Matt Gaetz paid for sex, says lawyer representing house witnesses

A legal representative for two women who testified before the House of Representatives ethics committee investigating Matt Gaetz has confirmed in an interview that the former congressman paid the women to have sex.

ABC News reported that whilst both women were of legal age, they informed lawmakers about witnessing Gaetz engaging in sexual activity with a minor aged 17 at an event they attended.

Following his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of US attorney general, Gaetz stepped down from his role as Florida's Republican representative last week. This action effectively terminated the congressional inquiry, and despite calls for transparency, the House has not released the investigation report to either the public or the US Senate, which holds responsibility for confirming Gaetz's appointment.

Florida solicitor Joel Leppard provided statements to ABC News today. "Just to be clear, both of your clients testified that they were paid by [then] Representative Gaetz to have sex?" interviewer Juju Chang asked Leppard.

"That's correct. The House was very clear about that and went through each. They essentially put the Venmo payments on the screen and asked about them. And my clients repeatedly testified, 'What was this payment for?' 'That was for sex,'" Leppard told Chang.

Leppard revealed that one client informed the House committee about witnessing Gaetz engaging in sexual activity with her 17-year-old friend near the pool area at a July 2017 gathering.

Throughout various investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct, Gaetz has maintained his innocence. The identities of Leppard's clients remain undisclosed.