DOJ won't charge Gaetz in sex trafficking probe, his lawyers say

• Gaetz's office also confirmed to Axios that the DOJ told the lawmaker's attorneys that the investigation has concluded and that Gaetz will not be charged with any crimes.
• Axios has reached out to the Department of Justice for comment.

The big picture: Prosecutors have been investigating Gaetz over allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz has repeatedly denied the allegations.

• In 2022, Joel Greenberg, a former associate of Gaetz, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor and other crimes.
• Greenberg, a former tax collector in Seminole County, Florida, was a central figure in the investigation into federal sex crimes involving Gaetz.

• CNN first reported on the DOJ's decision.

Zoom out: Career prosecutors in September recommended against charging Gaetz in the ongoing sex trafficking probe, telling DOJ superiors that a conviction against the lawmaker was unlikely, the Washington Post previously reported.

• The prosecutors said a conviction was unlikely largely due to questions over the credibility of two main witnesses, per the Post.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional background.