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Lawsuit accuses former congressman Matt Gaetz of sex trafficking two women

Two women allege Matt Gaetz and two others coordinated payments and travel for commercial sex from 2017 to 2019; Gaetz denies much of it.

Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 20:15 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • A civil lawsuit filed in Florida district court accuses former congressman Matt Gaetz of sex trafficking two young women.[The Guardian]
  • The plaintiffs, Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, allege Gaetz and two others arranged recruitment, payments, drugs and travel for commercial sex from 2017 through January 2019.[The Guardian]
  • Gaetz rejected the allegations, saying much of the alleged conduct is false and that he looks forward to deposing the plaintiffs. A December 2024 House Ethics Committee report, as reported, presented evidence he paid women in exchange for sexual activity.[The Guardian · The Washington Sun]

Key facts

  • Gaetz is accused of participating in the sex trafficking of two young women in a civil lawsuit filed in Florida district court.[The Guardian]
  • The plaintiffs, identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, allege Gaetz and two others coordinated recruitment, payments, drugs and travel to obtain commercial sexual acts during 2017 through January 2019.[The Guardian]
  • Joel Micah Greenberg, a close associate of Gaetz, pleaded guilty to six federal offenses, including sex trafficking of a child.[The Guardian]
  • Gaetz rejected the lawsuit's allegations in a statement to the Guardian, saying much of the alleged conduct is false.[The Guardian]
  • According to The Washington Sun, a December 2024 House Ethics Committee report presented evidence that Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women in exchange for sexual activity.[The Washington Sun]

What remains uncertain

  • The allegations are unproven; Gaetz denies them and the plaintiffs' claims have not been tested in court.[The Guardian · The Washington Sun]
  • The reporting does not say how Gaetz has responded to the findings of the House Ethics Committee report.[The Washington Sun]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.