‘Uniquely located:’ Joel Greenberg, ex-Seminole tax collector, is likely to plead guilty, says lawyer

ORLANDO, Fla. The case against Joel Greenberg went to a federal judge on Thursday for a status hearing on the 33 charges he faces. Greenberg was not in court.

Greenberg’s attorney, Fritz Scheller, announced during the trial that the former tax collector in Seminole County would likely take a plea before the trial, but added that the deal has not yet been finalized.

BREAKING – Former Seminole County tax collector’s attorney Joel Greenberg says he expects his client to file a lawsuit before his scheduled hearing in June, but the plea deal has not yet been finalized. # News6 pic.twitter.com/4vmQVOTx94

– Mike DeForest (@ DeForestNews6) 8 April 2021

The defense also said they hope to have an agreement by May 15, but if an agreement is not reached, they will be tried.

The trial was also pushed back to July, rather than the original June date, to allow for the possibility that an agreement could not be reached. Scheller did not give details on what a possible deal might look like.

“If I get a plea agreement in this case, it’s not something I’m going to sign right away. I have to discuss it with my client and there is always a setback in the negotiation,” he said outside the courthouse after the trial. . .

The Greenberg investigation was recently linked to another Republican in Florida, Representative Matt Gaetz. The New York Times reports that the investigation into Greenberg led to another investigation into Gaetz around allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old.

Gaetz denied the allegations, saying it was all part of a conspiracy to extort money from his family and smear his name.

Scheller was asked whether Gaetz’s possible involvement in the investigation gives his client an advantage in the plea negotiations.

“(As) mnr. Greenberg accepts a plea or a plea agreement that we want … it will show his sense of remorse – which he does have – that he accepts responsibility. Nr. 2, I think he is uniquely located, ”said Scheller.

Asked if Congressman had anything to worry about on the news about this possible plea deal, Scheller said: “I’m sure Matt Gaetz does not feel very comfortable today.”

He later added: “When I say, ‘Matt Gaetz will be concerned,’ I mean … let me tell you what I’m basing it on. I’m not revealing the lawyer’s privilege – I want to make it clear – but we’ve seen how the number of stories, and the emphasis over the last few days, on the relationship Matt Gaetz, Joel Greenberg, is not it? So, I mean, (it) would not be obvious to assume that he would worry be not, you know, some. ‘

Greenberg resigned as tax collector in June 2020 after his initial arrest on federal charges after investigators said he made fake posts online in an attempt to smear a political opponent.

The Seminole County Republican was later charged with several counts, including unlawful use of means to identify another person, providing identification and false identification documents, aggravated identity theft, sex trafficking with a child and violating the law. protecting the privacy of the driver.

Greenberg recently received a third indictment accusing him of defrauding more than $ 400,000 at the tax office – using the money from his cryptocurrency business – and submitting fraudulent EIDLs for economic injury emergency loans, EIDLs. . Show. These loans were created to help struggling businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

[TRENDING: Some vaccines more effective than others? | Ranking Disney World rides: Here’s the list | DeSantis gets J&J jab]

Prior to his most recent indictment, an independent audit of the tax collector led by Greenberg also found a gross misuse of taxpayers’ money, including the purchase of a sprinkler system to remotely spray requesters, as well as tactical equipment and weapons.

Greenberg has been in jail since he was arrested in Jupiter in March for a mortgage violation. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

Greenberg was due to appear in court on Friday, but the documents submitted on Wednesday show that he waived his appearance.

His lawyer said Greenberg should not make a statement at this time about the charges against him against the people who elected him in 2016.

‘Not because he does not want to comment or make a statement. This is because I instructed him not to do it. “OK, it can be, it can happen later,” Scheller said.

.Source

Share this:

Related