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The U.S. Department of Justice has decided to close down a sex trafficking probe involving Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), according to his lawyers, ending the case without filing any charges against the congressman.
“We have just spoken with the DOJ and have been informed that they have concluded their investigation into Congressman Gaetz and allegations related to sex trafficking and obstruction of justice and they have determined not to bring any charges against him,” Gaetz’s lawyer Isabelle Kirshner told NTD on Wednesday.
The decision to drop the charges comes almost two years after Gaetz announced he was actively being investigated by the DOJ. Gaetz came forward about the investigation after a New York Times article raised allegations he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel with him. That New York Times report relied on three unnamed sources.
Gaetz maintained his innocence throughout the duration of the investigation.
“The allegations against me are as searing as they are false,” Gaetz said in a phone interview with Axios. “I believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to criminalize my sexual conduct, you know when I was a single guy.”
“I have definitely, in my single days, provided for women I’ve dated,” Gaetz added. “You know, I’ve paid for flights, for hotel rooms. I’ve been, you know, generous as a partner. I think someone is trying to make that look criminal when it is not.
