Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fl) former associate Joel Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to sex trafficking of a minor and other crimes, the Associated Press reports.
Greenberg’s arrest led to an investigation of Gaetz for allegedly paying a minor for sex. Gaetz has denied the allegations and previously said they were part of an extortion plot. The congressman has not be charged with a crime.
Greenberg, a former Seminole County tax collector had previously pleaded guilty to six federal crimes, including identity theft, stalking, wire fraud and conspiracy to bribe a public official, according to the AP.
“Nothing justifies my actions. My conduct is so shameful. I feel remorse for what I’ve done,” Greenberg said in court Thursday.
Greenberg’s attorney had asked the judge for leniency since he assisted in investigations of 24 people, including eight for sex crimes. Federal prosecutors agreed on Wednesday that Greenberg’s sentence should be reduced to with in the range of 9 years and 11 months to 11 years.
U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell ended up sentencing Greenberg to 11 years.
