the moops
Footballguy
No, it sounds like an ongoing investigation that takes time to get right - especially when it concerns underage girls and a sitting congressman
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
Welcome to Our Forums. Once you've registered and logged in, you're primed to talk football, among other topics, with the sharpest and most experienced fantasy players on the internet.
Matt Gaetz Under Investigation for Sex Trafficking (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Dinsy Ejotuz
- Start date
BladeRunner
Footballguy
The Commish
Footballguy
Knowing who's involved and who he is associating with, I am confident there are piles of "leads" that have to be gone through. Just in his relationship with Greenberg there's months worth of work I'd imagine.
the moops
Footballguy
What does the Mueller report have to do with a sitting congressman being investigated for underage sex tradfficking?Yeah, I remember the Mueller Report too.
BladeRunner
Footballguy
sho nuff
Footballguy
That may not be far from the truth - though, if it is, I suggest the source is more likely Liz Cheney (or someone in her orbit), than anyone else.
Dems don't want to force someone like Gaetz out of office, and out of the public spotlight.
"Dems" shouldn't have anything to do with charging decisions. The DOJ attorneys, whatever their party affiliations, should be acting without regard to political gamesmanship.
I am not sure anyone suggested they did...
The post I responded to was this:
Sounds like another ill-advised attempt to leak information from a half-assed investigation hoping someone will resign.
But certainly a valid point
BladeRunner
Footballguy
Today's DNC:
Mitt Romney, Liz Cheney - YAAAYYY!
Yesterday's DNC:
Mitt Romney, Liz Cheney - BOOOOOO!!! LIARS!
This is, in fact true.
Not relevant to teh post you responded to, but, it is true. (Having said that, I am not sure I am a fan of the Dems position here - Dems should let the GOP go wherever the GOP thinks it can get votes, and the Dems should focus on delivering their message).
The Z Machine
Footballguy
When the Feds come for you, they come correct.-fish- said:
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Joel Greenberg, Gaetz's wingman accomplice, just pled guilty to six felonies, including sex trafficking, identity theft, wire fraud.
Last edited by a moderator:
He is well on his way to becoming the R's candidate for president with his resume
He just has to make fun of handicapped people
Last edited by a moderator:
2Squirrels1Nut
Footballguy
Mr. Greenberg admitted that he and unidentified others had paid a 17-year-old girl for sex and that he had provided her with drugs. He admitted that he “introduced the minor to other adult men, who engaged in commercial sex acts” with her, according to the documents, and that he was sometimes present. The others were not named.
Prosecutors revealed in the documents that they have evidence they say corroborates Mr. Greenberg’s admissions — including a series of communications and transactions Mr. Greenberg had with the girl, and a list of dates of their sexual encounters. The inclusion of that material appeared designed to bolster the credibility of Mr. Greenberg as a witness whose truthfulness would likely be challenged by anyone who is charged based on anything he tells prosecutors.
I wonder who those "other" men might be.
A spokesman for Gaetz denounced the recent development, noting that Greenberg has a history of fabricating allegations of underage sex.
"The first indictment of Joel Greenberg alleges that he falsely accused another man of sex with a minor for his own gain. That man was apparently innocent. So is Congressman Gaetz," the congressman's spokesperson, Harlan Hill, said in a statement.
I suspect, if the Feds move on Gaetz - they will have the receipts beyond Greenberg's testimony.
"The first indictment of Joel Greenberg alleges that he falsely accused another man of sex with a minor for his own gain. That man was apparently innocent. So is Congressman Gaetz," the congressman's spokesperson, Harlan Hill, said in a statement.
I suspect, if the Feds move on Gaetz - they will have the receipts beyond Greenberg's testimony.
Amused to Death
Footballguy
Also:Mr. Greenberg admitted that he and unidentified others had paid a 17-year-old girl for sex and that he had provided her with drugs. He admitted that he “introduced the minor to other adult men, who engaged in commercial sex acts” with her, according to the documents, and that he was sometimes present. The others were not named.
Prosecutors revealed in the documents that they have evidence they say corroborates Mr. Greenberg’s admissions — including a series of communications and transactions Mr. Greenberg had with the girl, and a list of dates of their sexual encounters. The inclusion of that material appeared designed to bolster the credibility of Mr. Greenberg as a witness whose truthfulness would likely be challenged by anyone who is charged based on anything he tells prosecutors.
I wonder who those "other" men might be.
Investigators are reportedly interested in the assistance of the former girlfriend, who was reportedly on a 2018 Bahamas trip with Gaetz that has come under scrutiny for potentially violating the Mann Act, which makes it a felony to transport people across state lines to engage in prostitution. The ex-girlfriend is believed to “have knowledge of drug use and arrangements with women,” sources told CNN.
Interesting - in the plea agreement - Greenberg pleads guilty to count one - sex trafficking of a child - which carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.
I don't know how much leeway a judge has, even for a cooperating witness, to deviate from a mandatory minimum - @Zow might know that though.
I don't know how much leeway a judge has, even for a cooperating witness, to deviate from a mandatory minimum - @Zow might know that though.
dgreen
Footballguy
Imagine what all you must be guilty of in order to accept a plea agreement where you plead guilty to sex trafficking a child.
So the plea deal looks like just one count associated with the sex trafficking - and which should worry Gaetz. The other charges seem to relate to frauds he committed as Tax Collector.
A couple of things stood out to me - Greenberg eventually found out she was underage - by looking her up in the Florida Drivers License database (illegally). She had represented herself as over 18 on the "Sugar Daddies" site, but Greenberg had enough interactions with her that he should have known, or acted in reckless disregard.
The plea does state that Greenberg introduced the girl to other adult men, who engaged in commercial sex activities - presumably Gaetz is among this group - but its not clear how many interactions, and whether that would be sufficient interaction to alert Gaetz she was underaged (goes to intent, I think).
It does detail the plan to disguise payments to girls/women as school/tuition - which was Gaetz' initial defense - he was just a generous lover - but that defense seems to have flown out the window.
A couple of things stood out to me - Greenberg eventually found out she was underage - by looking her up in the Florida Drivers License database (illegally). She had represented herself as over 18 on the "Sugar Daddies" site, but Greenberg had enough interactions with her that he should have known, or acted in reckless disregard.
The plea does state that Greenberg introduced the girl to other adult men, who engaged in commercial sex activities - presumably Gaetz is among this group - but its not clear how many interactions, and whether that would be sufficient interaction to alert Gaetz she was underaged (goes to intent, I think).
It does detail the plan to disguise payments to girls/women as school/tuition - which was Gaetz' initial defense - he was just a generous lover - but that defense seems to have flown out the window.
I think they had him dead to rights - at some point he knew her age, and knew he was in trouble, and asked her to align her story with his, and lie in some cases.
He pled guilty, because he was guilty, and he was unlikely to be able to persuade a jury (or judge) otherwise.
This, of course, will weigh on his credibility - he knew he was going to a federal pen - and might just be looking for a cooperation agreement as a way to soften the blow - no pun intended. Thats why I think if the Feds go after Gaetz - they will have more than Greenberg's testimony - and might not pursue Gates, if all they have is Greenberg's testimony.
lakerstan
Footballguy
Zow
Footballguy
In federal court a judge can deviate (either direction) provided it’s reasonable per a 2005 case called US v. Booker and the court considers and weighs the statutory sentencing factors.
Notably, this different than some state jurisdictions (including mine) where a judge is bound to sentence with the statutory ranges (and pleas must be structured to account for the ranges).
More to the point, if he didn’t actually do this, and is only out to sully Gaetz’s reputation(as I’d bet the supporters of Gaetz are surely already starting to scream), why willingly admit to these types of crimes, that not only destroy a reputation in civilian life, but will earn plenty of enemies in prisons anywhere?
Amused to Death
Footballguy
Why is Matt Gaetz still on the House Judiciary Committee? His friend is now pleading guilty and cooperating with an investigation into him. Shouldn't he be removed immediately?
bigbottom
Footballguy
He hasn’t been charged with anything. I can see removing him if he’s charged with a crime.
Amused to Death
Footballguy
Yeah I understand that, but his friend and someone who may have incriminating evidence against him has been. Seems like a conflict.
BladeRunner
Footballguy
So if I a friend of yours pleaded guilty to an awful crime YOU shouldn't be able to hold down a job?
That's not how justice works. Nor should it be.
Last edited by a moderator:
When the job in question has a lot to do with the justice system, it should at least generate some pause while an investigation clears the person of wrongdoing.
BladeRunner
Footballguy
So by that logic, cops shouldn’t be placed on leave after shooting someone, just send them back out, huh?
Apple Jack
Footballguy
Being temporarily removed from a committee is not losing his job.
Thunderlips
Footballguy
Change Matt Gaetz's name to Hillary Clinton and the Conservative media would would explode in an unified orgasmic display of anger and huaghty derision. Since he's a Trump guy....this scandal, regardless of the outcome, has just skyrocketed him to the top of a VP short list.
Amused to Death
Footballguy
He sits on a committee that has oversight over the department that is prosecuting his friend - a friend who is cooperating with prosecutors and is likely providing evidence against him.
It's not just a friend who is pleading guilty to a crime. But you know that.
Memorial day is just around the corner...maybe he could mention he likes people who weren't captured. That could garner some GOP votes.
bigbottom
Footballguy
Republicans aren’t in control of the committee, and I suspect that with respect to any business the committee has that would in any way be related to the investigation (if there even is any such business), I’m sure the committee leadership would require that he recuse himself.
That said, it’s worth noting that there is also a House ethics panel investigation regarding his conduct.
bigbottom
Footballguy
Well, if HR is investigating a complaint about my misconduct on the job, they might suspend me during the pendency of the investigation.
BladeRunner
Footballguy
BladeRunner
Footballguy
I was responding to the post where @Amused to Death said that Gaetz should be suspended because his friend took a plea deal.
bigbottom
Footballguy
Well there’s more at play than just that. There’s a House ethics investigation, and he’s being investigated by the department that his committee oversees.
-fish-
Footballguy
Similar threads
