BREAKING: DOJ Reportedly Investigating Matt Gaetz Over a Possible Sexual Relationship With 17-Year-Old

The Department of Justice is investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz(R-FL), who is 38, over a possible relationship with a 17-year-old girl, The New York Times claimed in a bombshell report.

The investigation involves “whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel with him,” Times reporters Michael Schmidt and Katie Benner wrote in a Tuesday story on the matter, citing three sources briefed on the investigation. They said investigators were “examining whether Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws” by paying the girl to travel with him during an unspecified number of encounters two years ago.

They also reported the investigation began under former Attorney General William Barr in the final months of the Trump administration, meaning numerous senior Justice Department officials were notified of the investigation before President Donald Trump left office in January.

“I only know that it has to do with women,” Gaetz said in a statement to the paper. “I have a suspicion that someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward.”

UPDATE — 6:59 pm ET: Gaetz is denying the allegations and claiming he is the target of an extortion scheme.