The Florida Bar has opted not to discipline former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, despite a U.S. House Ethics Committee report alleging that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct, including with a minor, and used illegal drugs. The Bar’s grievance committee concluded that the allegations, while serious, did not pertain directly to Gaetz’s fitness to practice law.
In a letter dated August 15, 2025, Casey Pless Waterhouse, chair of the grievance committee, stated that the decision to close the case was “not based upon a determination that the [House] report’s findings were not accurate.” Instead, the committee emphasized a distinction between personal moral offenses and those that impact one’s professional capabilities. Waterhouse noted that the committee “draws a distinction between offenses of personal morality or alleged crimes which do not have a connection to fitness for the practice of law or otherwise indicate characteristics relevant to law practice.” ([floridabulldog.org](https://www.floridabulldog.org/2026/01/florida-bar-lets-matt-gaetz-off-hook-says-statutory-rape-has-nothing-to-do-with-practicing-law/?utm_source=openai))
The House Ethics Committee’s report, released in December 2024, found “substantial evidence” that Gaetz paid women for sex, including a 17-year-old girl, and used illegal drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy. The report also accused Gaetz of obstructing the investigation by ignoring subpoenas and withholding documents. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/12/23/matt-gaetz-ethics-report/?utm_source=openai))
Despite these findings, the Florida Bar’s decision underscores the challenges in addressing alleged misconduct that straddles personal and professional boundaries. The Bar’s stance suggests a reluctance to impose disciplinary measures for actions deemed unrelated to legal practice, even when such actions involve serious allegations.
Gaetz, who resigned from Congress in November 2024 amid the Ethics Committee’s investigation and withdrew from consideration for the position of U.S. Attorney General, has consistently denied all allegations. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/12/23/matt-gaetz-ethics-report/?utm_source=openai))
The Florida Bar’s decision has sparked debate within the legal community about the extent to which personal conduct should influence professional standing. Critics argue that the Bar’s inaction may undermine public trust in the legal profession, while others contend that disciplinary measures should be reserved for conduct directly impacting legal practice.
As the legal community grapples with these issues, the case of Matt Gaetz serves as a focal point for discussions on professional ethics and accountability.