There is another twist in the tale of alleged sex trafficking of a minor by Matt Gaetz. The Floridan congressman’s name had first come up as a possible person of interest when the feds were investigating Joel Greenberg, who was once his close friend, for several charges. Now, people familiar with the matter, say that Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend has indicated that she will cooperate with the authorities. This could be an important breakthrough as he is still under investigation and has not been charged, yet.
Greenberg recently entered into a plea deal with the authorities. Meanwhile, the Floridan Republican congressman has been maintaining his innocence in GOP conferences. His lawyer has been trying to malign the credibility of Greenberg as a witness, while Greenberg’s lawyer has said that his client was cooperating with the authorities.
POLITICO had earlier revealed the ex-girlfriend, whose name they have kept secret to keep her safe from potential harassment, had been negotiating for an immunity deal with prosecutors. Two sources who had discussed the matter with her said that she was talking with the feds for months, but the talks were intensifying recently. Her lawyer Tim Jansen declined to comment, when asked for a response.
The ex-girlfriend, who used to work at Capitol Hill had been linked with Gaetz in 2017. She been worried that she could be charged with obstruction of justice as she had spoken to the 17-year and her friend in Central Florida. The 17-year-old is literally in the center of the investigation as she was a minor at that time.
If the ex-girlfriend, the 17-year-old minor and Greenberg cooperate with the prosecutors the allegations that Matt Gaetz sexually trafficked a minor could become stronger and the chances of him being charged would also increase.
Sources recently told CNN that the feds have already gathered a lot of information but there have been indications that there is some new investigative activity. One source said that new witnesses were giving information this month. The information reportedly includes communications and payments from a group of men, two of whom are Greenberg and Gaetz.
Gaetz has acknowledged that he has paid for meals and hotel rooms for women. However, he has said that he was “dating” the women. He said that paying for dates is commonplace. If a money transaction trail and key witness testimonies put him together with the 17-year and prove that they traveled, then these payments could not be considered as dating. These facts and testimonies will become crucial and the charge of sexually trafficking a minor could become an actual charge rather than just an investigation.
CNN has also reported that the decision to charge Gaetz will take its own time as the Justice Department has to consider whether there is sufficient evidence available to indict the congressman.