ORLANDO, Fla. — Joel Greenberg — who as Seminole County’s tax collector trafficked a teenager, stalked a political rival, stole identities and spent taxpayer funds on paid sex and cryptocurrency, among other misdeeds — was sentenced to 11 years in prison Thursday, bringing to a close one of the most stunning cases of political corruption in state history.
Greenberg was elected to public office just over six years ago at the age of 31 and became a rising star in GOP politics, even as he faced one controversy after another. But his abuse of taxpayer funds drew the attention of federal investigators, prompting his downfall.
U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell handed down Greenberg’s sentence during a morning hearing at the federal courthouse in downtown Orlando. Prosecutors and federal guidelines, factoring in Greenberg’s cooperation with investigators as part of a plea deal, called for a sentence between 9.25 and 11 years.
