Another revelation for Rep. Matt Gaetz as latest witness says he was in the room where it happened

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/2/10/2079642/-Another-revelation-for-Rep-Matt-Gaetz-as-latest-witness-says-he-was-in-the-room-where-it-happened

Former Florida “shock jock” Joseph Ellicot (known as “Big Joe”) pleaded guilty a couple of weeks ago in federal court. Who is Ellicott, and why does that sentence mean anything to anybody? Well, according to the Daily Beast, Ellicott was a close buddy to Joel Greenberg, the former Republican operative and best party buddy of Rep. Matt Gaetz. He worked for Greenberg at the Seminole County Tax Collector’s office.

In the last week of January, Ellicott pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud as well as distribution of a controlled substance. Ellicott’s main function in the case is that he told investigators he had handled cash bribes for Greenberg, acting as a middleman for criminal corruption. He also said he illegally sold Adderall. But Ellicott reportedly has one small part to play in Gaetz’s life: He says he was in the room when Gaetz was informed that he had had sex with an underage girl.

In April of last year, the Daily Beast reported on a “confession letter” purportedly written by Greenberg to amazing dirtbag Roger Stone towards the end of Trump’s presidency. Greenberg was trying to find a way to get a pardon out of Trump. In that letter, he admitted to the underage sex charges and the money for sex stuff. “On more than one occasion, this individual was involved in sexual activities with several of the other girls, the congressman from Florida’s 1st Congressional District and myself. From time to time, gas money or gifts, rent or partial tuition payments were made to several of these girls, including the individual who was not yet 18. I did see the acts occur firsthand and Venmo transactions, Cash App or other payments were made to these girls on behalf of the Congressman.”

Ellicott reportedly sent a text to Greenberg raising red flags over how it isn’t a good thing to have sex with underage girls. He also reportedly mentioned that fact that the underage teenager had brought another underage teenager across state lines and that too, was no good.

*snip*

[JT45242]

1. It seems like they have more than enough for the indictment...

Two of his co-conspirators have already flipped. Why is it taking so long to get a perp walk for Gaetz?

Unless they are using this to get Gaetz to flip on TFG, and it would seem that an indictment would give the DoJ more leverage for flipping up to the top levels.

[lagomorph777]

2. Yep - reel in this fish and bait the hook with him.

Hey, Joe: good luck, chum.

[Qutzupalotl]

3. Greenberg's sentencing was delayed

until March, last I heard. Apparently he has a LOT more to say to prosecutors to try to lighten his sentence. (I don't know if they're trying to flip Gaetz; he strikes me as stubborn, which makes me doubt it.)

So sit tight, I think it won't be too much longer. Better to do it slowly, thoroughly, and right rather than rush it and lose on appeal.