House Ethic Committee issues subpoena for testimony of Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend in ongoing investigation

The Home Ethics Committee has issued a subpoena for the testimony of a former girlfriend of Rep. Matt Gaetz as a part of the panel’s ongoing investigation into the Florida Republican.

The committee is demanding Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend seem earlier than the committee over a Zoom name on Feb. 29, in response to a letter despatched to the lady’s lawyer.

The girl, who ABC Information shouldn’t be figuring out, had beforehand been contacted by the committee about voluntarily sitting for an interview and had knowledgeable the committee that she had deliberate to “plead the fifth” on any questions associated to the congressman, a supply acquainted instructed ABC Information.

“After all we’ll adjust to the subpoena and we’ll seem earlier than the committee,” the lady’s lawyer, Tim Jansen, instructed ABC Information.

“I can verify I obtained a subpoena on behalf of my consumer. We will definitely seem earlier than the committee as required. Nevertheless, now we have knowledgeable the Workers that my consumer will likely be invoking her Fifth Modification proper earlier than the Committee,”

The Home committee has not responded to a request for touch upon the matter.

Sources acquainted with the committee’s work inform ABC Information that Home investigators are thinking about talking with the ex-girlfriend about allegations that Gaetz paid for intercourse, and about allegations of drug use, and potential lobbying violations.

Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend, who beforehand labored on Capitol Hill, allegedly has data not solely relating to the congressman but additionally the one-time minor on the heart of the intercourse trafficking investigation ultimately closed by the Division of Justice with out charging Gaetz. The ex was additionally one of many ladies who was allegedly on a 2018 journey to the Bahamas with Gaetz and others, together with the minor, which the Home ethics committee can also be investigating, sources stated.

ABC Information beforehand reported that because the begin of the yr, the committee investigating Gaetz had additionally reached out to quite a few different witnesses, together with the lady who allegedly had intercourse with the congressman when she was a minor, and Joel Greenberg, the one-time shut buddy of Gaetz who was sentenced to 11-years in jail after pleading responsible to federal costs, sources instructed ABC Information.

Gaetz has blasted the Ethic Committee for “attempting to weaponize their course of.”

“The Ethics Committee is partaking in payback towards me for ousting the one that singularly appointed each Republican – Kevin McCarthy,” Gaetz stated in an announcement to ABC Information Thursday evening when requested concerning the newest improvement.

“I see via this sham and the American individuals will too,” Gaetz added. “Exposing witch hunts is type of my factor round right here.”