Gaetz was accused of taking part in the alleged scheme and paying a 17-year-old girl for sex. In 2021, Gaetz’s former associate, Florida tax collector Joel Greenberg, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking and other charges. Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years behind bars.
Gaetz faced charges of sex with a minor and transporting the alleged teen across state lines to engage in prostitution. After months of investigating the lawmaker, the DOJ announced in February that they would not be bringing charges against him.
Though Gaetz escaped prosecution from the DOJ, the House Ethics Committee revived an investigation in July related to the lawmaker’s allegations.