Two anonymous women filed a federal civil lawsuit against former Representative Matt Gaetz, alleging he participated in a sex trafficking scheme involving illegal drugs, interstate travel, and financial transfers between 2017 and 2019. The suit names imprisoned former official Joel Greenberg and former state lawmaker Christopher Dorworth as co-defendants. Gaetz denied the accusations, calling the alleged conduct false and citing a prior House Ethics report.
Civil lawsuit filing and co-defendants
- ▪The civil lawsuit filed by two women against Matt Gaetz alleges that Joel Greenberg recruited vulnerable, financially struggling women in their early twenties using SeekingArrangement.com and introduced them to a commercial sex network involving Gaetz and Christopher Dorworth
- ▪Attorney Spencer Kuvin filed a 38-page federal civil lawsuit in Florida on behalf of two anonymous women, Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, accusing former Congressman Matt Gaetz of participating in a sex trafficking scheme between 2017 and 2019
- ▪The federal civil lawsuit filed against Matt Gaetz in the Middle District of Florida also names former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, former Florida GOP state legislator Christopher Dorworth, and business entities affiliated with Greenberg's family as co-defendants
Specific allegations made by the plaintiffs
- ▪The civil lawsuit filed against Matt Gaetz states that Matt Gaetz paid Jane Doe 1 more than $6,000 and Jane Doe 2 over $4,000, using financial transfer descriptions such as 'car deductible,' 'school,' 'ice cream,' and 'Love you.'
- ▪Jane Doe 1 alleges in a federal lawsuit filed against Matt Gaetz that she witnessed Matt Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl identified in court documents as Victim A
- ▪Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 allege that Matt Gaetz and co-defendants provided controlled substances and paid for travel, lodging, and commercial sex encounters in destinations including Miami, Las Vegas, New York City, the Bahamas, and the Florida Keys
House Ethics probe and political fallout
- ▪A bipartisan House Ethics Committee investigation concluded there was substantial evidence that Matt Gaetz violated federal laws and House rules by paying for sex, including with a minor, using illegal drugs, and obstructing the probe
- ▪The House Ethics Committee investigation into Matt Gaetz's conduct contributed to the failure of his nomination by President Donald Trump for U.S. Attorney General and preceded his resignation from Congress in 2024
Story comments
Loading comments…