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.

Matt Gaetz asked for pardon from Trump over sexual intercourse trafficking scandal: Report

Misty Severi

September 17, 04:01 PM September 17, 04:01 PM

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was allegedly in search of a preemptive pardon from former President Donald Trump for a Justice Section investigation into whether or not the congressman violated federal sex rules, a previous White Dwelling aide testified.

Gaetz explained to John McEntee, who served as the director of the White Dwelling Presidential Personnel Workplace in the Trump administration, that he had asked Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows for a pardon just after he discovered that an investigation into him was introduced, McEntee testified to the Dwelling of Representative select committee investigating the activities of Jan. 6.

McEntee included that Gaetz advised him “he did not do everything incorrect but they are attempting to make his daily life hell, and you know, if the president could give him a pardon, that would be wonderful," sources who have read the testimony instructed the Washington Publish.

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Despite the fact that Gaetz did not particularly notify McEntee that it was linked to the DOJ's investigation, McEntee stated he believed that was the context of the statements.

The Justice Office was investigating whether or not Gaetz compensated for gals to journey across state lines for sex, no matter whether he experienced paid for intercourse at all, and irrespective of whether he experienced a sexual relationship with a minor who was 17. Gaetz has denied all allegations, indicating the previous time he had a sexual partnership with somebody who was 17 was when he was also 17.

McEntee reported that he had only spoken with Gaetz about pardons at the time, but could not remember if it was right before or immediately after the gatherings of Jan. 6. Gaetz had supported wide preemptive pardons for persons in the Trump administration at the stop of Trump's phrase in 2020.

A spokesperson for the congressman explained to the Washington Write-up that Gaetz has never ever questioned Trump for a pardon, but did not comment on no matter whether he asked Meadows for one.

“Congressman Matt Gaetz talked over pardons for many other people today publicly and privately at the conclusion of President Donald Trump’s first term,” the spokesperson said. “As for himself, President Trump tackled this destructive rumor a lot more than a 12 months in the past stating, ‘Congressman Matt Gaetz has hardly ever requested me for a pardon.’ Rep. Gaetz proceeds to stand by President Trump’s statement.”

The congressman from Florida has not been charged, but just one of his associates pleaded responsible last spring to 6 legal prices, 1 of which concerned the intercourse trafficking of a minor.

Matt Gaetz assured Roger Stone of pardon in incredibly hot mic recording: Report

Misty Severi

July 30, 01:50 PM July 30, 02:03 PM

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) certain previous President Donald Trump's adviser Roger Stone that he would not have to provide time in jail for the reason that the "boss" would clear him, a scorching mic recording revealed.

Stone was reassured by Gaetz that Trump would commute his sentence or pardon him fully during a Trump event in Oct 2019, but he predicted that Stone would be found guilty at his trial on costs of obstructing a congressional investigation, according to a recording acquired by the Washington Write-up.

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“The boss however has a extremely favorable see of you,” Gaetz stated in the recording. “I really don't assume the huge guy can permit you go down for this.”

The interaction occurred backstage at AMPFest, a conference held by the pro-Trump group American Priority at a single of Trump's qualities in South Florida. A lot of reporters had been filming interviews, prompting Gaetz not to disclose extra information on how he was operating on getting Stone a pardon. The Florida congressman explained he was not informed that he was staying recorded by a Danish movie crew working on a documentary about Stone, according to the report.

“Since there are lots of, several recording gadgets all around ideal now, I do not truly feel in a situation to converse freely about the function I’ve already performed on that subject matter,” Gaetz explained, according to the recording.

The congressman can also be read telling Stone that he was "f***ed" when it came to the demo since of the political leanings in seriously Democratic-leaning Washington, D.C.

Gaetz also referenced redacted portions of particular counsel Robert Mueller's report, which invoked Stone's identify.

“They’re likely to do you simply because you are not gonna have a protection,” the congressman advised Stone, according to the Submit.

The Justice Division had demonstrated different quantities of the redacted material to congressional leaders, which includes users of the Dwelling Judiciary Committee, of which Gaetz is a member.

Both of those of Gaetz's predictions turned out to be true. Stone was convicted and sentenced to 40 months in jail for obstruction of justice and 12 months for 5 other counts to be served concurrently, but Trump pardoned him in 2020 right before he still left office.

The congressman's statements reflect his beliefs at the time as effectively as his present-day look at, Gaetz's place of work advised the outlet. The Washington Examiner has reached out to Gaetz's team for remark.

The recordings were aspect of the whole-length Danish documentary A Storm Foretold, predicted to be unveiled afterwards this yr.