While the Justice Department declined to bring charges in 2023, the House Ethics Committee concluded in 2024 that substantial evidence supported the misconduct allegations.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Former congressman Matt Gaetz accused Israel on Tuesday of orchestrating what he described as an extortion and influence operation behind allegations against him of prostitution and sexual relations with a minor, claims he said were aimed at silencing him over his foreign policy views.
Gaetz made the accusation during an interview on The Tucker Carlson Show, where he rejected findings in a 2024 House Ethics Committee report that cited substantial evidence he engaged in statutory rape, commercial sex, and illicit drug use. Gaetz denied the allegations and said the process lacked basic due process protections.
“It was an op to silence me, and Israel was involved, and I hate to say that,” Gaetz told Carlson.
According to Gaetz, his father was contacted by an individual he said claimed ties to the Israeli consulate and presented images purportedly showing Gaetz with underage prostitutes.
Gaetz alleged the individual demanded $25 million and sought assistance in securing the release of a US spy held in Iran. Gaetz said his family reported the matter to the FBI.
Gaetz alleged that the episode involved multiple actors and claimed that Jake Novak, a Real America’s Voice host and former contractor for the Israeli consulate, was connected to the effort. Novak denied the accusation in a video posted Tuesday, saying he never attempted to extort Gaetz and had no involvement in any scheme.
“I have never extorted anyone, and I have never had any contact with either him or his father,” Novak said. He acknowledged contacting Dilbert creator Scott Adams while working as a new media adviser to the consulate but said the communication was unrelated to any criminal activity.
“It was troubling and concerning to me that someone who was getting paid by the Israeli government was involved in a criminal shakedown of a US congressman,” Gaetz said, adding that he believes Israeli government involvement was never adequately examined.
Gaetz said he considers himself pro-Israel but believes policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government harm Israel’s long-term interests. He rejected equating criticism of Israeli policy with antisemitism.
The allegations against Gaetz have been examined in multiple forums. While the Justice Department declined to bring charges in 2023, the House Ethics Committee concluded in 2024 that substantial evidence supported the misconduct allegations, findings Gaetz continues to dispute.
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