Women File Federal Lawsuit Against Matt Gaetz
Two women allege that the former congressman and Joel Greenberg organized commercial sexual acts.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Two women have filed a federal civil lawsuit against former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz and former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg. The plaintiffs allege the pair coordinated drug use, payments, and travel to obtain commercial sexual acts.
Why it matters
The federal civil complaint relies on text messages to support claims regarding events that allegedly occurred over a multi-year period. The filing brings new legal scrutiny to Gaetz following his departure from Congress in 2024.
The civil lawsuit was filed in federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida, against Matt Gaetz and Joel Greenberg, who is currently serving time for a separate criminal conviction.
The players
Matt Gaetz
He is a former Republican Congressman who left his seat in 2024.
Joel Greenberg
He is the former Seminole County Tax Collector currently serving federal prison time for a separate criminal conviction.
The details
The complaint alleges the defendants coordinated recruitment, payments, and travel to facilitate commercial sexual acts between 2017 and 2019. The plaintiffs are using past text messages as evidence in their legal case against the two men.
Timeline
The alleged recruitment and sexual acts occurred from 2017 through January 2019.
Matt Gaetz left Congress in 2024.
The federal civil lawsuit was filed on October 15, 2026.
Legal Context
This civil action follows the federal criminal investigation that led to the conviction of Joel Greenberg. It marks a shift from criminal prosecution to civil litigation involving the former tax collector and Matt Gaetz.
The filing of a federal civil lawsuit in West Palm Beach may result in further court hearings open to the public record. Residents should anticipate ongoing media coverage regarding the legal proceedings.
The takeaway
This case highlights the use of digital communications as evidence in high-profile civil lawsuits. Plaintiffs often utilize archived text messages to establish a timeline of events in complex litigation.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings, see the Sex Crimes section.
