Matt Gaetz Hit with Subpoena That Could Force Him To Testify About Allegation of Sexual Relationship with Minor

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was served a subpoena on Thursday that could force him to testify about allegations he had sex with a 17-year-old girl, according to ABC News.

Gaetz was issued the subpoena by attorneys representing the woman, who is now in her 20s.

She and others are being sued for defamation and racketeering by Gaetz’s longtime friend, former state Rep. Chris Dorworth (R).

The case is part of a “sprawling defamation and racketeering lawsuit” brought by Dorworth against the woman, who is now in her 20s, and others, according to ABC News. The outlet reported:

Dorworth alleged in the lawsuit a complicated effort to falsely accuse him of “child sex trafficking, sex with a minor, prostitution, obstruction of justice, and an illegal ghost candidate scheme,” according to the suit.

And while Gaetz is not a party in the civil suit, the lawsuit mentions the Florida congressman by name and the allegations against him numerous times, including alleging that the one-time minor at the center of the case worked to “falsely implicated Dorworth, Gaetz, and others in sexual impropriety.”

A spokesman for Gaetz confirmed in a statement, “Congressman Gaetz received a witness subpoena in an ongoing lawsuit between outside parties. He is not being sued, and he is neither a plaintiff nor a defendant in this matter.”

Gaetz’s deposition is reportedly scheduled for April 5, and he could be asked under oath about allegedly having sex with the woman when she was a minor.

The DOJ declined to bring charges against Gaetz after a lengthy investigation. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing.