Federal authorities have been looking into whether Gaetz obstructed justice and paid to have sex with a 17-year-old about five years ago, in 2017. Gaetz has not been charged with any crime and has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
Ellicott’s formal plea in federal court came just days after another individual connected to the Gaetz case — Joel Greenberg — requested another delay in his sentencing.
Greenberg is in many ways at the heart of the federal investigation. A former Seminole County tax collector who pleaded guilty to multiple felonies, Greenberg is close to both Ellicott and Gaetz and was accused of using his position as an elected official for personal enrichment. Friends previously told POLITICO that Greenberg also introduced Gaetz to women he met through online dating sites such as SeekingArrangement.
On Friday, Greenberg’s attorney asked a federal judge to delay his sentencing a third time despite a judge previously setting a firm March sentencing date. US District Judge Gregory Presnell told parties in November that Greenberg’s sentencing date “is now a deadline that we’re going to have to meet.”
Greenberg has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sex trafficking the same 17-year-old victim allegedly in the Gaetz probe. As part of his plea, the former tax collector has agreed to cooperate with authorities in ongoing investigations.
The case against Gaetz appeared to ramp up in mid-January after his former girlfriend was seen entering the federal courthouse in Orlando, where the grand jury examining the probe has been meeting. NBC News reported that Gaetz’ ex-girlfriend, whom POLITICO isn’t identifying to protect her from harassment, tested before the grand jury.