(Bloomberg) -- A political ally of U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz who in May pleaded guilty to child sex-trafficking and wire fraud won a three-month delay to his sentencing because he is still cooperating with prosecutors.
Florida tax collector Joel Greenberg's request to move the hearing from August to Nov. 19 was granted Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell in Orlando. He faces a mandatory minimum term of 12 years behind bars.
“Mr. Greenberg's ongoing cooperation, which will not be completed prior to his current sentencing date, could have an impact on his final sentence,” his lawyer Fritz Scheller said in a July 6 letter to the judge requesting the delay.
The Justice Department is investigating whether Gaetz, a Florida Republican and outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump, violated federal sex-trafficking laws through his connection with Greenberg. Gaetz has repeatedly denied ever paying for sex or having sex with a minor.
Read more: Gaetz Taps Trump Defense Lawyer for Sex-Trafficking Probe
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