Developer and lobbyist Christopher Dorworth has dismissed a federal defamation lawsuit he filed last year against former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg, Greenberg’s family, and the family’s dentistry business, court records show.

Developer, lobbyist and former state legislator Christopher Dorworth has dismissed a defamation lawsuit he filed last year against a woman who was the victim of child sex trafficking by former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg, court records show.

Michael Shirley was sentenced on Tuesday to more than 7 years in federal prison.

A former associate of ex-Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg will learn how much time he'll spend in federal prison.

An associate of former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg has been released from federal prison nearly two months early after testifying at the recent trial of another Greenberg associate.

An attorney who represented an associate of former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg is apologizing for talking to jurors and questioning them about their verdict shortly after they convicted his client of bribery-related charges.

Minutes after a jury convicted a political consultant of paying a bribe to former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, a defense attorney improperly approached jurors outside the federal courthouse and questioned them about their verdict, according to the judge who presided over the case.

A federal jury convicted Michael Shirley of paying a $6,000 kickback to former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg in 2017 in exchange for maintaining a lucrative consulting contract with the tax collector's office.

Scientists are now seeing the devastating effects of Florida's prolonged hot tub ocean water temperatures.

Joseph Ellicott, once a close friend of former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, testified in federal court Wednesday that he served as a “middle man” to facilitate a bribe payment from a contractor to the elected official.

Agents with the U.S. Secret Service found a computer USB hard drive containing 80 images of child pornography inside a vehicle owned by former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg in 2021, but he was never criminally charged for that offense, according to statements made Tuesday in a federal courtroom.

As jury selection began in the trial of a consultant accused of bribing former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, federal prosecutors said one of their key witnesses plans to assert his fifth amendment constitutional right against self-incrimination if questioned about child sex trafficking.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the federal trial of Michael Shirley, an associate of disgraced Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg who is accused of bribing the former public official in 2017.

Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, who is serving an 11-year prison sentence for child sex trafficking and other federal crimes, is expected to testify at the upcoming trial of an associate accused of bribery.

A former consultant for the Seminole County Tax Collector’s Office claims checks written to former tax collector Joel Greenberg were not bribes — they were car registration payments.

A friend of former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg will plead guilty to federal charges related to prostitution and COVID-19 relief loan fraud, according to a plea agreement signed Monday.

The Casselberry Police Department represents the changing face of law enforcement – the department now has a staff comprised of 31%, nearly 1 in 3.

Seminole County officials celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new tax collector’s office on Tuesday.

An associate of former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg was sentenced to nine years in federal prison Monday after pleading guilty to multiple fraud charges.

A woman whom prosecutors say played a “minor” role in a COVID-19 relief fraud scheme was sentenced to five years of probation Tuesday and ordered to pay $587,500 in restitution.

Joel Greenberg could have faced a far longer sentence, but prosecutors say he has spent the last two years talking to federal and state investigators in a number of cases.

The attorney for disgraced Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg says more prosecutions should be on the way based on evidence his client gave on multiple investigations.

A former Florida tax collector whose arrest led to a federal probe into U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor and other crimes.

Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison after facing a judge for several federal charges, including child sex trafficking and aggravated identity theft.

Disgraced former tax collector Joel Greenberg will pay Seminole County government more than $1.3 million in restitution to cover the county’s losses while he was in office, the county attorney announced Tuesday.

Federal prosecutors are asking a judge for a reduced sentence for disgraced Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg because of his help in other cases.

An associate of former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a bribery scheme.

A former consultant for the Seminole County Tax Collector's Office pleaded not guilty to fraud-related charges Thursday.

Career prosecutors told the U.S. Justice Dept. that they are recommending against charging Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, in a sex-trafficking investigation involving disgraced Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg, according to a report in The Washington Post.

A man whose business was contracted with the Seminole County Tax Collector's Office by Joel Greenberg now faces charges in a bribery scheme, according to court records.

An interview transcript released this week in the “ghost candidate” case in Seminole County accuses a Florida state senator of being aware of the plan to get an independent candidate to siphon votes from his opponent.

Disgraced former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg is now involved with another criminal case, this time as a witness.

More than 18 months after former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg began cooperating with federal prosecutors as part of a plea agreement, a judge is scheduled to sentence Greenberg on six criminal charges including child sex trafficking.

More than a year after Joel Greenberg pleaded guilty to six federal charges including child sex trafficking, the former Seminole County tax collector's sentencing hearing is in the process of being set, newly filed court records show.

In a newly filed court order, U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell indicated that the year-long delay in sentencing Joel Greenberg has been “in the interest of justice.”

A crash is creating major delays on Interstate 95 in Volusia County.

A newly released rap video celebrating Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz features an unlikely cameo: the estranged wife of former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg.

Greenberg reportedly continues to cooperate with the government “against multiple individuals”.

An associate and ex-employee of former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg pleaded guilty Wednesday to a pair of federal charges, including one related to a bribery scheme.

Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg is once again asking a judge to delay his sentencing on federal charges as he continues to cooperate with authorities “against multiple individuals,” according to newly filed court papers.

An associate of former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg must cooperate with authorities on federal investigations as part of a plea agreement, court filings made public this week reveal.

A federal judge set an official sentencing date for disgraced, former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg.

Gaetz is being investigated by a grand jury in accusations that are tied to the Joel Greenberg case.

A former Florida tax collector whose arrest last year triggered an investigation into Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz has agreed to pay almost $1.9 million in restitution for public money that was misspent during his time in office.

Two of former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg's former associates face a litany of charges, according to a federal indictment.

As former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg awaits sentencing on child sex trafficking and other federal charges, his estranged wife is asking a judge for permission to sell the couple’s home in Lake Mary’s Heathrow community.

A federal judge granted Joel Greenberg a second delay of his sentencing on Monday, pushing the former Seminole County tax collectors sentencing date into 2022.

Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg is asking a judge to postpone his sentencing on child sex trafficking and other criminal charges until March 2022 so he can continue cooperating with federal authorities on other investigations, according to a newly filed court motion.

Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg is asking a judge to postpone his sentencing on child sex trafficking and other criminal charges until March 2022 so he can continue cooperating with federal authorities on other investigations, according to a newly filed court motion.

A friend of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz has asked a judge to postpone his sentencing until next year so he can continue cooperating with authorities.

Officials say Joel Greenberg, the friend of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz who pleaded guilty earlier this year to identity theft and other charges, accessed a restricted state database through his position as a local tax collector in Florida to look up information on hundreds of people.

As Seminole County’s former tax collector awaits sentencing on federal charges including child sex trafficking and stalking a political rival, one of Joel Greenberg’s victims is demanding an outside review into how state and local authorities initially investigated the elected official.

Thousands of dollars in sports memorabilia owned by an associate of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz could be sold to recoup misused taxpayer money.

Joel Greenberg, the ex-Seminole County Tax Collector, is seeking to delay his sentencing on federal charges by 90 days, according to court documents.

A sentencing date has been set for ex-Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg following a guilty plea from the Republican politician in May.

Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg pleaded guilty in federal court last week to six charges, including sex trafficking of a minor.

Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg pleaded guilty Monday morning to six criminal charges including child sex trafficking.

The man who investigators say was the target of an online smear campaign perpetrated by Joel Greenberg spoke to the media on Monday as the former Seminole County tax collector pleaded guilty in federal court to six charges, including child sex trafficking.

A Florida politician who emerged as a central figure in the Justice Department’s sex trafficking investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz has pleaded guilty to six federal charges and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors as part of a plea deal.

Joel Greenberg admitted to having a sexual relationship and trafficking a minor in his plea agreement with federal prosecutors.

A Florida politician who is a central figure in the federal sex trafficking investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz has agreed to cooperate with federal investigators.

A notice filed by Greenberg’s attorney Fritz Scheller Friday shows he plans to change his not-guilty plea during a hearing Monday.

A notice filed by Greenberg’s attorney Fritz Scheller Friday shows he plans to change his not-guilty plea during a hearing Monday.

A key figure in the federal investigation of Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz is expected to plead guilty to criminal charges next week.

According to a forensic audit completed after Joel Greenberg left office, the one-time Seminole County Tax Collector used his newly acquired power to reward family, friends and the politically connected with questionable contracts, totaling more than $1 million in wasted taxpayer dollars.

Chris Dorworth, a former Florida state legislator and longtime associate of Congressman Matt Gaetz, abruptly departed his position at a lobbying firm Friday night.

Former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg faces a federal judge for the first time since his case started drawing national attention.

An associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz's is working toward a plea deal with federal prosecutors investigating a sex trafficking operation, potentially escalating the legal and political jeopardy facing the Florida congressman.

The one-time rising Republican star now faces 33 federal charges. Here is a timeline showing Greenberg’s steps and possible missteps since he was elected.

The political peril is deepening for conservative Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz.

The political peril is deepening for conservative Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg now faces 21 new federal charges, in addition to the 12 he was already facing. According to prosecutors, Greenberg diverted more than $400,000 in tax collector funds for his own personal gain. AdGreenberg used the tax collector’s American Express card to purchase cryptocurrency and used tax collector funds to operate a cryptocurrency mining operation for his own benefit and also used tax collector funds to run a business selling cryptocurrency mining tools to others, according to the indictment. Additionally, prosecutors said Greenburg used tax collector funds to buy sports memorabilia signed by Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. #BREAKING: Former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg just got slapped w/ 21 new federal charges...in addition to the 12 he was already facing.

Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg violated his probation this week when he went down to his mother-in-law’s home in Jupiter to find his wife, according to a police report. According to an arrest report from the Jupiter Police Department, officers went to Greenberg’s mother-in-law’s home in Jupiter Plantation after his ankle monitor alerted authorities to his whereabouts. She told police he showed up uninvited looking for his wife, Abby Greenberg, but she was not home when he arrived. AdAbby Greenberg said her husband used her Snapchat location to find her and drove from their home to Jupiter. Jupiter police were unable to get in touch with Greenberg’s probation officer and arrested him on a charge of violation of probation.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg was arrested Tuesday after prosecutors say he violated the conditions of his release on bail by traveling to Jupiter. Greenberg appeared before a judge at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on the bond violation. On Friday, both sides agreed to lessen Greenberg’s bond restrictions but it’s unclear why since those court records are sealed. AdGreenberg, 35, served as Seminole County tax collector from January 2017 until June 24, 2020 when he stepped down from office following his indictment. The trial was set for March but Greenberg recently hired a new attorney, which could delay proceedings again.

The federal trial for former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg has been delayed and as of now, it won’t begin until at least June. Originally, Greenberg was set to stand trial in March but on Monday he waived his right to a speedy trial and that date was pushed back. Mark Horwitz formerly represented the former tax collector up until December of last year. She was acquitted following a federal trial. Jeff “J.R.” Kroll has since been elected as tax collector.

As we prepare to head into hopefully what will be a better and brighter 2021, we’re taking a look back at some of the strangest things that happened in Florida this year. While we’re on the topic of things that should remain saliva-free, there was this Florida woman who filmed herself licking a toilet seat “on a sugar daddy’s plane” in what she dubbed the “coronavirus challenge.”3. As a monumental tribute to the toilet paper hoarding, one Florida man hung a giant roll in his front yard for all to see at a time when he was down to his last three rolls. Perhaps the fan favorite this year was the Florida man who waded into the water and wrestled a gator that snatched up his poor little puppy. The video went viral on TikTok and gave as all a chance to bond over how much we hate long lights and bumper-to-bumper conditions on the road.

Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg hired a new attorney to represent him in federal court this spring during his trial. Greenberg is scheduled to stand trial in March 2021 but it’s possible hiring a new attorney could delay proceedings. Mark Horwitz formerly represented the former tax collector up until December. An independent audit of the Seminole County Tax Collector’s Office under Greenberg’s tenure found gross misuses of taxpayer money including the purchases of a sprinkler system to remotely spray petitioners, as well as tactical gear and weapons. Greenberg, 35, served as Seminole County tax collector from January 2017 until June 24 when he stepped down from office following his indictment.

Former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg, who was indicted in June on federal charges, is scheduled to stand trial in March 2021, as of now. [TRENDING: Man found clinging to boat 86 miles off Fla. | US may see ‘surge upon surge’ of COVID-19 | Mom of slain teen shot at burial service]Greenberg is facing federal charges of stalking, unlawful use of means to identify another person, production of identification and false identification documents, aggravated identity theft, sex trafficking of a child and violating the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act. He has entered a plea of not guilty. Greenberg resigned from his position not long after he was indicted. Jeff “J.R.” Kroll has since been elected.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – An independent audit of the Seminole County Tax Collector’s Office under the leadership of Joel Greenberg found gross misuses of taxpayer money including the purchases of sprinkler system to remotely spray petitioners, as well as tactical gear and weapons. Anything left over at the end of the fiscal year is returned to Seminole County taxing authorities. Auditors found GBS was set up to allow taxpayers to potentially make payments to the tax collector’s office using digital currency. Auditors also compared the Seminole County Tax Collector’s legal fees to surrounding counties. On Tuesday, Seminole County elected a new tax collector.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Republican Jeff ‘J.R.’ Kroll has been declared the winner of the Seminole County tax collector race with more than 54% of voters choosing Kroll over the Democratic candidate. With 79 out of 90 Seminole County precincts reporting on Election Night, Kroll had earned 54% of the county’s votes and Lynn “Moira” Dictor had 46%. The Seminole County tax collector is responsible for overseeing the office that issues driver’s licenses, decides how tax dollars will be invested back into the community and provides concealed weapons permits. Read more about Kroll’s opponent, Lynn “Moira” Dictor, below:Some Central Florida voters may know Lynn Dictor best as Moira from “The Philips Phile” on Real Radio 104.1. Dictor would like to pivot from her role as radio personality to Seminole County tax collector in order to bring more transparency to the office.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – It’ll be up to Seminole County voters to determine who will be the new tax collector after the man formerly in the position resigned amid his arrest on federal charges. Instead, voters will choose between Lynn Moira Dictor and Jeff “J.R.” Kroll, who beat Republican challenger Brian Beute during the August primary election. Here’s how to track your ballot]Whoever is elected to serve as Seminole County tax collector will be responsible for overseeing the office that issues driver’s licenses, decides how tax dollars will be invested back into the community and provides concealed weapons permits. Dictor would like to pivot from her role as radio personality to Seminole County tax collector in order to bring more transparency to the office. Jeff “J.R.” KrollJ.R. Kroll wrote that he was motivated to run for tax collector after “discovering the mismanagement of tax payers' money under the most recent administration.” He boasts two decades of business management experience that includes running his family business and becoming a top-selling realtor in the Orlando-area market.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. A judge has modified the conditions of the release of former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, who has pleaded not guilty to federal charges, including child sex trafficking. [RELATED: Former tax collector Joel Greenberg pleads not guilty to new sex trafficking charges | Ex-tax collector Joel Greenberg accused of using DMV database to engage in sugar daddy relationships]He is accused of using his access to state databases to recruit and solicit an underage girl for sex. He resigned as a tax collector of Seminole County in June. The fake IDs Greenberg made were used to facilitate his efforts to engage in commercial sex acts, according to court documents. The former tax collector faces up to 12 federal charges, including unlawful use of means of identification of another person, producing false identification, identity theft and stalking.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Ex-Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg entered a not guilty plea to the latest federal charges against him that include child sex trafficking. Greenberg was indicted Aug. 19 on new federal charges that allege he used his access to state databases to recruit and solicit an underage girl for sex. Greenberg, who resigned as tax collector in June after his arrest on federal stalking charges, was indicted by a federal grand jury on the new charges, which include sex trafficking of a child and violating the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act. The fake IDs Greenberg made were used to “facilitate his efforts to engage in commercial sex acts,” according to court documents. The former tax collector now faces up to 12 federal charges, including unlawful use of means of identification of another person, producing false identification, identity theft and stalking.

Former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg was indicted Wednesday on new federal charges that allege he used his access to state databases to recruit and solicit an underage girl for sex. The former elected official is already facing charges and accused of using information from surrendered driver’s licenses to make fake IDs with his picture on it, according to a federal indictment. The fake IDs Greenberg made were used to “facilitate his efforts to engage in commercial sex acts,” according to court documents. The victim was between 14 and 17 years old, according to the federal indictment. Greenberg will face a federal judge on Aug. 27 in Orlando to be arraigned on the news charges.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. Two Republicans are in the running to replace former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg, who resigned from office after he was indicted on federal stalking charges. The victim in that stalking case, teacher Brian Beute, will be on the ballot, along with realtor J.R. Kroll. Ultimately, whoever is elected to serve as Seminole County tax collector will be responsible for overseeing the office that issues drivers licenses, decides how tax dollars will be invested back into the community and provides concealed weapons permits. He filed to run for tax collector in 2019, after becoming the inaugural president of Save Rural Seminole County, a group dedicated to preserving and protecting the countys rural areas. His campaign promises include restructuring the tax collectors office, ordering an independent audit of the agency and employing fiscally conservative policies.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A memo filed Wednesday in the case against former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg outlines some of the evidence used to arrest him on federal stalking charges, including DNA and fingerprints on letters. [READ: Seminole County tax collector resigns after indictment on federal stalking charges | Former Seminole County Tax Collector accused of making fake IDs with customers’ information]A criminal investigation found the victim did not have any sexual contact with any students. According to the document filed Wednesday, Greenberg used his personal email domain -- @joelgreenberg.net -- to create the fraudulent Twitter profile. [RELATED: Seminole County tax collector accused of stalking political opponent indicted on federal charges | Former Seminole County tax collector pleads not guilty to federal stalking charges]As far as the request for a bill of particulars, Lopez is asking that it be denied because the victim’s name is mentioned 400 times and the school where he works is mentioned 300 times in the documents provided as part of discovery. In the same memo, Lopez also mentions that there is an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the federal stalking case.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – While his office was closed during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg was at the location “practicing” how to make fake concealed weapon permits, according to federal prosecutors. The new allegation comes as evidence continues to mount against Greenberg, who resigned in June after he was indicted on federal stalking charges. [RELATED: Seminole County tax collector resigns after indictment on federal stalking charges | Former Seminole County tax collector pleads not guilty to federal stalking charges]After Greenberg left the office, officials said pieces of the card stock paper used for concealed weapon permits were found in his office. Employees of the Seminole County Tax Collector’s Office advise that an employee observed Greenberg take surrendered licenses from the shred basket prior to them being shredded. In the federal stalking case, Greenberg has already entered a plea of not guilty.

Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal stalking charges after federal prosecutors say he is accused of harassing a political opponent. Greenberg, 35, served as Seminole County tax collector since January 2017. Greenberg entered a not guilty plea Sunday through his attorney, waiving his in-person arraignment in the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida. Greenberg is accused of spreading false information about a political opponent who worked at a Seminole County school and attempting to cause “substantial emotional distress,” documents show. Republican Seminole County Tax Collector candidate Brian Beute confirmed through his attorney the actions described in the federal indictment were targeted at him.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A day after being indicted on federal stalking charges stemming from a series of online incidents involving a political opponent, Joel Greenberg has resigned from his position as Seminole County tax collector. The attorney representing the Seminole County Tax Collector’s Office confirmed the news Wednesday evening. “Brian and his family are relieved and grateful that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has fought to bring the perpetrator of this nightmare to justice.”Greenberg, 35, had served as Seminole County tax collector since January 2017. During that time, he’s made headlines for trespassing a Seminole County commissioner, sharing an anti-Muslim Facebook post and asking for a pass during a traffic stop. During a federal court appearance Tuesday, a judge granted Greenberg a conditional release.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg was indicted in federal court Tuesday on charges of stalking and unlawful use of means to identify another person in an attempt to upset a fellow candidate, according to court records filed in the Middle District of Florida. Greenberg is accused of spreading false information about a political opponent who worked at a Seminole County school and attempting to cause “substantial emotional distress,” documents show. Greenberg’s arrest this morning came as a surprise to all of us in the office,” said Brian Bieber, the attorney representing the Seminole County Tax Collector’s Office. Greenberg, 35, has been the tax collector in Seminole County since January 2017 and is no stranger to controversy. Early in his post, Greenberg trespassed a Seminole County commissioner and in 2018 came under fire for sharing an anti-Muslim Facebook post.