Federal investigators are investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz’s journey to the Bahamas with girls and particularly whether or not these girls have been paid to journey for intercourse, which might violate federal regulation, a regulation enforcement official and one other particular person accustomed to the matter stated.
Investigators are additionally investigating whether or not Gaetz, a Florida Republican, and certainly one of his associates used the Web to seek for girls they may pay for intercourse, the sources stated.
Gaetz, who has not been charged with any crime, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
There was no response to a request for remark despatched to their representatives.
In a press release to CBS Information, which first reported that investigators have been investigating a visit to the Bahamas, a spokesperson stated Gaetz denies the advances.
“Consultant Gaetz has by no means paid for intercourse, nor has he had intercourse with an underage lady. What began with raucous headlines about ‘intercourse trafficking’ has now become a common fishing train on holidays and consensual relationships with adults.” the spokesman stated.
The New York Occasions reported final week that the Justice Division was investigating whether or not Gaetz had had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid her to journey with him, citing three folks briefed on the matter.
Regulation enforcement sources have confirmed to NBC Information that the investigation originated from an investigation into one other particular person, Joel Micah Greenberg, who’s awaiting trial on fees of trafficking, stalking and identification fraud. Greenberg has pleaded not responsible.
The evening The Occasions reported his story, Gaetz stated that “not one of the allegations in opposition to me are true” and claimed that his household has been the sufferer of a $ 25 million extortion plot that includes threats to smear his identify.
Gaetz stated in an opinion piece revealed Monday that he’s not a felony and that he is not going to resign.
“Since I’m taking my flip below the gun, let me tackle the allegations in opposition to me immediately. First, I’ve by no means paid for intercourse. And second, I, as a grown man, haven’t slept with an” previous man, “he wrote. Gaetz on the Washington Examiner.
He stated the “unusual” claims have been made after he “determined to tackle essentially the most highly effective establishments on the Beltway.”
