WASHINGTON — The Justice Division is ending its intercourse trafficking investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., with out charging the congressman with any crimes, his attorneys and congressional workplace advised NBC Information.
“Now we have simply spoken with the DOJ and have been knowledgeable that they’ve concluded their investigation into Congressman Gaetz and allegations associated to intercourse trafficking and obstruction of justice they usually have decided to not carry any costs towards him,” Gaetz attorneys Marc Mukasey and Isabelle Kirshner stated in a press release.
Gaetz’s workplace added, “The Division of Justice has confirmed to Congressman Gaetz’s attorneys that their investigation has concluded and that he won’t be charged with any crimes.”
Prosecutors had spent months investigating Gaetz’s private conduct and, particularly, allegations that he was a part of a scheme that led to the intercourse trafficking of a 17-year-old woman. On the core of their investigation was testimony from a former Gaetz affiliate, Joel Greenberg who labored as a Florida tax collector.
A DOJ spokesperson declined to remark. CNN was first to report the news.
In 2021, Greenberg pleaded guilty to 6 costs, together with intercourse trafficking of a minor, identification theft, stalking, wire fraud and conspiracy to bribe a public official, and agreed to cooperate with federal investigators as part of his plea agreement. He was sentenced in Dec. 2022 to 11 years in jail.
NBC Information had reported in October that the investigation into Gaetz had stalled. That was in keeping with attorneys who’ve represented witnesses, individuals who have been subpoenaed or have spoken to investigators. The attorneys briefed on elements of the case stated the probe had stalled over considerations concerning the credibility of two key witnesses or an absence of direct proof implicating Gaetz, who has denied all wrongdoing.
Gaetz had lengthy denied the allegations towards him, together with that he had intercourse with a minor, that he transported the alleged sufferer throughout state strains to interact in prostitution or that he obstructed justice in an effort to cowl up his actions.
The DOJ’s choice lifts an infinite authorized cloud off of Gaetz who has been dogged by the allegations for greater than a yr. The outspoken Florida congressman, a detailed ally of former President Donald Trump, has turn out to be a thorn within the aspect of the brand new GOP majority.
Gaetz was part of a faction of Republican holdouts to help Kevin McCarthy in his bid for speaker. He lastly relented and voted “current” on the fifteenth poll to permit McCarthy the edge he wanted to safe the place. McCarthy not too long ago quietly appointed Gaetz to the brand new GOP subcommittee on the “weaponization of the federal authorities.”
