The indicted man whose associations with Rep. Matt Gaetz led to the sex-trafficking investigation into the lawmaker is likely to agree to a plea agreement, attorneys said.
Joel Greenberg, a central figure to the Gaetz investigation, will likely cooperate with federal prosecutors, and it could affect the Florida Republican’s case, both prosecutors and the defense attorney said, according to multiple outlets. Greenberg’s attorney, Fritz Scheller, asked the judge in a status conference on Thursday to set a May 15 deadline for a deal to be reached between the two sides or to start a move to a trial in the summer.
It’s unclear how far the negotiations for a plea deal have gone.
“I am sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable today,” Scheller told reporters.
HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE REPORTED FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO MATT GAETZ
Law enforcement officials are investigating Gaetz as part of a larger investigation into Greenberg, a former tax collector in Seminole County, Florida, and a political ally of Gaetz, who was indicted in 2020 on charges including sex trafficking of a minor and financially supporting people in exchange for sex.
Gaetz has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paying for her to travel with him, although he denies the allegation. A subsequent report said the investigation is focusing on whether Gaetz and Greenberg used cash apps to pay at least one woman found on the internet for sex, including on the website “Seeking Arrangement,” and for their hotel rooms and flights.
“I’ve never, ever paid for sex, and I, as an adult man, have not slept with a 17-year-old,” Gaetz said. “Not to sound like too much of the arrogant parody the Left has framed me as, but I’ve never needed nor wanted to pay for sex.”
Since the news of the investigation came forward, which he said was an intentional ploy to thwart another FBI investigation into an extortion attempt against him, another report came out alleging that Gaetz showed nude photos of women whom he slept with to other lawmakers, including while on the House floor.
The alleged extortion attempt focuses on his father, who previously served as the state Senate president, a former Air Force intelligence officer, and a captive operative who is believed to have been held by the Iranian government.
Don Gaetz, the congressman’s father, forwarded a text message to his son he received on March 16 from former Air Force intelligence officer Bob Kent, who was proposing a plan that could help the younger Gaetz’s “future legal and political problems go away.” The next day, Kent and convicted felon Stephen Alford presented the elder Gaetz with a typed, three-page document detailing their scheme, titled “Project Homecoming.”
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The money, per the document, would be used to fund a rescue operation for ex-FBI agent-turned-spy Robert Levinson from Iran, and in return, Kent would “strongly advocate that President Biden issue a Presidential Pardon, or instruct the Department of Justice to terminate any and all investigations involving Congressman Gaetz.”
Kent denied that the communications were meant to be perceived as a threat Monday on CNN.
