Matt Gaetz sex trafficking inquiry moves forward with witness cooperation

A former ally who claims to have witnessed him having sex with a 17-year-old is aiding in the investigation

By Kelly McClure

Nights & Weekends Editor

Published February 9, 2024 7:32PM (EST)

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., leaves the U.S. Capitol after House votes on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., leaves the U.S. Capitol after House votes on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

In early 2023, a federal investigation looking into claims that Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. paid or illegally trafficked a 17-year-old girl for sexual purposes while he was serving in Congress seemed to have concluded, with the DOJ opting against any charges. But, with the cooperation of a key witness, the case is picking up again.

According to a report from The New York Times on Friday, Gaetz’s former friend and political ally Joel Greenberg — who previously told federal investigators that he had witnessed Gaetz having sex with the girl — has provided documents to the House Ethics Committee regarding the claims.

Greenberg is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence, having pleaded guilty in May 2021 to charges including sex trafficking, and is aiding in the inquiry after receiving a request from the committee. If Gaetz is found guilty of similar crimes of his own, he faces a minimum of 10 years in prison.

In a statement from Gaetz spokesperson Jillian L. Wyant, she references the submitted documents as being "unreliable," adding that the news media “should not be laundering smears from people in prison.”

 

 


MORE FROM Kelly McClure