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Of all of the political intercourse scandals to emerge in latest months, few have been extra stunning than that of Matt Gaetz.
And new allegations that emerged at this time may cost a little the previous congressman his few remaining supporters.
As it’s possible you’ll recall, simply final yr, Gaetz was the frontrunner for the place of U.S. Lawyer Common.
He was an odd selection for the position, contemplating he had already been investigated for baby intercourse trafficking.
And now, it seems as if allegations that Gaetz thought has been buried for good have resurfaced in very public vogue.
In November of 2024, Gaetz abruptly resigned from the Home of Representatives, simply days earlier than the Home Ethics Committee was set to launch its findings on his alleged sexual encounters with underage women.
Gaetz withdrew his nomination for legal professional common, and Home Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned he would “strongly request that the Ethics Committee not challenge the report.”
It appeared as if the committee’s findings would without end stay a thriller,
However on Thursday, roughly one yr after Gaetz’s resignation, The New York Occasions revealed a dramatic report in regards to the life and circumstances of one of many former congressman’s alleged victims.
“She was 17 and a highschool junior in Florida. She was working at McDonald’s. And he or she was residing out and in of a homeless shelter,” the article begins.
“Hoping to save lots of as much as purchase braces to repair her enamel, she falsely marketed herself in 2017 as 18 years previous on a web site that matches males on the lookout for ‘companionship’ with younger girls seeking to generate profits.
“What adopted would set off a series of occasions that may have a dramatic affect on her life and assist upend the political profession of one of many males she would encounter, Consultant Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican.”
The report comprises quotes from the lady’s lawyer, Laura B. Wolf, who spoke with the Occasions after a Florida choose dominated that sure recordsdata pertaining to the Gaetz investigation must be unsealed.
“The weak circumstances most crime victims face are hardly ever recognized to the general public,” Wolf mentioned.
“Though my consumer’s circumstances have been revealed exterior of her management, I hope it helps for the general public to see a fuller and extra human image of her than the press has reported on thus far.”
Wolf added: “Energy imbalances might be age, however they can be monetary. My consumer had little financial safety, which allowed for monetary leverage over her.”
The lady was to function the chief witness towards Gaetz, however the investigation got here to an finish when the Justice Division below President Trump declined to convey prices.
“I by no means had intercourse with this particular person. This particular person threatened me with a lawsuit if I didn’t pay her $2.3 million {dollars},” Gaetz advised the Occasions through textual content message on Thursday. “She by no means sued me as a result of her story is fiction.”
The brand new data relating to Gaetz comes as politicians on either side of the aisle are demanding the discharge of the Epstein recordsdata, which might incriminate Trump and others.
We may have additional updates on this creating story as new data turns into accessible.
