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Acosta Appears for Closed-Door Deposition in House Probe of Epstein Plea Deal

The session advances lawmakers’ scrutiny of the 2008 agreement that let Jeffrey Epstein avoid a federal trial.

FILE- In this July 30, 2008 file photo, Jeffrey Epstein is shown in custody in West Palm Beach, Fla. Labor Secretary nominee Alexander Acosta is expected to face questions at his Senate confirmation hearing about an unusual plea deal he oversaw for Epstein, a Florida billionaire and sex offender, as U.S. attorney in Miami. Federal prosecutors say a once-secret plea deal reached over a decade ago with Epstein must stand, despite objections from many of his victims. Prosecutors said in a new court filing that a violation of the Crime Victims’ Rights Act does not allow for the agreement to be voided. (Uma Sanghvi/Palm Beach Post via AP)
Then-Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta speaks discusses his role in the Jeffrey Epstein case, in Washington, DC, on July 10, 2019.
FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump, left, and Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta listen during a meeting of the President's National Council of the American Worker in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. The arrest of billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein on child sex trafficking charges is raising new questions about the future of Acosta as well as Epstein’s relationships with several major political figures, including President Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Monday, June 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Overview

  • Alexander Acosta appeared voluntarily Friday for a behind-closed-doors deposition with the House Oversight Committee about his role in Epstein’s 2008 non-prosecution agreement.
  • Chair James Comer said he expected a challenging interview lasting roughly six hours.
  • The committee has subpoenaed the Justice Department for Epstein-related files and received two batches of records from Epstein’s estate, including letters given to him for his 50th birthday.
  • Investigators have released former Attorney General Bill Barr’s deposition connected to the inquiry.
  • Lawmakers met with abuse survivors and are working with the Treasury Department to obtain bank activity reports, while subpoenas for Alberto Gonzales and Jeff Sessions were withdrawn after sworn denials of relevant knowledge.