Federal authorities later alleged the company had been used to obtain fraudulent loans through a program put in place to help small businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic; this eventually led to additional criminal charges against Greenberg, including bribery of a public official. Inevitably, someone in the audience would say, What about Joel Greenberg?, It was embarrassing. Asked what he would like to be one day, he answered, I want to be a good person.. Greenbergs attorney has indicated his client plans to pay additional restitution to victims above the governments request. The vast majority of Jews in Central Florida appreciate our Muslim brothers and sisters and value our shared American experience., One of my best friends is Muslim, and I have a Black brother, Greenberg, . You can read the first indictment against Greenberg here and the second here. The depth of the charges against him are jaw-dropping. He called him a disrupter who had taken the tax collectors office by storm.. [31] References [ edit] ^ Comas, Martin E. (July 24, 2020). Patricia Mazzei reported from Lake Mary, Fla., and Michael S. Schmidt and Katie Benner from Washington. He was accused of setting up a Bitcoin scheme against his own office, Orlando Weekly reported. A county audit concluded that Mr. Greenberg had wasted more than $1 million in taxpayer money and used his tax collector credit card to purchase body armor, weapons and a drone. As part of a plea deal, he agreed to cooperate with the U.S. Department of Justice in an ongoing investigation, and will serve a 12-year sentence, the minimum sentence allowed by law. In 2019, the Orlando Sentinel reported that Greenberg, who owned an advertising company before his election, spent $3.5 million in consultant contracts, salaries to friends and associates. Joel Greenberg friend Joe Ellicott pleads guilty to bribery, drug charge in Florida Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel 2/10/2022. Dozens of others are under investigation as a result of the charges against Greenberg, who was initially indicted in 2021 for paying a woman under the age of 18 for sex at least seven times, and for embezzling public money he had access to during his approximately three years as Seminole County tax collector to buy cryptocurrency and sports memorabilia, among other activities. [24] On October 18, prosecutors also asked Presnell for the extension, stating that Greenberg was a "prolific criminal" who had made allegations that "take us to some places we did not anticipate." Abby Greenberg also wants the judge to liquidate her estranged husbands cryptocurrency account and award her half the proceeds. The investigation into the Trump-allied Florida congressman over alleged sexual relations with a 17-year-old stem from a federal probe of Joel Greenberg, criticized by his local Jewish community in the past. In August of 2018, Greenberg posted a gratuitous anti-Muslim remark on his Facebook page: Name just ONE society in the developed world that has benefited in ANY WAY from the introduction of more Muslims. @JohnMorganESQ says I dont lie. His profile picture is a family photo with his wife and two kids. He spent $90,000 of agency money to set up cryptocurrency mining devices, and $15,000 on a sprinkler system that was calibrated to drive away petitioners. The parties have no joint debts.. As part of that course of conduct, Greenberg caused letters to be sent to the school where the employee worked. Why didnt his obituaries say so? In the end, Mr. Greenberg went from being an outsider elected on an anticorruption platform to, prosecutors say, becoming corrupted himself. The second indictment against Greenberg alleges that he trafficked a minor female aged between 14 and 18, and used state databases to illegally obtain information about her and others. LAKE MARY, Fla. As former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg awaits sentencing on child sex trafficking and other federal charges, his estranged wife is asking a judge for permission to sell the couples home in Lake Marys Heathrow community. ' He also touted Bitcoin and wrote, I have an open schedule. He retweeted an article discussing alleged illegal votes in Michigan for Joe Biden. The three men visited Washington together that June, and Mr. Greenberg posted photographs on social media from the White House lawn, including one of his daughter with Mr. Gaetz and Mr. Trump. Everyone thinks that with a name like Joel Micah Greenberg that hes a member of the Tribe, but hes not, said Dictor, a liberal Democrat who launched her challenge to Greenberg before his arrest forced him out of the race. A poorly installed server to allow for cryptocurrency payments to the tax collectors office was blamed for a fire this year. Lynn Moira Dictor is not. His Facebook page features an undated photo of himself at the Western Wall. Joel Greenberg is a millionaire, mostly because of his stake in the dental practice. It involves Iran and a missing Jewish FBI agent. His wife left the house for at least some time after the arrest. Greenberg has posted at least three selfies on Twitter with Gaetz. Greenberg got support in both his campaigns from a Facebook page, Central Florida Post, founded by Jacob Engels, who has been named as an associate of Roger Stone. So while Times staff members may vote, they are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. In a motion seeking authorization to sell the home, Abby Greenberg indicated that she desires to sell the property and move on with her life. ORLANDO, Fla. - A newly released rap video celebrating Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz features an unlikely cameo: the estranged wife of former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg . Joel Greenberg, who is incarcerated in the Orange County jail, is facing a minimum of 12 years in prison after pleading guilty in May to six federal charges including sex trafficking of a child, illegally producing a false identification document, aggravated identity theft, stalking, wire fraud and conspiracy. On separate occasions, Greenberg used his tax collector badge to stop a woman he said was speeding and to try and persuade a traffic cop not to ticket him for speeding. Under that deal, Greenberg had the Tax Collector's Office purchase a former bank building on State Road 434 for $810,000 in public cash hours after a company recently formed by Adamczyk . [28], Greenberg was sentenced on Thursday, December 1, 2022 by a federal judge to 11 years in prison. Greenberg justified his anti-Muslim comments to the Orlando Weekly, saying, Im Jewish, which is probably one of the most hated groups.. Orlando Weekly reported that Gaetz was a political donor of Greenberg, once giving him the maximum possible. Presnell criticized the DOJ on Wednesday for the pace of its investigation into others connected to Greenbergs case. Here (from the Orlando Sentinel and others) is a sampling: Gaetz and Greenberg are close but just how close? [11], Federal agents arrested Greenberg at his home on June 23, 2020; he resigned the following day after being released on bail. What could go wrong?. LAKE MARY, Fla. - As former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg awaits sentencing on child sex trafficking and other federal charges, his estranged wife is asking a judge for. Friday the 13th with Milo Yiannopoulos, he wrote. As an adult, Greenberg has identified himself as being Jewish. His Facebook page features an undated photo of himself at the Western Wall. News reports alleged financial mismanagement. And Greenberg plans to spend $109,000 on consulting. He resigned and dropped his bid for re-election. As part of her divorce petition, Abby Greenberg is asking a judge to award her the home as an equitable distribution to offset the lack of any child support. Theres a little cut on her head. His bond was revoked on March 3, 2021, and a federal judge denied Greenberg a new bail, ordering him into custody for the remainder of the case. [8] He took office in January 2017. Joel Greenberg, a former Seminole County, Florida, tax commissioner, had faced decades in prison on 33 federal counts that ranged from identity theft to sex trafficking of a minor, as well as . The latest indictment of Mr. Greenberg was unsealed late last month. Scott Maxwell, a columnist for the Orlando Sentinel, said on Twitter after The Times story broke that Greenberg has kept the paper busy, posting a long list of headlines related to his escapades alleged and otherwise. The first indictment was handed down in June 2020. Greenberg drew fire in 2018 when he peddled Islamophobia on Facebook. foster parent arrested on human trafficking charges in Hillsborough Feb. 17 News. Just one.. (Sample: Editorial: Good riddance to Joel Greenberg, Central Floridas worst politician.). I dont go out there to be a demagogue against anyone else. Greenberg's immediate family are members of Northland Church, a moderate evangelical congregation in Longwood, an Orlando suburb, but Greenberg himself was not a regular attendee, according to. Like Gaetz, his friend and political ally, Greenberg shares a combative approach to partisan controversies. If convicted on both counts, Greenberg faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison., According to the indictment, Greenberg, who was the elected Seminole County Tax Collector, engaged in a course of conduct that caused and attempted to cause substantial emotional distress to a political opponent who worked at a school located in the Middle District of Florida. Four Jupiter police officers and a supervising sergeant responded to an apartment following the 911 call on Feb. 28. The indictment says he created false drivers licenses. He has occasionally referenced his Jewish heritage as a defense when accused of various bigotries, which is despicable, said the activist, but he is or was a member of a local Christian church, and had been since his youth. Greenberg is the son of Andrew Greenberg, who in the 1980s founded an empire, Greenberg Dental, which now has over 90 practices across Florida. Defending himself in 2018 against the Islamophobia charge, Greenberg said that one of his brothers is Black. Powered by. The woman, according to two people familiar with their relationship, had previously had sex with Mr. Greenberg and received money from him on mobile payment apps; she had been leaving his house, the people said. (Sample: Editorial: Good riddance to Joel Greenberg, Central Floridas worst politician.), Greenberg has posted at least three selfies on Twitter with Gaetz. [22][23] By early October, a lawyer for Greenberg had asked for another delay, this time to March 2022. It was this allegation, the Times reported, that led federal investigators to Gaetz. He spent at least $2.65 million on a security force and for consultants; staffers could not say what the consultants did. [15] On February 28, 2021, Greenberg violated his bond conditions by traveling during his curfew hours, reportedly to look for his wife. In June 2020, he retweeted a Gaetz tweet that read, Matt Morgan is a rising star in the Republican Party. , a far-right group also associated with Stone. And in 2019, at the White House, it was with Chris Dorworth, a former Florida state representative. The Gaetz investigation apparently grew out of an earlier investigation of Greenberg, according to the New York Times. Most damning, in the third indictment, filed in August of 2020, was the charge that Greenberg had engaged in sex trafficking involving a minor between 14 and 17. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Gaetz gave $1,000 to Greenbergs reelection campaign last year. The vast majority of Jews in Central Florida appreciate our Muslim brothers and sisters and value our shared American experience.. I am frequently called on to speak on behalf of the Jewish community, Friedman wrote in a, . (JTA) Matt Gaetz, the Trump-boosting Florida congressman known for his firebomb rhetoric, is in big trouble in part because of the alleged foibles of a Jewish buddy, Joel Greenberg, who has earned criticism previously from his local Jewish community. The inquiry into Mr. Trumps role in paying hush money to the porn actress Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign has spanned five years, two Manhattan district attorneys and multiple grand juries. The page has promoted among others the Proud Boys, a far-right group also associated with Stone. Asking for a friend. That, according to the Orlando news site, led to calls for his resignation. Greenberg hosted several AM . The people of Seminole County deserve better than this. Joel Greenberg, who is facing child sex trafficking charges, unsurprisingly, also has ties to Roger Stone. Greenberg and Gaetz were once close friends who allegedly attended drug-fueled parties together where women said they received money for sex, CNN reported. The following Monday, an employee found the alarm deactivated and drivers licenses strewn over a desk. A LinkedIn page for the Seminole County Tax Collectors office said of Greenberg, Joel M. Greenberg was elected Seminole County Tax Collector in November 2016 and took office in January 2017. Mr. Greenberg had little record to run on. Then he was charged with child sex trafficking", "The bizarre story behind how Matt Gaetz's tax collector friend fits into sex trafficking investigation", "Matt Gaetz pal Joel Greenberg was a lightning rod for controversy even before arrest", "New indictment: Joel Greenberg used tax collector funds to buy himself cryptocurrency, Michael Jordan merch", "New details shed light on Gaetz's Bahamas trip", "Ex-Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg has bond revoked, to remain in custody", "How long will Joel Greenberg spend in prison? The Seminole County Sheriffs Office found Mr. Greenbergs fingerprints on the letter. The parties have no joint assets other than the marital home because (Joel Greenberg) sold or disposed of much of their marital assets to fund his criminal activities, Abby Greenbergs attorney Clayton D. Simmons wrote. The Greenberg affair, outlandish as it was, might have never made waves outside of Central Florida if not for the ties investigators found to other Republicans the Seminole County Republican mafia, Mr. Bear called it and Mr. Gaetz. : In 2016 he filed a report accusing Valdes of assault, but the prosecutor said Engels was only seeking a confrontation. Hush money. began to scrutinize a tax collector in Florida named Joel Greenberg and long before his trail led them to Representative Matt Gaetz he amassed an outlandish record in the mundane local public office he had turned into a personal fief of power. by Tuesday, claiming that the congressman had lost his. Joel Greenberg is a former Florida tax collector and political ally of Rep. Matt Gaetz whose federal indictment has led to reports of an investigation into Gaetz for alleged sex trafficking. [4][2], Greenberg was formerly a friend, associate, and ally of Republican congressman Matt Gaetz;[5] after being arrested in 2020, Greenberg began to cooperate with federal investigators probing Gaetz and negotiated a plea agreement.[5][6]. Im Jewish, which is probably one of the most hated groups. I dont go out there to be a demagogue against anyone else. By submitting the above I agree to the privacy policy and terms of use of JTA.org. According to Greenbergs estranged wife, the couples only joint asset is their home, which they purchased in 2019 for $600,000. In August 2020, one count of sex trafficking a 17-year-old girl in 2017 was added to the indictment. [14] Greenberg faces a minimum of 12 years imprisonment and a maximum term of life imprisonment. His name appeared on a burglary incident report when he was 18 and on an involuntary psychiatric commitment report when he was 21, but both reports were sealed, according to records unearthed in 2016 by WFTV, a local news station. Records and interviews detailed a litany of accusations: Mr. Greenberg strutted into work with a pistol on his hip in a state that does not allow guns to be openly carried. He denies all allegations. Copyright 2023 The Forward Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Greenberg . The inquiry one of two casesinherited in November by the special counsel, Jack Smith could be completed by spring or early summer. The Times reported that Greenberg once visited the White House with Gaetz, pointing to the above photo that Greenberg posted on Twitter. [30] Greenberg married his wife, Abby, in 2016 and has a son and a daughter. Defending himself in 2018 against the Islamophobia charge, Greenberg said that one of his brothers is Black. Greenbergs mother-in-law emphatically told police he was unwelcome. Greenberg, a former Seminole County, Florida, tax collector . emphatically told police he was unwelcome. He tested the boundaries of what he could get away with, until it all imploded. "One of my best friends is Muslim, and I have a Black brother," Greenberg told the Orlando Weekly. That same year, the Republican Jewish Coalition called on Gaetz to acknowledge his gaffe in inviting a Holocaust denier to attend Trumps State of the Union address. Mr. Greenberg was born in Altamonte Springs, Florida with his parents and 2 older brothers. The second indictment against Greenberg alleges that he trafficked a minor female aged between 14 and 18, and used state databases to illegally obtain information about her and others. Those contracts included $380,000 for body armor, weapons, and ammunition, as well as $15,000 for office sprinklers that could be aimed at people outside his office. The neighbor said the woman was calling a friend. The federal indictment also alleges that Greenberg sent anonymous letters to a school where a political opponent worked claiming to be a student who had information that the employee engaged in sexual misconduct with a student, a charge Greenberg knew was false., The indictment further alleges that Greenberg created a bogus Twitter account, in the name of the same political opponent, representing the person as a segregationist in favor of white supremacy.. The Department of Justice press release on the indictment says that United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez had charged Joel Micah Greenberg (35, Lake Mary) with stalking and unlawful use of a means of identification of another person. [27] Subsequently, a December sentencing date was set. Mr. Greenberg made the speaking lineup at a Trump rally in Sanford, Fla., in 2016. However, there is no record of his family ever being involved in local politics. What could go wrong?. Greenberg was later hit with new federal charges, including sex trafficking. He spent at least $2.65 million on a security force and for consultants; staffers could not say what the consultants did. We rely on our journalists to be independent observers. Time to disobey the orders and stand up for our civil liberties being shit on, the site quoted him as saying on social media of COVID-19 lockdowns. I think its fun to have a discussion.. Watch News 6 as they cover breaking local, regional, and national news, plus the latest updates on weather, traffic and sports. Not long after, Greenberg was indicted on 14 federal charges, and arrested. Joel Greenberg broke curfew to look for wife in South Florida, police report says. Being elected tax collector could have offered Mr. Greenberg a stable, if low-profile, career in government.