Key facts
- Matt Gaetz has been appointed to the board of Triumph Gulf Coast, a Florida nonprofit.
- The nonprofit manages funds from BP's settlement for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
- Gaetz's four-year term begins July 1, 2026, and ends June 30, 2030.
- This is Gaetz's first public service role since resigning from Congress in 2024.
- Gaetz faced a House Ethics probe over allegations including statutory rape, which he denied.
Matt Gaetz has announced his return to public service with an appointment to the board of Triumph Gulf Coast, a Florida nonprofit organization. This marks his first public role since resigning from Congress in November 2024 amid a House Ethics probe. The probe's findings, released after his resignation, alleged statutory rape, solicitation of prostitution, and illegal drug use, allegations that Gaetz has denied.
In his new capacity, Gaetz will help oversee the administration of funds from the $2 billion that British Petroleum has been paying Florida since 2016 as part of a settlement agreement related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. These payments, amounting to just over $100 million annually, are slated to continue through 2033 and are intended for the eight Northwest Florida counties most affected by the spill.
The Triumph Gulf Coast organization was established in 2013 by the state Legislature. Gaetz expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “I am returning to public service!” and “I look forward to the work ahead as we continue improving the lives of Northwest Floridians.” His four-year term is set to begin July 1, 2026.