The indicted friend of Rep. Matt Gaetz who is at the center of a federal investigation involving the congressman is in talks to potentially strike a plea deal, putting increased pressure on the Florida Republican accused of having sex with an underage girl and paying for her to travel with him across state lines.
At a court hearing on Thursday, federal prosecutor Roger Handberg and defense attorney Fritz Scheller said they expect a plea change in the case of Joel Greenberg, a former Orlando-area tax collector who was charged with sex trafficking last year. Handberg said that negotiations are ongoing, while Scheller requested a May 15 deadline for both sides to either reach a deal or proceed with a trial.
