Jeffrey Epstein Allegedly Got ‘Sweetheart’ DOJ Deal In Case Where He Faced 60 Counts: Report

Jeffrey Epstein’s 2008 plea deal is facing renewed scrutiny as some allege that the sex predator received special treatment and a “sweetheart” deal from federal prosecutors, according to a new report.

In 2007, an FBI investigation into Epstein resulted in a draft of a federal indictment that included 60 counts. However, then U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta approved a plea deal with Epstein’s attorneys where he would plead guilty to a state charge of soliciting a minor for prostitution, rather than face federal prosecution.

As part of the deal, Epstein agreed to a sentence of 18 months and to register as a sex offender.

CBS News reported this week that after serving just four months, Epstein received an arrangement where he could leave jail for 16 hours a day, six days a week. The agreement was part of a work release program and Epstein would perform tasks for Florida Science Foundation, a charitable organization he had established.

The outlet recalled that Epstein was driven around by his bodyguard and his personal attorney was listed as his supervisor. In fact, his SUV that was used for the trips was outfitted with a bed. CBS News reported that the account was made by a woman who alleged her and Epstein engaged in sexual activity in the vehicle in the jail parking lot.

“I think it’s absolutely disgusting the lack of oversight by the local police department,” Spencer Kuvin, a Florida attorney who represented many of Epstein’s accusers, told CBS News.

“If all of this is true, they allow a sexual predator to continue his activities even while he was supposed to be in custody and it just highlights the nature of the sweetheart deal that he got and the preferential treatment he received because of his wealth,” he said.

A 2020 investigation into Epstein’s plea deal found no official misconduct by Acosta, but it did criticize his judgment.

“Acosta’s decision to decline to initiate a federal prosecution of Epstein was within the scope of his authority,” the report states. It noted that Acosta refused defense requests to “eliminate incarceration and sex offender registration requirements.”

“Nevertheless, (the investigation) concludes that Acosta’s decision to resolve the federal investigation through the (plea agreement) constitutes poor judgment,” the report states.

The report noted that the agreement left the execution of the sentence largely out of Acosta’s control: “Acosta failed to consider the difficulties inherent in a resolution that relied heavily on action by numerous state officials over whom he had no authority; he resolved the federal investigation before significant investigative steps were completed; and he agreed to several unusual and problematic terms in the NPA without the consideration required under the circumstances.”