A woman testified before the House Ethics Committee that she saw Gaetz have sex with a minor, according to her lawyer

() – The lawyer representing two female witnesses in the House Ethics Committee’s investigation into former congressman Matt Gaetz stated this Friday that one of his clients testified before the panel that she had witnessed the congressman having sexual relations with a minor.

“My client testified before the House Ethics Committee that she witnessed Matt Gaetz having sexual relations with a minor,” said attorney Joel Leppard. His clients offered testimony behind closed doors as part of the now-closed investigation against the Florida Republican.

The Commission was investigating allegations that Gaetz may have “engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, granted special privileges and favors to people with whom he had personal relationships, and attempted to obstruct government investigations into his conduct.” Gaetz repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, including having sex with a minor or paying for sex.

When asked Friday about the testimony, first reported by ABC News, a spokesperson for Gaetz told that “Merrick Garland’s Justice Department exonerated Matt Gaetz and did not charge him.”

The Justice Department had conducted a years-long investigation into sex crimes against Gaetz, but ultimately decided last year not to pursue criminal charges.

The investigations received renewed attention in recent days after President-elect Donald Trump announced earlier this week his intention to nominate Gaetz as attorney general in his new administration.

If the Senate approves the appointment, Gaetz would assume leadership of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the nation’s top law enforcement agency, and would have control over investigative files detailing evidence the FBI uncovered in the investigation of sex trafficking against them.

The Justice Department deemed the files too sensitive to be shared even with the House Ethics Committee.

Gaetz’s resignation from Congress to prepare for the confirmation process ended the Congressional investigation, as the panel only has jurisdiction over sitting members.

Democrats immediately demanded the release of the commission’s long-awaited findings, a call that Leppard backed on Friday, arguing that “democracy demands transparency.”

On Thursday night, Republicans canceled a meeting scheduled for this Friday with Democrats on the panel that was expected to address the report, sources told . Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday that he does not believe the Commission’s findings should be published and that he would “strongly request” that it not be published.

Gaetz is just one of numerous controversial nominations Trump made for his Cabinet, including that of veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth, whose viability is already being questioned by the president-elect’s transition team.

‘s Hannah Rabinowitz, Evan Perez, Annie Grayer, Manu Raju and Lauren Fox contributed to this report.