page report by the House Ethics Committee, released earlier this week, says Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars for sex and drugs.
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The committee’s report concluded that Gaetz had broken several Florida laws.
At least one of the incidents is said to have occurred at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orange County, where Gaetz allegedly paid a sex worker to bring “party favors” to him.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office tells News 6 that because of the statute of limitations, Gaetz is not being investigated and will not face charges.
“The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is not investigating any of the allegations contained in the House of Representatives report related to ethics violations committed by Representative Matt Gaetz.
“After reviewing the report, the incident involving a minor did not occur in OCSO’s jurisdiction, and the statute of limitations appears to have expired regarding the possible violations related to prostitution. Additionally, no victims have come to OCSO to accuse the former Representative of other crimes not referenced in the House Report.
“OCSO takes reports of this nature seriously and if additional information becomes available, the decision to initiate an investigation will be made in accordance with policies and procedures.”
Orange County Sheriff's Office
In another instance, Gaetz is accused of paying a 17-year-old girl for sex during a party at a house in Heathrow, at the home of Florida lobbyist and former state representative Chris Dorworth.
The committee obtained testimony that alleges Gaetz, who was 35 years old at the time, had sex with multiple women at the home, including twice with a 17-year-old.
However, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office says it is not pursuing charges because the statute of limitations has run out.
Both agencies also say they didn’t investigate sooner because of a federal investigation.
The Justice Department looked into allegations against Gaetz, which connected him to friend and former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg.
Greenberg ultimately went to federal prison after pleading guilty to several charges, including underage sex trafficking, wire fraud, stalking, and identity theft.
However, the Justice Department chose not to pursue charges against Gaetz.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office also told News 6 they’re deferring to local law enforcement.
Gaetz maintains the allegations against him are not true.
Gaetz, who hails from a prominent political family in the Florida panhandle, resigned from office after President-elect Donald Trump nominated him to be his U.S. attorney general.
In the end, Gaetz withdrew his name, and Trump nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi instead.
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