An investigation by the Justice Department into Rep. Matt Gaetz and Joel Greenberg an indicted Florida tax collector in Seminole County is focusing on cash payments made to many women who were recruited online for sex, according to sources close to the investigation. The New York Times has also reviewed text messages and payments receipts that form a part of the investigation.
Joel Greenberg has been indicted on a federal sex trafficking charge last year. Three people who have knowledge of matter said that Greenberg introduced women who were contacted through websites to Gaetz. One woman has admitted to having sex with both the men as well as with another associate of theirs. This unidentified associate is also a part of Florida Republican politics.
Another girl, who is seventeen years old, may have had sex with both of them and the Justice department is examining the matter of both these Republicans from Florida and an underage girl. It is also investigating to check if other men, who are associates of Greenberg and Gaetz, may also be involved with the girl.
The Times has seen the receipts from Cash App. and Apple Pay. They confirm that payments were made from Mr. Gaetz and Mr. Greenberg to one of the women while the other one received payments from Mr. Greenberg.
It is alleged that Mr. Gaetz had asked women to recruit their friends. He told the women to say that the payments for hotel rooms and dinners were a part of their dates.
There are no charges against Gaetz as no criminal exposure has been found against him. His office issued a statement on Thursday night when the Times asked for a response.
The statement says that Matt Getz had never paid for sex and refuted all the disgusting allegations completely. The investigations on him are as a result of the continuing investigations into Mr. Greenberg and the possibility of indicting him on additional charges.
When contacted by the Times, both the Justice Department and Mr. Greenberg’s lawyer did not respond.
Source NYTimes