Two women file federal lawsuit

Two women sued former GOP Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and two others in federal court this week, accusing them of engaging in a sex trafficking scheme while Gaetz was still in Congress.

The women were in their early twenties

The lawsuit was filed in Orlando by two women who were in their early twenties when they first met Gaetz. The women are not named in the lawsuit.

Allegations mirror ethics probe findings

The lawsuit details mirror allegations that were at the centre of a House Ethics Committee probe. That probe found Gaetz had sex with a minor, solicited prostitutes and used illegal drugs.

The defendants used power and wealth

The thirty-eight-page lawsuit states: The defendants collectively used their public office, power, and wealth to prey on the economic vulnerability of the plaintiffs to commit the acts outlined below.

“The defendants collectively used their public office, power, and wealth to prey on the economic vulnerability of the plaintiffs to commit the acts outlined below.”

Ethics probe derailed attorney general bid

The House Ethics Committee probe helped derail Gaetz's bid to become attorney general under President Donald Trump. He resigned from his Northwest Florida congressional seat to seek the post.

Gaetz withdrew from confirmation battle

Gaetz decided to withdraw his name ahead of a potentially messy confirmation battle in the Senate over his attorney general nomination.

Gaetz vows to contest allegations

Gaetz said he would vigorously contest the allegations in the lawsuit brought by the two women.