The Deep State Attack on Matt Gaetz

How a Fraudster, a DOJ Insider, and the Media Tried to Destroy Matt Gaetz

Unraveling the Attack on Gaetz: Fraud, Lies, and Fallout

November 16th, 2024: By, Walter Curt

As Rep. Matt Gaetz emerges as President-Elect Donald Trump’s pick for Attorney General, it is crucial to revisit the story of how the Deep State once attempted to destroy him. At the center of this wild scheme was Stephen Alford, a convicted fraudster who exploited sensitive information about Gaetz’s indictment—information he likely obtained from former Department of Justice official David McGee. Alford used this insider knowledge to launch a fraudulent operation disguised as a humanitarian mission, “Project Homecoming.”

This operation didn’t just target Gaetz—it ensnared others, including a private military contractor, Bob Kent, and news producer Jake Novak. While some may have believed they were contributing to a legitimate effort to rescue U.S. intelligence officer Robert Levinson, it became clear that Stephen Alford and former DOJ official David McGee manipulated these individuals to further their extortion plot. McGee’s behind-the-scenes involvement raises serious questions about how Alford gained insider knowledge of Matt Gaetz’s legal troubles and how the scheme was allowed to progress.

The Extortion Plot

In 2021, Stephen Alford devised a scheme to extort $25 million from Don Gaetz, Matt Gaetz’s father. The funds, Alford claimed, would both secure a presidential pardon for Matt Gaetz—then under federal investigation—and finance the rescue of Robert Levinson, an intelligence officer who disappeared in Iran in 2007.

Armed with insider knowledge of the federal investigation into Matt Gaetz—an investigation that ultimately resulted in no charges—Alford approached Don Gaetz with promises of resolving his son’s legal troubles with political favor. To make the operation appear credible, Alford dubbed it “Project Homecoming,” tying the supposed humanitarian mission of rescuing Levinson to Gaetz’s purported need for “goodwill” from the U.S. government.

The blend of humanitarian aims with legal maneuvering gave the scheme an air of legitimacy, but it was ultimately a carefully constructed extortion plot, leveraging high-profile figures and sensitive information for personal gain.

The Contractor

Stephen Alford’s fraudulent scheme gained traction when David McGee, a former DOJ official and attorney for the Levinson family, introduced him to Bob Kent. Kent, a highly effective private military contractor known for exfiltrating American intelligence assets, had long advocated for Robert Levinson’s release, even attempting to rescue Levinson himself in 2018.

By involving Kent, Alford gave “Project Homecoming” a veneer of legitimacy. Kent’s proven track record lent credibility to the operation, but it also set him up as a scapegoat. The scheme discredited Kent, falsely painting him as an extortionist and silencing his public advocacy for Levinson.

This appears to have been orchestrated by McGee, who used his DOJ connections to link Alford with Kent. The result was a dual attack: smearing Kent’s reputation and amplifying the media frenzy around the Gaetz scandal, all while Alford’s criminal activities continued unchecked.

The Journalist

Jake Novak, a media producer and former staffer at the Israeli consulate, became entangled in the chaos through his long-time friendship with Bob Kent. Having supported Kent’s efforts to publicize the disappearance of Robert Levinson and advocate for his rescue, Novak believed he was aiding a legitimate mission when he became involved in “Project Homecoming.”

Novak reached out to Dilbert creator Scott Adams to help publicize the effort, unaware that his involvement would be weaponized. His messages were leaked to Politico, where journalist Marc Caputo falsely framed Novak as a key figure in an extortion plot. This misdirection shielded Alford and McGee from scrutiny while leaving Novak to bear the brunt of the fallout.

The tactic worked. Even Matt Gaetz publicly questioned Novak’s role, reinforcing the false narrative and leaving Novak as collateral damage in a media frenzy that exploited his good intentions and trust in Kent.

However, the scheme began to unravel when Don Gaetz reported Alford’s extortion attempt to the FBI and agreed to wear a wire. The evidence gathered during the sting operation exposed Alford as the architect of the plot, ultimately leading to his indictment and a 63-month prison sentence for wire fraud.

A Failed Deep State Attack

This operation highlights the Deep State’s use of insider knowledge, media manipulation, and collateral damage to target political opponents. Armed with confidential DOJ information allegedly provided by David McGee, Stephen Alford launched a scheme that sought not only to extort the Gaetz family but also to silence key figures advocating for Robert Levinson’s rescue.

The plot amplified baseless controversies around Matt Gaetz, fueling media and investigative scrutiny. It also damaged Jake Novak’s reputation, falsely painting him as a central figure in an extortion attempt. Bob Kent, a private military contractor working to rescue Levinson, was publicly smeared, potentially compromising his ability to operate in his field. While Kent was eventually exonerated and identified only as “Person A” in court records due to his video evidence, the damage to his reputation was significant.

Although Alford was sentenced to 63 months in prison, David McGee—who likely provided the insider DOJ information and introduced Alford to Kent—faced no consequences. Matt Gaetz’s spokesperson, Harlan Hill, emphasized the need for accountability, stating as the story broke: “One of the men involved in that attempt, Stephen Alford, was today indicted. But Alford wasn’t acting alone.” Hill called for the others involved to face justice.

This failed attack succeeded in creating chaos, damaging careers, and diverting attention from its true perpetrators. For Gaetz and his family, it was a targeted assault; for the American people, it’s a stark reminder of the Deep State’s willingness to destroy lives to protect its power.