Federal investigators seeking cooperation from former Gaetz girlfriend, second key witness: CNN

Federal authorities investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) are seeking cooperation from his former girlfriend and a second key witness, unidentified sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

According to the network, investigators are close to getting formal cooperation from former Florida county tax collector Joel Greenberg, who is expected to reach a plea deal on more than two dozen charges, including sex trafficking a minor.

Investigators are reportedly almost done gathering evidence in the probe, which has gone on for months. The decision to prosecute Gaetz will likely take time as prosecutors weigh whether there’s sufficient evidence for indictment, a source told CNN.

The former girlfriend never worked in Gaetz’s office but was on a 2018 trip that he took to the Bahamas, sources told the news outlet. She is also reportedly involved in some of the financial records the FBI has obtained, and investigators want to know what knowledge Gaetz had about those payments.

Prosecutors are examining whether Gaetz broke sex trafficking and corruption laws, as well as whether he had sex with a minor.

Gaetz — one of former President Trump’s staunchest defenders — has denied all the allegations against him. He is currently traveling the country with fellow arch-conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) for what they’ve called the “America First Tour.”

The Hill has requested comment from Gaetz’s office on the CNN report.

The New York Times previously reported that Greenberg decided to cooperate after he was made aware of the overwhelming evidence against him.

Greenberg has told investigators that he and Gaetz had encounters with women who were given monetary payments or gifts in exchange for sex, the Times noted.

The Bahamas trip with marijuana entrepreneur Jason Pirozzolo has become a critical part of the investigation into whether he received gifts in return for political favors from people in the medical marijuana industry.

Gaetz has a record of supporting medical marijuana. CBS News previously reported that Pirozzolo — who is chairman of the board for the Medical Marijuana Physicians Association— paid for travel expenses, accommodations and female escorts.