US Rep.-elect Matt Gaetz (R-FL) delivers a speech in the House of Representatives chamber on the fourth day of the House Speaker election at the US Capitol Building January 06, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Win McNamee | Getty Images
The Justice Department has decided not to criminally indict Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., in the two-year investigation into alleged sex trafficking, his attorneys said Wednesday.
The DOJ’s decision came as no surprise, as nearly two years had passed without prosecutors filing charges against Gaetz, despite receiving assistance in their investigation from his former friend, disgraced Florida tax collector Joel Greenberg.
“We just spoke to the DOJ and have been informed that they have completed their investigation into Congressman Gaetz and the allegations related to sex trafficking and obstruction of justice and have decided not to press charges against him,” Gaetz’s attorneys said , Marc Mukasey and Isabelle Kirshner said in a statement to CNBC.
Gaetz’s office said in a statement, “The Justice Department has confirmed to Congressman Gaetz’s attorneys that their investigations are complete and that he will not be charged with any crimes.”
A DOJ spokesman declined to comment.
The Washington Post reported in September that professional prosecutors had advised against charging Gaetz because of concerns about Greenberg and another potential witness.
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Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison in December after pleading guilty to child sex trafficking, identity theft, stalking, wire fraud and conspiracy to bribe a public official.
Prosecutors have said Greenberg paid at least one minor to have sex with him and other men.
Greenberg’s attorney in December criticized the DOJ’s handling of the case, noting that his client had spoken about “public figures” while working with him and that his accounts were corroborated by other witnesses and records.
“Perhaps the DOJ will appoint a special counsel to address those individuals who implicate broader national concerns,” Greenberg’s attorney Fritz Scheller wrote in a court filing. “Perhaps the DOJ are master strategists, far beyond the capabilities of the undersigned. Or maybe the DOJ is like Nero fumbling while Rome burns.”
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