In response to allegations accusing
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz of sexual misconduct and other illicit activities, the
House Ethics Committee announced that Gaetz is currently under investigation.
Gaetz’s associate, Joel Greenberg, has been indicted on 33 counts, including
identity theft and sex trafficking of a minor.
On Friday, House Ethics Chairman
Ted Deutch of Florida and ranking Republican member Jackie Walorski of Indiana
issued the following press
release: “The Committee is aware of public allegations that Representative
Matt Gaetz may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use,
shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state
identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or
accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift, in violation of
House Rules, laws, or other standards of conduct. The Committee, pursuant
to Committee Rule 18(a), has begun an investigation and will gather additional
information regarding the allegations.”
The same day, a spokesperson for
Gaetz released the following statement:
“Matt has always been a fighter. A fighter for his constituents, a fighter for
the country, and a fighter for the Constitution. He’s going to fight back
against the unfounded allegations against him.”
Last year, Gaetz’s associate, Joel
Greenberg, was arrested and indicted by a grand jury. According to the 33-count
indictment, Greenberg has been charged with sex trafficking of a child,
aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, stalking, bribery of a public official,
and several other crimes.
Accused of participating in sex
trafficking with minors along with Greenberg, Gaetz is reportedly under
investigation by federal prosecutors digging into potential crimes committed by
the congressman. Gaetz denies the allegations and currently does not face any
criminal charges.
Greenberg’s attorney, Fritz Scheller,
recently requested a plea
date by May 15. If a plea is not reached, they could move to a trial in
July.
According to legal experts,
Greenberg could become a key witness in the investigation into Rep. Gaetz if
the former tax official agrees to a plea deal and cooperates with federal
prosecutors.
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