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Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is being investigated for possible obstruction of justice during a phone call with a witness in an ongoing probe, Politico reported late Wednesday. Â
Citing two sources, Politico said Gaetz took part in a call with an ex-girlfriend and the witness. That witness reportedly later spoke with prosecutors, who are now exploring whether Gaetz suggested that the person lie or mislead investigators, which would be a crime.Â
Gaetz has not been charged and has denied all allegations.
Gaetz is reportedly under investigation in a federal sex trafficking probe examining whether he and others paid for sex at drug-fueled parties, including with a 17-year-old girl. His former wingman, ex-local tax collector Joel Greenberg, agreed to cooperate with investigators under a recent plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to six federal charges, including sex trafficking of a child.Â
Greenberg’s attorney, Fritz Scheller, was asked last month if his client would be giving up the goods on any elected officials.
“This is must-see television,â€Â Scheller replied. “You’ll have to wait and see.â€
As he spoke, an airplane flew over the courthouse with a banner reading “TICK TOCK MATT GAETZ.â€Â
In the past, Gaetz has claimed the investigation was part of an extortion plot against him. He also told Axios that he was “generous as a partner†to the women he dated and that people were “trying to make that look criminal when it is not.â€Â
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