The Justice Department is investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to determine whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paid for her to travel with him, The New York Times reported Tuesday, citing three unnamed people briefed on the matter.
“I only know that it has to do with women,” Gaetz told the Times. “I have a suspicion that someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward.”
Investigators are examining whether Mr. Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws, the people said. A variety of federal statutes make it illegal to induce someone under 18 to travel over state lines to engage in sex in exchange for money or something of value.