U.S. House Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is in major hot water. Earlier today it was reported that he may retire early to seek a career as a NewsMax contributor. One might be forgiven for speculating that that news has something to do with the newer, even more, shocking news.
Gaetz is reportedly the subject of a DOJ investigation. The investigation is related to potential sex trafficking. The reports say there may actually be a 17-year-old girl involved somehow in the investigation.
Many people thought it was strange that Gaetz adopted a young foreign born son named Nestor, who was kept a secret, until he used that news for political fodder. We are not implying there is any relation here, other than the fact that Gaetz has a history of bizarre stories in our view.
Although a Republican, and mostly staunch supporter of former President Trump’s, Gaetz’ past activity has raised questions in the eyes of some. There have also been some times that he took opposing views of then President Trump’s as well, raising questions of his loyalty among the Trump wing of the GOP.
Although Gaetz has not been convicted of any crime as of yet, this report of an investigation by the DOJ, if true, could be the end for Gaetz, who was at one point a rising star in the GOP, in recent history even. Trump even stuck with him after they had some previous disagreements as well, but Gaetz has been more off the radar lately.
This could even put Gaetz’ possible job offer at NewsMax in Jeopardy as well, although it may be too soon to say this for sure. It’s quite possible that enemies of former President Trump who cast a wide net of investigations ended up catching Gaetz in the net on this one.
The NYT reported in part:
Investigators are examining whether Mr. Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws, the people said. A variety of federal statutes make it illegal to induce someone under 18 to travel over state lines to engage in sex in exchange for money or something of value. The Justice Department regularly prosecutes such cases, and offenders often receive severe sentences.
It was not clear how Mr. Gaetz met the girl, believed to be 17 at the time of encounters about two years ago that investigators are scrutinizing, according to two of the people.
The investigation was opened in the final months of the Trump administration under Attorney General William P. Barr, the two people said. Given Mr. Gaetz’s national profile, senior Justice Department officials in Washington — including some appointed by Mr. Trump — were notified of the investigation, the people said.
A Twitter user, after likely hearing the news, posted an interesting snip from an earlier news story regarding Gaetz, something many may speculate about:
SMH pic.twitter.com/KRtgl4gvem
— Izzy (@The__Real__Izzy) March 30, 2021
The story from the Pensacola News Journal was from 2017. It was reported in part:
Rep. Matt Gaetz took to Facebook Live on Thursday night from his parents’ living room in Walton County to defend his lone no vote on an anti-human trafficking bill that passed both houses of Congress on Dec. 19.
The bill, known as the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act, designates a human trafficking prevention coordinator at the U.S. Department of Transportation and creates a committee in the department to develop best practices for states and transportation groups to combat human trafficking.
Time will tell what the future holds, or if this investigation pans out. We will update this story with any updates or responses as we are able to if needed.
Update:
Matt Gaetz has responded:
Over the past several weeks my family and I have been victims of an organized criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million while threatening to smear my name. We have been cooperating with federal authorities in this matter…
Over the past several weeks my family and I have been victims of an organized criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million while threatening to smear my name. We have been cooperating with federal authorities in this matter…
…and my father has even been wearing a wire at the FBI’s direction to catch these criminals. The planted leak to the FBI tonight was intended to thwart that investigation. No part of the allegations against me are true, and the people pushing these lies are targets…
Over the past several weeks my family and I have been victims of an organized criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million while threatening to smear my name.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) March 30, 2021
We have been cooperating with federal authorities in this matter…
…and my father has even been wearing a wire at the FBI’s direction to catch these criminals. The planted leak to the FBI tonight was intended to thwart that investigation.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) March 30, 2021
No part of the allegations against me are true, and the people pushing these lies are targets…
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