Joel Greenberg has currently pled guilty to that charge. It could also be about aggravated identity theft. It could also be about campaign finance violations. That's the big whammy here, punishable of up to life in prison with a ten-year mandatory minimum.īut this shows you how broad the overall investigation is. I know a lot of the focus has been on child sex trafficking. And it's punishable with up to 20 years in prison, so it's a big deal.

Obstruction would be telling a witness to mislead federal investigators engaged in the criminal investigation. Counselor, great to have you this morning.ĭAVE ARONBERG, STATE ATTORNEY, PALM BEACH COUNTY: Great to be here, John.īERMAN: As it pertains to this case, what would obstruction be, why is it important, and how would you prove it?ĪRONBERG: Good morning, John. Joining us is Dave Aronberg, he's the state attorney for Palm Beach County in Florida. As always, we thank you for your reporting. John?īERMAN: Important note there, Paula. So, now it's up to investigators to figure out if that happened. They're the type of people who would be highly susceptible to any influence, particularly from powerful men. Some have told me they're really scared about everything that's going on with this investigation. But after reporting on this for a few months now, it's important to remind people at the heart of this case are a lot of young women, many of them are vulnerable. Now, the congressman's spokesman issued a statement saying Congressman Gaetz pursues justice, he does not obstruct it. They also say another incident that is being scrutinized is a phone call between a witness and his ex-girlfriend where at some point the congressman was patched in. Now, Politico was first to report about the obstruction investigation late last night. But this ex- girlfriend was linked to the congressman in the summer of 2017, and that is when he allegedly had that sexual contact with a minor. It's important to clarify though, this woman, this is not the 17-year- old girl who he allegedly had sexual contact with. Now, this ex-girlfriend, as you noted, she is considered a key witness in the case. Now, among the incidents that are being scrutinized, CNN has learned that in October 2020, the congressman and an associate discussed taking a trip to visit an ex-girlfriend to talk about this investigation. Investigators have actually been concerned about possible obstruction in this investigation since last fall. It could result in jail time.Īnd what's so interesting is, in our reporting, we learned that this isn't new. Brianna, this really heightens the legal jeopardy for the congressman because if he or any of his associates tried to influence witnesses in this case, that's a federal crime. PAULA REID, CNN SENIOR LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning. Paula Reid has the latest for us from Washington. And Gaetz's ex-girlfriend, a former Capitol Hill intern, is considered a key witness here in this case against the congressman. KEILAR: Investigators have information that alleges Gaetz and an associate discussed a plan to speak to Gaetz's ex-girlfriend about the investigation in October of 2020. We begin though with new CNN reporting, the Justice Department looking into potential obstruction of justice in connection with the ongoing investigation of Congressman Matt Gaetz and his alleged sexual relationship with a minor. You need to recuse yourself from this story.īERMAN: All right. You talk about cicadas like you're not involved here. KEILAR: And the new warning from the FDA before you think about snacking on a cicada this summer.īERMAN: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. We'll speak with Olympic legend Michael Phelps about his struggles and the safety of the upcoming Tokyo games. KEILAR: MIA, a Republican lawmaker who told Trump supporters to, quote, start taking down names and kicking ass on January 6th is now nowhere to be found.īERMAN: The mental health of pro athletes from and center. New CNN reporting just in on another investigation tied to the sex trafficking investigation involving Congressman Matt Gaetz.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN NEW DAY: I'm John Berman alongside Brianna Keilar on this New Day. We'll see for this moment, for the Gram, for this moment in history. JULIA IOFFE, FOUNDING PARTNER AND WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT, PUCK: There's not much leverage that he has going into the summit and I think the Russians know that.īRIANNA KEILAR, CNN NEW DAY: Maybe they're just doing it for Instas, the kids say, for the photo.

THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. Sources Say, Feds Investigating Obstruction as Part of Gaetz Probe Biden Sets Goal of Vaccinating 70 Percent of Adult Population by July 4 Netanyahu Responds to Ousting Attempt, Rivals Dangerous.

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