Matt Gaetz subpoenaed in friend's lawsuit accusing others of defamation in sex trafficking probe
The Justice Department has told the Florida Republican that he will not face any charges as a result of its probe. Gaetz is not a direct party to the defamation lawsuit.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has been subpoenaed to give a deposition as part of a civil lawsuit filed by a longtime friend and political ally who alleges he was defamed during a lengthy Justice Department investigation into accusations that Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl.
The underlying lawsuit, filed by former Florida state lawmaker Chris Dorworth, lists several defendants, including the young unnamed woman and Joel Greenberg, a former Orlando-area elected tax collector now serving 11 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a half-dozen federal crimes, such as sex trafficking of a minor.
Gaetz, who once called Greenberg his "wingman," faced an investigation launched in 2020 by the Justice Department over allegations he had a sexual relationship with a minor. He was informed last year that no charges would be brought against him.
Dorworth filed his lawsuit after Greenberg alleged that he had ties to the scandal.
A spokesman said Thursday that Gaetz is not a party to the underlying lawsuit.
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