Matt Gaetz Won't Face Charges In Sex Trafficking Case: Report

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz will not face charges in a lengthy investigation that accused him of violating federal sex-trafficking laws by transporting a teenage girl across state lines to engage in sex, according to a New York Times report.

Federal investigators indicated they're not likely to pursue criminal charges against Gaetz when officials spoke with the congressman's legal team Wednesday, according to the Times.

"We have just spoken with the D.O.J. and have been informed that they have concluded their investigation into Congressman Gaetz and allegations related to sex trafficking and obstruction of justice and they have determined not to bring any charges against him,” Gaetz’s lawyers said in a statement provided to the Times.

The investigation into Gaetz, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump who represents much of the Florida Panhandle, was launched during the Trump administration under former Attorney General William Barr.

Gaetz also issued a statement through his congressional office that the long-running investigation was over. Gaetz had insisted throughout he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

“The Department of Justice has confirmed to Congressman Gaetz’s attorneys that their investigation has concluded and that he will not be charged with any crimes,” the statement said.

Federal prosecutors were investigating whether Gaetz and onetime political ally Joel Greenberg paid underage girls and escorts or offered them gifts in exchange for sex, according to two people familiar with the case who were not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Greenberg, a fellow Republican who served as the tax collector in Florida's Seminole County, admitted as part of a plea deal with prosecutors that he paid women and an underage girl to have sex with him and other men. The men were not identified in court documents when he pleaded guilty.

Greenberg was sentenced in late 2022 to 11 years in federal prison for a variety of crimes.

Prosecutors had also been investigating whether Gaetz and his associates tried to secure government jobs for some of the women, the people said.

Gaetz previously admitted he paid for hotels and plane tickets for girlfriends before he was engaged to be married, but denied he ever dated anyone underage.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.