Man at center of Matt Gaetz sex trafficking investigation set to take plea deal

ORLANDO, Fla. — The former Seminole County tax collector at the center of the investigation into North Florida congressman Matt Gaetz is poised to take a federal plea deal, something his attorney says could cause problems for Gaetz.

“I’m sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable today,” said Fritz Scheller, attorney for Joel Greenberg.

When asked if Greenberg ever introduced Gaetz to any underaged girls for sexual relations, Scheller said he could not answer that question.

READ: Federal investigation into Greenberg possibly tied to Gatez probe

Last summer, Greenberg was arrested for stalking. He now faces 33 federal counts including sex trafficking. In the wake of the Greenberg arrest, federal investigators began looking into his close friend and longtime associate, North Florida congressman Matt Gaetz. The possible plea deal for Greenberg is an indication that he could cooperate as a key witness against Gaetz.

The investigation into Gaetz centers around whether he had sex with a 17-year-old and also paid for her to travel across state lines, accusations he denies.

READ: Former Gaetz staffer denies knowing Greenberg

Gaetz, who has not been charged with anything, on Thursday released a letter from unnamed female staffers defending his behavior.

“Congressman Gaetz has always been a principled and morally grounded leader. At no time has any one of us experienced or witnessed anything less than the utmost professionalism and respect,” wrote the unnamed staffers in a release to the press.

Watch: Texts, voicemail link Rep. Matt Gaetz, former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg

Meanwhile, speculation swirls around a third, as of yet unnamed, Florida Republican who is also connected to this investigation.

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