Video Shows Matt Gaetz React to 'Surprise Award' at GOP Party

Florida Representative Matt Gaetz was given a surprise when he was called up for an award, only to find it was a hoax prize for allegedly paying to have sex with underage girls—accusations he has always denied.

Gaetz was the guest of honor at a GOP Christmas party last week in Strongsville, Ohio, where he was given the prize by a rogue presenter for allegedly using the money transfer app Venmo to pay for sex with underage girls. The Cleveland Scene reported the incident, which saw the presenter removed from the stage.

Sound from footage could not pick up what Gaetz said to the presenter, but after the presenter was taken away by security, Gaetz turned to the crowd, smiled and said "thank you all so much." The award was handed to someone off stage.

He was later reported as saying: "Ohio has become the beating red heart of the Midwest, and so I'm here to celebrate with some of the activists."

Newsweek has reached out to Gaetz's office via email for comment.

The Department of Justice said in February that it would not bring charges against Gaetz in connection with a year-long sex-trafficking investigation centering on his friend Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to multiple counts involving girls under age 18.

The Daily Beast unearthed Venmo transactions between Gaetz and Greenberg, and a letter by Greenberg claimed that he and Gaetz paid for sex with multiple women, as well as a girl who was 17 at the time.

"On more than one occasion, this individual was involved in sexual activities with several of the other girls, the congressman from Florida's 1st Congressional District and myself," Greenberg wrote in reference to the 17-year-old.

"From time to time, gas money or gifts, rent or partial tuition payments were made to several of these girls, including the individual who was not yet 18. I did see the acts occur firsthand and Venmo transactions, Cash App or other payments were made to these girls on behalf of the Congressman."

The House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Gaetz in 2021 when it was Democrat-controlled. It said it was investigating if Gaetz "may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use" but has been largely quiet on the issue ever since.

However, CNN reported last week that investigators wrote: "The Chairman and Ranking Member have authorized staff to conduct an interview" with a witness. In July, the broadcaster said the probe's recent focus centered around accusations of lobbying violations, not the sex trafficking investigation.

Included in the allegations were accusations that Gaetz shared inappropriate images on the House floor, accepted a bribe and used campaign funds for personal use. He denies each one.

In response to the House Ethics Committee probe, Gaetz told CNN: "Oh please." He added: "I wish them luck."

Gaetz has made a name for himself in Congress since he was first elected in 2017. He filed a motion to vacate the seat of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy earlier this year, which proved to be successful.