Share this @internewscast.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has been subpoenaed to give a deposition as part of a civil lawsuit filed by a longtime friend and political ally who alleges he was defamed during a lengthy Justice Department investigation into accusations that Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl.

The underlying lawsuit, filed by former Florida state lawmaker Chris Dorworth, lists several defendants, including the young unnamed woman and Joel Greenberg, a former Orlando-area elected tax collector now serving 11 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a half-dozen federal crimes, such as sex trafficking of a minor.

Gaetz, who once called Greenberg his “wingman,” faced an investigation launched in 2020 by the Justice Department over allegations he had a sexual relationship with a minor. He was informed last year that no charges would be brought against him.

Dorworth filed his lawsuit after Greenberg alleged that he had ties to the scandal.

A spokesman said Thursday that Gaetz is not a party to the underlying lawsuit.

“Congressman Gaetz received a witness subpoena in an ongoing lawsuit between outside parties,” the spokesman said. “He is not being sued, and he is neither a plaintiff nor a defendant at this time.”

The spokesman did not say whether Gaetz would comply with the subpoena.

ABC News first reported the subpoena.

The Justice Department investigation focused, in part, on a trip to the Bahamas and whether girls on that trip were underage and paid to travel for sex, which would violate federal law.

Dorworth told NBC News on Thursday that he believes the push to get Gaetz to give a deposition is a “shameless” attempt by Greenberg, whose family is wealthy and politically connected in the Orlando area, to try to reduce his sentence.

“The federal government investigated their lies fully and came back with no charges. Greenberg’s lawyers have publicly clamored for more people to be charged to reduce his prison sentence,” he said. “It is a grotesque and shameless abuse of their wealth and makes them responsible for the damages they have all conducted, in my opinion.”

Dorworth’s lawsuit, filed in April, alleges that Greenberg and others falsely attempted to accuse him of “sex trafficking, sex with a minor, prostitution, obstruction of justice.”

Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and was cleared by the Justice Department, but the deposition could force him to answer questions under oath about allegations that he had sex with a minor.

Greenberg’s attorney, Fritz Scheller, wrote in a motion to dismiss Dorworth’s lawsuit that his claim that Greenberg “colluded” with the underage victim, identified only as AB in court filings, was false.

“To accept the Plaintiff’s RICO claim, one must accept a series of irrational premises that provide its foundation,” Scheller wrote. “That is, that Joel Greenberg colluded with his victim AB to falsely implicate the Plaintiff to reduce the former’s criminal liability or alternatively so AB could bring a civil lawsuit against Gaetz and the Plaintiff.”

The Republican-led House Ethics Committee is also investigating the now-dismissed Justice Department allegation that included Gaetz’s being involved in sex trafficking and potential lobbying violations.

Greenberg told investigators that Gaetz and others participated in the same sex crimes that led him to be sent to federal prison, cooperation that initially delayed his sentencing and reduced the number of charges he was facing, but U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell ultimately said Greenberg was among the most corrupt public officials he had ever encountered.

“I have never seen a defendant who has committed so many different types of crimes in such a relatively short period of time,” he said at Greenberg’s sentencing hearing.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Gut microbes could offer protection from toxic 'forever chemicals': Study

Study Suggests Gut Microbes May Defend Against Harmful ‘Forever Chemicals’

(The Hill) — Certain types of microbes found in the human gut…
On Met Gala's eve, the People's Ball struts in the spotlight

The People’s Ball Takes Center Stage on the Eve of the Met Gala

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Brooklyn — It’s became a yearly tradition, and 2025 did…
Oliver Gibson, former NFL defensive lineman, dead at 53

Former NFL Defensive Lineman Oliver Gibson Passes Away at 53

Former NFL defensive tackle Oliver Gibson has died at the age of…
DHS: Assaults on ICE now up nearly 700% over same time last year

DHS Reports: Attacks on ICE Increase Almost Sevenfold Compared to Last Year

The Department of Homeland Security informed Fox News that attacks on U.S.…
Zohran's race-based tax plan: Letters

Letters Regarding Zohran’s Tax Plan Based on Race

The Issue: Zohran Mamdani’s plan to raise property taxes in “richer, whiter…
Crews respond to massive explosions at fireworks facility in California

Emergency Teams Tackle Huge Blasts at California Fireworks Site

A fireworks facility in Yolo County, California caught fire and exploded on…
Outdoor pool with swimmers and a building in the background.

Alarming Rise in Pool Assaults Hits German Region: 74 Cases Reported, Syrian Nationals Arrested for Alleged Child Groping

A DISTURBING epidemic is sweeping through Germany with hundreds of people reporting…
Woman holding a photo of a younger woman with a bird.

Virginia Giuffre’s Emotional Diary Sheds Light on Epstein Victim’s Troubling Last Months

VIRGINIA Giuffre’s diary leading up to her tragic suicide has shown just…
Rear view of several USPS mail trucks parked in a row.

USPS Warns: Avoid Clicking as New Scam Tricks Thousands, Steals Personal Data and Empties Bank Accounts

THE United States Postal Service has given a stark warning about a…
My husband is bad at sex — how do I break the news?

How to Communicate Constructively with Your Partner About Improving Your Intimate Life

DEAR ABBY: After facing years of setbacks, I’ve finally met the ideal…
Florida teen threatens to shoot up McDonald's after $5 order is messed up: police

Florida Teenager Allegedly Threatens McDonald’s with Gun over Incorrect $5 Order: Police Report

A teenager in Florida is in custody after allegedly threatening to open…
Jessica Alba and daughter Honor, 17, match in floral outfits at Wimbledon 2025

Jessica Alba and Her 17-Year-Old Daughter, Honor, Sport Matching Floral Outfits at Wimbledon 2025

Page Six may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you…