Valadao gives Gaetz donation to victims of abuse

Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) is donating campaign contributions Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) gave him during his run for office to victims of abuse in light of an investigation into Gaetz for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old.

Valadao, a freshman Congressman, received $2,000 in campaign contributions from Gaetz in 2018, Axios reported.

“The Valadao for Congress Campaign has donated the contributions to the Marjaree Mason Center in Fresno to support victims of domestic abuse,” said Andrew Renteria, a spokesman for the campaign, in a statement to Axios.

Gaetz is being investigated by the Department of Justice for allegedly having sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl.

The department is determining if Gaetz violated sex trafficking laws since the girl allegedly was paid to travel with Gaetz.

Gaetz has said that the allegations against him are false and he does not plan to resign from Congress.

The Hill has reached out to Valadao for comment.