Tue Nov 19 23:08:38 UTC 2024: ## Confidential Gaetz Testimony Hacked Amidst Attorney General Nomination Battle
**WASHINGTON** – A security breach has exposed confidential testimony from women accusing President-elect Donald Trump’s Attorney General nominee, Matt Gaetz, of sexual misconduct. The breach, revealed Tuesday, involved unredacted depositions from a woman claiming Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17, and a witness who corroborates the account.
The files were part of a defamation lawsuit filed by a Gaetz associate against Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a minor. The apparent hack, first reported by The New York Times, involved an individual identified only as “Altam Beezley” downloading the documents. Attempts to contact Beezley have been unsuccessful.
Attorney Joel Leppard, representing women who have accused Gaetz of paying them for sex, confirmed the breach and stated that his clients also detailed their allegations to the House Ethics Committee. One woman testified to witnessing Gaetz engaging in sexual activity with a 17-year-old. Leppard emphasized that his client believed Gaetz was unaware of the girl’s age and ended their relationship upon learning the truth.
Gaetz, who denies all allegations, has been cleared by the Justice Department of sex trafficking charges. However, the breach and the resurfaced allegations threaten to derail his confirmation. Several Republican senators have expressed reservations, fueling concerns about his suitability to lead the very agency that investigated him.
A Trump transition spokesperson dismissed the allegations as “baseless,” pointing to the Justice Department’s previous investigation. Trump, however, has lauded Gaetz as the right person to address alleged corruption within the department.
The House Ethics Committee, which investigated Gaetz separately, concluded its review last week following Gaetz’s resignation from Congress. Their investigation included allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use, improper gifts, and obstruction of justice. The Justice Department’s investigation, launched under Attorney General Bill Barr, also examined potential sex trafficking, campaign finance violations and efforts to secure government jobs for associates. These included a trip to the Bahamas with women and a campaign donor, and Gaetz’s links to the medical marijuana industry. The investigations did not result in charges against Gaetz. The timing of the hack and its potential impact on Gaetz’s confirmation hearing remain key factors in the unfolding controversy.
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