Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., on Monday filed a suit seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the House Ethics Committee from releasing a report concerning his past personal behavior.
Gaetz's suit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., comes following alleged media leaks of the committee's findings, which reportedly includes House rules violations and illegal actions.
The former lawmaker claims the committee does not have authority to release its report because it has no jurisdiction over him since he has resigned from Congress. Gaetz's lawyers said the report contains "untruthful and defamatory information" that would "significantly damage" his reputation, The Hill reported.
"FLASH: Matt Gaetz files suit against House Ethics Committee, seeking temporary restraining order to prevent public release of committee investigation of his alleged sexual and drug misconduct," CBS News' Scott MacFarlane posted on X.
"Among other things, Gaetz argues: 'Media coverage would be immediate and widespread'"
Gaetz resigned his House seat last month after President-elect Donald Trump announced he would nominate the lawmaker to be attorney general in the next administration. Gaetz later said he would not pursue the Justice Department position.
Last week on X, Gaetz said some of his past behavior was "embarrassing, though not criminal."
"The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I committed various crimes," Gaetz wrote.
"I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me."