• some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
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    5 months ago

    I only skimmed the opening but it didn’t appear to suggest that anyone underage / non-consensual was paid. I have no problem with selling / buying sex between consenting adults. He’s a scumbag and I want him gone, but consensual sex for money shouldn’t be illegal. If they’re underage, that’s a different story.

    • mosiacmango@lemm.ee
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      5 months ago

      Yet. He paid a minor for sex. It was confirmed by his co-conspirator and the women who was a minor at the time. His co-conspirator is in prison partially for that rape/payment.

      The DOJ dropped its investigation because Gaetz is a powerful ally of the former president, comes from a Florida politcal dynasty, his convicted co-conspirator has credibility issues from past lies about politicians, and because the rape victim refused to testify.

      None of the above mean that he didnt rape that women, it just means the DOJ are wimps that wont take a case if its hard to win.

      • III@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        the DOJ are wimps that wont take a case if its hard to win

        Taking on losing cases is a waste of time and resources. There isn’t even a moral victory to be had in a loss. Even if the accused was actually guilty, their win will be used as vindication and often proof that they did not do the crime. It’s a bad idea all around.

        • mosiacmango@lemm.ee
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          5 months ago

          Pursuing justice is never a bad idea. What you have here is the DOJ being afraid to do that because of politics, and because they want to keep their 90%+ conviction rate.

          The fact that he committed the crime isn’t even really in dispute. It will just be hard to overcome the politics, so they gave up.

    • TheLowestStone@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      I agree that paying an adult for consensual sex shouldn’t be illegal but, it is. So, the “party of law and order” should be held to their own shitty standards.

      • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
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        5 months ago

        A fair point, but not one that will win any arguments or concessions from his supporters. Their hypocrisy knows no bounds.

    • NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      I feel the same when it’s a story about a politician and drug use. Like sure they might be a hypocrite, but fuck off with that scandal.