The investigation into whether Rep. Matt Gaetz had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paid her to travel with him has not made a lot of noise recently.
According to eight people familiar with the inquiry, no formal charges have been brought against the congressman.
Two attorneys told the publication that if there are any updates on the case, the announcement would likely come after the election in November.
Gaetz has denied the accusations. He claimed that the accusations were part of an "organized criminal extortion scheme" that involved a former DOJ official seeking $25 million from Gaetz and his family.
Insider was told by a spokesman for Gaetz that they wouldn't be providing comment on matters where he is considering litigation.
—Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) March 30, 2021
Stephen M. Alford was sentenced to more than five years in prison for trying to cheat the congressman's father out of $25 million.
According to the Justice Department, Alford claimed to be able to get a presidential pardon in exchange for money.
One of the congressman's associates was under investigation by the DOJ.
In May 2021, Greenberg pled guilty to several federal crimes, includingtrafficking a minor who was under 18 years old.
The Justice Department said that Greenberg introduced the minor to other adult men who engaged in commercial sex acts with the minor.
He claimed in a letter that he and Gaetz paid for sex with multiple women, including a 17-year-old girl, according to The Daily Beast.
Gas money, gifts, rent or partial tuition payments were made to several of these girls, including the person who was not yet 18. The Daily Beast said that Greenberg saw the acts happen firsthand and that payments were made to these girls on behalf of the congressman.
A PR firm representing Gaetz told The Daily Beast that they had nothing to do with the alleged letter.
"Congressman Gaetz has never paid for sex nor has he had sex with a 17-year-old as an adult. We are now one month after your outlet and others first reported such lies, and no one has gone on record to directly accuse him of either. Politico, however, has reported Mr. Greenberg threatening to make false accusations against others, which seems noteworthy for your story and in fact sounds like the entirety of your story. Congressman Gaetz has had no role in advocating for or against a pardon for Greenberg and doubts such a pardon was ever even considered."
NBC News reported that Gaetz's ex-girlfriend testified before a federal grand jury about the congressman.
Gaetz won the primary on Tuesday. He will face Rebekah Jones in the upcoming elections.
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