Former Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is facing a new federal civil lawsuit filed by two women in the Middle District of Florida. The complaint accuses Gaetz of participating in a sex trafficking operation involving young women, illegal drugs, and trips across state lines between 2017 and January 2019. Named as co-defendants in the 33-page document are Joel Greenberg, former Seminole County Tax Collector, and Christopher Dorworth, a former Florida state lawmaker.
"I look forward to taking the plaintiffs’ depositions because much of the conduct alleged against me is false. The lawsuit relies almost exclusively on a Congressional Committee report that didn’t allow me to confront my accusers. Now I will finally have that chance." Matt Gaetz, Former Representative (R-FL)
The plaintiffs allege that Gaetz, Greenberg, and Dorworth participated in or financially supported an operation that recruited financially vulnerable women for paid sexual encounters. According to the complaint, the two plaintiffs were 20 and 22 years old when they were introduced to Gaetz in the summer of 2017. Both women reportedly had unstable incomes when Greenberg allegedly recruited them through SeekingArrangement.com, a website known for facilitating financially supported dating arrangements. The lawsuit contends that Greenberg subsequently introduced these women to a group of politically connected men, including Gaetz and Dorworth.
Further allegations in the complaint detail the provision of drugs during gatherings at private residences and parties where sexual encounters purportedly took place. One of the plaintiffs also claims to have witnessed Gaetz engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl, identified in the complaint only as “Victim A.” This teenager is not among the two plaintiffs who initiated the lawsuit.
Financial transactions are a central component of the allegations. The lawsuit claims Gaetz allegedly paid one plaintiff over $6,000 and the other more than $4,000. Payment descriptions reportedly included phrases such as “Being my friend,” “car deductible,” and “Love you.” The complaint further alleges that the defendants arranged and financed travel for the women and other individuals to various destinations, including Miami, Las Vegas, the Florida Keys, and New York City.
Mr. Gaetz, 44, has publicly denied the allegations and has indicated his intent to challenge the claims in court. In a statement, Gaetz said, "I look forward to taking the plaintiffs’ depositions because much of the conduct alleged against me is false. The lawsuit relies almost exclusively on a Congressional Committee report that didn’t allow me to confront my accusers. Now I will finally have that chance."
The lawsuit revives allegations that have previously been the subject of significant public scrutiny and a congressional investigation. Gaetz resigned from Congress in 2024 shortly after President Donald Trump nominated him to serve as U.S. attorney general. His nomination ultimately collapsed amid controversy surrounding misconduct allegations. A bipartisan House Ethics Committee investigation subsequently became public, concluding that substantial evidence indicated Gaetz had engaged in conduct violating House rules and federal laws. Among the committee’s findings were allegations involving paid sexual encounters with a minor, illegal drug use, improper gifts, and obstruction of the investigation. Gaetz has disputed the committee’s findings.
Co-defendant Joel Greenberg is currently serving an 11-year federal prison sentence. He pleaded guilty in 2021 to multiple offenses, including sex trafficking of a minor, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, stalking, and conspiracy. The complaint also references more than 150 financial transactions totaling over $70,000 that Greenberg allegedly made between December 2016 and December 2018 to pay women for commercial sex, with some transactions reportedly charged to a government-issued American Express card.
The controversy surrounding Gaetz took another turn recently when he posted a photograph on X, purportedly attempting to identify women connected to the lawsuit. The image showed three women wearing bikinis, photographed from behind. Gaetz suggested they were connected to the allegations but acknowledged to a Miami Herald reporter that he was uncertain whether any of the plaintiffs appeared in the photograph.
Spencer Kuvin, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, has stated his intention to question Gaetz under oath. Kuvin remarked, "I look forward to taking his deposition under oath where he will be under penalty of perjury — which the committee wasn’t able to do.” The lawsuit seeks financial damages from Gaetz, Greenberg, Dorworth, and several companies associated with Greenberg’s family. The allegations contained within the civil proceedings remain unproven, and no finding of liability has been made against Gaetz in this new case.
