Federal prosecutors have recommended not to bring charges against Republican congressman Matt Gaetz as part of a federal sex trafficking investigation, The Washington Post reported.
Gaetz was under investigation over allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and transported her across state lines. Gaetz denied the allegations.
The Post reported Friday that prosecutors have recommended not pursuing charges against Gaetz, in part due to concerns about the credibility of two central witnesses including Seminole County’s former tax collector, Joel Greenberg.
Greenberg pleaded guilty to sex trafficking and other crimes and is awaiting sentencing. He was also accused of concocting fake evidence to smear a political rival as a child abuser and this prosecutors believe could be an opening to challenge his credibility as a witness.
The credibility of Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend who was reportedly on a 2018 trip to the Bahamas was also a concern for prosecutors.
According to The Post, her testimony “has issues that veteran prosecutors feel would not pass muster with a jury.”
While the recommendation is not a final decision, it is very likely to be upheld, according to The Post.
