Joel Greenberg, a former Florida tax collector accused by the Justice Department investigation of possible sex crimes that also includes the representative Matt Gaetz
Matthew (Matt) Gaetz The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Tax March – Congress Returns; infrastructure takes center stage. Gaetz has been unable to meet with Trump: CNN Sundays shows: infrastructure dominates MORE (R-Fla.), Is reportedly cooperating with federal authorities.
Greenberg has told investigators that he and Gaetz had encounters with several women who were given monetary payments or gifts in exchange for sex, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to The New York Times.
Sources told the Times that Greenberg has already met with investigators several times, and finally decided to cooperate after he was made aware of the overwhelming amount of evidence against him.
Greenberg, who was first indicted in June, faces dozens of allegations, including those of a child’s sex trafficking and corruption.
The former Florida county official has gained notoriety in recent weeks following reports that federal investigators were also studying whether Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old, as well as whether he was involved in possible violations of the laws on sex trafficking and payments in exchange for sex to women recruited online.
The Times report comes later were reported by various media outlets last week, Greenberg’s attorneys told the court that his client was expected to understand an agreement with federal investigators.
Gaetz has repeatedly denied the allegations, as well a CNN report on Sunday who said assistants to ancients President Trump
Donald Trump: Trump: McConnell “Powerless” to Prevent Biden from Packing Romney Court for NRSC Granting Trump: It’s Not “My Preference” McConnell ignores Trump who calls him “stupid son of b —-” MORE he had rejected a request for a congressional meeting after the news that it was under federal investigation.
When asked about the allegations Tuesday, Gaetz thrown to CNN reporter Manu Raju, claiming the network was carry out a campaign “to spread lies against me.”
“I wrote an essay on this in the Washington Examiner. You should check it out,” Gaetz said as he descended the steps of the Capitol, referring to an opinion piece last week, in which he wrote that “the swamp is out to drown me with false charges.”
Gaetz spokesman Harlan Hill said in a statement to The Hill in response to the Tuesday’s Times report: “Congressman Gaetz has never paid for sex,” adding that Greenberg has been trying to catch people for a long time. innocent in their problems “.
The Hill has contacted Greenberg’s lawyer, Fritz Scheller, and the Justice Department to comment on the Times report.
Gaetz has faced increasing calls to resign over the charges, as well as other charges that have surfaced since then, although he has repeatedly promised not to step down.
The House Ethics Committee officially last week opened an investigation to Gaetz for allegations of illegal drug use and sharing nude photos of young women with their colleagues on the floor of the house.
Although Gaetz has denied any offense, he he brought two of New York’s top defense attorneys last week to exercise representation in the Department of Justice survey.
Mike Lillis contributed.