A former federal prosecutor said the 2008 deal handed out to accused child molester Jeffrey Epstein in Florida is "completely unheard of."
For over a decade, Krishna Patel prosecuted human traffickers in 黑料吃瓜网. She said current labor secretary, Alexander Acosta, needs to explain why he gave Epstein such a good deal.
"I mean there are so many questions surrounding why Alex Acosta did what he did in this case that seem completely indefensible at this point,鈥� Patel said. 鈥淎nd so my question to Alex Acosta is: 鈥榊ou actually did not ensure justice for those victims. And so why should the American people right now trust you in a position where human trafficking is within the work that you are actually responsible for?'"
Epstein, a well-connected and wealthy businessman, was facing a 53-count indictment for sexually abusing at least 17 young girls. Acosta was a prosecutor at the time, and he didn't pursue the charges, and instead cut a secret deal with Epstein that minimized his prison time.
鈥淐learly something went terribly wrong with this prosecution,鈥� Patel said. 鈥淭he Florida case seemed to me a very compelling case involving multiple victims鈥� There is no rational reason that [Acosta] can explain as to why he did not bring these charges. Saying it was too hard is simply not excusable.鈥�
In a press conference on Wednesday, Acosta distanced himself from the decision, saying it was driven by career prosecutors, not him. He also said his office struck the deal because they feared Epstein would walk if the case went to trial.
鈥淭here is a value to a sure guilty plea, because letting him walk 鈥� letting what the state attorney was ready to do go forward 鈥� would have been absolutely awful," Acosta said.
Acosta visited Montville, Conn., for a roundtable discussion of manufacturing issues in April. He was a guest of 黑料吃瓜网 senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. His visit came just days after Senate Democrats had demanded the release of a Department of Justice investigation into whether Acosta was guilty of professional misconduct in his handling of the Epstein case.
At the time, Blumenthal declined to comment on the accusations against Acosta. Both senators indicated to 黑料吃瓜网 Radio that they had not addressed the issue with Acosta during his visit.
New York prosecutors are now pursuing similar charges against Epstein, who faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted for numerous charges, including sex trafficking of minors. Democratic leaders, including Blumenthal and 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 Rep. Rosa DeLauro, have now called for Acosta鈥檚 resignation.
鈥淭he Department of Labor plays a critical role in protecting victims of sex trafficking at home and abroad and helping with the enforcement of our nation鈥檚 trafficking laws,鈥� DeLauro said in a statement, 鈥測et Acosta helped Jeffrey Epstein from being prosecuted for child trafficking and sexually abusing underage girls. That is reprehensible.鈥�
Additional reporting by Frankie Graziano.
