A previously unidentified witness in the Matt Gaetz sex trafficking investigation has emerged with surprising comments about his potential role in the Trump administration.
According to Daily Mail, Brianna Garcia, a 28-year-old former Capitol Hill intern and Democratic campaigner, has been revealed as the ex-girlfriend who provided grand jury testimony in the investigation of the Florida congressman in 2022.
Garcia's involvement in the case gained significance when she was spotted with her attorney, Tim Jansen, at the Federal Courthouse in Orlando in January 2022. The investigation examined allegations of sex trafficking, violations of the Mann Act, and potential obstruction of justice against Gaetz, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Former Girlfriend Reveals Surprising Support For Nomination
Garcia, who dated Gaetz between 2017 and 2018, expressed unexpected support for his nomination as Attorney General.
Despite her past involvement in the investigation, she believes he would serve the country well in this role. She declined to discuss details of her grand jury testimony, describing her relationship with Gaetz as "a past life."
The investigation into Gaetz began in 2020 following the indictment of Joel Greenberg, a former Florida tax collector. Greenberg faced multiple charges, including trafficking a 17-year-old girl, and was eventually sentenced to 11 years in prison. The Department of Justice closed its three-year probe into Gaetz without filing any charges.
Garcia's testimony was considered potentially crucial because she allegedly accompanied Gaetz on a scrutinized trip to the Bahamas in 2018. She was also reportedly involved in a three-way phone call that investigators examined for possible obstruction of justice.
House Ethics Investigation Faces Uncertain Future
A separate House Ethics Committee investigation has reportedly heard from two witnesses claiming they were paid for sex by Gaetz. One witness allegedly testified about seeing him with an underage high school student at a party. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson suggests these findings may remain unpublished since Gaetz has resigned from Congress.
Garcia's professional background includes volunteering for Headcount, a voter registration non-profit, and working as a campaign coordinator for former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine. She later transitioned from public policy work to real estate sales.
The controversy surrounding Gaetz's nomination has intensified political divisions, with his supporters viewing the investigations as politically motivated while critics question his suitability for the role of Attorney General.
Moving Forward With Legal Implications
The potential appointment of Gaetz as Attorney General could lead to significant changes in the Justice Department's operations. His nomination suggests possible investigations into alleged collusion between the Biden administration and prosecutors who investigated Trump during his presidential campaign.
Garcia shared her thoughts on Gaetz's nomination during a brief interaction with reporters outside her Tampa apartment. She expressed confidence in his abilities, stating that he would benefit the country and describing him as highly intelligent.
The nomination's future remains uncertain as Gaetz faces what is expected to be a challenging Senate confirmation process. His resignation from Congress has effectively ended the House Ethics investigation, though questions about his past continue to surface in public discourse.
