Two Women Sue Former Rep. Matt Gaetz in Federal Court, Alleging a Sex Trafficking Ring From 2017 to 2019; Gaetz Denies the Claims
Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz was sued in federal court in the Middle District of Florida on Oct. 15 by two women, identified by the pseudonym Jane Doe, who allege that from 2017 into early 2019 he and two associates organized, paid for and arranged interstate prostitution and supplied drugs. The amount of damages sought has not been specified.
The complaint also names two co-defendants: Joel Greenberg, the former Seminole County tax collector, who pleaded guilty in 2021 to federal charges including sex trafficking of minors and was sentenced to 11 years in prison; and Christopher Dorworth, a former Florida state representative. The plaintiffs' lawyer said the two women were in their early twenties and financially struggling when they were drawn in with offers of financial support.
Gaetz has denied all of the allegations, saying much of the conduct alleged against him is false, and has said he will defend the suit and pursue discovery against the plaintiffs. The Justice Department previously decided not to bring criminal charges against him, and a House Ethics Committee investigation forced him to withdraw as the nominee for attorney general in 2024. The suit is the most significant legal challenge he has faced since leaving Congress in 2024.
Source: Pensacola News Journal, USA Today (Oct. 15)
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：前联邦众议员马特·盖茨国会任期内官方肖像（资料图）。图片来源：美国众议院官方肖像，公共领域。Photo: Former Rep. Matt Gaetz's official congressional portrait (file photo). Image: U.S. House official portrait, public domain.
