He stated that his clients reported using narcotics, namely marijuana, and ecstasy at the gatherings. Leppard stated that the committee was worried about illicit drug usage and sex-related payments, and that this “seemed to matter” to them.
Leppard said that his customers had sex with Gaetz outside of Florida at least twice. According to Leppard, Gaetz took his customers to the Bahamas in 2018 and New York City in 2019, where they had intercourse with him.
According to Leppard, Gaetz covered the women’s airfare, accommodation, and entertainment costs during the travels, but they were not compensated for their sex.
The probe, which has been going on for years, has not been officially reported by the nonpartisan Ethics Committee, which lost authority over Gaetz when he retired.
The committee announced on Monday that it will address the report at its meeting on Wednesday. Leppard stated that he is advocating for his clients, who wish to avoid public testimony by having the committee publish the report.
According to Leppard, the two ladies are private individuals with no political affiliations and no incentive to overthrow Gaetz.
