Matt Gaetz says DOJ dropped sex trafficking investigation against him

The Justice Department is dropping its sex trafficking investigation against Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), the congressman's lawyers said Wednesday.

Gaetz, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, has been under investigation since 2020 over allegations he had sex with a 17-year-old girl, paid for her to travel with him across state lines and allegedly obstructed justice to conceal this relationship. which often result in heavy penalties.

“We have just spoken with the DOJ and have been informed that they have concluded their investigation into Congressman Gaetz and the allegations related to sex trafficking and obstruction of justice and have decided not to pursue any further charges. accusation against him,” said his lawyers Marc Mukasey and Isabelle. Kirshner said in a statement.

CNN also reported that senior department officials informed the witnesses' lawyers on Wednesday that they would not prosecute Gaetz. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to HuffPost's requests for further information.

Gaetz, who was re-elected last year, said he never had sex with a minor, took people across state lines for sexual purposes or he had obstructed justice to cover this up.

“I suspect someone is trying to reclassify my generosity toward my ex-girlfriends as something more untoward,” he told the New York Times in 2021.

There have been indications in recent months that the Gaetz investigation has stalled. In October, NBC News reported that investigators were concerned about the credibility of some key witnesses. The Washington Post reported the same thing in September, saying career prosecutors were recommending no charges because of problems with some witnesses.

The investigation initially began after investigators began looking into Joel Greenberg, a former Florida tax collector and close ally of Gaetz, for sex trafficking — a crime that recently earned him an 11-year prison sentence. While asking Trump for forgiveness at the end of his presidency, Greenberg wrote in a letter that Gaetz had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and saw him sending money to the girl through dating apps. payment.

In 2021, The Daily Beast also obtained texts Greenberg sent to Trump ally Roger Stone as he sought pardon, writing to his lawyers and Gaetz: “They know he m 'paid to pay for the girls and that he and I both slept with the girl. who was a minor.