‘Damaging Testimony’ Related To Gaetz Investigation Accessed By Hacker: Report
A hacker has reportedly accessed a computer file containing “damaging testimony” related to now-former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and allegations that he had sex with an underage girl.
The file, which was being shared through a secure link among lawyers representing the women, was downloaded Monday afternoon by an unknown person, The New York Times reported Tuesday, citing an unidentified source.
“The file of 24 exhibits is said to include sworn testimony by a woman who said that she had sex with Mr. Gaetz in 2017 when she was 17, as well as corroborating testimony by a second woman who said that she witnessed the encounter,” the Times reported.
The documents, which do not appear to have been immediately made public by the hacker, reportedly include information that’s under seal with the Justice Department and the House Ethics Committee, both of which have investigated Gaetz for sexual misconduct.
The DOJ declined to file charges against Gaetz following its own sex trafficking probe into the then-congressman.
Gaetz’s abrupt resignation from Congress last week, immediately after being selected by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as attorney general, ended the committee’s investigation, since he is no longer a member of the House. But the committee reportedly plans to meet Wednesday to discuss possibly releasing its findings to the public anyway.
Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.), the top Democrat on the House committee, has called for the report to be released. Two attorneys representing the women involved have echoed that request.
Attorneys representing some of the women involved in the investigation did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s requests for comments Tuesday. HuffPost has reached out to Gaetz for comment on the leak.
Need help? Visit RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s website.