Labor Secretary Acosta Defends Handling of Epstein Case, Says He Tried to Avoid Deal Allowing Epstein to ‘Walk Free’

‘Simply put, the Palm Beach state attorney’s office was willing to let Epstein walk free, no jail time, nothing’

EXCERPT:

ACOSTA: “This matter started as a statement. It was prosecuted initially by the state of Florida and not by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In 2006, grand jury convened by the state attorney, the District Attorney of Palm Beach County, reviewed the evidence and recommended a single charge, and that charge would have resulted in no jail time at all, no registration as a sexual offender and no restitution to the victim. Further, the State Attorney’s Office allowed Epstein to self-surrender and arraigned him the following morning. Simply put, the Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office was ready to let Epstein walk free, no jail time, nothing. Prosecutors in my former office found this to be completely unacceptable and they became involved. Our office became involved. Our prosecutors, as this 2008 article recounts, presented the ultimatum: Plead guilty to more serious charges, charges that require jail time, registration and restitution, or we roll the dice and bring a federal indictment. Without the work of our prosecutors Epstein would have gotten away with just that state charge.” 

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