Labor Secretary Acosta defends role in Epstein plea deal, faults state prosecutors
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Labor secretary defends his handling of Epstein plea deal, invited to Capitol Hill hearing
Though he has the public support of President Trump, it remains to be seen whether Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta's detailed defense of his handling of accused financier Jeffrey Epstein's 2008 sex trafficking casewill be enough to ultimately save his job. On Wednesday, he pushed back against calls for him to step down over his past involvement in a plea deal for Epstein, saying his office fought for a tougher punishment after state prosecutors were ready to let him "walk free." Acosta, who was U.S. attorney for Florida at the time, helped Epstein secure a plea deal that resulted in an 18-month sentence. (He served just 13 months.) The deal was criticized as lenient because Epstein could have faced a life sentence. Epstein was charged this week with sex trafficking and conspiracy during the early 2000s based on new evidence.
Though he has the public support of President Trump, it remains to be seen whether Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta's detailed defense of his handling of accused financier Jeffrey Epstein's 2008 sex trafficking casewill be enough to ultimately save his job. On Wednesday, he pushed back against calls for him to step down over his past involvement in a plea deal for Epstein, saying his office fought for a tougher punishment after state prosecutors were ready to let him "walk free." Acosta, who was U.S. attorney for Florida at the time, helped Epstein secure a plea deal that resulted in an 18-month sentence. (He served just 13 months.) The deal was criticized as lenient because Epstein could have faced a life sentence. Epstein was charged this week with sex trafficking and conspiracy during the early 2000s based on new evidence.
Barry Krischer, the Palm Beach County, Fla., state attorney at the time, accused Acosta of revisionist history. The labor secretary will not escape further scrutiny. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have invited him to testify at a July 23 hearing that will examine his actions related to Epstein.
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