The House Ethics Committee has reportedly revived a probe into Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) regarding allegations of misconduct, as investigators have reportedly begun reaching out to witnesses. A witness from Florida told CNN they spoke with investigators recently about alleged “lobbying violations.” Other witnesses have also been contacted by the Ethics Committee, a source close to the matter told CNN. The Ethics Committee investigation is a continuation of their 2021 probe into Mr Gaetz’s alleged “misconduct” while serving as a representative. It is unclear what misconduct the witnesses were interviewed for, though the initial probe regarded sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, misuse of state identification records and bribery. Earlier this year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to charge Mr Gaetz after a sex trafficking investigation that was deferred to them by the Ethics Committee upon request. Last year, an ex-associate of Mr Gaetz, Joel Greenberg, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to six federal crimes, including sex trafficking of a minor. After the DOJ reached a conclusion, the Ethics Committee restored its own investigation. A spokesperson for Mr Gaetz directed The Independent to comments he made to CNN regarding the investigation. The Florida lawmaker said the investigation is “not something I’m worried about” adding that he’s “focused on the work.” “The Ethics Committee typically operates through leaks and so this is no surprise,” Mr Gaetz said. “But the Ethics Committee has never found me to be in violation of House rules, though they’ve been investigating me during my entire seven years in Congress.” He added: “It’s also funny that the one guy who doesn’t take the corrupt lobbyist and PAC money seems to be under the most Ethics investigation.” The committee’s decision to pursue the investigation by reaching out to witnesses marks the first time investigators have taken steps since the probe was revived. The Ethics Committee is currently led by Rep Michael Guest (R-MS). Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy declined to comment to CNN about the investigation claiming he doesn’t “know anything” regarding the details of it. Read More Gaetz and Boebert vow to force McCarthy into ‘monogamous relationship’ Matt Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg asks court to delay sentencing in trafficking case The debt limit vote signals the beginning of the end for Kevin McCarthy Matt Gaetz takes CPAC victory lap over sex trafficking probe: ‘Vindication looks pretty good on me’

Shohei Ohtani, who has captivated baseball with his unprecedented combination of high-level hitting and premium pitching, became the first two-time unanimous Most Valuable Player when he won the American League honor

Experts say plans for a second congressional district in Alabama that gives a voice to Black voters are unlikely to win court approval

Fans of late martial arts legend Bruce Lee, who broke negative stereotypes around Asian men in films, gathered in Hong Kong this week to commemorate their idol’s death half a century ago

General Motors posted $2.54 billion in second-quarter net income, a 52% increase over a year ago

NEW YORK A New York state appeals court judge on Thursday temporarily halted the scheduled Oct. 2 trial

Selena Gomez gushed over her new crush on her cooking show 'Selena+Chef: Home for Holidays'

A former NFL Media journalist is accusing the league of refusing to address what he calls longstanding institutional discrimination and says his contract was not renewed because he repeatedly voiced concerns regarding equity and racial injustice

Dolls in neon pink dreamhouses, scientists at Los Alamos...

A candidate in Turkey's presidential election has withdrawn from the race, a move that is likely to bolster President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main challenger

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy huddled with some of his biggest backers as the Group of Seven summit closed in Hiroshima

Samantha Dawn Mathis was originally indicted of capital murder but pleaded to a lesser charge as part of an agreement with prosecutors