Ethics Committee Report Reveals Shocking Details of Matt Gaetz’s 2018 Bahamas Trip

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News Americas, New York, NY, December 23, 2024: News Americas, New York, NY, December 23, 2024: The House Ethics Committee has released a bombshell report detailing allegations of misconduct by former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, including revelations about a controversial 2018 trip to the Bahamas. The 42-page report accuses Gaetz of violating House Rules and engaging in potentially criminal activities at the state level, including prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, and accepting impermissible gifts.

FLASHBACK – Matt Gaetz attending a House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies and Innovation hearing about artificial intelligence on Capitol Hill July 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. The hearing focused on barriers that prevent the Department of Defense from adopting and deploying A.I. effectively and the risks from adversarial A.I. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The investigation highlights the September 2018 Bahamas trip, where Gaetz reportedly traveled with at least five young women, flying separately from the group on a commercial flight while others used private planes. Gaetz was joined by GOP allies Halsey Beshears, a former state legislator, and Jason Pirozzolo, a hand surgeon and Republican fundraiser for Governor Ron DeSantis.

The report alleges that Gaetz engaged in sexual activity with multiple women during the trip and was under the influence of drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy. Testimony from a woman in the group described the trip as payment for sex, and the committee claims it found “ample evidence” that Gaetz used a pseudonymous email account from his House office to arrange for the purchase of marijuana. The report says that Gaetz used illegal drugs — including cocaine and Ecstasy — on multiple occasions between 2017 and 2019. It also says that he accepted gifts of transportation and lodging, in excess of dollar limits on what members of Congress are allowed to accept, as part of a trip he took to the Bahamas where he had sex with women whom he paid.

The committee also accuses Gaetz of using his congressional office to expedite a passport for a woman he was in a sexual relationship with, with his chief of staff falsely claiming the woman was a constituent.

On Monday, Gaetz attempted to block the release of the report by filing a temporary restraining order, arguing that the committee had no jurisdiction over him as a former member and alleging violations of due process. “The Committee’s apparent intention to release its report after explicitly acknowledging it lacks jurisdiction… represents an unprecedented overreach,” Gaetz’s lawyers argued.

Despite his efforts, the report was made public. In a series of posts on X, Gaetz denied paying for sex or engaging in illegal activities. He pointed out that a previous Justice Department investigation into similar allegations concluded with no charges.

“I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court — which is why no such claim was ever made in court,” Gaetz stated on X. Reflecting on his past, he admitted to partying and womanizing but insisted, “I live a different life now.”

House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest, R-Miss., confirmed the findings but noted he did not vote to release the report. The investigation and its revelations mark a significant chapter in Gaetz’s tumultuous political career, casting a shadow over his recent nomination by President-elect Donald Trump for U.S. attorney general, a role he later withdrew from amid mounting scrutiny.

Caribbean Recipe: Haitian Griot

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY: Like many Caribbean nationals in the Diaspora, Haiti is on my mind now, and as I get my donations together to help the victims there of Hurricane Matthew, I am also thinking about the wonderful cuisine of Haiti.

My favorite Haitian dish is griot (gree-o) with rice and peas, fried plantains and lettuce and tomatoes. The reason I love this dish is it’s a unique way to cook and serve pork.

Pork as we all know – for those of us who eat it – is a delicious meat when it is seasoned properly and cooked stewed, grilled or roasted. So try to imagine the taste of Griot, which  is cooked by two different cooking methods, served with a homemade Vinaigrette sauce, and then pared with fried plantains, rice and peas – it’s mouth watering! Good caan dun as we say in Jamaica!

This dish is very popular among Haitians and when this dish is served at a Haitian party, it’s the first to finish as it a favorite!

The following is the recipe for my version of Haitian Griot. Please try to make the dish; you will love it and as you do, please do whatever you can to help with the relief efforts for the people of Haiti  who are once again severely impacted by another natural disaster. Your support will be appreciated. Thank you in advance for your support.

Here’s the Haitian Griot recipe!

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Haitian Griot

To make this pork dish, juice sour oranges and set the juice aside. Rub cubed pork with salt and the squeezed orange halves, then marinate for 4-8 hours. Rinse the meat to remove excess salt and combine it with the orange juice, scallions, thyme, parsley, green pepper, and scotch bonnet (whole for mild, chopped for spicy). Cook the pork in a Dutch pot with enough water to cover until tender, then drain. Heat oil in a separate pot, add the pork, and simmer covered on low heat for 30 minutes. Finally, increase the heat and brown the pork until golden.
Course Main Course
Cuisine #caribbean, Haiti
Keyword Haitian Griot
Prep Time 8 hours hours
Cook Time 45 minutes minutes
Servings 6 People
Author NewsAmericas

Ingredients

2 pounds pork shoulder chopped in cubesJuice of 3 sour oranges1/4 teaspoon of salt1/4 cup of chopped scallionI sprig of thyme1/4 teaspoon of parsley1/4 teaspoon green pepper1 scotch bonnet pepper

Instructions

Take the sour oranges, cut them in half. Make one cup juice from the Sour oranges. Do not discard.
Juice of 3 sour oranges
Place cubed  pork  in one bowl. Add salt to the meat. Rub the oranges over the pork. Marinate 4 hour to 8 hours.
2 pounds pork shoulder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt
Rinse the meat with water to make sure it’s not salty.
Add the juice and all the other ingredients to the pork in the bowl.
(If you like spicy cut the scotch bonnet pepper. If not, leave the pepper whole.)
1 scotch bonnet pepper
Put all the ingredients in a Dutch pot.
1/4 cup of chopped scallion, I sprig of thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of parsley, 1/4 teaspoon green pepper
Add enough water to boil everything. (Only enough to cover the meat in the pot.)
Boil the Pork until tender.
Drain the water off the pork.
In a separate Dutch pot heat 1/2 oil
When the oil gets hot place the pork in some heated oil; cover the pot and simmer for half an hour over low heat.
Then turn the heat up again and brown pork until the chunks of pork become golden brown.

Serve hot as is or sprinkle Vinegrette saucer pickles over meat.
Side dishes recommended: rice and peas, fried plantains and lettuce tomato salad!

Bon Appetite

By Minna LaFortune

EDITOR’S NOTE: Minna LaFortune is a trained Caribbean caterer and also president, Society for the Advancement of the Caribbean Diaspora (SACD). Check out her food group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/bestfoodscaribbean/