Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee requested the FBI on Wednesday handy over the “complete evidentiary file” on lawyer common nominee Matt Gaetz, who’s been accused of intercourse trafficking a minor, illicit drug use and different crimes.
The letter, signed by 10 lawmakers, asks FBI Director Christopher Wray to offer the committee with the file from the company’s previous investigation into the previous Florida congressman in order that they could fulfill their “constitutional duty” to vet President-elect Donald Trump’s choose for the nation’s highest regulation enforcement place.
“The grave public allegations against Mr. Gaetz speak directly to his fitness to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government,” the letter says. “The unanswered questions regarding Mr. Gaetz’s alleged conduct are particularly significant given that his associate, Joel Greenberg, pleaded guilty to the sex trafficking charge for which Mr. Gaetz was also investigated.”
The Division of Justice, which oversees the FBI, ended its probe into Gaetz final 12 months with out submitting fees. The investigation reportedly stalled due to considerations in regards to the credibility of two key witnesses. Gaetz has denied the allegations towards him.
The letter’s signatories argue that there’s “substantial precedent” for the FBI offering lawmakers with “materials concerning both open and closed investigations,” together with testimony and memos. They cited eight examples.
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“In order for the Senate to perform its constitutional duty in this instance, we must be able to thoroughly review all relevant materials that speak to the credibility of these serious allegations against Gaetz,” the letter concludes.
All Democrats on the committee besides Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) signed the letter.
Whereas that Justice Division’s probe got here to a detailed final 12 months, the Home Ethics Committee continued its separate investigation into Gaetz and was gearing as much as launch its report on him publicly. However the committee was compelled to stop its probe final week when Gaetz abruptly resigned from workplace. He stated doing so would permit his substitute to take workplace in time for the following Congress.
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The Home Ethics Committee is assembly Wednesday to debate whether or not to launch its report on Gaetz, regardless of protestations from Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
Earlier this week, a lawyer advised media retailers that two girls he’s representing testified earlier than the committee that Gaetz paid them for intercourse and that one among them witnessed him having intercourse with a 17-year-old lady in 2017.
