A leaked chart from a federal investigation has revealed a series of alleged Venmo payments made by Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s attorney general nominee, to various individuals, including women who testified they were paid for sex by the former Florida congressman. The chart, obtained by The New York Times and confirmed by a lawyer for some of the women, shows thousands of dollars in transactions between 2017 and 2020, the same period during which some individuals testified about participating in drug-fueled sex parties hosted by Gaetz and his associates.
The chart does not specify the purpose of the payments, but its release has added fuel to the growing controversy surrounding Gaetz. Despite the salacious details, the U.S. Department of Justice ultimately closed its investigation into Gaetz without pressing charges.
The revelations have complicated Gaetz’s nomination to become the next U.S. attorney general, with his confirmation chances in the Senate now uncertain. Gaetz has denied all allegations, and a spokesperson for him recently challenged reports by pointing out that the Justice Department had cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing.
Steven Cheung, a communications director for President-elect Trump, criticized the leak of the document, calling it an example of a “politicized DOJ” and alleging that the material was “classified,” despite lacking any official markings. Cheung also accused the Justice Department of attempting to damage Gaetz’s reputation ahead of his attorney general confirmation.
The document, titled “VENMO TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN ALL INDIVIDUALS AS OF 09/14/20,” includes arrows connecting payments to Gaetz and numerous others, with former associate Joel Greenberg, a convicted fraudster, seemingly acting as an intermediary. Greenberg had reportedly cooperated with a federal sex trafficking investigation and the House Ethics Committee’s probe into Gaetz, which concluded when Gaetz resigned last week.
The controversy has prompted calls for Gaetz’s nomination to be withdrawn, with some members of Trump’s own party now voicing concerns. The House Ethics Committee, which has been investigating Gaetz, has faced growing pressure to release its findings. In a recent vote, Republicans on the committee opted to keep the details of the investigation sealed, further complicating Gaetz’s confirmation prospects.
Amid the controversy, Gaetz has returned to Capitol Hill to meet with senators, seeking their support for his attorney general nomination. With the help of Vice President-elect JD Vance, Gaetz has been attempting to build momentum for his bid, expressing confidence in receiving a fair hearing from Senate lawmakers.
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