Oh, great, a tawdry sex scandal. What happened to Make Scandals Great Again?
Investigators believe Joel Greenberg, the former tax collector in Seminole County, Fla., who was indicted last year on a federal sex trafficking charge and other crimes, initially met the women through websites that connect people who go on dates in exchange for gifts, fine dining, travel and allowances, according to three people with knowledge of the encounters. Mr. Greenberg introduced the women to Mr. Gaetz, who also had sex with them, the people said.
...
Mr. Gaetz denied ever paying a woman for sex.
Some of the possible charges seem like a stretch:
It is not illegal to provide adults with free hotel stays, meals and other gifts, but if prosecutors think they can prove that the payments to the women were for sex, they could accuse Mr. Gaetz of trafficking the women under “force, fraud or coercion.” For example, prosecutors have filed trafficking charges against people suspected of providing drugs in exchange for sex because feeding another person’s drug habit could be seen as a form of coercion.
So offering gifts is fine but offering cash is coercive? OK, go with that.
The joker in the deck is this:
The Justice Department inquiry is also examining whether Mr. Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl and whether she received anything of material value, according to four people familiar with the investigation. The sex trafficking count against Mr. Greenberg involved the same girl, according to two people briefed on the investigation.
She's a minor, so Gaetz needs the Epstein Exception here.
I wonder what a Florida jury would make of all this. I have a suspicion that a decent portion of the Florida service economy relies on an equilibrium between fiscally appealing men and physically appealing women. Maybe I'm thinking of Vegas.
Thanks.
Posted by: clarice | April 04, 2021 at 10:05 AM
"Chaotic scenes in Brussels, Belgium today as police stormed into a park where revellers were gathered for a preplanned party in the sun, this tyranny under the banner of Coronavirus will have repercussions for years to come..."
[They were herding the protestors together!]
https://gab.com/TommyRobinsonOfficial/posts/105991759264407553
Posted by: Davod | April 04, 2021 at 10:09 AM
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9434429/Donald-Trump-gets-standing-ovation-supporters-Mar-Lago.html
Donald Trump, Melania and Barron, 15, are seen together for the first time since leaving the White House as they get a standing ovation from supporters at Mar-a-Lago
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 04, 2021 at 10:21 AM
That 10:09 comment about police in Brussels storming a park was April 1st, not today.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | April 04, 2021 at 10:22 AM
These kind of articles simply do not help the case. https://knowablemagazine.org/article/health-disease/2021/how-to-convince-people-to-accept-covid19-vaccine
I don't think polio is an apt analogy. I don't think there's any question covid is here to stay so why say "it may be with us for years".
All the hyping of getting at what motivates people to get them to get vaccine. The 70-90% vaccinated to get to herd immunity which is a figure that does not fit with known facts.
Posted by: rse | April 04, 2021 at 10:27 AM
A little Easter humor:
"TA-DA!":A Sunday school teacher had just finished telling her third graders about how Jesus was crucified and placed in a tomb with a great stone sealing the open- ing. Then, wanting to share the excitement of the Resur- rection, she asked: "And what do you think were Jesus’ first words when He came bursting out of that tomb alive?" A hand shot up into the air from the rear of the classroom. Attached to it was the arm of a little girl. Leaping out of her chair she shouted out excitedly "I know, I know!" "Good" said the teacher, "Tell us, what were Jesus first words?" And extending her arms high into the air she said: "TA-DA!"
Posted by: Jim Eagle | April 04, 2021 at 10:31 AM
https://nypost.com/2021/04/04/adam-morrison-goes-nuts-after-gonzagas-final-four-miracle/
Since Bobby Knight retired, I've sort of lost interest in college basketball.
However, this is really an amazing shot, and it's worth clicking over to watch the short video.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 04, 2021 at 10:36 AM
Jim Eagle,
I LOVE that Easter humor and it is SO like how little children think!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 04, 2021 at 10:39 AM
Sorry to be so stupid, but my brain can’t access my memory, so I remember,her zilch!
Posted by: Jane | April 04, 2021 at 10:42 AM
Two-minute video at the link.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 04, 2021 at 10:55 AM
Jane: Do you think laughter is enough?
From my just-finished epilogue:
"Laughter dissolves the non-reasoning they use. Anything stronger than laughter they label as subversive and an excuse to apply greater force. Defectively powerful people will use any reason to clamp down. They don’t need real reasons to avoid wrestling with their pseudo-reality."
Posted by: sbwaters | April 04, 2021 at 10:57 AM
This is good. Someone is paying attention and teaching his kids about finance! Maybe he should drive around with some congressmen in the car.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 04, 2021 at 11:01 AM
From Ace.
Bookish problem #102
http://ace.mu.nu/archives/20210404%20book%20pic%2005.jpg
Posted by: Davod | April 04, 2021 at 11:04 AM
From Brit Hume on Twitter:
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 04, 2021 at 11:05 AM
"NYT: She's vaccinated. He isn't. Now what?"
Immediate divorce?
Posted by: Davod | April 04, 2021 at 11:08 AM
"NYT: She's vaccinated. He isn't. Now what?"
Immediate divorce?
No. Cancel your NYTimes subscription.
Posted by: sbwaters | April 04, 2021 at 11:24 AM
One more Easter story:
"Mother-in-law in Jerusalem: George went on a vaca- tion to the Middle East with most of his family including his mother-in-law. During their vacation and while they were visiting Jerusalem, George's mother-in-law died. With the death certificate in hand, George went to the American Consulate to make arrangements to send the body back to the States for proper burial. The Consul, after hearing of the death of the mother-in-law, told George that the sending of a body back to the States for burial is very, very expensive. It could cost as much as $5,000. The Consul continued, “In most cases the person responsible for the remains normally decides to bury the body here. This would only cost $150.” George thought for some time and answered, "I don't care how much it will cost to send the body back; that's what I want to do." The Consul, after hearing this, said, "You must have loved your mother-in-law very much, considering the difference in price." "No, it's not that!" said George. "You see, I know of a case many years ago of a person, by name Jesus, who was buried here in Jerusalem. On the third day he arose from the dead. I just can't take that chance."
Posted by: Jim Eagle | April 04, 2021 at 11:41 AM
Lol Jib!
That helped me comply with SBW’s recommendation!
Posted by: Jane | April 04, 2021 at 11:44 AM
Jill Biden
blob:null/7bad9945-0046-4809-9c09-353f5521a150
Posted by: lurkersusie | April 04, 2021 at 11:46 AM
Trying again
(4) Joyce Day on Twitter: "What is this First Hooker? https://t.co/2xUStrL89J" / Twitter
Posted by: lurkersusie | April 04, 2021 at 11:47 AM
I remember the time when a major news magazine had a special on why the ultra clinically clean Japanese got sick when they travelled overseas - because they had not developed the sort of natural immunity to most things.
Posted by: Davod | April 04, 2021 at 12:46 PM
Cat watching horror movie - one minute(from Ace).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kgRFHaNo-Y
Posted by: Davod | April 04, 2021 at 12:54 PM
New
Posted by: sbwaters | April 04, 2021 at 01:22 PM