Scandal

The Daily Beast reports: When ABC News reported on Wednesday that the House Ethics Committee had acquired text messages between a young woman involved in the sex trafficking investigation and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), a Gaetz spokesperson told ABC that the congressman “does not know anything about the woman you’re referencing.” That seems extraordinarily unlikely. The Daily Beast can now …

CNN reports: Nadine Menendez, wife of New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, got a diamond engagement ring as part of extensive bribes the couple received in exchange for the senator’s influence, according to a new filing from prosecutors. The ring was purchased for Nadine Menendez as part of a $150,000 bribe for her husband’s intervention in a criminal insurance fraud prosecution, …

The Tampa Bay Times reports: Christian Ziegler, the former chairperson for the Republican Party of Florida who is under criminal investigation, is citing a law that protects victims in a bid to stop the release of more information from his cellphone. But police say Ziegler is not the victim of a crime. The Sarasota Police Department opened an investigation into …

The Colorado Sun reports: U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert asked for and received a temporary restraining order Friday against her former husband, Jayson Boebert. The order also covers three of the couple’s four sons. In requesting the order, the Republican congresswoman filled out a checklist alleging incidents ranging from name calling and harassing phone calls to “abusing children in household” between …

Mother Jones reports: Christian Ziegler, the former chairman of the Florida Republican Party who got booted last month after being accused of raping a woman who had been sexually involved with him and his wife, is now claiming to be the victim of a crime in an effort to fend off the release of information from his cellphone. Ziegler’s lawyer, …

The Associated Press reports: Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert ‘s ex-husband, Jayson Boebert, has been charged with assault and other counts in connection with two domestic altercations, including an argument with the congresswoman in a restaurant that spiraled out of control, and a fight with the former couple’s son, authorities said. The altercations have drawn further attention to Lauren Boebert, …

ESPN reports: Vince McMahon, who co-founded the modern WWE in 1982, has resigned from his role as TKO executive chairman and from his position on the TKO board of directors, he said in a statement provided to ESPN on Friday night. McMahon, 78, leaves the publicly traded company — which was formed when UFC merged with WWE last year — …

CNN reports: The House Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz has reached out to the woman whom the congressman allegedly had sexual relations with when she was a 17-year-old minor, according to a source familiar with the committee’s work. The outreach, which has not previously been reported, is a sign that the GOP-led committee’s investigation into the Florida Republican has …

The Denver Post reports: State Rep. Mike Lynch, the embattled top Colorado House Republican and congressional candidate whose 2022 drunken driving arrest was revealed last week, said Wednesday he was stepping down as minority leader. Lynch made his announcement from the House floor, shortly after sending an email to the 18 other members of the Republican caucus. He is not …

“Upon my return home, I was shocked to find my belongings and furniture in complete disarray. Among other things, I noticed that certain interior doors (including doors I generally keep unlocked) had been forcibly broken down; furniture had been haphazardly moved around; filing cabinets, desk drawers, dressers, wardrobes, and closets had all been rummaged through and their contents strewn about; …

The Texas Tribune reports: In 2017, a Houston college student wrote to the family of Paul Pressler, warning them that the former Texas judge and Southern Baptist leader was a pedophile. “There is a serious issue at hand,” he wrote in an email, adding that Pressler had recently touched him and bragged about being naked with young boys. “I do …

CBS News reports: Singer Elle King took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry for a Dolly Parton tribute on Friday, admitting to the crowd she was hammered before botching the words to a Parton song. The expletive-laden performance, which occurred on Parton’s birthday, was criticized by audience members and prompted an apology from the venue. Videos on social media …

Florida Politics reports: Sarasota Police have forwarded their investigation of Christian Ziegler to prosecutors. Investigators delivered a probable cause affidavit to charge Ziegler with video voyeurism, but not rape. Police in October launched an investigation of the now-former Republican Party of Florida Chair after a woman accused him of rape in a Sarasota apartment. Over the course of a two-month …

Denver’s Westword reports: Representative Lauren Boebert’s ex-husband, Jayson, was taken into custody on two separate arrest warrants Tuesday — one for his reported restaurant fight with the Colorado congresswoman, and another for allegedly assaulting their eldest son, Tyler, during an argument at their house in Garfield County, the arrest affidavit says. Tyler, who turns nineteen on March 21, reported the …

The Daily Beast reports: Jayson Boebert, the former husband of Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), was arrested Tuesday on six charges, including prohibited use of weapons, third-degree assault, and obstructing a peace officer, according to records with the Garfield County jail. The charges come three days after Jayson Boebert called the police on the congresswoman after a physical altercation between the …

Phil Williams reports at Nashville’s NBC affiliate: A nonpartisan watchdog group has asked a federal ethics agency to investigate Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles over $1 million of discrepancies in financial disclosures he was required to file with the U.S. House. The Campaign Legal Center (CLC) repeatedly cites NewsChannel 5’s reporting in the complaint that was filed Tuesday with the Office …

Denver’s Westword reports: An aide for Lauren Boebert tells the Daily Beast that Jayson was “being disrespectful,” “being an asshole” and getting “lewd” during their meeting at Miner’s Claim. According to the Daily Beast, “the alleged behavior revolted Lauren … but that seemed to make her ex more aggressive.” Asked if the aide’s allegations are true, Jayson responds: “That’s her …

The New Jersey Monitor reports: U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez again denied criminal charges that claim he accepted lavish bribes in exchange for his intercession in criminal prosecutions and on behalf of two foreign nations, saying in a speech to the U.S. Senate Tuesday that he is the victim of a prosecutorial vendetta. Menendez, a Democrat, also unveiled a new defense …

Florida Politics reports: The Republican Party of Florida has formally removed Christian Ziegler as Chairman. The executive committee for the party voted to expel the embattled Chair. Sources in the room say a handful of votes were cast against a motion to remove the Chair. Ziegler, who has been embroiled in a sex scandal for months, did not show up …

The Associated Press reports: The Republican Party of Florida is scheduled to hold a special meeting Monday to vote on removing Chairman Christian Ziegler and select a new leader as police investigate a rape accusation against him. Beyond the rape accusation, there is another troublesome element for the party. Under DeSantis, Florida has stripped rights away from LGBTQ+ Floridians and …