Former tax collector Joel Greenberg pleads guilty to 6 charges, including child sex trafficking

Orlando, Fla. — Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg pleaded guilty to six charges in federal court on Monday, including child sex trafficking and wire fraud.

Greenberg admitted that he had paid at least one underage girl to have sex with him and other men and that he supplied the teen with the drug ecstasy.

In exchange for his cooperation and guilty pleas, prosecutors agreed to drop 27 additional charges involving crimes that allegedly occurred in Greenberg’s personal life and while he was working as an elected official.

ABC News sources said U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida may be linked to the situation, but Gaetz denies all allegations.

Before the investigation made national news, Greenberg was in hot water locally.

The former tax collector was charged with stalking and impersonating a political opponent, making fake driver’s licenses and sex trafficking a child. The paperwork said Greenberg used his role as a tax collector to find out the girl’s age and then tried to get her to lie.

Greenberg faces anywhere from 12 years to life in prison based on sentencing guidelines and mandatory sentencing requirements.

Greenberg will also be required to pay nearly $655,000 in restitution to his victims, including Seminole County taxpayers.

Cox Media Group