The Justice Department is reportedly examining whether Rep. Matt Gaetz obstructed justice in connection with a sex trafficking investigation into him and his associate, Joel Greenberg.
Prosecutors are investigating whether the Florida congressman broke the law during a phone call he had with a witness to the case, who was among numerous women previously involved with Gaetz and Greenberg, according to a new report by Politico.
The witness, part of the broader investigation into allegations that the two men paid minors for sex, went to prosecutors after she had a phone conversation with Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend, which Gaetz also joined in on, the outlet reported Wednesday.
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The report, which cited sources familiar with the investigation, did not provide details into the exact date or contents of the call, nor did it disclose the name of the witness.
Gaetz’s office disputed the allegations and reiterated his claim that the investigation is part of an extortion scheme against him.
“Congressman Gaetz pursues justice, he doesn’t obstruct it,” a spokesperson for Gaetz told Politico in a statement. “The anonymous allegations have thus far amounted to lies, wrapped in leaks, rooted in an extortion plot by a former DOJ official. After two months, there is still not a single on-record accusation of misconduct, and now the ‘story’ is changing yet again.”
Gaetz acknowledged that he is the subject of an investigation shortly after it was first reported in March, though he has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and insisted the allegations were made in order to extract money from his family.
“The allegations of sexual misconduct against me are false,” Gaetz told Fox News on March 30. “They are rooted in an extortion effort against my family for $25 million … in exchange for making this case go away.”
Greenberg, a former tax collector in Seminole County, is cooperating with prosecutors and pleaded guilty on May 17 to six federal charges, including the sex trafficking of a minor, stalking, wire fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy to bribe a public official.
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Gaetz’s former girlfriend is also reportedly mulling cooperation with prosecutors and is seeking immunity from prosecution for obstruction of justice in connection with the case.
The Justice Department and Gaetz’s office did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
