Gaetz’s friendship with convicted sex trafficker comes back to haunt him

The Florida Patriots PAC has launched a new ad targeting Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) for his “close friendship” with a convicted sex trafficker.

The ad begins by saying, “2017: Congressman Matt Gaetz forms a close friendship with future convicted sex trafficker Joel Greenberg.”

In 2021, Joel Greenberg, a former Florida tax collector, received an 11-year prison sentence for sex trafficking and wire fraud after pleading guilty to six of 33 federal charges.

The ad features photos of Gaetz and Greenberg together, including at the White House.

“Gaetz allegedly grooms Greenberg for higher political office, then makes payments to him,” the narrator says. “Greenberg reportedly uses a sugar daddy app to find college girls and pays for sex on Congressman Gaetz’s behalf.

“That’s a close friendship with the real Matt Gaetz,” the ad ends.

In February, Greenberg’s attorney confirmed to the Hill that he would be cooperating with the House Ethics Committee investigation into the alleged sexual encounter between Gaetz and a minor, which is part of the committee’s inquiry into the Florida Republican’s alleged sexual misconduct and drug use.

The committee began investigating several allegations against the congressman in 2021.

However, it was later deferred to the Department of Justice, which investigated accusations of lobbying violations, sex trafficking, obstruction of justice, and sex with a minor.

The DOJ closed its case against Gaetz last year without bringing charges, citing concerns about the credibility of two witnesses, including Greenberg.

In June, the House Ethics Committee reopened its investigation.

Gaetz has denied all allegations before the committee and recently criticized it for “opening new frivolous investigations.”

“They are doing this to avoid the obvious fact that every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration,” he posted to X.

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“This is Soviet,” Gaetz added. “Kevin McCarthy showed them the man, and they are now trying to find the crime.”

It is not known who is behind the Florida Patriots PAC, but it has been promoting positive messages about Aaron Dimmock, who is challenging Gaetz in the Republican primary next month.