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The ex-girlfriend of embattled Rep. Matt Gaetz testified earlier than a federal grand jury in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, a sign the Division of Justice is transferring nearer to indicting the firebrand pol on baby sex-trafficking expenses.
The lady was noticed coming into the courthouse alongside her legal professional and has been in negotiations with prosecutors a few potential immunity deal the place she’d keep away from obstruction expenses in alternate for her testimony towards Gaetz (R-Fla.), NBC News reported.
Gaetz, 39, is underneath investigation for sex-trafficking a 17-year-old, obstructing justice and violating the Mann Act, which criminalizes the transportation of individuals throughout state traces for the aim of prostitution, authorized sources advised the outlet. Gaetz has repeatedly, and vigorously, denied the allegations, claiming they’re nothing however a DOJ “witch hunt.”
The probe into Gaetz started more than a year ago when his longtime ally Joel Greenberg, a former tax collector in Florida, was charged with a bevvy of crimes, together with sex-trafficking of a minor — the same girl whom Gaetz is accused of abusing.
Whereas the feds were probing Greenberg, the alleged sex-trafficking sufferer advised them Gaetz had additionally had intercourse together with her at one level, a supply aware of the case advised the outlet.
Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend, who was in an open relationship with the conservative between 2017 and 2018, is an important voice within the probe as a result of the couple would often discuss his trysts with different girls, and her testimony might assist investigators fill in gaps within the story, the outlet stated.
She additionally traveled with Gaetz and different younger girls to the Bahamas in 2018, a visit that’s a part of the investigation as effectively, Politico beforehand reported.
As soon as the investigation into Gaetz began, he spoke with the ex in a three-way cellphone name with one other girl who on the time was already cooperating with federal investigators and was surreptitiously recording the decision, sources aware of the case advised the outlet.
It was on that decision that the ex and Gaetz allegedly obstructed justice, however it’s not instantly clear how.
The ex-girlfriend is repped by Tim Jansen, a distinguished Florida legal professional identified for securing immunity offers.
Gaetz and Jansen didn’t return requests for remark.
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