More than a dozen House Democrats signed a letter this week demanding an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein be reopened by the Department of Justice.
“We urge the DOJ to reopen the non-prosecution agreement to allow for a thorough investigation of these heinous crimes,’’ the representatives wrote in the letter to newly appointed Attorney General William Barr.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Fla., was the lead signatory on the letter.
Epstein, who pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in prostitution, served 13 months in a county jail in Florida before being released in a work-release agreement. He was being investigated over allegations of sex trafficking. The arrangement was negotiated by the Miami U.S. Attorney’s office, led by Alexander Acosta, who currently serves as the U.S. Secretary of Labor.
A federal judge found that the negotiation struck by Acosta infringed upon the rights of the victims in the Epstein case and thus ordered for the records to be unsealed. The deal provided gave federal immunity for the alleged crimes to Epstein and co-conspirators. The identity of the co-conspirators remained sealed.
Lawmakers have already been pushing for Acosta to resign his post in the administration. Newly elected Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., has also been on the same side as the House Democrats, calling last month for a full review of the deal struck with Epstein.
