{"id":2383435,"date":"2024-12-24T17:42:02","date_gmt":"2024-12-24T22:42:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-matt-gaetz-might-not-face-charges-in-florida-after-house-ethics-report-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-12-24T17:43:09","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T22:43:09","slug":"why-matt-gaetz-might-not-face-charges-in-florida-after-house-ethics-report-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-matt-gaetz-might-not-face-charges-in-florida-after-house-ethics-report-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Matt Gaetz might not face charges in Florida after House Ethics report &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwhy-matt-gaetz-might-not-face-charges-in-florida-after-house-ethics-report-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2383435&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Authorities in Florida may not pursue charges against former representative matt Gaetz following a recently released House Ethics Committee report that accused him of sexual misconduct, including the allegation of paying women, including at least one minor, for sex. Despite the report stating there is &#8220;substantial evidence&#8221; of these claims\u2062 and violations\u200b of multiple \u200bFlorida laws regarding prostitution and sexual \u200cconduct with a minor, the Florida Attorney General&#8217;s office\u2063 indicated that any legal charges would need\u200c to be handled by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-votes-on-major-security-upgrade-will-fine-members-5k-for-bypassing-metal-detectors\/\" title=\"House Votes On Major Security Upgrade, Will Fine Members K For Bypassing Metal Detectors\">local law enforcement agencies<\/a>. Local\u2064 authorities in Seminole County have expressed that they are unable to conduct an independent \u2062investigation \u200cbased on the Ethics Committee&#8217;s findings.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Why Matt Gaetz might not face charges in Florida after House Ethics report<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1919495\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Authorities from the Sunshine State signaled they may not have grounds to pursue charges against former Florida Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/matt-gaetz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Matt Gaetz<\/a> after the House <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ethics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Ethics<\/a> Committee released a bombshell report accusing him of sexual misconduct.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The committee&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3268886\/read-in-full-house-ethics-committee-report-sexual-misconduct-allegations-matt-gaetz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">report<\/a>, published in full on Monday, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3267103\/gaetz-ethics-report-substantial-evidence-paid-sex-drugs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">claimed<\/a> there was &ldquo;substantial evidence&rdquo; that Gaetz had paid several women, including at least one minor, to have sex with him. The ethics report also alleged the former lawmaker had violated multiple Florida laws that prohibit prostitution and sex with a minor.<\/p>\n<p>However, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody&rsquo;s office <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DeForestNews6\/status\/1871234436106514541\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">indicated<\/a> on Monday that any state charges would have to be pursued by local law enforcement in the &ldquo;appropriate jurisdiction.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Allegations of violations of state criminal law would be investigated by law enforcement in the appropriate jurisdiction, such as a local police department, sheriff&rsquo;s office or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement,&rdquo; Moody&rsquo;s office said via a statement from state prosecutor Nick Cox.<\/p>\n<p>Cox continued, &ldquo;To determine if the agencies in the relevant jurisdictions have received information from the House Ethics Committee or have initiated investigations, you would need to contact those <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">law enforcement agencies directly<\/a>. Single-circuit crimes would be prosecuted by the state attorney where the crime occurred.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Authorities in Seminole County, the local sheriff&rsquo;s office in question, said Monday that they are &ldquo;unable to conduct an independent investigation,&rdquo; regardless of the Ethics Committee report&rsquo;s findings, according to Mike DeForest, an investigative reporter with a local Florida news station.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From left, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), then-Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) confer in the hallway near the House chamber just after a stopgap spending bill advanced on a procedural vote but with final passage uncertain, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Seminole County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office also downplayed speculation that charges might be forthcoming in comments to DeForest.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I emailed AG Ashley Moody&rsquo;s office this morning asking if she thinks a state investigation into Matt Gaetz is warranted for any crimes alleged by the House Ethics Committee that are not barred by a statute of limitations.  I got an &ldquo;out of office for the holidays&rdquo; response. 5\/ <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ftce3DB63y\">pic.twitter.com\/ftce3DB63y<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Mike DeForest (@DeForestNews6) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DeForestNews6\/status\/1871234436106514541?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 23, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The sheriff&rsquo;s office could be involved in a criminal case because it has jurisdiction over Lake Mary, Florida, where Gaetz allegedly had sex with a minor. One alleged incident took place at the home of Christopher Dorworth, a former Florida lobbyist and friend of Gaetz, who has said the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gaetz-resigns-from-house-ahead-of-attorney-general-confirmation-fight-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Gaetz resigns from House ahead of attorney general confirmation fight - Washington Examiner\">ethics committee&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s report contains &ldquo;false statements.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The SCSO is committed to investigating criminal activity, but an investigation can only begin when there is a victim or direct knowledge of a crime. This requires a sworn statement or affidavit from the victim outlining the alleged crime or information that warrants further investigation,&rdquo; the sheriff&rsquo;s office said. &ldquo;No victim in the sexual activity allegation is known to the SCSO or has come forward with allegations relating to this report. By the time federal investigators had a verbal conversation with the SCSO regarding their findings and decision not to pursue federal charges, the state&rsquo;s statute of limitations had long expired.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Since the statute of limitations for these alleged crimes has expired and no victim or sworn affidavit has been provided, we are unable to conduct an independent investigation, regardless of the findings from the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics,&rdquo; the SCSO continued. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3237587\/gaetz-withdrawal-spotlight-trump-nominees-sexual-assault-allegations\/\"><strong>GAETZ WITHDRAWL SPOTLIGHTS TRUMP NOMINEES WHO FACE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>reached out to Moody&rsquo;s office as well as the SCSO but did not receive a reply at the time of publishing.<\/p>\n<p>Gaetz resigned from Congress last month after President-elect Donald Trump announced he was nominating Gaetz to be his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-legislature-passes-law-experts-say-could-require-id-for-social-media-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"California legislature passes law experts say could require ID for social media - Washington Examiner\">attorney general &#038;mdash<\/a>;&nbsp;news that came days before the Ethics Committee was originally set to share its report. Days later, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3237670\/matt-gaetz-withdraws-attorney-general-nomination\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Gaetz withdrew his name<\/a> from consideration for attorney general after facing significant opposition in the Senate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1919495\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1919495\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Florida may not charge Matt Gaetz after a House Ethics report alleging sexual misconduct<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2383436,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Matt-Gaetz-ggxxg199.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[43492,45068,32688],"class_list":["post-2383435","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-florida-politics","tag-house-ethics","tag-matt-gaetz"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Matt-Gaetz-ggxxg199.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2383435","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2383435"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2383435\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2383439,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2383435\/revisions\/2383439"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2383436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2383435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2383435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2383435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}