Joel Greenberg Named as Witness in ‘Ghost’ Candidate Case
Local News Staff 
Former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg has been named as a witness in the state’s case against an independent “ghost” candidate who ran for a competitive state Senate seat in 2020 and the Seminole County GOP Chairman who aided her candidacy.
Greenberg, who is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to sex trafficking and other federal crimes over a year ago, has been listed as a witness against GOP Chair Ben Paris and former candidate Jestine Iannotti, who face criminal charges in connection with the scheme, which has roiled Florida politics during the past two years.
The former tax collector, who resigned from his post after his 2020 arrest, was named as a witness in records posted to the Seminole County Clerk’s website on Tuesday. Greenberg is listed as a Category “C,” witness, which means he isn’t expected to testify at Paris’ and Iannotti’s trials, but has provided information about the case.
Paris, who is facing a misdemeanor charge, is scheduled to stand for trial next week. He is accused of contributing to Iannotti’s candidacy in his cousin’s name. Iannotti faces a felony charge and five misdemeanors.
