The appointment of Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general brings renewed scrutiny over his past ties to the Justice Department, including a federal sex-trafficking investigation and an ongoing House ethics probe that ended abruptly with his resignation Wednesday.

The federal investigation, initiated during Trump’s first term, centered on allegations that Gaetz and former political ally Joel Greenberg participated in paying underage girls and escorts for sex. Although Gaetz did not face charges, Greenberg pleaded guilty in 2021 to sex trafficking and received an 11-year prison sentence.

Federal investigators looked at several angles, including a trip to the Bahamas where Gaetz allegedly traveled with women and a campaign donor. The investigation looked into whether the women received payments or gifts for sex, and whether Gaetz’s associates tried to secure government jobs for some of the women. Investigators also looked into Gaetz’s connections to medical marijuana legislation.

The House Ethics Committee has been investigating related allegations since April 2021. The committee’s scope has expanded to include potential sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, improper gifts, and obstruction of investigations. As Rep. Michael Guest noted, “Gaetz’s nomination did not change the committee’s ongoing investigation.” However, Gaetz’s timely resignation effectively ended the investigation before the report’s anticipated release on Friday.

“It is unlikely that Gaetz will be confirmed in time to oversee special counsel Jack Smith,” said Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, expressing doubts about the confirmation process. Sen. Lisa Murkowski was more blunt, saying she “didn’t think Gaetz was a serious candidate.”

Despite those concerns, some House allies defended the nomination. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna argued that while many will try to “defame” him, “the evidence will speak for itself.” Trump’s statement emphasized that Gaetz would target “systemic corruption” at the Justice Department.

In his own defense, Gaetz “vehemently denied any wrongdoing” and said last year that the Justice Department’s investigation had ended without federal charges. Hours before his nomination, he called for an “all-out press against this ARME government”.

The timing of Gaetz’s resignation seems strategic, coming just before the release of the expected Ethics Committee report. House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged that this timing will allow Florida to hold the seat until Jan. 3, when Republicans will hold a slim majority.

The convergence of these investigations with Gaetz’s nomination highlights the unprecedented nature of selecting someone previously investigated by the department they are chosen to lead. Senate Republicans, including John Cornyn, remain noncommittal about his confirmation prospects, saying simply, “We’ll find out, won’t we.”

© 2024 Business Times All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.