A witness is corroborating the claim that Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican under investigation for possible sex trafficking, was aware that a woman he allegedly paid to have sex with was underage at the time.
Joe Ellicott confirmed to federal prosecutors that he was in the room when Gaetz's associate and so-called wingman Joel Greenberg told the congressman that they had engaged in "sexual activities" with a girl who was 17, the Daily Beast reported.
Ellicott and Greenberg revealed the information as part of a deal with authorities who are investigating Gaetz's alleged involvement in a sex trafficking case.
Greenberg recently admitted to placing the phone call to Gaetz in a confession letter written after his indictment on six felony counts, including sex trafficking of a minor, fraud and theft, according to the report. Greenberg pleaded guilty to the charges last May.
Greenberg wrote in the letter that he, Gaetz and others paid to have sex with a woman they thought was 19-years-old. Not long after, Greenberg claims he received an anonymous tip that the girl was only 17. He explained that he used his position as a Florida tax official to improperly access the state drivers' license database to confirm she was a minor.
"Immediately I called the congressman and warned him to stay clear of this person and informed him she was underage," Greenberg wrote, according to the Daily Beast.
Greenberg said Gaetz was "shocked and disturbed" by the information, according to the report. He added that no further contact was made with the woman until after she turned 18.
Ellicott claims he can confirm that the phone call took place because he was in Greenberg's office when it happened, according to the report.
The allegations from Ellicott and Greenberg contradict Gaetz's repeated claims of innocence, that he has never had sex with a minor as an adult.
Gaetz is reportedly being investigated for three specific crimes: sex trafficking the 17-year-old; violating the Mann Act, which prohibits taking women across state lines for prostitution; and obstructing justice.
Gaetz has not been charged with any crimes. In a statement to the Daily Beast, his office once again denied any wrongdoing.
"After nearly a year of false rumors, not a shred of evidence has implicated Congressman Gaetz in wrongdoing. We remain focused on our work representing Floridians," the statement said.
Ellicott on Monday pleaded guilty to bribing a tax official and selling drugs in a deal that could require him to testify in front of a grand jury.
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