Career Justice Department prosecutors are recommending the Attorney General not file charges against Florida Republican Congressman and accused child sex trafficker Matt Gaetz, saying they don’t believe they can secure a conviction because of the lack of credibility of cooperating witnesses, the Washington Post reports.
Gaetz and his friend, Florida Republican politician Joel Greenberg, allegedly hired underage prostitutes, transporting them across state lines to engage in sexual activities with them. Greenberg became a cooperating witness, but he has been accused of various other crimes, including abuse of office and mismangement of funds.
The final decision to charge Gaetz will be left to senior department officials, but having staff prosecutors lobby against charging a target impacts that decision greatly.