For trafficking a 17-year-old female for sex as well as other crimes, a federal judge sentenced a former Florida tax collector to 11 years in prison on Thursday.
For a long list of crimes, he had committed, including trafficking a 17-year-old girl, stalking a political rival, and stealing $400,000 in tax money to buy cryptocurrencies and sports memorabilia, the tax collector, Joel Greenberg, had faced up to nearly three decades in prison.
Including also identity theft, stalking, wire fraud, and conspiracy to bribe a public official. Greenberg pleaded guilty to six federal crimes. However, he had collaborated with the government in a number of inquiries, including those into Gaetz, in the hopes of receiving a lighter sentence.
In a dark blue jumpsuit, Greenberg spoke briefly at his sentencing. Greenberg said before U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell in an Orlando courtroom, “Nothing I say can justify my actions,” he said.“My conduct was so shameful. I feel such remorse for what I’ve done.”
He added: “To the minor, I apologize. To the people of Seminole County, I betrayed your trust. I also have deep sorrow for what I put my family through — to my mother and father, to my ex-wife and especially my children. I deserve punishment no matter how long that may be.”
After allegations surfaced that he paid for sex with a minor in violation of federal sex trafficking laws, Federal investigators looked into U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who had connections to Greenberg.
It is not clear what the sentencing means for the Justice Department’s investigation of Gaetz, who has been under investigation for over a year and a half but has not been charged with a crime.
However, claiming they were part of an extortion plot from “people at the Department of Justice,” Gaetz has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Prosecutors informed their superiors that they would not be pressing charges against the congressman in connection with a sex-trafficking probe that has been continuing since 2020, according to sources with knowledge of the Gaetz investigation who spoke last month.
But since Greenberg and another key witness in the case have questionable credibility, the charges would be dropped as argued by Prosecutors. Similar to other accusations he made against politicians, Greenberg, a former associate of Gaetz, allegedly tried to smear the Republican congressman.
“He has provided substantial cooperation to the government — more than I’ve seen in 22 years,” Judge Gregory A. Presnell said. But the judge also excoriated Greenberg’s behavior.
“In 22 years, I’ve never experienced a case like this,” Judge Presnell said, adding, “I have never seen a defendant who has committed so many different types of crimes in such a short period.”
With more expected to come soon, Greenberg’s cooperation brought four federal indictments, as noted by Defense attorney Fritz Scheller, Greenberg’s lawyer. Because Greenberg has changed since committing the crimes, Scheller asked the judge to merely impose a portion of the sentence on Greenberg, in addition.
“Mr. Greenberg was using money and sex to get access to political circles. He came from a dark place, a lack of self-worth, and tried to ingratiate himself with a collection of people,” Scheller said.
Greenberg is according to U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida is “hardened criminal who never did the job he was elected to.” Handberg said, “He was not deterred when he found himself under criminal investigation. He was not deterred when he was brought into this building.”
Sources: Dailywire, Conservativenewsdaily, Dailyheadlineslive
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