Joel Greenberg expected to strike plea deal
Joel Greenberg, a former county tax collector and key figure in a federal investigation into alleged sex trafficking and misconduct involving GOP Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, is expected to reach a plea deal with prosecutors by next month, according to a report Thursday.
Greenberg’s attorneys and federal prosecutors confirmed
negotiations were underway during a court appearance, the Orlando Sentinel
reported. Lawyers for both sides were told to reach an agreement by May 15 or
the trial would proceed.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg said the
prosecution expected a plea deal to be reached. The agreement could have
implications for the investigation into Gaetz, who has not been charged with a
crime and has denied wrongdoing.
"I am sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable
today," Greenberg’s attorney, Fritz Scheller, said after the hearing,
according to the Sentinel. Scheller did not state whether Greenberg would
cooperate with the investigation into Gaetz’s alleged actions.
Greenberg served as tax collector in Seminole County,
Florida, from 2016 until his resignation last June. He stepped down from the
elected office one day after prosecutors revealed that he was under indictment
on multiple charges.
Greenberg faces a total of 33 federal charges as of this
week, including stalking a political opponent, sex trafficking of a minor, and
conspiracy to bribe a public official. His trial was originally slated to begin
in June.
The New York Times reported that federal investigators were
probing whether Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws. The investigation
is said to focus in part on whether Gaetz carried on a sexual relationship with
a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel with him.
The investigation of Gaetz arose as part of the federal case
against Greenberg, his longtime associate and political ally. Gaetz once posted
a photo of himself and Greenberg at the White House.
Federal authorities are also probing whether Greenberg and
Gaetz recruited women online for sex in exchange for cash payments, according
to the Times.
The Washington Post reported Gaetz had
"repeatedly" bragged about women he met through Greenberg and shared
photos of naked women at parties where the former tax collector was in
attendance.
Gaetz, a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump,
has rejected calls for his resignation in response to the federal probe. He has
claimed that the allegations against him are connected to an extortion scheme.
Gaetz's attorneys have denied that he ever paid for sex.
Comments
Post a Comment