Pal of sex-rap Rep. Gaetz talkin’ deal with feds: att’y

Rep. Matt Gaetz’s pal Joel Greenberg is in talks with federal prosecutors to plead guilty in exchange for information about the sex trafficking probe that has roped in the Florida lawmaker, lawyers said Thursday.

“We believe this case will be a plea,” federal prosecutor Roger Handberg told a judge in an Orlando, Fla., courtroom.

Gaetz (R-Fla.) was not mentioned by name in the brief hearing. He is not charged with any wrongdoing.

But any plea deal might be potentially disastrous for the GOP congressman, if Greenberg is required to spill the beans about Gaetz’s role in the trafficking scheme.

“I’m sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable,” Greenberg’s defense lawyer, Fritz Scheller, told reporters after the hearing.

Greenberg, a former Florida elected official, is awaiting trial on a string of federal charges, including having sex with a minor and human trafficking. He is close friends with Gaetz.

The Justice Department, while investigating Greenberg, began looking into Gaetz last year for allegedly having sex with a 17-yearold girl in exchange for covering her expenses, including travel and accommodation.

Gaetz has admitted to being caught up in the Greenberg investigation, but has denied having or paying for sex with the teen.

The Florida congressman and ardent Donald Trump supporter claims the accusations against him are part of a convoluted $25 million extortion plot to smear his family.

Prosecutors are also reportedly investigating whether Gaetz violated any federal laws during a trip to the Bahamas with a prominent marijuana advocate.

NBC News reported that prosecutors are investigating whether Gaetz searched online for female escorts who might have traded sex for money or gifts during the Caribbean jaunt.

Gaetz was expected to speak at a “Women for America First” gala this Friday at former President Trump’s golf club in Doral, Fla.