Representative Matt Gaetz's ex-girlfriend granted immunity in sex trafficking probe

[Jose Garcia]

Source: CBS News

Prosecutors granted immunity to an ex-girlfriend of Representative Matt Gaetz before she testified last week in front of a federal grand jury hearing evidence in the investigation of the congressman, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Gaetz has been under investigation to determine if he violated sex trafficking laws and obstructed justice in that probe. Gaetz has previously denied all wrongdoing, and has said he has never paid for sex nor had sex with an underage girl.

The woman, who CBS News is not naming to protect her privacy, testified in front of a federal grand jury in Orlando last Wednesday. She is viewed as a potential key witness, according to two sources familiar with the investigation. One of the sources said she has information related to the investigation of both the sex trafficking and obstruction allegations.

This may be a willing participant who has a smart lawyer who sought an immunity deal from the government," said former prosecutor and CBS News legal analyst Rikki Kleiman. "The government does not give immunity blindly, they know what they're getting in exchange."

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/matt-gaetz-ex-girlfriend-testimony-sexy-trafficking-probe-immunity/#app

[NurseJackie]

1. "The government does not give immunity blindly, they know what they're getting in exchange."

"The government does not give immunity blindly, they know what they're getting in exchange."

This makes me happy.

[WillUSAF]

11. Exciting!

I hope they have enough on him to lock him up for decades!

[gopiscrap]

12. welcome to DU

[C_U_L8R]

2. Curious why she'd need immunity

Was she sex trafficking too? Drugs? Money laundering? Something else?

[Sherman A1]

3. My thoughts as well

obviously she needs it because at some point she is involved in some criminal activity or potentially so. So she was likely either trafficking, abusing other girls, drug running, dealing in the money end or something.

[GatorDem82]

4. Definitely something related.

It seems that if someone either had knowledge of, or in some way touched the money of a crime, they would get hit with or get told they will get hit with charges, which in turn gives them reason to testify and ask for immunity. My bet is that she had some knowledge of him doing this and stuck around for the benefits of dating a politician.

[L. Coyote]

6. Obstruction of justice. She was a participant in the scheme to coverup

the other crimes.

[Effete Snob]

5. How is it possible that we know this?

How could we know this is happening, since it is not possible to know what the DoJ is investigating?

[L. Coyote]

8. Because they want you to know? Private citizens reports what they know.

There are times when prosecutors want information to get out. Also, when they interact with private citizens the private citizen reports what they know.

People are not allowed to report what happens in a grand jury. They can report on other matters unless their agreement binds them to not do so.

[Mazeltov Cocktail]

9. Gaetz's father is a rich, white republican...

He's throwing his weight around in this investigation...father's of innocent sons don't have to do that... it's amazing to me that this investigation is happening at all, there must be something so horrific that it can't be covered up by DeathSantis's administration.

The closer to next November that these things come to light, the better for Democrats, especially in Florida.

[oldsoftie]

10. Oh how I hope the evidence aginst him is AIRTIGHT. No weak spots.

I've waited SO long to see that smug POS get cuffed in public