WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 03: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks during a news conference to announce the "Green Real Deal" on April 3, 2019 in Washington, DC. The "Green Real Deal" is a resolution intended to serve as a response to the "Green New Deal" promoted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA). The "Green New Deal" acknowledges climate change and says the government should promote innovation to prevent greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Joel Greenberg, a former Florida tax collector and a key figure in the federal probe into Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida), has pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a child in addition to five separate federal crimes, including federal wire fraud, identity theft, bribery and stalking-related charges. Greenberg’s plea deal requires that he must “cooperate fully with the United States in the investigation and prosecution of other persons, and to testify” in future proceedings, according to court documents.
In exchange for Greenberg’s plea, prosecutors will drop over 24 other criminal charges. Greenberg is now facing a minimum of 12 years in federal prison, and he must give up the half a million dollars he obtained through his alleged wire fraud and bribery schemes.
His plea hearing is scheduled for Monday in an Orlando federal court, where a judge must approve of this deal.
The 86-page plea agreement describes Greenberg’s spending $70,000 over 150 separate financial transactions in order to have sex with women, including a minor.
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Gaetz could face serious legal consequences as well, seeing as federal authorities are investigating whether or not he had sex with the same 17-year-old girl that Greenberg allegedly trafficked.
Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend reportedly is in the midst of negotiating a potential immunity agreement with authorities, as she may have known about her former partner’s wrongdoing.
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