Gaetz sues to block release of Ethics Committee report

Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz is suing to block the release of a House Ethics Committee report on his alleged behavior.

The House Ethics Committee's multi-year investigation into Gaetz, involving allegations of sex with a minor and illicit drug use, came to an abrupt halt last month after he resigned from Congress hours after President-elect Trump tapped him to be his attorney general. Gaetz later withdrew his nomination. Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

"The anticipated statements and release of information by Defendants is expected to include reference and make conclusions that Plaintiff engaged in conduct amounting to 'misconduct' or was otherwise unethical," the complaint says. "The anticipated statements and information is false, factually incorrect, and untrue because Plaintiff did not violate any criminal code or other standard of ethics within the jurisdiction of Defendants." 

"Once released, the damage to Plaintiff's reputation and professional standing would be immediate, severe and irreversible, particularly because: a. The Committee's findings would carry the imprimatur of official Congressional action; b. Media coverage would be immediate and widespread; c. The allegations would permanently remain in the public record; d. No adequate remedy exists to retract or correct information once released," it adds.