Matt Gaetz reportedly sent $900 to an ally now accused of sex trafficking who gave the money to young women

• Rep. Matt Gaetz once sent $900 to Joel Greenberg, a political ally now accused of sex trafficking.
• The Daily Beast reported that the money was sent through Venmo in 2018.
• Greenberg then sent $900, in varying amounts, to three young women, including an 18-year-old.

Rep. Matt Gaetz has called himself the victim of a smear campaign, with the Florida Republican's office issuing a statement that he "has never paid for sex." But the lawmaker, who is under federal investigation, previously sent $900 to a political ally who has since been indicted on suspicion of sex trafficking - and who turned around and sent the same total of money, in various amounts, to three young women, The Daily Beast reported Thursday.

All three were at least 18, according The Daily Beast, which said it reviewed the Venmo transactions following a tip from a source. Joel Greenberg, who received the money from Gaetz, labeled his subsequent Venmo payments "Tuition," School," and "School," according to the report.

A representative for Gaetz did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

The news comes after a lawyer for Greenberg, the former tax collector for Seminole County, just north of Orlando, said his client was close to reaching a plea deal with the US Department of Justice.

Greenberg is, among other things, accused of exploiting his role to obtain personal records on young women with whom he had relationships, including one described by prosecutors as being between the ages of 14 and 18.

"I'm sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable today," the lawyer, Fritz Scheller, told reporters.

The Justice Department is investigating whether Gaetz himself had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl. The congressman has denied the allegation.