Embattled Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday afternoon to address his handling the of the prosecution for sex crimes of Jeffrey Epstein in 2008.
Numerous lawmakers have called for Acosta to resign, arguing that as a then-U.S. Attorney he agreed to a sweetheart plea deal for Epstein, a wealthy and well-connected Florida resident. Epstein had faced a 53-count federal indictment, but was given a deal that resulted in just 13 months in county jail.
A Labor Department announcement said Acosta would “answer questions regarding the Epstein matter” and gave no indication that he would resign.
On Monday, Epstein was again indicted on sex trafficking charges, which drew fresh attention to the prior prosecution. Acosta has repeatedly defended his handling of it, arguing he got a better deal than the Justice Department had initially sought and that the victims received restitution.
“With the evidence available more than a decade ago, federal prosecutors insisted that Epstein go to jail, register as a sex offender and put the world on notice that he was a sexual predator,” Acosta tweeted Tuesday, adding: “Now that new evidence and additional testimony is available, the NY prosecution offers an important opportunity to more fully bring him to justice.”
Victims in the case have said Acosta cut the deal without consulting with them first. The Justice Department announced in February that it would investigate whether the plea deal violated the Crime Victim’s Rights Act, which requires victims be notified. The same month a federal judge ruled that Acosta’s plea deal violated the act. Congressional Democrats have grilled him on it during appearances on Capitol Hill.
Numerous lawmakers have called for him to resign. “Secretary Acosta showed a blatant disregard for the child victims of Mr. Epstein. As a former Attorney General of Nevada who has fought against the sexual exploitation of women and children, it’s clear to me that Secretary Acosta must resign,” said Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto. “Acosta cannot remain as Secretary of Labor and should resign,” tweeted Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey.
