Gaetz friend gets 11 years for sex crime, other counts [View all]
Source: Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) A former Florida tax collector whose arrest led to a federal probe into U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor and other crimes.
Joel Greenberg, former tax collector for Seminole County, had pleaded guilty to six federal crimes, also including identity theft, stalking, wire fraud and conspiracy to bribe a public official. Prosecutors said he paid at least one girl to have sex with him and other men.
Nothing justifies my actions. My conduct is so shameful. I feel remorse for what Ive done, Greenberg said in court Thursday.
Greenbergs attorney had asked U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell for leniency, saying that his client had assisted in investigations of 24 people, including eight for sex crimes. Defense attorney Fritz Scheller said that Greenbergs cooperation has led to four federal indictments, and that he believed additional ones were expected in the coming month.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-florida-congress-government-and-politics-d657eda08a857f4c0a07d293bb109308