Following reports he is under investigation by the Department of Justice for sex trafficking, Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida claimed he would be exonerated by travel records which show he did not cross state lines to have sexual relations with a minor.
After a thorough fact check, however, the team at The Washington Post rated Gaetz's claim "Four Pinocchios."
Made famous by Gaetz's personal hero, President Donald Trump, Four Pinocchios indicates a "whopper" or outright lie.
Though The Post was careful to indicate the allegations against him may still be untrue, his claim he would be exonerated by travel records was blatantly untrue.
According to The Post:
"As a House member, Gaetz is not required to file disclosures concerning his private life and expenses."
"The disclosure forms he has filed do not disprove that he is under investigation for traveling with a 17-year-old girl or arranging her travel."
"We searched through all the available records and found nothing to support Gaetz's claim."
"We repeatedly asked his staff to show us the records and heard crickets."
"We asked Gaetz directly—nothing, radio silence."
Some online pundits pointed out Gaetz may be trapped between a rock and a hard place—if he traveled for personal purposes using taxpayer money, there may be a paper trail to exonerate him from his sex trafficking charge.
However, personal travel using public funds is a crime in and of itself.
Since reports of the investigation into Gaetz broke online, the Congressman has made many attempts to distract the public from the allegations of sexual relations with a minor.
Though Gaetz may or may not be innocent of the subject of his investigations, his claim travel records would exonerate him seems to have been a lie meant to divert the press and reassure his supporters.
Fact-checkers have become invaluable in the age of internet disinformation.
The Post ended its fact check by writing:
"As regular readers know, the burden of proof is on the speaker."
"Gaetz is putting up a smokescreen, falsely reassuring viewers with nonexistent evidence. He earns Four Pinocchios."
"Show us the travel records, and the rating may change."
