Government

NYT: Gaetz Sought Blanket Pardon That Would Cover Under-The-Blankets Indiscretions

Gaetz and Trump deny allegations.

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(Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

“President Trump should pardon Michael Flynn, he should pardon the Thanksgiving turkey, he should pardon everyone from himself, to his administration officials, to Joe Exotic if he has to,” Rep. Matt Gaetz told Fox in November, as he ranted about “bloodlust” by “the radical left” to take out anyone who supported the outgoing president.

Which hits a little different in light of this past week’s gusher of crazy stories about a federal investigation into possible sex trafficking of a minor by the Florida congressman. And now the New York Times is reporting that Gaetz “privately asked the White House for blanket pre-emptive pardons for himself and unidentified congressional allies for any crimes they may have committed” during the final weeks of the Trump administration.

In retrospect, he probably wishes he hadn’t tweeted that any future scandal about him should be called “Gaetzgate.”

“Congressman Matt Gaetz has never asked me for a pardon,” the former president said this morning in one of his fake Tweets. “It must also be remembered that he has totally denied the accusations against him.”

Although the Times says that Gaetz approached “the White House,” where staffers rejected the idea as setting a “bad precedent” — which is not exactly the same thing.

And while the story notes that it was “unclear whether Mr. Gaetz or the White House knew at the time” that Gaetz was the subject of an FBI investigation into possible sex trafficking of a minor, Gaetz’s wingman Joel Greenberg was first indicted in June, so it’s a safe bet that the congressman felt the water rising by December when those pardon talks were alleged to have taken place.

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As for Greenberg, Politico has another wild piece on the former Seminole County tax collector and proud owner of the domain registration for OrlandoSugarDaddy-dot-com. Greenberg is currently staring down a 33-count indictment for inter alia identity theft, wire fraud, stalking, bribery of a public official, theft of government property, and sex trafficking a minor.

Politico reports that Greenberg is rumored to be talking to the feds about his former friend. If so, he’s probably got quite a story to tell. And he’s not the only one.

Three Greenberg friends — including one who testified before the federal grand jury investigation into Greenberg — told POLITICO they personally heard him boast about his 2017 relationship with a then-17-year-old girl they claim went on to work in pornography.

She did not return multiple messages to POLITICO on her cellphone and social media accounts.

Greenberg’s friends say he encountered the woman on SeekingArrangement. Gaetz wouldn’t discuss specifics of the case, but denies ever being on the website or having sexual relations with the victim or any minor.

As a minor, this woman was obviously unable to give consent, and her identity should be shielded as the victim of a sex crime. But if every reporter in DC and Florida already knows her name, the odds of this staying under wraps are basically zero.

It’s something to consider in light of the Times’ suggestion that “some Trump associates have speculated that Mr. Gaetz’s request for a group pardon was an attempt to camouflage his own potential criminal exposure.” As if no one would notice his little sex crime problem if he was marching arm and arm with half the Republican caucus.

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Remember when President Clinton’s pardon of Marc Rich was the biggest scandal in the history of ever? Times have changed.

Matt Gaetz, Loyal for Years to Trump, Is Said to Have Sought a Blanket Pardon [NYT]
The congressman and his wingman [Politico]

Elizabeth Dye lives in Baltimore where she writes about law and politics.

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