Joel Greenberg is the close associate of Florida Representative Matt Gaetz who pled guilty to sex trafficking and two other charges. In exchange for his guilty plea, and promise of full cooperation with the continuing investigation, the government dropped 30 additional charges against Greenberg. Dropping so many charges suggests prosecutors believe Greenberg's cooperation offers them exceptional value. Greenberg's confession includes admitting that he had sex with an underage girl and that he personally observed "other adult men" having sex with this underage girl.
Greenberg's sentencing was originally scheduled for August 19th. He requested, and the prosecutors did not oppose, a delay to November 19th. The reason was so he could complete his cooperation and have the value of that cooperation considered in his sentencing.
I believed the three month delay did not occur in a vacuum, that the length of the delay was based on how long both prosecutors and Greenberg's attorneys would need to complete his cooperation. I was wrong.
Greenberg has requested, once again without objection from the prosecutors, an additional five months delay in sentencing, all the way into March of 2022. The reason for the delay, in the words of Greenberg's attorneys is:
“Pursuant to his plea agreement with the Government, Mr. Greenberg has been cooperating with the Government and has participated in a series of proffers. Said cooperation, which could impact his ultimate sentence, cannot be completed prior to the time of his sentencing. The parties expect that Mr. Greenberg will participate in additional proffers . . . Mr. Greenberg's cooperation involves sensitive matters concerning ongoing investigations.”
Greenberg was initially charged with 33 crimes to include various financial crimes. It is likely that the delay is associated with investigation into others (including Representative Gaetz) who may have been involved in those crimes, in addition to the sex trafficking and underage sex for which the investigation is thought to clearly include Gaetz. The length of these delays suggest a complex, multifaceted, multiple crimes investigation involving multiple people.
The request to delay sentencing this time does suggest that the continuance will "allow the parties sufficient time" resolve the value of Greenberg's cooperation. However, it may be as late as next Spring before we hear how that works out for Representative Gaetz.