WASHINGTON — The Justice Department will not charge Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as part of a multi-year sex trafficking investigation, news outlets report.
Gaetz, a Republican and ally of former President Donald Trump, has been the subject of an ongoing probe since 2021 to determine whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paid for her to travel with him. Prosecutors have said Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg, who recently was sentenced to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor and other offenses, introduced her to the congressman.
Gaetz confirmed the investigation against him but has continuously said the allegations are false.
CNN first reported that the Department of Justice decided against charging Gaetz; CBS News says career federal prosecutors informed witnesses of its decision Wednesday.
"[T]hey have concluded their investigation into Congressman Gaetz and allegations related to sex trafficking and obstruction of justice and they have determined not to bring any charges against him," Gaetz attorneys Marc Mukasey and Isabelle Kirshner told CBS.