Federal Judge Raises Questions About Why Intelligence Operative Not Charged in Gaetz Extortion Scheme

The federal judge presiding over the case of the extortion scheme targeting Rep. Matt Gaetz’s father raised questions as to why an intelligence operative involved in the crime hasn’t been charged, according to court transcripts.

In the sentencing hearing for long-time con man Stephen Alford, who was charged in the Gaetz extortion case and sentenced to five years in prison, federal Judge Margaret Casey Rodgers questioned why former military intelligence officer and State Department contractor Bob Kent — who was involved in virtually every step of the crime — was not charged as well, saying she disagrees that there isn’t the evidence for it (emphasis added):

Federal Judge Margaret Casey Rodgers: Is that why he’s here but no one else is here in terms of charges —
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Goldberg: He is here because he is the only —
Federal Judge Margaret Casey Rodgers: Excuse me — in terms of the charges in this case?
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Goldberg: No. He is here because he is the only one the government has evidence committed a crime.
Federal Judge Margaret Casey Rodgers: Okay.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Goldberg: I don’t think the government, certainly not me, has ever asserted differently.
Federal Judge Margaret Casey Rodgers: It seems like Mr. Gaetz might think differently.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Goldberg: He might. He’s not a prosecutor.
Federal Judge Margaret Casey Rodgers: No, and I’m not either, and I’m not going to tell you how to do your job. I just am questioning why maybe he’s the only one here and it seems like it’s his criminal history to me, but that’s just my —
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Goldberg: The government has no evidence that Mr. McGee or Mr. Kent committed a crime that is provable. Otherwise, the government would have considered conspiracy charges which it did not charge; it charged substantive counts of wire fraud.
Federal Judge Margaret Casey Rodgers: I don’t think you have evidence, I would agree with you, as far as Mr. McGee. I’m not so sure about Mr. Kent.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Goldberg: Well, Mr. Kent —
Federal Judge Margaret Casey Rodgers: But I don’t make those decisions.

Bob Kent is a former Air Force intelligence officer who has admitted to soliciting Don Gaetz for $25 million, which he claimed would be to free Robert Levinson, an American held captive by Iran. That claim was included in the litigation, but part of the deal was the offer of a pardon. (Read more from “Federal Judge Raises Questions About Why Intelligence Operative Not Charged in Gaetz Extortion Scheme” HERE)

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