Gaetz hires legal counsel amid DOJ probe

Embattled GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz (Fla.) has acquired legal counsel as he faces a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor and a possible violation of sex trafficking laws.

Gaetz has brought on two leading New York defense attorneys — Marc Mukasey, who has represented the Trump Organization, and Isabelle Kirshner — to serve as his representation, The Associated Press first reported.

Mukasey has worked closely with former President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and is the son of former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey.

The move comes just one day after news that Joel Greenberg, a Seminole County tax collector and friend of Gaetz, is expected to strike a plea deal, according to multiple reports.

The reported plea comes as Gaetz faces growing scrutiny after The New York Times recently reported about the federal probe into whether he had an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paid for sexual favors.

Fritz Scheller, one of Greenberg’s attorneys, requested the court set a May 15 deadline for the two sides to either reach a deal or plan for a trial this summer, The Washington Post reported.

Gaetz, who rose in prominence as one of Trump’s most vocal defenders in Congress and a regular on conservative-leaning television, has denied any wrongdoing and maintained he has no plans to step down from his seat.

The Florida Republican argued that the accusations are baseless, asserting he and his family were targeted in an extortion scheme by a former DOJ official, David McGee, seeking millions of dollars to make the accusations disappear.

McGee has denied the allegation he attempted to extort the congressman.