The DC federal District Court just denied the DOJ’s motion to dismiss parts of our lawsuit seeking records related to the DOJ’s criminal investigation into Matt Gaetz. And we set important precedent that will help pursue transparency in other records cases!

This is good news, John: After nearly a year of fighting for these records, we’re one step closer to getting answers about the DOJ’s investigation into Matt Gaetz. But let’s be clear – the fight isn’t over.

Back in 2020, the DOJ investigated then-Rep. Gaetz for potential violations of federal sex-trafficking laws and obstruction of justice. Gaetz’s associate, Joel Greenberg, pled guilty to underage sex trafficking and reportedly provided potentially incriminating information about Gaetz’s involvement to investigators.

But in February 2023, the DOJ informed Gaetz that the department would not bring charges against him.

A House of Representatives Ethics Committee report, released later, found "substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress."

John, the public deserves answers.

Why did the Department of Justice not charge Matt Gaetz?

So in May last year, we filed a lawsuit alleging that the DOJ wrongfully withheld responsive records related to its Gaetz investigation and we challenged the legality of the DOJ’s policy of categorically denying Freedom of Information Act requests for or even refusing to acknowledge the existence of records relating to investigations of public officials.

Now, thanks to this new ruling, we can finally move forward and pursue these records.

We need to keep the pressure up to make sure that the public gets the answers in this case, and in other cases like it about DOJ investigations of public officials. These kinds of records should be made public, and we’ll keep fighting for transparency for as long as it takes.

Thank you,

CREW HQ