Joel Greenberg, the Seminole County tax collector who pleaded guilty to federal charges including sex trafficking, is now looking forward to an August sentencing date.
In a newly filed court order, U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell indicated that the year-long delay in sentencing Greenberg has been “in the interest of justice.”
Greenberg faces a mandatory minimum 12-year sentence as he awaits a scheduled sentencing date from the Orange County jail.
Federal prosecutors provided the judge with a confidential status update report on Friday that included a request for an additional sentencing delay.
“Upon consideration of the Government’s in camera and ex parte Status Report filed May 13, 2022, it is ordered that, in the interest of justice, an additional continuance of the sentencing in this matter is granted,” Presnell wrote.
“Please note that absent compelling circumstances, it is the Court’s intention to set sentencing to be held in August 2022,” Presnell’s order stated.
In his plea deal, Greenberg agreed to give “substantial assistance” to investigators as they build out related cases. Previous reports say Greenberg has given the Justice Department information about encounters when he and Florida man Matt Gaetz were having sex with women for cash and gifts.
Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend gave testimony before a grand jury earlier this year.
Joe Ellicott, radio host, pleaded guilty in a bribery scheme and has shared what he knows about Gaetz having sex with minors, sex trafficking, and obstruction of justice.
In October, Roger Handberg, an assistant US attorney, said that Greenberg has made allegations to investigators that “take us to some places we did not anticipate.”
Gaetz has not been charged with any crimes and denies any wrongdoing.