The Department of Justice officially declined to charge Florida Rep Matt Gaetz in a sex trafficking investigation on Wednesday after leaked texts revealed the Israeli government appeared to be implicated in a $25 million extortion plot targeting Gaetz's family.

From The Palm Beach Post, "Justice Department drops sex trafficking probe of Rep. Matt Gaetz without charges, lawyers say":

The Justice Department has formally decided not to charge firebrand Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz in a sex trafficking investigation, the lawmaker's lawyers said Wednesday.

"We have just spoken with the DOJ and have been informed that they have concluded their investigation into Congressman Gaetz and allegations related to sex trafficking and obstruction of justice, and they have determined not to bring any charges against him," attorneys Marc Mukasey and Isabelle Kirshner said.

Gaetz's office also issued a brief statement acknowledging the Justice Department's contact with the lawmaker's attorneys.

The department did not immediately comment. The decision was first reported by CNN.