Ex-Florida tax collector employee sentenced in scenario connected to Matt Gaetz ally

Jack Birle

Oct 11, 10:09 PM October 11, 10:09 PM

A former staff for the tax collector of Seminole County, Florida, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison in an investigation that ensnared an ally of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and, at a single time, the congressman himself.

Joe Ellicott was sentenced Tuesday just after pleading guilty to a single rely of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and straightforward products and services fraud and one particular depend of distribution of a managed compound in February.

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"I not only failed my family but the hundreds of countless numbers of taxpayers of Seminole County. For that, I am so sorry," Ellicott claimed at his sentencing.

Ellicott, nicknamed "Significant Joe," was close friends with former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to expenses of intercourse trafficking of a boy or girl, illegally creating a fake identification doc, aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, stalking, and conspiracy in May possibly 2021.

Greenberg was viewed as a political ally and "wingman" of Gaetz. While the extensive-ranging federal investigation manufactured charges towards Greenberg and Ellicott, it was not too long ago documented that prosecutors have proposed not charging Gaetz charged with any crimes.

Gaetz has preserved his innocence, and no rates have been introduced versus him.