Thread by @DeForestNews6

EXPLOSIVE new allegations about former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg were just made in court during the bribery trial of his former consultant Michael Shirley. A 🧵… 1/

After Greenberg’s arrest in 2021, the US Secret Service found a thumb drive in Greenberg’s car that contained 80 images of child pornography, according to Shirley’s attorney. 2/

Greenberg later told federal investigators he downloaded the child pornography with the intent to frame an attorney at the tax collector’s office (who also happened to be Greenberg’s former uncle), per Shirley’s defense. 3/

But Greenberg decided not to frame the attorney — saying “it’s cruel” — and kept the child pornography himself, Shirley’s lawyers told jurors during opening statements. 4/

Greenberg recently changed his story about downloading the child porn, according to the defense, and now blames it on a former tax office employee. “Joel Greenberg might be one of the most evil people you’ll ever meet,” said defense attorney Ashley Parker. 5/

US District Judge Gregory Presnell — who previously said Greenberg was “not a pedophile” when he sentenced Greenberg to 11 yrs. on other charges — covered his face as the new child porn allegations were made in court. 6/

The defense says jurors will hear recorded phone calls Greenberg made from jail to friend Joseph Ellicott in which they laugh about Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz getting pulled into a child sex trafficking investigation (NOTE: Gaetz was never charged and denies involvement. ) 7/

Shirley’s attorney claims Ellicott had sex with the same 17-yr-old girl that landed Greenberg in prison. The defense claims prosecutors did not charge Ellicott in exchange for his cooperation. Ellicott plans to plead the 5th if asked about it at trial. 8/

The defense used opening statements to cast doubt on the credibility of Greenberg and Ellicott. Prosecutors said they do not intend to call Greenberg to testify but will call Ellicott, who has admitted to being a “middle man” in the bribery scheme. 9/

Federal prosecutors told jurors that Shirley made $634K in 33 months while under contract with the tax collector’s office. The govt. alleges Shirley kept that lucrative job by paying a $6K bribe to Greenberg (which he used to pay off credit card debt). 10/

Federal prosecutors said bank statements, text messages, phone records and other evidence will prove Shirley’s guilt. “The defendant is here because he paid a bribe and kickback to a public official,” Asst. US Attorney Chauncey Bratt told jurors. 11/