Rep. Matt Gaetz.Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty
The investigation into Florida Rep.Matt Gaetzhas reportedly taken a new turn, thanks to the recent court appearance and subsequent testimony from an ex-girlfriend.
The ex was seen at the federal courthouse on Wednesday, according toABC News,CNNandNBC News, with CNN and NBC News reporting that she testified before a grand jury convened to consider charges against the lawmaker.
Attorneys for Gaetz, however, say they’ve seen “no credible basis” for a prosecution of the sitting congressman.
The testimony from Gaetz’s ex came before the grand jury investigating whether the 39-year-old Republican had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid her to travel with him.
According to NBC News, the ex-girlfriend had been in discussions with federal prosecutors about an immunity deal in exchange for her testimony.
News of an investigation into Gaetz first broke last March and, according toTheNew York Times, the investigation was opened in the final months of PresidentDonald Trump’s administration, under then-Attorney General Bill Barr.
Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Gaetzhas not been charged with any crimeand has denied any wrongdoing, previously insisting to multiple news outlets that the overarching case was “rooted in an extortion effort” against him.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Gaetz’s attorney, Isabelle A. Kirshner, said: “We have seen no credible basis for a charge against Congressman Gaetz. We remain steadfast in our commitment to challenge any allegations with the facts and law.”
An attorney for Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend, whomPoliticoreportsdated Gaetz in 2017 and 2018, did not immediately respond to a request for comment and declined to comment to other news outlets.
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Joel Greenberg (left) and Rep. Matt Gaetz.Seminole County Tax Collector’s Office; Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty
The case involving Gaetz reportedly spun out of another investigation, into Joel Greenberg, his friend and former GOP official from Seminole County, Florida.
Greenberg wasindicted on a range of charges, including sex trafficking of a child, in 2020. In May, hepleaded guiltyto multiple charges including sex trafficking a minor and is believed to be cooperating with authorities.
Greenberg and Gaetz have beenphotographed togetherin the past.
Speaking to theTimeslast year about his knowledge of the investigation, Gaetz said: “I only know that it has to do with women. I have a suspicion that someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward.”
source: people.com
