According to two people familiar with the matter, federal investigators’ concerns over efforts to obstruct the probe date back to at least last fall, when the examination of the Florida Republican was not yet public knowledge. One of the people said investigators have been told about Gaetz and an associate discussing a plan to talk with Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend in October 2020 about the ongoing sex crimes investigation. Investigators have also been provided material about the alleged discussion, the person said.