Another day, another new development in Matt Gaetz‘s teen sex scandal.
Multiple sources tell CBS News that the antigay congressman jetted down to the Bahamas with campaign donor/marijuana entrepreneur Jason Pirozzolo sometime in late 2018/early 2019. Along for the ride was a group of female escorts, who had all of their travel expenses and accommodations paid for by the businessman.
Authorities are said to be looking into whether the escorts traveled across state or international lines for the primary purpose of having sex with Gaetz, and whether Pirozzolo was then granted special political access or legislative favors for bankrolling the sexy getaway.
In 2018, Pirozzolo, who serves as chairman of the board for the Medical Marijuana Physicians Association, told an interviewer that Gaetz was in the process of writing legislation that would “help facilitate research on the nationwide level.”
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“We should see a lot of good benefit from them,” Pirozzolo said. “We’ve got Congressmen that are actually dealing with this federal legislation right now.”
Gaetz eventually introduced the Medical Cannabis Research Act in April 2018. He tried again in January 2019. Both times, his efforts in securing votes were unsuccessful.
So why is this such a big deal?
Well, according to former prosecutor Arlo Devlin-Brown, if the allegations prove to be true, then Gaetz broke a ton of laws.
“Traveling across state lines is what creates a federal hook for a prosecution,” he told CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell this week. “It doesn’t matter that [Gaetz] personally paid them as long as he knows someone is doing that.”
Devlin-Brown added, “If there’s evidence of a quid pro quo that the congressman was provided with benefits in return for him sponsoring some legislation that’s of interest to the donor, that that’s a federal crime.”
As for Gaetz, he’s denying everything. In a statement, his office said he’s “never paid for sex” and called reports of sex trafficking nothing more than “fishing exercise about vacations and consensual relationships with adults.”
“It’s interesting to watch the Washington wheels grinding so hard every time one of their falsehoods gets knocked down,” the statement said.
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
jcool
if this ever goes to trial, a smart lawyer could just point to gaetz’s face and ask the jury “does anyone believe he’s ever had sex WITHOUT paying for it?”
your honor we’ve reached a verdict
Cam
My guess is, far from pushing this, Barr was delaying it so it wouldn’t come to light until after the election.
Fahd
With each new development, Gaetz’s assertions of innocence become more hollow, Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. At this point, I can’t see any reason anyone, even the Republicans, would want to hold on to him in the House.
cineteach
Personally, I think this whole teenage girl thing is just a coverup or diversion from his relationship with Nestor. That story has gone through some hard to believe twists and turns, typical of a coverup. Let’s give Nestor a polygraph test!
Mack
It was just announced that his buddy is working out a deal with Federal prosecutors in exchange for testimony. Gaetz’s ass is cooked.
LumpyPillows
Prostitution should be legalized. That said, being a crooked congressman should not. Indict and imprison.
cctv
Who cares about matt gates. We know he is a rapist. What about Scott Rudin??? He’s a Broadway gag beating his staff to a pulp? Cover that or shut up
curiobi
Wait -this again? I just saw this to excuse racism on Fox News and now to excuse child sex trafficking and corruption. Again who is this person you are talking about and what is the connection? And what do you mean who cares about MG? He is a sitting member of congress, but you say we all know he is a rapist as if it’s okay because people know? Literally not how the law works!
Cam
This troll account has been on every thread about Republican racists or criminals desperately trying to deflect the topic.
mailliw110
Pleas stop holding your grudge against Scott because you didn’t get that part in his off, off, off, off, off Broadway play.
cineteach
Probably more pertinent to cover Matt Gaytz’s relationship with his “son.” Some wildly changing stories to cover that up. Bet the kid has a lot to share!
Liquid Silver
Yes, yes, he’ll retire to “spend more time with his family” in 3…2… and the charges will be conveniently dropped. Can we just get on with the theater?