World · North America · 7 hrs ago
Two women accuse Matt Gaetz of sex trafficking in Florida lawsuit
Two women have accused former US congressman Matt Gaetz of sex trafficking in a civil lawsuit filed in federal court in Florida.
They say Gaetz and two others arranged recruitment, payments, drugs and travel to obtain commercial sex acts from them between 2017 and January 2019.
Gaetz denies the allegations and says he will challenge them in court.
The case adds to a long-running sexual misconduct scandal that followed Gaetz, a Republican who resigned from Congress in November 2024.
A House ethics investigation found evidence that he paid women for sex and drugs on at least 20 occasions, but it ended when he resigned.
The lawsuit now gives the women a civil case to pursue, and Gaetz says he looks forward to questioning them in depositions.
Two women accused former US congressman Matt Gaetz of sex trafficking them in a civil lawsuit filed in Florida.
The women, identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, allege that Gaetz and two others arranged recruitment, payments, drugs and travel for commercial sexual acts from 2017 through January 2019.
Gaetz denied the allegations and said he would contest them.
The lawsuit is the latest development in a long-running sexual abuse scandal involving Gaetz.
- Who
- Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 accuse Matt Gaetz and two others. Gaetz denies the allegations.
- What
- The women filed a civil lawsuit accusing the defendants of sex trafficking.
- When
- The suit was filed Thursday, 15 October 2026. The alleged conduct is said to have occurred from 2017 through January 2019.
- Where
- US district court for the Middle District of Florida.
- Why
- The women allege the defendants arranged recruitment, payments, drugs and travel to obtain commercial sexual acts from them.
The plaintiffs
Matt Gaetz
Allegations
The plaintiffs
The women allege Gaetz and two others coordinated recruitment, payments, drugs and travel to obtain commercial sexual acts from them.
Matt Gaetz
Gaetz said much of the conduct alleged against him is false.
Basis of claims
The plaintiffs
The lawsuit says the defendants used their public office, power and wealth to prey on the plaintiffs’ economic vulnerability.
Matt Gaetz
Gaetz said the lawsuit relies almost exclusively on a congressional committee report that did not allow him to confront his accusers.
The women allege that Gaetz and two others arranged recruitment, payments, drugs and travel for commercial sexual acts.
Gaetz resigned from Congress, ending a House ethics committee investigation into alleged misconduct.
Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 filed their civil lawsuit in Florida.
- Plaintiffs
- Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2
- Defendant
- Matt Gaetz, former Republican congressman
- Alleged period
- 2017 through January 2019
- Court
- US district court for the Middle District of Florida
- Lawsuit length
- 38 pages