Washington: Confidential documents tied to allegations of sexual misconduct involving Matt Gaetz, a former Republican congressman and Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, were accessed by an unknown individual, according to Joel Leppard, a lawyer involved in the case.
Leppard told Reuters that the files, including transcripts of witness testimony, were improperly exposed on the internet. The incident, initially reported by The New York Times, has been described by the file-sharing service ShareFile as not a breach but rather a failure to adhere to security best practices.
Allegations Against Gaetz
The accessed files reportedly include sworn testimony from a woman who alleged Gaetz had a sexual encounter with her when she was a minor, as well as testimony from a second woman who claimed to have witnessed the act. Leppard, who represents the women, did not confirm these details but stated the accessed files were part of a lawsuit that has since been dismissed.
The lawsuit was brought by Christopher Dorworth, a Florida businessman and Gaetz associate, who accused Joel Greenberg, a former Florida official now serving an 11-year sentence for underage sex trafficking and other crimes, of falsely implicating him and others in illegal activities.
Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and said the Justice Department investigation into him concluded without charges.
Resignation and Political Implications
Gaetz resigned from the House of Representatives shortly after Trump announced his nomination for the Justice Department post. The House Ethics Committee, which had been investigating Gaetz, is expected to meet soon to discuss its findings.
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Meanwhile, key Senate Republicans, including Senator Chuck Grassley, have expressed reservations about Gaetz’s confirmation, emphasizing the need for full transparency regarding the allegations.
Legal and Political Fallout
The leaked documents add another layer of complexity to Gaetz’s nomination. While Trump has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated attempts to derail his administration, scrutiny over Gaetz’s past continues to mount.
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The Ethics Committee findings and the Senate confirmation process are likely to determine Gaetz’s political future as he seeks a role in Trump’s incoming administration.
