Matt Gaetz’ trip to the Bahamas with a marijuana entrepreneur is being scrutinized in federal sex trafficking probe
- Federal investigators’ alleged interest in Matt Gaetz’ Bahamas trip was reported by CBS News on Wednesday
- Sources said Gaetz took the trip to the Bahamas with marijuana entrepreneur Dr Jason Pirozzolo in late 2018 or early 2019
- Pirozzolo paid for the travel expenses and female escorts, the sources said
- Investigators are allegedly looking into whether the escorts were illegally trafficked across state or international lines for the purpose of sex with Gaetz
A trip Matt Gaetz allegedly took to the Bahamas with a marijuana entrepreneur over two years ago is reportedly being scrutinized by federal officials investigating sex trafficking allegations against the Florida congressman.
CBS News reported the development on Wednesday, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the Justice Department’s investigation of Gaetz.
The sources said Gaetz took the trip to the Bahamas with Dr Jason Pirozzolo, a hand surgeon and co-founder of The American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association, in late 2018 or early 2019.
Pirozzolo footed the bill for the travel expenses and accommodations – as well as female escorts, the sources said.
Investigators are allegedly looking into whether the escorts were illegally trafficked across state or international lines for the purpose of having sex with Gaetz.
A trip Matt Gaetz (left) allegedly took to the Bahamas with a marijuana entrepreneur Jason Pirozzolo (right) over two years ago is reportedly being scrutinized by federal officials investigating sex trafficking allegations against the Florida congressman
‘Traveling across state lines is what creates a federal hook for a prosecution,’ Arlo Devlin-Brown, a former prosecutor and partner at Covington & Burling, told CBS.
‘It doesn’t matter that [Gaetz] personally paid them as long as he knows someone is doing that.’
Reports of the investigators’ interest in the Bahamas trip came as Gaetz was already facing a string of lurid allegations, including claims he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, was involved in a Harry Potter-themed sex game, paid for sex using Apple Pay and showed Congressional colleagues on the House floor photos of naked women.
The Florida Republican has denied all allegations and gone on the offense, rapidly responding to the hits and appearing on conservative news networks to claim he’s the victim of a conspiracy.
He claims he was targeted in an extortion plot involving former Justice Department official David McGee, who was trying to exhort $25million from his family to help rescue American hostage Robert Levinson from Iran. McGree denied Gaetz’s charge.
This is a developing story.
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