Two women sue Matt Gaetz under the federal anti-trafficking law; Gaetz says much of the alleged conduct is false
Two women sued Matt Gaetz under the federal anti-trafficking law, alleging he and Joel Greenberg paid them for sex and supplied drugs and travel from 2017 to 2019. Gaetz says much of the alleged conduct is false.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Greenberg pleaded guilty in May 2021 to six federal crimes, including sex trafficking of a minor, and was sentenced in December 2022 to 11 years in federal prison. The House Ethics Committee later said Gaetz had regularly paid for sex, including once with a 17-year-old girl, and purchased and used illicit drugs while in Congress. Gaetz had left office when that report was released and denied wrongdoing; the Associated Press reported that the report helped end his nomination to be attorney general in President Donald Trump's second administration. The women's lawsuit also names Dorworth and businesses tied to Greenberg's family, which the complaint says supplied the money. The women, represented by Spencer Kuvin of the West Palm Beach firm GOLDLAW and Joel Leppard, asked the court to let them proceed under pseudonyms.
People in this case
Matt GaetzDirectly involved
Timeline
3 timeline entries on this page. Dates: October 15, 2026
October 2026
Two women file a trafficking lawsuit against Gaetz, Greenberg and Dorworth
Source release
Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 file a 38-page complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against Matt Gaetz, Joel Greenberg, Christopher Dorworth and businesses tied to Greenberg's family. They seek damages under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act for conduct they say took place from 2017 through January 2019.
[01]Doe 1 v. Gaetz, No. 6:26-cv-02402 (M.D. Fla.), complaint (Dkt. 1)
The 38-page complaint filed in federal court in Orlando by two women identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 against former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, former Florida state representative Christopher Dorworth and businesses tied to Greenberg's family. It brings civil claims under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.
Doe 1 v. Gaetz, No. 6:26-cv-02402 (M.D. Fla.), complaint (Dkt. 1)Complaint, introduction and paragraphs 1-4 (pages 1-3) and 33-35 (pages 9-10)The women ask the court to let them proceed under pseudonyms
With the complaint, the plaintiffs file a joint motion asking the court to let them proceed anonymously as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 to protect their identities, describing themselves as survivors of sex trafficking.
[02]Doe 1 v. Gaetz, No. 6:26-cv-02402 (M.D. Fla.), plaintiffs' joint motion to proceed anonymously (Dkt. 2)
The plaintiffs' motion, filed with the complaint, asking the court to let them proceed under the pseudonyms Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 to protect their identities.
Doe 1 v. Gaetz, No. 6:26-cv-02402 (M.D. Fla.), plaintiffs' joint motion to proceed anonymously (Dkt. 2)Motion, page 1 and paragraph 1Gaetz posts a 2018 photo on X; the women's attorney calls his response an intimidation tactic
Reaction
The same day, Gaetz shares on X a 2018 social media photo of three women in bathing suits, seen from behind as they look at the ocean in the Bahamas, and writes that he is shocked nobody responded to their repeated cries for help. Kuvin tells CBS12 News that the plaintiffs will not allow intimidation tactics to distract from the allegations and will address them in court.
[03]Associated Press
Associated Press report on the lawsuit filed by two women against Matt Gaetz, with Gaetz's written response, a description of his post on X the same day and a passage from the complaint attributed to the women's attorney, Spencer Kuvin.
Lawsuit by 2 women accuses ex-Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz of sex trafficking · Associated PressAssociated Press story as published by WJXT News4JAX, paragraphs 1-11[04]Former Congressman Matt Gaetz, others sued over sex-trafficking allegations
CBS12 News report on the lawsuit with an interview with the plaintiffs' attorney, Spencer Kuvin, Gaetz's written statement and Kuvin's response to Gaetz's post on X.
Former Congressman Matt Gaetz, others sued over sex-trafficking allegationsStory text, paragraphs 1-12
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Matt Gaetz and Joel Greenberg coordinated the recruitment, payments, drugs and travel used to obtain commercial sex acts from Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 between 2017 and January 2019.
What is disputed
Gaetz says much of the conduct alleged against him is false. The complaint relies in part on Greenberg's 2021 plea agreement, in which he admitted paying for commercial sex acts, and on findings of the House Ethics Committee, which said Gaetz had regularly paid for sex and used illicit drugs while in Congress. No court has ruled on the women's allegations.
Sources (2)
- Doe 1 v. Gaetz, No. 6:26-cv-02402 (M.D. Fla.), complaint (Dkt. 1)Complaint, introduction and paragraphs 1-4 (pages 1-3) and 33-35 (pages 9-10)
- Lawsuit by 2 women accuses ex-Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz of sex trafficking · Associated PressAssociated Press story as published by WJXT News4JAX, paragraphs 1-11
Disputed claim
The lawsuit relies almost exclusively on a House Ethics Committee report that did not allow Gaetz to confront his accusers.
What is disputed
The complaint cites the committee's findings and records, and it also quotes Greenberg's 2021 plea agreement throughout. It says the women refer to the committee's findings as corroboration, that their claims rest on the conduct alleged in the complaint, and that they are not premised on the committee having decided civil trafficking liability.
Sources (2)
- Lawsuit by 2 women accuses ex-Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz of sex trafficking · Associated PressAssociated Press story as published by WJXT News4JAX, paragraphs 1-11
- Doe 1 v. Gaetz, No. 6:26-cv-02402 (M.D. Fla.), complaint (Dkt. 1)Complaint, introduction and paragraphs 1-4 (pages 1-3) and 33-35 (pages 9-10)
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 responses. Newest first.
Spencer KuvinChief legal officer of GOLDLAW and lead attorney for Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2Directly involved Before this statement
Kuvin posts on X on the day the complaint is filed in federal court in Orlando, linking to the Miami Herald's report on the suit.
"Power and privilege are not a license to exploit the vulnerable. Today, we filed suit against former Congressman Matt Gaetz and others to hold them accountable for alleged sex trafficking. No one is above the law!"
CondemnedResponding to: Matt Gaetz and Joel Greenberg coordinated the recruitment, payments, drugs and travel used to obtain commercial sex acts from Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 between 2017 and January 2019.
Full statement and sources
Announcing the lawsuit on X, Kuvin says power and privilege are not a license to exploit the vulnerable and that his clients filed suit against Gaetz and others to hold them accountable for alleged sex trafficking.
After the statement
The complaint, which Kuvin signed, says Gaetz and Greenberg coordinated the recruitment, payments, drugs and travel used to obtain commercial sex acts from the two women from 2017 through January 2019.
Spencer Kuvin on X: "Today, we filed suit against former Congressman Matt Gaetz"X post 2110766924116394473, October 15, 2026 at 12:17 p.m. EDTDoe 1 v. Gaetz, No. 6:26-cv-02402 (M.D. Fla.), complaint (Dkt. 1)Complaint, introduction and paragraphs 1-4 (pages 1-3) and 33-35 (pages 9-10)Why this label?
The reference point is the conduct the two women allege in their lawsuit: that Gaetz and Joel Greenberg paid them for sex and supplied drugs and travel between 2017 and January 2019. Kuvin, who represents the women, says the suit seeks to hold Gaetz and others accountable for alleged sex trafficking and that power and privilege are not a license to exploit the vulnerable, which condemns the alleged conduct.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Matt GaetzFormer Republican U.S. representative from Florida and a defendant in the lawsuit, in a written statementDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The Associated Press report says the two women were in their early 20s in 2017 when they met Gaetz through Joel Greenberg, and that the lawsuit says Gaetz provided drugs and paid the women for sex, out-of-state travel, lodging and other expenses.
"Much of the conduct alleged against me is false"
DeniedResponding to: Matt Gaetz and Joel Greenberg coordinated the recruitment, payments, drugs and travel used to obtain commercial sex acts from Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 between 2017 and January 2019.
Full statement and sources
Responding to the lawsuit, Gaetz says in a written statement that much of the conduct alleged against him is false and that the suit relies almost exclusively on a congressional committee report that did not allow him to confront his accusers.
After the statement
In a statement, Gaetz adds that the lawsuit relies almost exclusively on a congressional committee report that did not allow him to confront his accusers, and that he will now finally have that chance.
Lawsuit by 2 women accuses ex-Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz of sex trafficking · Associated PressAssociated Press story as published by WJXT News4JAX, paragraphs 1-11Why this label?
The reference point is the conduct the two women allege in their lawsuit: that Gaetz and Joel Greenberg paid them for sex and supplied drugs and travel between 2017 and January 2019. Gaetz says much of that conduct is false, which denies the allegations.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(5)
Original text
Doe 1 v. Gaetz, No. 6:26-cv-02402 (M.D. Fla.), complaint (Dkt. 1)
Relevant passage: Complaint, introduction and paragraphs 1-4 (pages 1-3) and 33-35 (pages 9-10)
About this source
The 38-page complaint filed in federal court in Orlando by two women identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 against former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, former Florida state representative Christopher Dorworth and businesses tied to Greenberg's family. It brings civil claims under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.
- Author
- Counsel for the plaintiffs: Spencer T. Kuvin, Paul W. McBride and Lukas Manolis (GOLDLAW) and Joel N. Leppard (Leppard Law)
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Former Congressman Matt Gaetz, others sued over sex-trafficking allegations
Relevant passage: Story text, paragraphs 1-12
About this source
CBS12 News report on the lawsuit with an interview with the plaintiffs' attorney, Spencer Kuvin, Gaetz's written statement and Kuvin's response to Gaetz's post on X.
- Author
- Luli Ortiz (CBS12 News, WPEC)
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Doe 1 v. Gaetz, No. 6:26-cv-02402 (M.D. Fla.), plaintiffs' joint motion to proceed anonymously (Dkt. 2)
Relevant passage: Motion, page 1 and paragraph 1
About this source
The plaintiffs' motion, filed with the complaint, asking the court to let them proceed under the pseudonyms Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 to protect their identities.
- Author
- Counsel for the plaintiffs: Spencer T. Kuvin (GOLDLAW) and Joel N. Leppard (Leppard Law)
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Spencer Kuvin on X: "Today, we filed suit against former Congressman Matt Gaetz"
About this source
Post by the plaintiffs' lead attorney announcing the lawsuit against Matt Gaetz and others on the day it was filed, with a link to the Miami Herald's report.
- Author
- Spencer Kuvin (@SKuvin)
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Lawsuit by 2 women accuses ex-Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz of sex trafficking
Relevant passage: Associated Press story as published by WJXT News4JAX, paragraphs 1-11
About this source
Associated Press report on the lawsuit filed by two women against Matt Gaetz, with Gaetz's written response, a description of his post on X the same day and a passage from the complaint attributed to the women's attorney, Spencer Kuvin.
- Author
- Ed White
- Published
- Accessed
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Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Two women sue Matt Gaetz under the federal anti-trafficking law; Gaetz says much of the alleged conduct is false
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/matt-gaetz-jane-doe-trafficking-lawsuit
The Dispute Index. "Two women sue Matt Gaetz under the federal anti-trafficking law; Gaetz says much of the alleged conduct is false". First published: 2026-10-21. Last updated: 2026-10-21. https://disputeindex.com/cases/matt-gaetz-jane-doe-trafficking-lawsuit