Two anonymous women have filed a federal lawsuit accusing former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz and two associates of sex trafficking.
Key facts
- •The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
- •The alleged misconduct is said to have occurred between 2017 and January 2019.
- •Matt Gaetz resigned from his congressional seat in November 2024 following his nomination for attorney general.
- •Joel Greenberg is serving an 11-year sentence for federal offenses including sex trafficking of a minor.
- •Gaetz has repeatedly denied allegations of involvement in underage sex or trafficking of women.
Two women filed a federal lawsuit in Florida this week accusing former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz and two associates of participating in a sex trafficking scheme. The 38-page complaint alleges that Gaetz, former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg, and former Florida state legislator Chris Dorworth coordinated the recruitment and travel of the women to obtain commercial sex acts between 2017 and 2019.
By the numbers
Allegations in the Civil Lawsuit
The plaintiffs, identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, claim they were in their early 20s and recent high school graduates when the alleged misconduct occurred. The lawsuit asserts that the defendants leveraged their public office, power, and wealth to exploit the economic vulnerability of the women. The allegations mirror claims previously investigated by the House Ethics Committee, which examined accusations that Gaetz solicited prostitutes, used illegal drugs, and had sexual relations with a minor.
Response from Matt Gaetz
Matt Gaetz has denied the allegations, stating that he intends to vigorously contest the lawsuit. In a statement, Gaetz expressed an interest in deposing the plaintiffs, arguing that the lawsuit relies on a Congressional committee report that did not allow him to confront his accusers. He also shared a 2018 social media photograph of three women in the Bahamas, questioning if the plaintiffs were depicted in the image and suggesting their social media portrayal of that trip differed from the claims in their lawsuit.
Involvement of Co-defendants
The lawsuit names Joel Greenberg, a former Seminole County Tax Collector, and former Florida legislator Chris Dorworth as co-defendants. Greenberg is currently serving an 11-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty in 2021 to multiple offenses, including sex trafficking of a minor and wire fraud. The complaint alleges that Dorworth’s Central Florida home served as a location for activities involving the plaintiffs.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Politico, Guardian US Politics, The Hill.
