'Recognize the urgency': Watchdog demands immediate release of FBI summaries in Gaetz case
A nonpartisan watchdog is seeking a preliminary injunction in its ongoing lawsuit seeking interview records from the federal investigation of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who has been nominated for attorney general.
American Oversight filed its motion Tuesday as it seeks FBI summaries of witness interviews conducted during its investigation against Gaetz, including sex trafficking of a minor.
The group requested the records in March 2023 under the Freedom of Information Act. The organization then sued the FBI and the Justice Department in February of this year after they failed to produce the documents. The group said that any additional delay could deprive the public of critical information about Gaetz ahead of his confirmation or appointment.
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“Sex trafficking, obstruction of justice, and abuse of power are not the kind of questions that should hang over the head of someone being considered for U.S. Attorney General,” interim Executive Director Chioma Chukwu said in a news release. “This is a matter of public interest and integrity, and we expect the court to recognize the urgency of releasing these documents. The American people deserve to know the facts before the Senate votes on his nomination.”
American Oversight said in its motion there is now “an elevated and significant public interest in the quick release of these records” due to “the unusual circumstances of Mr. Gaetz potentially leading the agency holding the records relating to his investigation," The New York Times reported.
Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and pointed to the Justice Department's decision not to prosecute him as evidence of his innocence.
An attorney for two women testified that Gaetz paid them for sex, including one instance in which the women said Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old girl while serving in Congress.
The House Ethics Committee has conducted a yearslong inquiry into Gaetz on allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and misuse of campaign funds. A vote on whether to release a report into those allegations is scheduled for Wednesday.