# Matt Gaetz being investigated for sex with 17 year old girl (DOJ declines to charge 2023-02-15) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 30, 2021, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052 "2021-03-30T22:13:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2021, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/404 "2021-04-26T08:12:16Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > You seem to be under the impression that Gaetz dates smart women. I somehow doubt that truly intelligent women find Rep. Gaetz all that enchanting. Fair point. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/405 "2021-04-26T17:41:26Z")
At this point, it would be shorter to list the crimes Gaetz isn’t going to be charged with. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2021, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/406 "2021-04-27T17:51:28Z")
I just got an email from Matt Gaetz. He wants me to help him “trigger the left.” I’m sure I’ll be annoyed if I open up the email and read further. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/407 "2021-04-27T17:56:00Z")
Speaking as a member of the left, what I find most “triggering” is his sleeping with 17 year olds. So I would definitely shy away from opening any email that would help him with that. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/408 "2021-04-30T06:25:55Z")
Well, [he’s fucked.](https://www.businessinsider.com/matt-gaetz-paid-minor-for-sex-joel-greenberg-letter-report-2021-4) Meanwhile, Republicans are [calling it a Deep State plot](https://amgreatness.com/2021/04/25/the-deep-state-targets-matt-gaetz/). ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/409 "2021-04-30T08:58:06Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Meanwhile, Republicans are [calling it a Deep State plot](https://amgreatness.com/2021/04/25/the-deep-state-targets-matt-gaetz/). Because everything is always everyone else’s fault when you’re a Republican. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/410 "2021-04-30T10:35:46Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > > [@Chisquirrel](#): > > > > Meanwhile, Republicans are [calling it a Deep State plot](https://amgreatness.com/2021/04/25/the-deep-state-targets-matt-gaetz/). > > Because everything is always everyone else’s fault when you’re a Republican. - The Party of Personal Responsibility-Some other person is responsible. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/411 "2021-04-30T13:05:49Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Meanwhile, Republicans are [calling it a Deep State plot](https://amgreatness.com/2021/04/25/the-deep-state-targets-matt-gaetz/). From the link: > [@](#): > > If this sounds like a familiar script, that’s because it is the state of political warfare in America today. 🙄 I see statements like this as evidence that January 6th isn’t going to be the last bit of trouble. > [@Gyrate](#): > > Because everything is always everyone else’s fault when you’re a Republican. Republicans are always the _real_ victim; just listen and they’ll tell you. Or don’t and they’ll scream and yell and cause a scene. But they’re gonna tell you, because they _deserve_ to. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/412 "2021-04-30T13:16:10Z")
> **[The Daily Beast: Gaetz associate wrote in letter that congressman paid for...](https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/30/politics/matt-gaetz-joel-greenberg-letter/index.html)** > > Joel Greenberg, a central figure in the ongoing investigation into Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, wrote in a letter obtained by The Daily Beast that he and Gaetz paid for sex with multiple women, including a minor who was 17 at the time. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/413 "2021-04-30T15:40:06Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Meanwhile, Republicans are [calling it a Deep State plot](https://amgreatness.com/2021/04/25/the-deep-state-targets-matt-gaetz/). I’m picturing something like _Spock’s Brain_ only I’m wondering what was removed so the remote control could be used and would it control his little head as well? ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/414 "2021-04-30T15:57:21Z")
Pixar scooped everyone! [![](https://jonnegroni.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/christina-hendricks-didnt-cry-2200131.jpg) ](https://jonnegroni.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/christina-hendricks-didnt-cry-2200131.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/415 "2021-04-30T16:06:11Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > I’m picturing something like _Spock’s Brain_ only I’m wondering what was removed so the remote control could be used and would it control his little head as well? - You don’t understand. The little head _is_ the remote control. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2021, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/416 "2021-05-11T13:13:49Z")
And the beat goes on: > **[Federal investigators press for cooperation from two key witnesses in Gaetz...](https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/11/politics/gaetz-investigators-cooperation-two-key-witnesses/index.html)** > > Federal investigators scrutinizing Rep. Matt Gaetz are seeking the cooperation of a former Capitol Hill intern who was once a girlfriend of the Florida Republican, sources familiar with the matter tell CNN. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/417 "2021-05-13T20:07:51Z")
The latest: [Gaetz associate expected to plead guilty in federal case](https://www.aol.com/news/gaetz-associate-expected-plead-guilty-163319773-174830408.html) ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/418 "2021-05-13T21:03:36Z")
MSNBC reporting on Daily Beast’s coverage of the Gaetz story (video) > **[Gaetz braces as reporter reads confession letter in sex crime probe](https://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari/watch/gaetz-braces-as-reporter-reads-confession-letter-in-sex-crime-probe-111830597629)** > > The feds are closing in on Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz as the deadline for his associate Joel Greenberg to accept a plea deal approaches. Greenberg allegedly wrote a bombshell confession letter implicating Gaetz, according to the Daily Beast, and... ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/419 "2021-05-13T21:31:37Z")
Good thing he loves orange. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/420 "2021-05-13T21:54:53Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > MSNBC reporting on Daily Beast’s coverage of the Gaetz story (video) On a side note, I love that in the sidebar MSNBC has titled another story “ **Failed Florida blogger Trump** clings to power as GOP ousts Cheney”. [bolding mine] And the weather report is calling for some serious shade… ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/421 "2021-05-14T01:12:46Z")
[https://i.ibb.co/pjSwNGL/Screen-Shot-2021-05-13-at-5-49-30-PM.jpg](https://i.ibb.co/pjSwNGL/Screen-Shot-2021-05-13-at-5-49-30-PM.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/422 "2021-05-14T17:47:20Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > The Party of Personal Responsibility-Some other person is responsible. It is important to note that some other person is _personally_ responsible. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/423 "2021-05-14T20:29:43Z")
Details on the deal which Greenberg has cut, none of which is likely good for Gaetz, in today’s WaPo: > [@](#): > > A Florida politician considered key to the investigation of Rep. Matt Gaetz agreed to cooperate fully with federal prosecutors and, if needed, to testify in court, as he admitted in a lengthy written plea agreement that he paid a minor to engage in sex acts with him and others, according to a copy of the document filed Friday. > > Joel Greenberg, a former tax collector for Seminole County, agreed to plead guilty to six criminal charges — include sex trafficking of a child, aggravated identity theft and wire fraud — which come with a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years and a statutory maximum potentially decades longer. > > In exchange, the prosecutors agreed to dismiss the other 27 counts Greenberg faced and recommend a term within federal sentencing guidelines, which are often far less than the statutory maximum penalties. They also agreed to recommend other possible sentencing breaks, especially if Greenberg provides meaningful help on other cases. > **[Gaetz associate admits to sex trafficking of a minor, agrees in writing to...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/matt-gaetz-joel-greenberg-plea-deal/2021/05/14/6e2b56e8-b42b-11eb-a980-a60af976ed44_story.html)** > > Joel Greenberg could get a break on his sentence if he provides “substantial assistance” to investigators. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052.md?page=22)