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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJudge delays sentencing of former FL tax collector Joel Greenberg (guy who turned on Matt Gaetz)
https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2022/02/15/judge-again-puts-off-sentencing-of-former-tax-collector-joel-greenberg?cid=share_twitterORLANDO, Fla. A federal judge on Monday agreed to delay once again the sentencing of former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg whose arrest led to an investigation of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz so that he can continue cooperating with federal prosecutors. Greenberg had been scheduled for sentencing next month, but U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell said in an order that postponing the sentencing is in the interest of justice." The sentencing date had already been pushed back from last fall.
U,S. Attorney Roger Handberg said in court papers that prosecutors supported the postponement because it would allow the United States to further advance aspects of pending investigations."
Greenberg is facing up to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty last year to six federal crimes, including sex trafficking of a child, identity theft, stalking, wire fraud and conspiracy to bribe a public official. Greenbergs cooperation could play a role in an ongoing investigation into Gaetz, who was accused of paying a 17-year-old girl for sex. Gaetz has denied the allegations and previously said they were part of an extortion plot. Gaetz, a Republican, represents a large part of the Florida Panhandle.
The judge ordered a status report from prosecutors and defense attorneys in Greenberg's case by mid-May and said it could be filed under seal, or out of the public's eyes. Prosecutors had asked that the status report be kept under seal to protect sensitive information about ongoing investigations. Releasing the information could cause those being investigated to flee, destroy evidence, disclose facts that could jeopardize ongoing criminal investigations, and cause witnesses named in the status report to be subject to possible harassment or retaliation from individuals who are the subjects of the investigations or who have an interest therein," Handberg said in a court filing.
getagrip_already
(14,250 posts)Investigation wise.
Otherwise the prosecutors would have issued a brief detailing his efforts and asked to move to sentancing.
TheRealNorth
(9,435 posts)Throw the fucking book at him. And hopefully they have been monitoring him for any communication with Gaetz or his lawyers.
Fiendish Thingy
(15,369 posts)Because thats what would likely happen- prosecutors would be denied the evidence against Gaetz that Greenberg is providing.
TheRealNorth
(9,435 posts)Then yes, because if he isn't fully cooperating, then he isn't cooperating.
Fiendish Thingy
(15,369 posts)That would indicate they are getting valuable information.
If the prosecutor felt the cooperation was not appropriate, they could rescind the deal and move directly to sentencing.
Scrivener7
(50,774 posts)Chainfire
(17,308 posts)You will have his full life story and the case could move forward.
samsingh
(17,571 posts)NQAS
(10,749 posts)I could tell you my life story, at least what I can remember, in about a week. And Im not a young person. And Ive had a busy-ish life.
What more can this guy have? And why not just sentence him and have these meetings in the prison. And if he says hell stop telling if hes sentenced, the judge can add a year for each meeting refused. Or whatever. But get this guy in jail. That should send a pretty serious message to gaetz.
MOMFUDSKI
(5,206 posts)to buy in to the "Rule of Law" thingy at this point on many fronts. WTF is all I can conjure.