Matt Gaetz says Florida Bar finds 'no probable cause' he violated rules with Cohen tweet
WASHINGTON _ Rep. Matt Gaetz announced Wednesday that the Florida Bar had found "no probable cause" that he violated the rules of his profession over a tweet that appeared to intimidate President Donald Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen.
"They are taking no disciplinary action against me & are sending a letter of advice," the Florida Republican tweeted. Gaetz is licensed to practice law in the Sunshine State.
The bar opened the investigation in February in response to Gaetz's tweet sent a day before Cohen testified at a House committee hearing against his old boss in February.
"Hey @MichaelCohen212 _ 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 ... " the congressman said.
The bar referred the case to its grievance committee, a panel akin to a grand jury, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Had the committee found probable cause, it could have led to charges being filed and a trial in front of a judge.
Gaetz later deleted the tweet and apologized after an admonishment from Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The House Ethics Committee opened its own investigation in June into Gaetz and his tweet. The panel had sought an interview with the congressman, but he declined, triggering the inquiry.
That investigation remains open.
_CQ-Roll Call
