NYT: Jailed Gaetz Crony Has Been Spilling The Dirt

The New York Times reports:

A former local official in Florida indicted in the Justice Department investigation that is also focused on Representative Matt Gaetz has been providing investigators with information since last year about an array of topics, including Mr. Gaetz’s activities, according to two people briefed on the matter. Joel Greenberg, a onetime county tax collector, disclosed to investigators that he and Mr. Gaetz had encounters with women who were given cash or gifts in exchange for sex, the people said.

Mr. Greenberg began speaking with investigators once he realized that the government had overwhelming evidence against him and that his only path to leniency lay in cooperation, the people said. He has met several times with investigators to try to establish his trustworthiness, though the range of criminal charges against him — including fraud — could undermine his credibility as a witness.

The Washington Post reports:

Greenberg’s plea deal has not yet been finalized. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment Tuesday. Greenberg attorney Fritz Scheller has repeatedly declined to answer questions about his client’s cooperation, first reported by the New York Times, though he hinted ominously after last week’s court hearing that Greenberg was “uniquely situated” to provide information about the congressman. “I’m sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable today,” Scheller said at the time.

CNN reports:



Gaetz has continued to deny all allegations against him and has not been charged with any crimes. The Florida Republican was on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to cast votes, but he did not comment on The New York Times report when asked by CNN. A spokesperson for Gaetz, Harlan Hill, told CNN in a statement Tuesday evening that Gaetz “has never paid for sex” and suggested that Greenberg is “trying to ensnare innocent people in his troubles.”