By Marshall Cohen | CNN
Convicted fraudster Joel Greenberg, who cooperated extensively with prosecutors investigating GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, was sentenced on Thursday to 11 years in jail by a federal decide in Orlando, Florida.
Greenberg, a former Seminole County tax collector, beforehand pleaded responsible to underage sex-trafficking, wire fraud, stalking and three different felony costs.
As a part of his plea deal, Greenberg supplied info to investigators about Gaetz associated to the sex-trafficking probe, a supply aware of the case beforehand advised CNN.
Gaetz has denied ever paying for intercourse or having intercourse with a minor, and no costs have been filed in opposition to Gaetz.
That probe started in late 2020, and CNN reported in September that prosecutors beneficial in opposition to an indictment, although senior Justice Division officers get to make the ultimate name — and it’s unclear if that call has been made.
After the sentencing, Greenberg’s legal professional Fritz Scheller stated he was “disenchanted” that the Justice Division hasn’t charged anybody else as a part of the sex-trafficking investigation. Scheller beforehand stated in court docket that Greenberg gave investigators details about seven or eight different males because it pertains to the unlawful sexual contact with a minor.
“We count on the federal authorities to tackle the onerous instances and never simply the straightforward convictions,” Scheller stated, urging prosecutors to “pursue others.”
“That’s what they’re there for,” Scheller added, saying the Justice Division ought to maintain “higher-level” figures accountable for the sake of democracy.
Scheller stated he and Greenberg communicated “pretty just lately … up to now few months” with prosecutors as a part of his cooperation within the sex-trafficking investigation.