ORLANDO, Fla. — A federal judge has approved yet another sentencing delay for former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges last year.


What You Need To Know

  • Joel Greenberg's sentencing delayed for a third time

  • The new date is scheduled in August, a federal judge said

  • The delay was justified by a sealed status report by prosecutors, the judge said

  • The ex-Seminole tax collector has been cooperating in an investigation of U.S. Rep Matt Gaetz

U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell said in an order Monday that a sealed status report filed by prosecutors justifies postponing the sentencing of Greenberg — who was a close associate of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz — until August. The sentencing has been delayed twice previously.

No details were released, but Greenberg has been cooperating in an ongoing investigation of allegations that Gaetz, a Republican who represents most of the Florida Panhandle, paid a 17-year-old girl for sex.

Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and claims the allegations are part of an extortion plot.

Greenberg is facing up to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty last year to six federal crimes, including sex trafficking of a child, identity theft, stalking, wire fraud and conspiracy to bribe a public official.

Presnell said prosecutors must file a status report by July 13, but insisted that the sentencing should take place in August “absent compelling circumstances.” Prosecutors file such status reports privately for the judge to protect witnesses and ongoing investigations.