As Gaetz Pontificates At Hearing, Florida Bar Steps Up Probe Of His Cohen Threat

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks during a press conference on medical cannabis research reform on April 26, 2018. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

While Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) rails against Democrats in a House Judiciary Committee hearing to possibly hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt, the Florida Bar has decided that further investigation is needed to determine if the lawmaker tried to intimidate Michael Cohen.

According to a Wednesday Tampa Bay Times report, that the Florida Bar is carrying the case past its initial review signals that there are grounds for discipline should allegations against him prove true. An investigator will now reportedly take over the case.

The Bar initially opened the investigation at the end of February.

The possible threat in question came in the form of a tweet Gaetz wrote the day before Cohen was slated to testify before Congress.

“Hey @MichaelCohen212,” read Gaetz’s now-deleted tweet. “Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends? Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat. I wonder if she’ll remain faithful when you’re in prison. She’s about to learn a lot…”

He apologized after his comment sparked an outcry.

Latest News
50
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. Yes, let’s see how well he handles being investigated.

  2. Truer Gaetz

    It was not my intent to threaten only to intimidate

  3. Ah, accountability…it sure would be nice if Republicans were held accountable for all of the things they do and say. This should only be the start of making sure they get punished if they behave badly.

  4. I expect him to start ranting only to have his mic cut off

  5. I wonder if Mattie Boy has already bought a extra large tube of K-Y Lubricant for Trump’s upcoming trip to Panama City in NWF, which is part of his district!

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

44 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for attorneytampa Avatar for kilgoretrout Avatar for rollinnolan Avatar for impurescience Avatar for sniffit Avatar for drriddle Avatar for ralph_vonholst Avatar for lastroth Avatar for patrick_hasburgh Avatar for longtimeobserver Avatar for mcstubbins Avatar for ignoreland Avatar for sfaw Avatar for fiftygigs Avatar for darrtown Avatar for benthere Avatar for misterneutron Avatar for caltg Avatar for tpr Avatar for dannydorko Avatar for aiddon Avatar for davidn Avatar for occamscoin

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: