A new federal lawsuit accuses former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz and two former state officials of participating in a sex trafficking scheme between 2017 and 2019, allegations Gaetz strongly denies.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz is facing a federal civil lawsuit brought by two women who allege that he participated in a sex trafficking operation involving paid sexual encounters, illegal drugs and travel arrangements during his time representing Florida in Congress.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, identifies the plaintiffs as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2. Both women say they were in their early 20s when they were introduced to Gaetz in 2017 through former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg.
According to Mediaite, the lawsuit also names Greenberg and former Florida Republican state Rep. Christopher Dorworth as defendants. The alleged activities occurred between 2017 and January 2019.
The women claim the defendants arranged sexual encounters involving payments, drugs and transportation, exploiting their financial circumstances while facilitating encounters with politically connected individuals.
Court filings allege that Gaetz paid the women thousands of dollars and that Greenberg and his associates supplied drugs to facilitate sexual activity.
One plaintiff also alleges she witnessed Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl during a gathering at Dorworth’s home. That accusation has not been established in court.
The complaint further alleges that Gaetz participated in financing travel arrangements through intermediaries, allowing women to attend gatherings and engage in sexual encounters across state lines.
According to the Associated Press, the plaintiffs are seeking damages under federal anti-trafficking laws, arguing that the defendants used their wealth, influence and access to vulnerable young women to arrange commercial sexual activity.
Gaetz categorically disputes the allegations and says the lawsuit relies on accusations previously examined by congressional investigators without providing him an opportunity to challenge witnesses directly.
In a statement to the Miami Herald, Gaetz said he welcomed the opportunity to question the plaintiffs under oath.
“I look forward to taking the plaintiffs’ depositions because much of the conduct alleged against me is false,” Gaetz said.
“The lawsuit relies almost exclusively on a Congressional Committee report that didn’t allow me to confront my accusers. Now I will finally have that chance.”
The case follows years of investigations and public controversy surrounding Gaetz’s associations with Greenberg, who previously pleaded guilty to multiple federal offenses, including sex trafficking of a minor.
Greenberg received an 11-year federal prison sentence following his guilty plea to charges that also included wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, stalking and conspiracy.
The former tax collector’s criminal proceedings helped generate scrutiny of Gaetz, although federal prosecutors ultimately declined to bring criminal charges against the former congressman.
In December 2024, the House Ethics Committee released findings from its investigation into Gaetz’s conduct.
The committee concluded that substantial evidence indicated Gaetz had paid women for sex, used illegal drugs and engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl while serving in Congress.
Gaetz disputed those findings and criticized the committee’s investigative procedures.
He resigned from Congress in November 2024 after President Donald Trump nominated him to serve as attorney general. Gaetz subsequently withdrew his nomination amid controversy over the allegations and concerns about his prospects for Senate confirmation.
The new lawsuit brings the accusations into federal civil court, where the plaintiffs may seek testimony, documents and other evidence through the discovery process.
Attorney Spencer Kuvin, representing the women, said the complaint details what his clients describe as an extensive operation involving political figures and financially vulnerable women.
“The text messages we have we believe are incredibly damaging to Mr. Gaetz and Mr. Greenberg,” Kuvin told WKMG-TV in Orlando.
The allegations remain unproven, and the filing of a civil complaint does not establish criminal liability.
Gaetz has not been criminally charged in connection with the alleged conduct. His denial sets the stage for a contested legal proceeding in which both sides may present evidence and challenge witness accounts.
The lawsuit now places allegations previously examined in congressional and federal investigations before a court, potentially reopening questions about Gaetz’s conduct during his years in public office.
Original article
Comments