Florida’s governor announced today that state law enforcement launched an investigation into the decade-old case against jet-setting financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Gov. Ron DeSantis asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to take over the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s criminal inquiry into Epstein and to look into misconduct “beyond the reported concerns” about Epstein’s work release.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County’s top cop since 2004, launched an internal and criminal investigation in July into his office’s handling of Epstein, who had been accused of having sex with underage girls.
Alex Acosta, the former U.S. attorney for Southern Florida, reached an agreement in 2008 with Epstein’s attorneys where Epstein pleaded guilty to two state-level solicitation charges. Epstein served just 13 months at the Palm Beach County Stockade in 2008, but was allowed out on work release for 12 hours per day and six days per week. He also paid restitution and registered as a sex offender.
The agreement was struck before investigators finished interviewing all alleged victims and was kept secret from some. Acosta resigned amid increased scrutiny.
Bradshaw wrote to DeSantis requesting the state takeover Tuesday. Bradshaw pledged the “cooperation and participation” of his office, and asked DeSantis to look at “every aspect” of the case “from court sentencing to incarceration.” Bradshaw said he’d continue his internal probe.
The indictment against Epstein from July alleges he sexually abused dozens of minor girls at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach between 2002 and 2005. Some victims were as young as 14 at the time the alleged crimes occurred.
A federal judge presiding over Epstein’s case denied him bail. Epstein’s trial won’t begin until next summer at the earliest.
