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4h ago

Acosta Testifies Behind Closed Doors in House Probe of 2008 Epstein Deal

Comer said the testimony will guide next steps, with a transcript release pending alongside new requests for financial records and unredacted estate materials.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta speaks during a press conference on July 10, 2019, at the Labor Department in Washington, D.C. Secretary Acosta discussed his role in the sexual abuse case of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. (Alex Wong/Getty Images North America/TNS)
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)

Overview

  • Alexander Acosta sat for a transcribed, closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee on Friday regarding his role in Epstein’s 2008 non-prosecution agreement.
  • Chairman James Comer said the committee will release the interview transcript, seek bank records from Treasury, and obtain unredacted estate ledgers, calendars, call logs, and message logs.
  • Democrats exiting the session called Acosta evasive and unremorseful, while FBI Director Kash Patel earlier in the week labeled Acosta’s handling of the early case the scandal’s “original sin.”
  • A GOP readout said Acosta cited evidentiary risks that drove the plea deal, claimed he expected no work release, expressed remorse for the decision, and said he never saw President Trump’s name in Epstein-related documents.
  • The deposition follows the committee’s broader probe that has subpoenaed DOJ files, released Bill Barr’s deposition, and reviewed batches of estate documents, against the backdrop of a 2020 DOJ watchdog finding that Acosta showed poor judgment in the 2008 deal.