
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) had a disastrous Thursday as The New York Times published a bombshell titled, "Justice Dept. Inquiry Into Matt Gaetz Said to Be Focused on Cash Paid to Women."
"A Justice Department investigation into Representative Matt Gaetz and an indicted Florida politician is focusing on their involvement with multiple women who were recruited online for sex and received cash payments, according to people close to the investigation and text messages and payment receipts reviewed by The New York Times. 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," the newspaper reported.
One particular detail in the story was stunning.
"The Times has reviewed receipts from Cash App, a mobile payments app, and Apple Pay that show payments from Mr. Gaetz and Mr. Greenberg to one of the women, and a payment from Mr. Greenberg to a second woman. The women told their friends that the payments were for sex with the two men, according to two people familiar with the conversations," The Times reported. "In encounters during 2019 and 2020, Mr. Gaetz and Mr. Greenberg instructed the women to meet at certain times and places, often at hotels around Florida, and would tell them the amount of money they were willing to pay, according to the messages and interviews."
Here's some of what people were saying about the story.
There are cash app receipts. Matt Gaetz is finished.— ⚖️ 💛🐝The Most Passionate Twist🇱🇨🇺🇸 (@⚖️ 💛🐝The Most Passionate Twist🇱🇨🇺🇸) 1617328671.0
Apple Pay for hookers? Seems like Bitcoin would be a better choice. https://t.co/zSUyfXcO9c— Kara Swisher (@Kara Swisher) 1617332294.0
So they have actual receipts from #MattGaetzIsAPerv 's cash app and Apple Pay showing payments to the victim https://t.co/OZVPJqEgST— Formerly Known as ALT-immigration 🛂 (@Formerly Known as ALT-immigration 🛂) 1617329218.0
Thou shall not use apple pay or cash app for shady or Illegal things.— THE DEVIL (@THE DEVIL) 1617332156.0
Matt Gaetz appears to be in a world of shit. The dude was paying for sex using CashApp and ApplePay? Genius.— The Hoarse Whisperer (@The Hoarse Whisperer) 1617328957.0
Matt Gaetz really thought he wouldn't be found out as long as he paid prostitutes via Cash App and Apple Pay?? Mat… https://t.co/DkA6dL6yaz— Jake Lobin (@Jake Lobin) 1617332804.0
People are flabbergasted by Matt Gaetz’ obvious stupidity in using cashapp & Apple Pay & flashing nude pix of women… https://t.co/c1ANmqhkHB— Nadine van der Velde 🕊(she/her) (@Nadine van der Velde 🕊(she/her)) 1617329980.0
We actually have a government with elected officials dumb enough to pay for sex with Apple Pay. https://t.co/CkCtujEVdt— Travon Free (@Travon Free) 1617331975.0
NOT A SITTING CONGRESSMAN USING CASHAPP TO MAKE SURE HIS CRIME DOING IS WELL DOCUMENTED 💀💀💀💀💀— Daniel José Older (@Daniel José Older) 1617331433.0
So Gaetz’s escorts take Apple Pay but the bodega on my corner still doesn’t.— southpaw (@southpaw) 1617333055.0
But seriously, the allegations in this reporting are grotesque. Gaetz and his buddy were running their own little m… https://t.co/riyLvbPvSj— Max Burns (@Max Burns) 1617329566.0
There's a reason people use cash, and not cash app or apple pay for shady or Illegal shit. @mattgaetz but I'm really glad you're an idiot.— THE DEVIL (@THE DEVIL) 1617331725.0
how could anyone have known about the shady sex Matt Gaetz was actively telling people about, showing people pictur… https://t.co/6V5p8GIJZF— meme based in-joke (@meme based in-joke) 1617329046.0
Tony Soprano would never have used CashApp https://t.co/y5cGiVIIkN— Clara Jeffery (@Clara Jeffery) 1617328554.0
.@mtgreenee “look at me!” @mattgaetz “hold my Apple Pay enabled iPhone.”— Naveed Jamali (@Naveed Jamali) 1617333003.0
Matt Gaetz used Cash App & Apple Pay to make payments to women in exchange for sex!! The New York Times has the rec… https://t.co/nQRDbJr3x0— Dan Pereira (@Dan Pereira) 1617332275.0
Sending money to underaged girls with Cash App is like planning a coup on social media. Oh wait, they did that too.— I Smoked Matt Gaetz Didn't Kill Himself (@I Smoked Matt Gaetz Didn't Kill Himself) 1617332749.0