WASHINGTON − Matt Gaetz, a former Representative from Florida, filed a lawsuit against the House Ethics Committee on Monday morning in an effort to prevent the release of a report from a lengthy investigation into allegations involving a 17-year-old. Despite his legal move, the committee’s findings were publicly disclosed later that day.

In his lawsuit, Gaetz contended that the committee lacked the authority to publish its report since he is no longer a member of Congress. He claimed that the release would cause him “irreparable harm” as he hadn’t been given sufficient opportunity to contest the investigation, and that the information could tarnish his reputation.

The committee’s findings revealed that Gaetz allegedly paid multiple women for sexual encounters from 2017 to 2020, engaged in sexual relations with a 17-year-old in 2017, possessed illegal drugs including cocaine and ecstasy from 2017 to 2019, and attempted to hinder the congressional inquiry.

“The Committee’s intention to publish its findings after acknowledging that it no longer has jurisdiction over former members represents an unprecedented overreach, violating fundamental constitutional rights and established procedural safeguards,” the lawsuit states.

The committee’s report noted that it typically refrains from releasing findings after losing jurisdiction but has occasionally done so when deemed in the public’s interest.

“In this case, despite some committee members expressing concerns, a majority agreed that the findings should be made public,” the report explained.

The report indicates “substantial evidence” suggesting Gaetz participated in statutory rape, prostitution, and drug use.

It remains uncertain how the release of the report will affect Gaetz’s lawsuit. His legal representatives did not immediately comment on the matter.

Jacob Bliss, a spokesperson for Gaetz, pointed YSL News to Gaetz’s social media, where the former congressman claimed accusations of prostitution stem from giving unsolicited money to someone he was dating.

“They chose to release this information right before Christmas instead of in a courtroom where I could defend myself and present evidence,” Gaetz commented on his post.

In his lawsuit, which sought a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to prevent the report’s release, Gaetz asserted that he was denied access to the evidence gathered during the investigation and was not provided a “meaningful opportunity” to respond to the claims made against him.

The report asserted that Gaetz “was uncooperative” during the committee’s investigation, providing only limited documentation in response to requests, refusing a voluntary interview, and not appearing for testimony even after being subpoenaed.

“In cases of serious public allegations against a member, the committee often investigates, and when allegations are proven false, the member and committee share an objective to disprove those claims,” the report stated.

Gaetz filed his lawsuit in the federal district court in Washington, D.C.