Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida is denying a report that he is under federal investigation over a possible relationship with a 17 year old girl.
On Tuesday night, the New York Times reported, citing three people briefed on the matter, that the Justice Department is looking into whether Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws, including whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17 year old and paid for her to travel with him. The Times did not report that any charges had been filed.
Gaetz, an ally of former President Donald Trump, responded the same night in an interview on Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News. He said the claim is false and that he has not had a relationship with a 17 year old.
Gaetz Claims An Extortion Plot
Gaetz also told Carlson that a former Justice Department official was trying to extort $25 million from him and his family in exchange for making the allegations go away. He said he reported the matter to the FBI, that the FBI asked his father to wear a wire during conversations with that former official, and that he wants the recordings released to show he did nothing wrong.
He also questioned the timing of the Times report, saying his father was expected to contact the former official on Wednesday about a $4.5 million payment. In a statement, Gaetz described the report as a planted leak meant to derail that investigation. Baller Alert could not independently confirm his claims about an extortion attempt, and the Justice Department has not publicly commented on the matter.
Gaetz has not been charged with a crime. Baller Alert will continue to follow this story.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
