Federal investigators have traced a network of payments involving Matt Gaetz and numerous associates, revealing alleged connections to drug-fueled sex parties and payments to women, including one who was a minor at the time. 

These findings, detailed in a document obtained by The New York Times, are part of a broader sex-trafficking investigation into Mr Gaetz, who has been named President-elect Donald J Trump’s nominee for attorney general.

According to the New York Times, the document, titled ‘Venmo transactions between all individuals as of 09/14/20’, shows payments from Mr Gaetz and his associates to dozens of individuals, some of whom testified they were hired for sex. 

According to Joel Leppard, a lawyer for the two women involved, the payments amounted to approximately $10,000, with individual encounters typically costing between $200 and $500.

The investigation also uncovered testimony linking Mr Gaetz to a 17-year-old girl who attended one of the parties. 

While both Mr Gaetz and his now-former associate, Joel Greenberg, reportedly believed the girl was of legal age, the chart shows Mr Greenberg paid her $450 via Venmo.

In 2021, Mr Greenberg pleaded guilty to six federal crimes, including sex trafficking of a minor, and agreed to cooperate with federal investigators in exchange for a reduced sentence. 

This cooperation led to Mr Greenberg providing crucial testimony about Mr Gaetz’s involvement in the sex parties and payments made to women, including the minor.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, the Department of Justice declined to charge Mr Gaetz, leaving the materials gathered during the investigation under wraps. 

However, the document was obtained by the House Ethics Committee, which has been conducting its own inquiry into Mr Gaetz’s conduct. 

On Wednesday, despite mounting pressure, the committee reached a stalemate on whether to release its findings.

Steven Cheung, communications director for Mr Trump, criticised the document’s disclosure, calling it a breach by the Justice Department, though the chart itself bears no classified markings.

Reports from the New York Times say that the chart, featuring thumbnail photos and payment flows, provides a detailed account of transactions involving Mr Gaetz and others from 2017 to 2020. 

It highlights payments via Venmo and PayPal, including additional sums uncovered through court orders. 

While the Ethics Committee’s investigation is ongoing, the revelations further complicate Mr Gaetz’s controversial nomination for attorney general.