The House Ethics Committee on Friday opened an investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz over an array of alleged lawbreaking and violations of House rules stemming from a federal sex trafficking inquiry.
Among the alleged Gaetz improprieties the Ethics Committee could examine are sexual misconduct, sharing inappropriate images in the Capitol, illegal drug use and acceptance of bribes.
For the sophomore Florida Republican, the House probe is only the latest threat to his political future. It follows the news that a close associate, Joel Greenberg, is expected to plead guilty to a range of federal crimes and enter a potential cooperation deal with prosecutors that could add to the growing case against Gaetz.
The House Ethics Committee announced its probe alongside a separate announcement of an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) against a lobbyist who recently shared her story with the Washington Post.