Federal prosecutors have closed a long-running sex-trafficking investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and have decided not to press charges against him, attorneys for the congressman said.
that career prosecutors had recommended against charging Gaetz, telling Justice Department superiors that a conviction was unlikely in part because of credibility questions with the two central witnesses, according to people familiar with the matter.The sex-trafficking investigation of Matt Gaetz, explained
The investigation into Gaetz began in late 2020 and focused on his alleged involvement several years earlier with a girl who at that time was 17. Investigators examined his dealings with the alleged victim and set out to determine if Gaetz paid for sex in violation of federal sex-trafficking laws, people familiar with the matter have said. Earlier this year, a federal grand jury in Orlando heard testimony from associates of Gaetz’s, including an ex-girlfriend.
The ex-girlfriend who testified to the grand jury was among several women on a trip Gaetz allegedly took to the Bahamas in 2018 that has been of particular interest to investigators. The 17-year-old at issue in the investigation was also on that trip, though by that time she was already 18 or older, people familiar with the matter have said. She was a central witness in the investigation.
The other is a former friend of Gaetz’s, Joel Greenberg, a former tax collector for Seminole County, Fla. Greenbergto sex trafficking of a minor and a host of other crimes as part of a cooperation deal with authorities. Greenberg was first charged in 2020 with fabricating allegations and evidence to smear a political opponent, but prosecutors continued to investigate and added charges to his case. He ultimately agreed to plead guilty to six criminal charges, including sex trafficking of a child, aggravated identity theft and wire fraud.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Justice Department declines to charge Rep. Matt Gaetz in sex trafficking probeBREAKING: The Justice Department has decided not to charge GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz in a sex trafficking investigation.
Les mer »
Justice Department drops sex-trafficking probe of Rep. Matt Gaetz without charges, lawyers sayThe investigation coincided with Matt Gaetz’s rise to prominence as a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and antagonist to congressional Democrats.
Les mer »
Matt Gaetz Skirts Sex Trafficking ChargesThe Justice Department will not charge Matt Gaetz after a prolonged investigation into whether he sex trafficked a 17-year-old girl.
Les mer »
DOJ decides not to charge Matt Gaetz in sex trafficking investigation: ReportThe Department of Justice has decided not to charge Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) after a yearslong investigation into underage sex trafficking allegations.
Les mer »
Jane Doe 1 wasn’t ‘Al Pacino rich’ and lied on stand: Harvey Weinstein attorneysHarvey Weinstein’s attorneys said the convicted Hollywood producer should get a new trial because one of the victims had a financial motivation to lie after it was revealed she was not &8220…
Les mer »
GOP attorneys general call for scrapping FDA approval of abortion pillWhile Republicans have largely said that abortion is a state issue following the fall of Roe v. Wade, conservative-led states are now on record backing a nationwide injunction on the use of a key drug used in medication abortions.
Les mer »