Florida GOP congressman Matt Gaetz seems to continue to be living his life as though he has nothing to lose, nothing to fear. But I’ve got news for him — that massive investigation into his alleged sex crimes (you know, when he was accused of having a sexual relationship with a minor and taking her across several state lines, which constitutes sex trafficking?) hasn’t gone anywhere, even if the media cycle seemed to quiet down about it for a while. In fact, it’s rapidly heating up. And Gaetz had better take it seriously.
As we’re all well aware, Gaetz has already had at least one close former associate of his turn on him and cooperate with investigators in the case. Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg used to be very close to Gaetz and was very deeply involved with their disturbing sex scene. In fact, Greenberg has entered a guilty plea and currently awaits sentencing on charges including sex trafficking of a child, identity theft, stalking, wire fraud, creating a fake driver’s license, and conspiracy to bribe a public official — all of which Joel has asserted his old pal Gaetz was also involved in. And he’s all too happy to cooperate with prosecutors who are investigating Matt as part of his plea deal in the matter.
But now it seems that Greenberg isn’t the only one Matt needs to worry about.
According to a bombshell new report from POLITICO, the Matt Gaetz sex trafficking investigation has now taken “another twist” as Florida collectibles dealer Joe Ellicott, otherwise known as “Big Joe,” pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and drug charges in Orlando and has reportedly agreed to cooperate in full with the FBI.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Now, at first, “Big Joe’s” charges don’t seem to be in connection to Matt Gaetz. But here’s where it gets interesting. According to the new report, Ellicott was a witness to the alleged phone call, in which Matt Gaetz was informed by his old “wingman” Joel Greenberg that Gaetz had sex with an underage girl.
“Ellicott is a relatively minor figure in the ongoing Gaetz probe but was listed on a federal grand jury subpoena in December 2020 along with Gaetz and several other men,” the bombshell new report reads. “As part of his plea agreement, Ellicott, who remains free on pretrial conditions, has agreed to ‘cooperate fully with the United States in the investigation and prosecution of other people,’ according to court documents. Ellicott’s attorney previously said those individuals include Gaetz, a close ally of former President Donald Trump.”
Ellicott was reportedly a very close friend of Gaetz’s old “wingman” and close pal Joel Greenberg.
Just last month, The Daily Beast reported on a phone call from Greenberg to Gaetz, informing the congressman that one of the girls that they had both paid to have sex with was, in fact, an underage teenager. According to the Beast, Ellicott was present when Greenberg made that call.
POLITICO goes on to note that Ellicott’s guilty plea comes directly on the heels of Joel Greenberg’s request to delay his sentencing as he continues to cooperate with investigators.
“Greenberg has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sex trafficking the same 17-year-old victim allegedly in the Gaetz probe,” the report reads, noting that the investigation into Matt’s potential sex crimes appeared to “ramp up” following a grand jury testimony from Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend.
In case you’re failing to understand what all of this means, Gaetz — it means they’re coming for you.
Featured image via Flickr/Gage Skidmore, under Creative Commons license 2.0
