Matt Gaetz underneath investigation for potential obstruction of justice in intercourse probe

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Matt Gaetz under investigation for potential obstruction of justice in sex probe

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Representative Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, listens throughout a markup on H.R. 7120, the “Justice in Policing Act of 2020,” on June 17, 2020, in Washington, D.C.

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Federal prosecutors are investigating whether or not Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., obstructed justice when he known as a witness in an ongoing probe of potential intercourse crimes, NBC News reported Thursday.

The witness is allegedly linked to Gaetz and his good friend Joel Greenberg, a former county tax collector in Florida who final month pleaded responsible to a number of crimes, together with the intercourse trafficking of a 17-year-old lady, a regulation enforcement supply advised NBC.

Later Thursday, a federal decide in Florida scheduled Greenberg’s sentencing listening to for Aug. 19 in Orlando. As a part of the plea deal, Greenberg agreed to cooperate and provides “substantial assistance” to authorities in any investigation.

Greenberg’s case reportedly led prosecutors to look into Gaetz, who denied all allegations of wrongdoing in opposition to him when The New York Times first reported in late March that the Department of Justice was inspecting whether or not he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her travels with him.

“Congressman Gaetz pursues justice, he doesn’t obstruct it,” a Gaetz spokesperson advised NBC in an announcement Thursday.

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“The anonymous allegations have thus far amounted to lies, wrapped in leaks, rooted in an extortion plot by a former DOJ official,” the spokesperson mentioned, referring to Gaetz’s declare that the intercourse trafficking probe is linked to an “organized criminal extortion” scheme in opposition to him and his household.

“After two months, there is still not a single on-record accusation of misconduct, and now the ‘story’ is changing yet again,” Gaetz’s spokesperson mentioned. “Rep. Gaetz’s legal team continues to investigate the attempted extortion of a sitting U.S. Congressman and anyone who may be connected to it.”

The reported obstruction inquiry into Gaetz stems from a cellphone name between the witness and the congressman’s ex-girlfriend, in line with Politico, which first reported the probe.

At one level within the dialog, the ex-girlfriend dialed Gaetz into the decision, Politico reported, citing sources acquainted with the case. It is unknown what was mentioned on the decision, Politico reported.

Gaetz, 39, is without doubt one of the most seen Republicans within the House, in addition to one of many chamber’s loudest supporters of former President Donald Trump. Gaetz has just lately advised information retailers he would take into account working for president if Trump does not observe by means of on his closely teased 2024 marketing campaign.

The House Ethics Committee in April mentioned it launched an investigation into Gaetz.