TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Two women sued Florida’s former GOP representative this week. Matt Gaetz and two others — including a former state lawmaker — in federal court and accused the men of engaging in alleged sex trafficking at a time when Gaetz was still in Congress.
The lawsuit, which seeks damages from Gaetz and other defendants, was filed in Orlando by two women who were in their early 20s when they first met Gaetz. The women are not named in the lawsuit. The details reflect allegations that date back to at the center of a House Ethics Committee investigation that revealed Gaetz had sex with a minor, solicited prostitutes and used illegal drugs.
“Defendants collectively used their public office, power, and wealth to exploit Plaintiffs’ economic vulnerability and commit the acts described below,” the 38-page lawsuit states.
This House investigation helped derail Gaetz candidacy to become attorney general under the presidency Donald Trump. He resigned his Northwest Florida congressional seat to run for the position, but decided to withdraw his name ahead of a potentially complicated Senate confirmation battle.
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