Files containing testimonies from witnesses against former Congressman Matt Gaetz were reportedly hacked on Monday, according to attorneys involved in a related defamation lawsuit. These files include an unredacted deposition from a woman who had purportedly engaged in sexual relations with Gaetz when she was just 17.
An email shared with the USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida highlights that unredacted documents, including depositions from several witnesses, were accessed by an unauthorized third party. The attorneys are participating in a federal defamation suit against Joel Greenberg, a former Seminole County Tax Collector currently serving an 11-year sentence for sex trafficking. The lawsuit, initiated by former state legislator Chris Dorworth in 2023, alleges a conspiracy involving Greenberg and his family members to falsely accuse Dorworth and Gaetz of sexual misconduct.
Greenberg’s attorney, Fritz Wermuth, notified other legal representatives that the documents were compromised by an unauthorized entity. The breached files included detailed transcripts from three witnesses, one of whom was the 17-year-old girl present during a party, where illicit substances like alcohol and various drugs were allegedly available.
Some witnesses in the defamation case have also provided testimonies to the House Ethics Committee. Florida attorney Joel Leppard indicated that he represents two women who claimed Gaetz paid them for sex. Additionally, one witness alleged she observed Gaetz engaging in sexual acts with her then-17-year-old friend at a Florida house party in July 2017. Gaetz has consistently denied all allegations against him.
The House Ethics Committee is set to convene on Wednesday to contemplate the release of its findings regarding Gaetz. Despite House Speaker Mike Johnson urging the bipartisan committee not to publish the report since Gaetz is no longer in office, Committee Chair Rep. Michael Guest stated that the decision will ultimately rest with the committee itself, independent of Johnson’s suggestions.
Currently, there is an ongoing legal dispute over the unredacted depositions that detail an alleged “sex party” at Dorworth’s residence in July 2017. Wermuth expressed concern over the breach, stating that the hacker seemed to use a pseudonym linked to a fake email account. He attempted to contact the hacker to demand the destruction of the files but was unable to reach them due to the non-existent email address.
Tim Jansen, a lawyer representing one of Gaetz’s former girlfriends involved in the defamation case, voiced alarm over the breach. “We are concerned that documents, transcripts or other evidence collected in this case that were supposed to be protected and sealed have now been hacked,” Jansen remarked, emphasizing that they do not endorse the release of this material.
Despite the gravity of the situation, there is hope that the legal system will uphold its integrity and ensure that due processes are followed as these serious allegations are examined. The ongoing court hearings and committee meetings may uncover the truth and clarify the implications of these testimonies and the recent data breach.
The unfolding legal narrative surrounding Gaetz highlights significant challenges and the need for stringent security measures to protect evidence in sensitive cases. It serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in public life and the protection of all parties involved in legal matters.