The sex trafficking case against Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is surging after it was revealed on Monday that his ex-girlfriend, who testified against him last week, had been granted immunity in exchange for her testimony.
Last Wednesday, the woman, who is not being identified in the media to protect her privacy, testified in front of a federal grand jury in Orlando.
According to two sources familiar with the investigation, she is being considered as a potential key witness. According to one of the sources, she has information about the investigation into both the sex trafficking and obstruction allegations.
In a statement to the media last week, Gaetz’s attorney, Isabelle Kirshner, stated that “we have seen no credible basis for a charge against Congressman Gaetz. We remain steadfast in our commitment to challenging any allegations with the facts and law.” However, her immunity status suggests she may have taken part in or witnessed specific criminal acts committed by Gaetz.
According to CBS News, as part of their obstruction investigation, FBI investigators are looking into whether Gaetz had a phone call with the ex-girlfriend and another woman who is already a witness in the federal investigation.
According to different sources, Gaetz traveled to the Bahamas with his ex-girlfriend and another woman in 2018, along with a third woman with whom he had a sexual relationship. The third woman was 18 at the time of the Bahamas trip, but investigators are also looking into whether she was 17 at the time of the sexual relationship.
Investigators are trying to determine whether any of the women were paid and illegally trafficked across state or international borders in order to have sex with the congressman. According to two sources familiar with the situation, Joel Greenberg, a former Florida county tax collector, and Gaetz’s associate introduced Gaetz to the woman when she was 17 years old. Greenberg pleaded guilty to six federal charges, including minor trafficking, in May 2021.
