A former Florida tax official is predicted to plead responsible within the legal case that spawned the intercourse trafficking investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz, the official’s legal professionals and prosecutors mentioned in courtroom Thursday.
Joel Greenberg, the previous Seminole County tax collector, had beforehand pleaded not responsible to a number of prices, together with stalking, wire fraud and intercourse trafficking of a minor.
In a short listening to in Orlando, Greenberg’s lawyer, Fritz Scheller, and federal prosecutors instructed the choose they anticipate him to strike a plea deal, however the events didn’t sign if Greenberg was anticipated to cooperate within the investigation towards Gaetz, R-Fla.
“I anticipate this case to resolve with a plea earlier than the June trial date,” Scheller instructed the choose.
Either side agreed to a date of Might 15 because the deadline to enter a plea.
Federal investigators are wanting into whether or not Gaetz paid girls to journey to the Bahamas for intercourse, NBC Information reported Wednesday evening. Investigators are additionally wanting into whether or not Gaetz and Greenberg used the web to seek for girls they may pay for intercourse.
Gaetz, who has not been charged with any crime, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
Authorized specialists mentioned Greenberg could be a key witness within the investigation towards Gaetz if the previous tax official agrees to cooperate within the probe.
“I’m certain Matt Gaetz is just not feeling very snug at present,” Greenberg’s lawyer Fritz Scheller mentioned outdoors of courtroom. Scheller cited attorney-client privilege when requested immediately if Greenberg was cooperating with prosecutors on the Gaetz case.
Scheller additionally refused to reply when requested if Greenberg had any incriminating proof towards Gaetz.
“I feel if Mr. Greenberg accepts a plea settlement, he’ll wish to present his sense of regret, which he does have, and his sense of acceptance of accountability,” Scheller mentioned. “He is uniquely located.”
Gaetz mentioned in an op-ed printed Monday that he’s not a legal and that he is not going to be resigning.
“Since I am taking my flip underneath the gun, let me tackle the allegations towards me immediately. First, I’ve by no means, ever paid for intercourse. And second, I, as an grownup man, haven’t slept with a 17-year-old,” Gaetz wrote in The Washington Examiner.
He mentioned the “weird” claims had been made after he “determined to tackle probably the most highly effective establishments within the Beltway.”
The Related Press contributed.
