New Civil Lawsuit Filed Against Matt Gaetz
A civil lawsuit filed on Thursday in a district court in Florida accuses former U.S. representative matt gaetz of participating in the sex trafficking of two young women. The legal complaint contends that the former politician and other individuals coordinated recruitment, payments, drugs, and travel to obtain commercial sexual acts from the plaintiffs between 2017 and January 2019.
Details of the Allegations
The 38-page lawsuit claims that the defendants exploited the economic vulnerability of the plaintiffs, who were recent high school graduates when the alleged misconduct began. According to the complaint, an associate named Joel Micah Greenberg recruited the women through an online platform and introduced them to Gaetz.
The plaintiffs outline specific instances involving parties at rented houses where drugs were distributed and sexual encounters occurred. One plaintiff alleges that Gaetz made numerous cash payments to her following these encounters over a multi-year period.
Response and Prior Investigations
Gaetz has strongly denied the accusations outlined in the new complaint. In a statement, he expressed a desire to depose the plaintiffs, arguing that the lawsuit relies heavily on a prior congressional committee report that did not permit him to confront his accusers.
The House ethics committee previously investigated allegations involving Gaetz, releasing findings in December 2024 that claimed he made payments to women for sex and drugs on multiple occasions and engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl in 2017. Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing and withdrew from consideration to serve as attorney general in November 2024 amid intense scrutiny.
Sources: The Guardian, The Washington Post, MS NOW.
