Since last March, far-right Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida has been under FBI investigation for the possible sex trafficking of a minor. The investigation, which began under the Trump administration, centers around whether Gaetz had a sexual relationship with a 17 year old girl—and if he paid for her to travel across state lines.
The development has also shed further light on Gaetz's behavior before and since his election to the United States Congress in 2016. CNN reported that Gaetz allegedly showed nude photos of women he'd had sex with to his congressional colleagues, even on the House floor. One source told Business Insider that Gaetz played a Harry Potter style game with other male colleagues in the Florida state legislature, where they would assign points to certain sexual actions and partners.
Last summer, Gaetz's former associate—Florida-based tax collector Joel Greenberg—pleaded guilty to six federal charges, including the sex trafficking of a child, while also agreeing to cooperate with investigators in their probe of Gaetz. Reporting from the Daily Beast last year revealed that in 2018, Gaetz sent $900 to Greenberg. The following morning, Greenberg sent payments totaling $900 to three different women, one of whom had just turned 18.
Though Gaetz has yet to be indicted for his potential crimes, new developments signal that the FBI's investigation is heating up.
Reports broke recently that Gaetz's ex-girlfriend was granted immunity for testifying before a grand jury hearing evidence that could very well result in Gaetz being indicted.
Upon hearing this news, even the Trump-pardoned convicted felon Roger Stone thought Gaetz's goose was cooked.
Wow. Even Roger Stone is running from @mattgaetz. And he’s the one who supposedly “drafted” Gaetz in the first place. I wonder what Roger knew & when he knew it. 1/ pic.twitter.com/oClGC0JNPB
— Jennifer Cohn ✍🏻 📢 (@jennycohn1) January 18, 2022
Stone and Gaetz were closely allied in their support for former President Donald Trump's failed reelection effort, as well as after his 2017 inauguration. Gaetz once said Stone "drafted" him in supporting legislation that would reform federal cannabis policies.
But upon hearing that Gaetz's ex testified before the grand jury, the Proud Boys-allied Stone wrote:
"Bye Matt! Bye bye"
Social media users were critical of both, but giddy to see Gaetz getting closer to accountability.
Look @mattgaetz your buddy Roger doesn't care about you any longer. Not one of you have any loyalty whatsoever. https://t.co/d9N53fn6f1
— Curlyque (@curlyquequeque) January 19, 2022
ABSOFREAKINGLUTELY AWESOME!!!
😎😎😎 https://t.co/3g1XaPef9M
— Rugby8 (@gene_rugby) January 19, 2022
/green shirt guy laughing gif https://t.co/w3z9fEOFkh
— watertigernyc, Team Jorts the 🐱 (@watertigernyc) January 19, 2022
This is the best thing I’ve seen all day!!! They are eating each other alive!!! Lol https://t.co/rwDsY5kls6
— Terra (@Iget2bme72) January 19, 2022
When even the rats head for the exits… https://t.co/Og21QG6e2b
— Molverine (@tuxedored) January 19, 2022
He's not the only one who thinks an indictment for Gaetz is imminent.
I stand by my prediction that the first @GOP member of Congress to face accountability in 2022 will be @mattgaetz. And he will not be the last.#GaetzGate https://t.co/CuN3ky1AdP
— Andrew Wortman 🏳️🌈 (@AmoneyResists) January 18, 2022
Lololol sucks to suck. https://t.co/BkTnZ3aIK2
— Norwegian Prince (@princeof_norway) January 18, 2022
Matt Gaetz is about to be done. Get the forks ready. https://t.co/9AuyTmtfjH
— Texas Twirl (@mouthofdasouth6) January 18, 2022
Despite the investigation, Gaetz remains on the House Judiciary Committee.
@JamesTate121/X