(WASHINGTON) — On Monday, the House Ethics Committee unveiled a comprehensive report alleging that Matt Gaetz engaged in numerous paid sexual activities, including interactions with a minor, and used illegal drugs throughout his tenure in Congress. This report stems from an extensive investigation that spanned almost four years and played a crucial role in the collapse of his nomination as attorney general.

The 37-page report from the bipartisan committee outlines alarming details regarding Gaetz’s conduct from 2017 to 2020 while he served Florida’s western panhandle. It paints a picture of extravagant parties and vacations that revolved around sexual encounters.

Investigators have concluded that Gaetz violated several state laws related to sexual misconduct during his time in office, although he was not found to have breached federal sex trafficking laws. Additionally, the report suggests that Gaetz attempted to impede the committee’s investigation.

“The evidence points to Representative Gaetz breaching House Rules and standards through engaging in prostitution, statutory rape, illegal drug use, accepting inappropriate gifts, and obstructing Congress,” the report asserts.

Before the report was released, Gaetz vocally denied any wrongdoing and criticized the investigative process. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his skepticism, questioning whether providing money to a partner without a sexual exchange could be classified as prostitution. He also suggested that the timing of the report’s release seemed more aimed at public sensation than legal scrutiny.

Since his election as a Republican in 2017, Gaetz has faced numerous controversies, culminating in President-elect Donald Trump withdrawing his nomination for the attorney general role. His political future now appears uncertain, although he has expressed interest in pursuing an open Senate seat in Florida.

The committee’s report offers a damaging portrayal of Gaetz’s conduct, supported by a wealth of evidence including text messages, financial records, travel receipts, and online payment documentation. The Ethics Committee compiled this information after issuing 29 subpoenas and interviewing more than two dozen witnesses.

In addition to the solicitation allegations, the report details that Gaetz “accepted gifts, such as transportation and lodging during a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, exceeding permissible limits.”

Investigators allege that in 2018, 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 reportedly show Gaetz inviting various women to events and organizing travel arrangements. In one conversation, he asks a woman if she has a “cute black dress” for an occasion, alongside discussions about sending items.

One piece of evidence includes a conversation between two women voicing concerns about financial issues, while another shows someone seeking Gaetz’s help with educational expenses.

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

The committee indicated that Gaetz only learned of her age a month after the incident, yet he maintained communication with her and met for sexual encounters again shortly after she turned 18. Under Florida law, individuals aged 24 or older engaging in sexual activities with minors face felony charges, with ignorance not serving as a valid defense.

Joel Leppard, representing two women who testified against Gaetz, stated that the findings support his clients’ claims and enhance their credibility. He praised the committee for its transparency in releasing the detailed report.

Despite initial resistance from several GOP members, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, at least one Republican joined all five Democrats on the Ethics Committee in voting for the report’s public release.

While it is typical for ethics reports to emerge after a member resigns, it is unusual for them to be published while the individual is still out of office.

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

“We believe that operating outside the jurisdictional boundaries set by House Rules poses a significant risk that could have serious ramifications,” he stated.

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

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

The bipartisan committee has been probing allegations against Gaetz since 2021, but urgency surged when Trump named Gaetz as his preferred candidate for attorney general soon after the recent elections. Following this, Gaetz resigned from Congress, placing him outside the committee’s jurisdiction.

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

The committee noted the challenges faced during its investigation, including delays attributed to the Justice Department’s concurrent inquiry into Gaetz, which ultimately did not yield any charges.

Lawmakers sought details from the Justice Department regarding its findings, but the agency declined to provide information on inquiries that did not result in charges.

After issuing subpoenas to the Justice Department for information, the committee received scant responses, mainly consisting of publicly available information regarding the testimony of a deceased witness.

“To date, the DOJ has provided no substantial evidence or explanation for its actions,” the committee noted.

The report also emphasized Gaetz’s lack of cooperation throughout the investigation, indicating that he offered minimal documentation and declined to participate in a voluntary interview.

___ Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.