Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz shouldn’t be more likely to face fees in a long-running investigation that alleges he sex-trafficked a 17-year-old throughout state strains, based on a brand new report.
Prosecutors have really useful towards charging Gaetz within the sex-trafficking probe to senior Justice Division officers, the Washington Submit reported Friday, citing sources accustomed to the matter.
The prosecutors reportedly made the advice, partially, resulting from credibility questions with two central witnesses.
Whereas senior DOJ officers haven’t made a closing willpower, it’s uncommon for such recommendation to be dismissed — which means the 40-year-old Gaetz is unlikely to face fees, the sources stated.
The investigation into Gaetz, which began again in 2020, facilities on the congressman’s alleged relationship with a 17-year-old lady and whether or not he paid for her to journey throughout state strains for intercourse a number of years earlier.
Gaetz has persistently denied the allegations and referred to as the DOJ’s investigation bogus.
A federal grand jury in Orland heard testimony earlier this yr from a few of Gaetz’s associates, together with an ex-girlfriend who was granted immunity forward of testifying.
The ex-girlfriend was amongst a number of ladies who allegedly traveled with Gaetz to the Bahamas in 2018. The underage lady on the heart of the probe was additionally allegedly on the journey, based on studies.
Whereas the lady was 18 on the time of the journey, officers had been investigating whether or not she was underage when her alleged relationship with Gaetz started.
Her testimony is likely one of the two prosecutors flagged issues about, based on the Washington Submit’s report.
The opposite particular person’s testimony that prosecutors had been involved about is that of Joel Greenberg, an ex-tax collector and former good friend of the congressman.
Greenberg is reportedly the one that allegedly launched Gaetz to the then-17-year-old lady.
The investigation into Gaetz started after Greenberg was hit with a string of fees final yr, together with sex-trafficking a minor. Greenberg pleaded responsible to all the fees in Might 2021.
Neither the Justice Division nor a consultant for Gaetz has commented on the Washington Submit’s report.
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