Attorney wants ethics committee report on Gaetz probe

The lawyer for a woman at the center of a sexual misconduct investigation is urging the House ethics committee to report on its probe of former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. 

The alleged victim in the sexual misconduct claim was in high school at the time of the alleged abuse, and there were witnesses, her lawyer, John Clune, said. He urged the committee to release a report, even as Gaetz left Congress. Gaetz has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and said the Ethics Committee investigations were frivolous.

What was this investigation about? The ethics committee has been investigating Gaetz over alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, among other things. The Department of Justice earlier investigated Gaetz, but prosecutors ultimately declined to bring charges against him.

When did Gaetz leave the House? President-elect Trump on Wednesday named Gaetz as his pick to serve as attorney general. Gaetz said later that day he would be honored to take the position. Shortly after, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters that Gaetz had resigned—effective immediately—from his position in Congress. Gaetz told Johnson he was resigning as early as possible so Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis could appoint a replacement before the new Congress takes its seats in January, Johnson said. The Ethics Committee’s rules only allow it to bring action against members of the House, not former members.

Dig deeper: Read Leo Briceno’s report about how House Republicans are rallying behind Speaker Johnson.