General Discussion

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/matt-gaetz-was-once-under-investigation-for-sex-trafficking-now-he-could-lead-the-justice-department



It continued until 2023.

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https://bsky.app/profile/emptywheel.bsky.social/post/3ldxzqzc3js2g
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16h
I get that 1000 of you are going to whinge that Merrick Garland didn't make a prosecutorial decision it's virtually certain he wasn't involved in. But before you do, please review these details.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/matt-gaetz-ethics-report-released/
"Victim A recalled receiving $400 in cash from Representative Gaetz that evening, which she understood to be payment for sex," the committee wrote. *"Victim A said that she did not inform Representative Gaetz that she was under 18 at the time, nor did he ask her age."*

In his written responses to the committee, *Gaetz denied having sex with a minor.* The Department of Justice previously investigated Gaetz for violating sex trafficking laws but did not bring charges. The committee said *it did not find sufficient evidence Gaetz violated the federal sex trafficking statute* because although he transported women across state lines for the purpose of sex, those women were all 18 or older at the time.
ALT




‪emptywheel‬ ‪@emptywheel.bsky.social‬
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16h
The reason I say it's virtually certain he wasn't involved in it is bc the only reason anyone outside of FL would be involved is for approval to CHARGE a politician. And the sentencing filings for Joel Greenberg suggests the prosecutors were very skeptical of these charges, tho Greenberg pushed them

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Looks like US attorneys in Florida did most of it, then the DOJ sent a couple more in from DC to determine whether charges could be made. The House Ethics Committee and the DOJ alike concluded they didn't have enough evidence to charge him with trafficking. He was clever, paying after the fact and not in advance quite often – which apparently makes it less obvious he was buying sex, but that it could be a gift.