Gaetz Defends Himself in Op-Ed Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) says the “swamp is out to drown” him “with false” charges of sexual misconduct, but he is not backing down.

“Washington scandal cycles are predictable, and sex is especially potent in politics. Let me first remind everyone that I am a representative in Congress, not a monk, and certainly not a criminal,” Gaetz wrote in an op-ed published in the Washington Examiner on Monday.

The New York Times reported last week Gaetz is under investigation over whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and “paid for her to travel with him.” Gaetz denied the allegations.

Multiple sources told CNN Gaetz bragged about his relationships and sexual experiences with women to his colleagues.

“To this point, there are exactly zero credible (or even non-credible) accusers willing to come forward by name and state on the public record that I behaved improperly toward them, in the manner by which Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ten accusers,” Gaetz wrote.