The investigation into the alleged crimes committed by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) remains active, and the sex crimes prosecutor who put Bill Cosby behind bars for indecent assault says Gaetz “should be very worried,” especially since one of his close friends and “wingman,” Joel Greenberg, is now cooperating with prosecutors.
Appearing on MSNBC, Kristen Gibbons Feden told host Ayman Mohyeldin that if indeed Greenberg gives statements “consistent with” the letter he wrote, it will establish two facts for federal prosecutors looking into Gaetz’s alleged criminal behavior:
“First, that he gave money in exchange for sex and second that sexual contact was with a minor. This wouldn’t necessarily get the prosecutors over the finish line, right? Because they would still need to establish that this crime relates to interstate commerce which is a necessary precondition for federal involvement.”
That’s why the issue of Gaetz allegedly taking a 17-year-old girl across state lines for the purposes of sex is so important to the case being built against the congressman, Feden added, because it would:
“Be a violation of 2423, Transportation of a Minor for Illegal Sex Crimes, which, again, would satisfy that interstate commerce, but also under that particular section the prosecutor would not need to prove that Gaetz knew that the young lady was a minor at the time of the sex act. Which the letter and I presume Greenberg’s statements would be consistent with the letter.”
Feden then went into even greater detail, noting that federal prosecutors intend to charge Gaetz under the the Child Sex Trafficking criminal statute, and that requires very specific proof:
“The prosecutor will need to prove that Gaetz had some level of knowledge at the time of the sex act that that young lady was a minor.”
It’s safe to assume that the investigation underway into Gaetz is indeed being predicated around the allegation that he did indeed take a young girl across state lines for sex. That act would make him guilty of sex trafficking and violating the Mann Act. And the penalty for that crime can be as harsh as life in federal prison.
Matt Gaetz shouldn’t just be worried. He should be shitting his pants.
Here’s Kristen Gibbons Feden on MSNBC:
