According to the Northwest Florida Daily News, Florida resident Stephen Alford was given a five-year prison term on Monday for attempting to extort $25 million from former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz.
According to court records, Alford intended to speak with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., about rescuing him from his own legal issues, particularly a current investigation into possible child sex trafficking.
In exchange, the senior Gaetz would provide $25 million to the release of CIA agent Robert Levinson who was being held as a hostage by the Iranian regime. Alford claimed that the plan might enable his son to escape from his son’s obligations and even make him appear heroic in the process.
“I have a plan that can make his future legal and political problems go away. Last summer we located Robert Levinson in Iran and took two proof of life videos, but the U.S. government foiled our rescue attempts. If you and (Matt Gaetz) are willing to help us privately and clandestinely obtain the release of Robert Levinson I will ensure that (Matt Gaetz) is on the plane that delivers Levinson to his family, thus making him the most sought after public figure in the world,”a text message that Don Gaetz received stated.
Alford added that he saw the release of Robert Levinson as a matter of national importance and made the astonishing claim that he could persuade President Joe Biden to absolve Matt Gaetz of any potential guilt.
Alford later acknowledged to FBI investigators that he had no assurances from the Biden administration that Matt Gaetz would be granted a pardon.
Matt Gaetz has consistently refuted any claims that he initially trafficked a 17-year-old girl. His former business partner Joel Greenberg, who is currently under arrest for his own sex trafficking offenses, made the initial claim.
