Matt Gaetz says sex trafficking case against him closed without charges

Provocative congressman, who long claimed his innocence, was focus of long-running investigation by justice department

Representative Matt Gaetz, a Republican known for his strong support of former president Donald Trump and membership in the archconservative Freedom Caucus in the House, said on Wednesday that the justice department has ended a sex trafficking case with no charges against him.

The lawmaker, who represents much of the Florida panhandle, issued a statement through his congressional office that the long-running investigation was over. Gaetz had insisted throughout he was innocent of any wrongdoing.