Hours after the New York Times broke a story on the Justice Department investigating sex trafficking allegations against Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fl.), Gaetz appeared on Fox News’ Tucker to refute the claims.

Asked about the story by Tucker Carlson, Gaetz says “It is a horrible allegation, and it is a lie.”

Gaetz reiterated claims made on Twitter and elsewhere that the allegations stem from a former Justice Department official who was attempting to blackmail him. That official, who Gaetz named as “David McGee,” contacted Gaetz’s father, according to the Republican House member.

Gaetz says his family went to the local FBI in Florida, who then asked his father to wear a wire in his next meeting with the extortionist, who wanted millions of dollars in a “down payment” for the ransom.

The original reporting by the New York Times was confirmed by three unnamed sources. Through our Managing Editor, Jennifer Van Laar, RedState has confirmed that Gaetz’s father did indeed wear a wire during the course of an investigation.

In the Times‘ original story, Gaetz is alleged to have traveled with an unnamed 17-year-old girl and the Justice Department’s investigation allegedly is centered around this travel, which appears to include sexual relations and compensation and is tied to a Gaetz ally, Joel Greenberg. During the interview with Carlson, Gaetz says his travel records can prove no such trips took place.

The Republican, who is an outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump, says he is the target of a smear campaign in an attempt to remove him from power. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Ca.) has already posted a statement on Twitter calling for Gaetz to be removed from the House Judiciary Committee.

Rep Matt Gaetz should be taken off the @HouseJudiciary Committee until the @TheJusticeDept investigation is completed. He should not be sitting on a Congressional Committee with oversight over the DOJ while the Department is investigating him. https://t.co/TKRfSyCgHe

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) March 30, 2021

Gaetz has called for the release of any and all tapes from the wire his father wore, and promises that there is enough documentation to prove the allegations are false.