Transcripts released Monday reveal that Florida prosecutors were aware of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual assault of teenage girls two years before agreeing to a plea deal that has been widely criticized for being too lenient. This missed opportunity to imprison him earlier has sparked outrage and scrutiny.
The 2006 grand jury investigation was the first in a series of probes over the past two decades into Epstein’s rape and sex trafficking of minors, shedding light on how his connections to the wealthy and influential shielded him from serious consequences for years.
The investigations exposed Epstein’s close ties to prominent figures like former President Bill Clinton, Britain’s Prince Andrew, and former President Donald Trump, among others. Despite the damning evidence, no criminal charges were brought against them.
Circuit Judge Luis Delgado’s unexpected release of around 150 pages of transcripts on Monday marked a significant development, as there was no scheduled hearing on unsealing the graphic testimony. Governor Ron DeSantis had authorized the release following the signing of a bill in February allowing for the disclosure in cases like Epstein’s.
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The transcripts revealed shocking details of Epstein’s heinous acts, including rape of girls as young as 14 at his Palm Beach mansion. The victims testified that they were paid by Epstein for sexual acts, and some were incentivized to recruit more girls for him.
The plea deal reached in 2008 allowed Epstein to avoid more severe federal charges and instead plead guilty to state charges, resulting in a lenient sentence of 1.5 years in jail with work-release privileges. The criticism of the deal led to the resignation of Trump’s labor secretary, Alex Acosta, who had overseen the prosecution.
Victims’ attorney Brad Edwards criticized the handling of the case, stating that minimal charges were pursued against Epstein despite overwhelming evidence of his crimes. Epstein’s estate is now compensating over 125 victims with $155 million in restitution.
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