Joel Greenberg (official county photo)An associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Jeff Greenberg, is expected to enter guilty pleas on a number of charges including sex trafficking in the next few weeks.
That doesn’t bode well for Gaetz who is being investigated on similar sex charges. Greenberg could wind up as a key witness against Gaetz.
From the New York Times:
A plea by the former elected official, Joel Greenberg, could significantly strengthen the Justice Department’s hand as it investigates Mr. Gaetz and others who met Mr. Greenberg through Florida Republican politics and are being scrutinized on potential sex trafficking violations.
Mr. Greenberg met women through a website that connects people who are willing to go on dates in exchange for gifts and allowances, then introduced them to Mr. Gaetz, who along with Mr. Greenberg had sex with them, people familiar with the matter have said.
The prosecutors and Greenberg’s legal team agreed to a May 15 deadline to come to some agreement on a plea deal which could include testifying against or providing information about Gaetz to prosecutors. Staring at a possible 12 year prison sentence, Greenberg may feel inclined to cooperate with the Justice Department.
Click here for an in-depth rundown on Greenberg’s alleged crimes, which are numerous.
LIVE from courthouse: Joel Greenberg- an associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz expected to take a plea in criminal case – likely requiring have to share what he knows about Gaetz. @CNN (HT busiest man in news @joshscampbell for video) pic.twitter.com/Yo0xLg2wY8
— Paula Reid (@PaulaReidCNN) April 8, 2021
JUST IN: via @PaulaReidCNN in the courtroom in Orlando. Joel Greenberg- an associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz is likely to take a plea in his case.
A deal would put pressure Gaetz, as Greenberg would have to share what he knows about his friend and associate— Ryan Nobles (@ryanobles) April 8, 2021
If Greenberg is signing a cooperation agreement, it means he has information that can help the government prosecute other people. Usually prosecutors don’t cooperate “down” (ie prostitutes) but look to cooperate “up” against bigger fish (ie Gaetz). This is bad for Gaetz.
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) April 8, 2021
“I am sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable today.” — Fritz Scheller, attorney for Joel Greenberg, associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL)
(Greenberg is expected to take a plea deal with federal prosecutors in his own criminal case.) pic.twitter.com/Bz1PLWBuv4
— The Recount (@therecount) April 8, 2021