Florida radio host is cooperating with federal investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz, attorney tells CNN
Ellicott agreed Monday to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and distribute a controlled substance. His plea hearing is scheduled for Feb. 9 in Orlando, according to the case file.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Intermediate District of Florida, which filed the plea agreement with Ellicott, declined to comment on the case.
Ellicott’s attorney, Joe Zwick, said his client met with federal investigators to share what he knew of the allegations against Gaetz, including sexual interference with a minor, sex trafficking and obstruction of justice.
“He was able to shed some light on all of these issues,” Zwick said.
Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.
“After nearly a year of false rumors, not a shred of evidence has implicated Congressman Gaetz in any wrongdoing. We remain focused on our work representing Floridians,” his office said in a statement Wednesday.
Although Ellicott spoke with investigators, he was not called to testify before the Florida grand jury to hear evidence in the Gaetz case, according to Zwick.
Ellicott is the third person in Gaetz’s orbit who is known to be cooperating with the federal investigation into the congressman.
According to documents filed in federal court in Florida, Ellicott was part of a bribery scheme between an unnamed contractor and an unnamed elected official. Ellicott handed over $6,000 in cash from the contractor to the government official in 2017, according to court documents.
Under the scheme, the contractor continued to receive business from the government and was paid for inflated bills, according to filings.
According to a cover story concocted by the entrepreneur, the money paid to Ellicott under the kickback program was for the partial purchase of a business owned by Ellicott, according to the filings.
The distribution charge to which Ellicott agreed to plead guilty involves his selling thousands of dollars of Adderall, according to filings.
This story was updated with additional details on Wednesday.