Trump seems to have a miserable case of the Epstein-Barr virus. But now we all suffer.
30
Epstein is a friend of Bill
Clinton is his party buddy and Clinton’s DOJ gave him a sweet deal in 2008
13
Read Clinton's letter outlining the details of his relationship with Epstein. I wonder when we will see something like it from Trump? Don't hold your breath.
15
George W. Bush was in office 2001 to 2009.
33
My bet is the pardon drops long before the tapes do.
16
We like to think we've evolved and created laws to stop incomprehensible crimes like these from happening. Child protection laws have been made to protect the young from predators who will take advantage of them and make them think it's their own fault. From Weinstein to Cosby to Kelly and every other powerful man who thinks he is entitled to his picadillos at the expense of a female it always follows a similar pattern. The victim has less power and feels they must do what is asked to get money, a job etc. These were children who were exploited because many came from broken homes, drug abuse and poverty. Who is going to believe them over a "nice guy" billionaire? Americans like to we are a classless society but that has never been true.
16
I am not paying attention because the Trump pardon with wash this all away.
5
"Attorney General William P. Barr said on Monday during a trip to South Carolina that he had recused himself from the case because Mr. Barr’s former law firm, Kirkland & Ellis, had represented Mr. Epstein." OK, and it appears that Barr and Acosta have been long time GOP OPERATIVES that go way back, - one has to wonder if they got together to help Mr. Barr's client....
Sure would love to see that intersection examined.....
14
I am curious why the sex acts are described. Is it not enough to say that he had engaged in sexual acts with minors...with children? The description of what he did and how he did it is crude and shocking. What he did is horribly grotesque in and of itself. There is no need to paint a picture.
10
So many commenters have remarked that the Times is not telling it like it is when referring to evidence and description of his supposed crimes.
Is it because the Times is treading on a sensitive case and doesn't want a lawsuit? You know how nasty a powerful billionaire can be....
6
Great reporting. Eventually, numbers might be helpful in illuminating the extent of lives destroyed.
Was it dozens of girls (classroom-full) or thousands (the entire school district)? Both numbers are cited currently.
4
The most important thing here is not what he did, but who else is protected by the former deal, and who else has been to his party's after that.
It seems to me that the reason he got of that easy was because of other once that was protected by his deal.
like Clinton, Trump and so on...
7
Yes. The most important thing here is what he did .
He molested young girls. He hurt them . He abused and took advantage of them .
11
Well, maybe these girls/women will get some justice. Can't say the same for the victims of MJ.
5
There’s no doubt Epstein must pay for his crimes. But why not have him serve a lighter jail sentence and instead make heavy donations for ten years to some philosophic organizations. Especially ones supporting homeless girls.
Use his money to hurt him financially; instead of tax supported jails.
1
"Mr. Epstein’s lawyer, Reid Weingarten, said the allegations in the indictment had already been settled in 2008. “To us this indictment is essentially a do-over,” he said. “This is old stuff. This is ancient stuff.”
What a disgusting thing to say, even for a lawyer.
22
I hope that this guy, and everyone else that assisted on getting the underage females "shipped" to him end up in prison.
The now-secretary of Labor needs to resign immediately and explain why he allowed the rapist to essentially go free to continue to abuse others.
Of course, because he is rich and "above" the law, right?
What a bunch of criminals and cowards!
19
A couple of years ago while on holiday in Portugal, an Australian journalist in my hotel asked me about OJ Simpson. He said that every time OJ was back in the news, something bad happens in America. So a couple of months ago or so, OJ was mentioned in the press and I paused for breath. This Epstein mess will bring down the country if the press can dig the full truth out into the open.
6
@Charles, Mention Oj's lawyer and salt in Clinton and Prince Andrew........
1
Just waiting for El Presidente to Tweet that Epstein is a "nice guy" and - hey!- he's denying the charges so he must be innocent.
14
One can only speculate, but it seems likely to me the girls are not the only people in those photos that Epstein had locked in a safe.
13
There is a common theme here between "Jeffy" Epstien and "Harv" Weinstein.
5
@swampwiz, Weinstein looks like a neophyte against the resources of a "esteemed legal scholar" aka as A. Dershowitz.
10
Are these new charges? He pled guilty to the former charges and the judge gave him a sentence of 13 months but with work release. Deals are cut on a regular basis and victims more often than not do not take part. No reason for Acosta to resign as his current job had no bearing on his job as a prosecutor. 11 years j[have passed since the "deal" was cut and no one complained until now?
He had to leave the jail to run the hedge fund and also keep the hedge around his recruiting office tidy and neat so that young girls would agree to work for him.
Why blame him for doing his job properly?
4
He lives directly across the street from Bill Cosby.
4
We live in a world of the haves and the have nots. I think of the young man who was in Rikers Island falsely accused of stealing a backpack. For the lack of money he was imprisoned for months, his treatment in prison was so horrific when finally released he committed suicide.
We the people have allowed these rich monsters, politicians to do whatever they want to do and get away with it. No one in the judicial prison system had to account for anything. The story made headlines and then faded to the back pages, the superintendent of the prison made trips back to Vermont or wherever he lived continued his lavish lifestyle, the mayor did nothing and none is running for president so abuse to regular people just doesn't matter.
The mayors mental health program is stalled and people are sleeping in the NYC streets.
So the religious community IE Priests, have been abusing children for decades in plain sight, people are criticizing the Pope for not moving fast enough.
We all need to look in the mirror because we dont hold elected officials, the judicial system to account for their deliberate misleading activities. In a few days another horrific sweetheart deal will come to light. A country whose financial engine is run by greed, power always takes care of there own.
Look at Facebook they don't account for any of there lies here in America, in Europe it is a different story they are held financially accountable for transgressions, difference people are first not last.
33
Why do Epstein's accomplices, who were given immunity in the 2006 plea deal, avoid being charged as part of the sex trafficking ring this week? The Palm Beach Police Dept. has loads of evidence from the first search of Epstein's house, which is public record. Three women have escaped justice so far, and they figure significantly in the recruitment and abuse of underage girls. One of them continues to be the personal jet pilot of Epstein.
17
so for Ken Starr, investigator of Clinton, this behavior was ok for Epstein?? consenting, seemingly manipulating adult vs under-aged girls.. shame
29
Secretary Acosta, now calling Epstein's crimes 'horrific", but let Epstein plead to a charge of prostitution, carrying a much lesser sentence. Epstein was allowed to leave jail 6 days a week for 12 hours a day.
No child of the age of 14 can be a prostitute, no matter if money was exchanged for sex. These girls were raped and abused.
Secretary Acosta needs to step down immediately. No one can give an incredibly generous plea deal to a remorseless child molester and still expect to hold the public’s trust. He failed Jeffrey Epstein’s victims. He failed the people of South Florida. He cannot continue to serve.
Why is every single republican such a hypocrite?
210
There is no question abuse took place and Epstein broke the law, but the girls weren’t kept in cages...nearly all of them came back to his residence to do it again, willingly, for money. We treat some juveniles as adults for crimes like premeditated murder...it takes premeditation to go back to a serial predator...for money. There is no question many of these girls made poor, immature and uninformed choices...like teenagers do.
4
@Deb. You mean outside of Clinton and all the democrats? I'm sure they all thought his campaign donations were ok.
6
@J House Cold hearted way of looking at sexual abuse.
43
The stench of the Trump administration and associates is overwhelming.
18
But evangelicals love Trump
18
The reporters at the Miami Herald who repeatedly reported and investigated this story deserve a Pulitzer Prize.
Other newspapers need to catch up.
33
Why are the words "child pornography" being avoided when talking of the cache of "lewd pictures " of young girls?
32
Three simple reasons, these crimes allegedly involve a white Caucasian male with friends in high places and an enormous bank balance.
22
And to think Al Franken resigned over a tasteless "air feel". The level of depravity difference is profound...and the best part is the supporters of the predators are mostly the party of morality. I'm sure a few Dems will fall out of the pile as well, but most of them won't be....
23
Donald Trump said that Epstein was a "Terrific Guy" despite the fact that Trump knew he was having relations with very young girls. This tells us that Mr Trump's sense of values and moral judgment is very highly flawed. Something many of us already knew because of other Trump statements.
16
Looking at the big picture, it's obvious an anti-sex propaganda campaign has been ongoing. Why? Is it an anti-abortion goal? Is it an effort to divert attention from Trump? Is it some desperate attempt at limiting the population growth of their opposition or some sick social engineering? These questions should not be impossible to consider after all we know.
Anti sex? What are you taking about ? This is abuse of minor children .
This isn’t sex . It’s rape. And it’s illegal
15
I would feel much better if it were the State of New York bringing these charges.
16
Reading the comments, Barr seems to be more involved in this than just representing Epstein. Also, in the Kavanaugh appointment, Justice Kennedy seemed more involved than just that he was lobbied by Trump to resign--his son worked on the money laundering loans from the Russians at Deutsche Bank. Giuliani, in a moment of truth trying to defend his indefensible client Trump, may have stated what is going on here--rich clients hiring expensive lawyers on a regular basis to cover up crimes, here sex crimes, and buy silence from the victims and courts. Giuliani said this was normal.
Then we have Cohen reportedly pressuring Falwell into an endorsement. One might guess that with his long term relationship with Trump, prosecutors were forced to concentrate only on what they saw as most relevant to what they could proceed with in court. There is probably an additional trove of misconduct by Trump that Cohen knows about. Emily Fox at Vanity Fair had practically moved in with Cohen at one time. Does she still have access now that he is in prison. One question: Cohen made a payoff to the NY D.A. for not prosecuting Trump's children, right?
Trump appointments show that he is mainly interested in having associates around him that have been compromised by criminal misconduct--people that he has something on that can be trusted. The sexual assault charges he may fear even more than the obvious Russian collusion, and that's why Barr is there.
14
The culture of depravity that permeates Trump and his mafia is palpable and expected. What should surprise some, perhaps, is that such depravity resonates positively with enough of the electorate to insure Trump's second term. The conclusion, following elementary logic, is unavoidable: The majority of the electorate that matters in the Electoral College is also marked by cultural depravity. Much of the American People are blind to this depravity, however. When they look in the mirror they see angelical white faces, not the culturally-depraved Trump voters they actually are.
12
These wealthy, arrogant criminal types treat girls/women as just disposable things be exploited. This attests to their power and superiority in their own eyes.
And Trump, courtiers and pals treat the American people as things to be exploited for financial gain and power. It's sociopathic, but unfortunately legalized in our politics.
The principle is the same. Sexual and economic and political. assertion of dominance. Denial of basic human dignity.
This is what plagues American democracy in the 21st Century.
15
It's now obvious the New York prosecutors, possibly Giuliani as well, participated in my ongoing case, since around 1977 in stealing my coal invention and my witness, my dad's murder.
1
What needs to be investigated are the government motives of stigmatizing sex by propaganda efforts in this case and several others since Trump took office. Their strategy seems to be making sex look evil in all eyes by cherry picking horrible cases such as this. Is Trump retaliating? There is far more to this story.
2
@shakinspear are you ok?
14
Hope with all my heart that this time former “Harvard professor” Dershowitz get it!!! It so much so much despicable actions from so many fronts that I also hope that they all, finally, fall.
14
This is what a Plutocracy (government by the wealthiest) looks like. It is appropriate that we have Trump as President: a man who came by his wealth through a combination of inheritance, fraud, cheating, lying, and stealing.
Trump is no different than Epstein, he just likes older women. As many may recall, Trump bragged, "I can grab women by the genitals and kiss them just because I am famous (wealthy)."
And of course, Trump, the serial sexual assaulter, is friends with Epstein, another serial sexual assaulter.
These men are pigs to be sure but they are also criminals. And the only reason they are not in jail is because they have money to buy "justice" by paying their defenders - men like Alan Dershowitz - to get them off.
Justice Kennedy is famous for saying that opening the flood gates blocking money from corrupting our elections wouldn't make Americans cynical about democracy in America.
Of course it has. No serious person would think otherwise. What Justice Kennedy failed to foresee is that the wealthy would assume even greater privilege in our society. Men like Jeffrey Epstein know that they can buy politicians including supposed law enforcement officials like Mr. Acosta (Trump's secretary of labor - still!) and thus get away with felonies.
Stand by for the usual Trump lies: "I don't even know the guy (Epstein)."
The Times needs to print an article documenting the longstanding Trump-Epstein friendship.
20
I wonder what all these young girls’ parents thought when their daughters came home with all that cash?
3
Most of these vulnerable young girls don’t have families. That’s why they were preyed upon.
23
@John Doe Not only was he taking advantage of very young teens for his own purposes (ok, allegedly), setting them up for a lifetime of problems, he only gave them what amounted to a pittance considering his resources.
So horrible person AND cheap???
8
Are you actually still looking for an answer other than "this knife swings too close to Dear Leader?" You aren't investigating nearly aggressively enough the myriad connections between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.
13
Why does this story not simply state whether or not the pig is in a cage right now, or running free? As it happens, he's in jail for at least another week:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/08/jeffrey-epstein-pleads-not-guilty-in-child-sex-trafficking-case.html
His new home is at 150 Park Row, New York, NY 10007,
which appears to be solidly constructed, but not nearly as swanky as it sounds from the address.
5
Acosta must be investigated here. He is the key figure in this horrible case.
106
I agree, but why wan't Epstein prosecuted during the 8 years of the Obama administration? DId it have anything to do with the fact that the former Secretary of State's husband could be called as a fact witness?
2
@Karn Griffen
Secretary Acosta has provided a reasonable explanation (i.e. he secured greater punishment than what would have resulted from what the grand jury was prepared to indict). Alas, we've grown a wee bit cynical of reasonable explanations from Trump administration personnel. There are a lot of reasons to be skeptical of his story. That he broke the law by not informing the victims is #1 on the list. In the meantime let's enjoy the outbreak of "putting lipstick on a pig".
3
@J House
It was most likely because it took some sharp investigative reporting to unbury this story. The court records were sealed.
12
If Barr has now decided not to recuse himself from the Epstein case in N.Y., we now know where this is headed, a la Mueller Report. How can Barr possibly not recuse himself? His dad hired Epstein as a teacher. Did Barr have a flashback to what happened to Sessions? "Recuse" is a very bad word in the White House and Barr has signed on for the long haul. Every day he looks more and more like a "capo" than a public servant. Is this good news for Epstein? It seems like bad news for the truth.
12
The Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen was a senior partner at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis, so wouldn't it follow that he would also have to recuse himself?
Is there anyone in that office who does not have a conflict of interest with the Epstein case?
If not does that create a wriggle out loophole for Barr's affirmative commitment to Ben Sasse's question re: a full and thorough investigation into the DOJ handling of the Epstein sex trafficking case, and thus a dodge the bullet, pass jail, collect immunity with impunity and keep on doing the same for everyone involved?
How to proceed if everyone has to recuse themselves?
Not an off-the-wall musing given the current admin's deep and tangled roots into all swamps.
7
And I wonder how many times this particular registered sex offender (RSO) has been welcomed into London from the US, presumably presenting his passport at the UK Border Control after a flight into Heathrow like every other visitor? Has he been required to notify local police in NY or FL when he intends to travel internationally? Has his name on an international flight manifest ever been red-flagged as a RSO, as a criminal? Has he ever been denied entry into the UK and ceremoniously put back on his private jet to be returned from whence he came? Why are certain US sex offenders denied entry to the UK when others are not? [Rhetorical.]
12
Mr. Epstein will never face the full legal consequences of his actions, because too many rich, famous, and influential men have victimized his stable of underage girls. This may be the #MeToo era, but that only goes so far when dealing with current and former presidents, British royalty, and less famous but no less influential men who have no desire to have their sexual peccadilloes exposed. Epstein will either be freed on a technicality or shanked while in jail.
10
If you are going to call them "girls" in one paragraph and "young women" in another paragraph, I need definitions to not see the writer as sexist. A "girl" is a female who has not started her menses cycle, while a young woman is a female who has recently started her menses cycle. To use both terms interchangeably is inexcusable and leaves me, the reader, wondering what are we talking about here. 10 year olds or 20 year olds? And are the 20 year olds held prisoner or are they saying "yes" and getting paid??
7
@RCJCHC - Agree with you in language and it does show how using one word or another connotes a whole different response.
Legally, if the females in question were 18, they are of age and if consent was involved, there is nothing further no matter how disgusted you are with the situation.
Legally, in the US, we have chosen to define the age of consent as 18, but it is 16 in many other countries that we would say are culturally similar to the US.
Most 16-17 year olds, male OR female that I have known as a parent, would give you the finger if you referred to them as 'children', and it is hard for me to equate a curious and aware 16yo young woman/man with 10 yo child.
Legally I understand it is a crime if <18, regardless of
consent - but conflating the two terms IS muddying the picture and ultimately playing into Epstein's likely defense that these young women told him they were 18.
4
@JerseyJon, Context; JFK and his brother Edward liked women, albeit on the young side. Same with Harvey. Epstein and Clinton, and Dershowitz preferred "girls". Gary Hart was all about women.
2
When questioned by the Senate, Acosta said he agreed to the deal because the grand jury voted to indict on charges that could have resulted in no jail time. Wow. The presenting ADA must have really put in a lot of effort into the case. And who was the judge who approved the deal? He or she should be investigated too
4
@ragman Read the Miami Herald there is a deep investigation about the many facets and people involved in this case, including those who colluded with the cover-up, and those who didn't and were harassed and threatened.
"There were really just two people willing to risk their careers to go after Epstein: Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter and Detective Joseph Recarey. "
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article220097825.html
7
It is important to note that William Barr has recused himself ONLY from the investigation into Epstein’s sweetheart “non-prosecution agreement in Florida.
He refuses to recuse himself from the current Epstein prosecution. William Barr’s father hired Jeffrey Epstein — who had dropped out of two colleges, had been arrested for breaking into mailboxes, and had no college degree whatsoever — to teach at the Dalton School.
What will it take to excise the corruption from this administration?
15
I admit, pure speculation on my part. But wouldn't it be divine if one or many of these pictures/videos directly implicated our supreme leader, Mr. Trump. Many have questioned as to why there seemed to have been a 'deal' struck between one of the women who was prepared to come forward on the eve of the 2016 election. She claimed, at the age of 13, she was repeatedly raped by both Epstein and trump at Epstein's mansion in NY. Thank you NYT and SDNY for your persistence.
19
It's sad to see the 'what about-isms' that turn up in public opinion stories like this. No matter who is involved, be it people that lean Democrats, people that lean Republicans, current Presidents, past Presidents, whoever has their hands dirty in this, may they be found out an punished. How quickly many forget that this is not a partisan issue; the only thing that matters are lives of all the women and minors in this case, and the abuse inflicted on them. End of story. Should you drag this into the arena as a 'gotcha' moment for people in politics you don't agree with then you have a loose grip on the reality and seriousness of the issue at hand.
10
It's long past time to stop protecting the patriarchy. As citizens of the world we must move beyond this destructive social construct.
8
“Too often, adults in our society have turned a blind eye to the type of criminal behavior alleged here”.
Law enforcement officers, we may presume, are adults. In another publication, I read that the sweet deal in Florida gave Epstein a "global" shield against further charges. But globally AND forever? That deal was back then in 2008. It seems that Mr. Epstein simply interruptus his offending behavior.
7
A commenter said ... 'Sounds like a classic case of Epstein Barr Virus.'
Indeed, and this illustrates our political problems.
Now we have a diagnosis of what ails us. One of the various diseases of criminality that infect the Trump, his courtiers and pals.
EBV...from the web:
Symptoms are fatigue, fever, inflammation, etc. (Sounds like our national politics now.)
People who get symptoms from EBV infection, usually teenagers or adults, get better in two to four weeks. But some people may feel fatigued for several weeks or even months.
(We the People will be suffering for total of 4 long years!)
"People with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop symptoms, if EBV reactivates."
(How about nations with weakened political systems?)
EBV can be spread through sexual contact.
(or through political transmission?)
What is the cure for an infected, weakened nation?
10
Labor Secretary Alex Acosta -- the former US Attorney who made the sweetheart deal with Jeffrey Epstein -- is also responsible for policing human trafficking.
I can hardly imagine a better way to feed a modern-day slave trade than by exercising custodial custody under color of governmental authority over poor, powerless immigrants isolated a long way from home.
6
So...what was found in the safe in Epstein's NYC mansion deepens the agenda on the 2008 deal,...huh? No mystery about it. Rolling the way it always rolls for these kind of offenders. Big money pay offs, extortion maneuvers were used to sentence Epstein to what's come to be identified as white collar country club prison time with all the elitist accommodations money can buy.
3
This IS the world of the super rich. They are different from you and me. A Billion places you above the law.
It’s so sad and ironic that the one thing that gets everyone to muster up the tar and pitchforks is teenage girls getting exploited, whereas his entire business model is at best shady and more than likely fraudulent and illegal and has involved ripping billions off investors, vendors, and taxpayers.
If Eyes Wide Shut was a reality show starring current and ex presidents, royalty, barons of finance and academia.
6
What I find kind of strange is that Epstein is a convicted sex offender and registered as one, yet he was arrested when he arrived home from Paris. I thought convicted criminals were barred from entering most countries. Or is France more lenient letting in foreign travelers with criminal convictions?
13
Why was I not surprised that Barr's father hired Epstein as a teacher? Two and a half years into his presidency, with 2 former employees already in jail and a cabinet full of the worst of the worst, is there anyone Trump knows, hires, or is connected to that isn't a criminal?
13
He hires who he associates with. Like to like. You show who you are from the start. Hasn’t that been true?
4
@Kate M.
Yes. Numerous people. The vast majority of his administration, in fact.
5
What’s amazing and telling is how long this sordid business has been going on and the sham justice visited upon Mr. Epstein by Mr. Acosta and the justice department.
Can justice be perverted in America by the rich and powerful? Apparently so.
25
In 2002, Mr. Trump described Mr. Epstein as “a terrific guy,” telling New York Magazine, “It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
We elect people of substance!
19
Any new victims could have been safe from Epstein if Acosta had acted on the behalf of Epstein’s victims a decade ago. The fact that Acosta was not transparent to the judge in the Florida case and then broke the law by refusing to notify the victims of the plea deal is disgraceful. And then the reports of Acosta meeting with the defense attorneys for social events during the trial is outrageous. Acosta should be disbarred and impeached as Labor Secretary. To think he is the one in charge of sex trafficking in the US should cause every parent to fear for the safety of their children from predators like Epstein.
29
Nothing will happen. Everything is set up for the ultra wealthy to loot, abuse, and destroy the world at their leisure, and the MAGA folks cheer them on
20
What is truly amazing is they actually believe he associates himself with them. When ever in his life has he ever shown he knows what it’s like to struggle, suffer, work hard? Truly is amazing. He doesn’t know and doesn’t want to know. Has he ever sat down with hard working people and spent time learning of their lives? Oh he would actually have to listen to other voices than his own. Not happening.
3
@majortominor Unfortunately, I agree with you. A sacrificial offering of a scapegoat or two might be made, a circus act to appease the masses. But from names mentioned this looks international in scope: leaders, industry titans and people in powerful positions across the world. I wouldn't be surprised if national security is used as excuse to thwart a trial, limit its scope, or just disappear it completely.
1
Two words emblazoned in the 2016 Republican Presidential platform plank:
"Family Values"
26
Epstein was able to play the system because of his wealth and influence.
The people of this country must start to take responsibility for their government and end this reign of corruption by replacing elected representatives who are not serving the public welfare.
25
The people who let him off the hook so easily should be arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced to 25 - life. All of their assets should be stripped and given to the victims. The justice system in this country, especially NY, is a sham. We falsely imprison the innocent, me mistreat all incarcerated, and we let the worst of the worst go free.
12
Somehow, I can imagine Epstein and Putin sharing snapshots of Trump in a laugh-filled recall of his most embarrassing moments caught on camera.
I suggest this nearly tongue-in-cheek scenario because of Trump's slavish devotion to Putin, inarguably the most dangerous despot in the world. One must presume Putin has "something" on Trump to get so much bromantic devotion while rejecting our allies.
Jeffrey Epstein's list of friends, including Trump, celebrity attorney Alan Dershowitz, Bill Clinton (oh, Bill, not again!), the Saudi Crown Prince, and very possibly, Robert Kraft, the Patriots owner who is not only being investigated in a Miami sex scandal, but recently had a private dinner at the White House with Trump, would suggest the trove of photos found by the FBI could have devastatig consequences for a lot of prominent celebrities, politicians and top executives.
Are those on Epsteins's friendship list working on "getting their stories straight" before the FBI and prosecutors get more momentum? Trump had written that he was a friend of Epstein. Now he denys his own words.
But I am still trying to wrap my head around how and why these girls and young women not only went back time and again, some even recruited more victims for Epstein and his friends.
In the meantime, Alex Acosta needs to step down. He may even be embroiled in the case against Epstein as a defendant. I suspect the collection of Epstein's photo collection will embarrass a lot of high-profile men.
12
@David Ohman
For the same reason that people slavishly devote their energies to promoting Trump, despite all of the unsavory news about him (and not just the sex stuff, either.)
2
you're asking why these girls kept going back??? Those girls were children as young as 14 years old, they were victimized. What a misogynistic question!
5
Read about victims and trauma . Especially children . They often confuse attention with love .
Certainly the adult is telling them the activity is ok and how special / beautiful/wanted they are .
They’re kids
4
The only remaining question is: How many heads in government will roll?
8
Let us know when anyone within the Republican Party faces any meaningful consequences for anything.
13
So, if they were able to go back into a previously settled case and retry Bill Cosby, who is now in jail, then they should be able to do the same to Mr. Epstein.
Bill Cosby was also once 'untouchable' and received some dubious legal deals, but , in the end, he got his just desserts. And even now, some question the legality of how Mr. Cosby was retried and subsequently received jail time.
If it was good for Mr. Cosby, who was also rich and influential, then it should be good for Mr. Epstein. He should also finally face his long overdue day of reckoning.
163
@ModerateOne-And so is reckoning due to Mr. Epstein's enablers, including Mr. Acosta whose leniency for Epstein allowed him to continue to commit crimes against underage girls. Acosta "reduced a 53-page indictment to two felony prostitution charges; didn’t inform Epstein’s victims that a deal had been reached or provide the opportunity to testify about it, violating the Crime Victims’ Rights Act." Epstein kept all of Trump’s contact numbers in his address book, and "in 2016, a woman accused the future president of abusing her at an Epstein party in 1993, when she was 13 years old." Lots of twisted ties.
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/07/labor-secretary-alex-acosta-still-shielding-wealthy.html
13
@ModerateOne-Ironically Bill Cosby's NY house was across the street from Epstein's Upper East Side mansion.
10
Only Epstein is white so he'll walk.
2
Men like him should be locked away for life. There is no saying how long he has been doing this to girls that are much younger than him. These girls were probably scared about what he would do to them and even their families if they didn't do what he asked of them. It's unbelievable to read that this man has not been put away for this already and that they are still fighting for him to have no bail. They should not even have to fight for it. It should be automatic when you sexually abuse that many girls and keep pictures as proof. It really makes me sick to know that there are so many people that are more "privileged" than the rest of us that can flash their status or how much money they have or who they're friends with and get away from the law without any consequences.
10
Has anyone noticed that Trump has been accused of rape in this indictment? I'm hoping this will be enough to take him down too, but I'm not holding my breath.
14
@JoanC
What are you talking about? Trump isn't even mentioned in the indictment. Maybe you've been holding your breath too long already.
1
@GMooG Apologies, you are right - it was a filing in the Southern District of NY in a separate case. I'd take the comment down if I could. I never hold my breath where Trump is concerned, btw.
3
First, thanks for reporting on this further. Please keep me, your other readers and the public informed on this moving forward. The USA's systems of transactional justice highly favors those with money, political connections and the wherewithal to make the transactions necessary to favor transactional Justice. I first read of this yesterday and had to shut it off due to incoming memory flooding me of my own me too experiences. there is no Panacea such as just forgive this or that as if it were that simple. Nothing complex is that simple. What applies to one does not apply to all. Justice itself was obviously not blind and equal in this situation in any way shape or form.
7
There is much that the Federal Government does right that is not mentioned because it isn't newsworthy. To a much lesser extent, the errors of execution and governance lead "above the fold" - as it should. Thank you, the free press for this essential service. Returning to our government, I don't believe the defects readily found among us - within the dark side of our humanity - can be expunged and these grave defects will always follow us into the future, history informs us does it not? Thus, we must always work to develop and enhance the sensibilities and ethos of those that are in a position to do the right thing, regardless of their station. Citizens must learn to take it upon themselves to do and insist upon rightful actions in the face of obscenities, regardless of their nature. How do we educate to that end? How do we nurture selfless, prosocial civic conduct and actions that advances the people's humanity? How do we defeat the evil that exists within the heart of some, among us? How do we build a bulwark, in depth? I sometimes despair and weaken, until I consider the alternative, not an abstraction, residing in the dark places in the heart's of neighbors. Yes, neighbors. That is indeed, where it starts and ends.
3
Every billionaire that was his client has a moral and ethical obligation to come forward and apologize for enabling this man.
The silence is deafening.
14
Thank goodness for brave reporters. But we have all protected the Epsteins of the world for too long.
We all protect the Epsteins of the world when we show that we value riches and status over all else. Our churches, our legal system, our colleges, our very laws, do more to protect the rich than the vulnerable. Someone without status in our country can suffer more for public urination than Epstein has so far for his horrific crimes.
The way we, as a culture, value status above all else, paves the way for the Epsteins of the world to thrive. We can clutch our pearls all we want to, but when we clamor for admission to an elite school, buy houses and cars we can't afford, buy knockoff designer goods we know were made by foreign children, because we are desperate to show that we have status, we create a culture where status is the only protection; we show that we value perceived status over integrity, financial solvency, decency, justice, peace, even over the safety of our children.
The fact that status is our number one value lay the path for Trump to be elected. The fake billionaire promised to restore status to those who felt that the little they had had been robbed from them by minorities, women, gays. And while many of us are horrified with the results, everything we do that shows that we, too, value perceived status over anything else, makes us part of this problem. If we did not adore the rich and powerful, they would not have so much power.
198
@TM; I am afraid your last statement pretty much sums up the reality of the power of wealth, celebrity, and power in the U.S. these days. Your culture worship of those 3 traits has led to two very different tiers of justice. One for the ordinary citizens of the U.S., one for the elites. And NEVER the twain shall meet. With liberty and "Justice" for all...HA HA. That has not been the case for many/many years. Robert Kennedy during his years as A.G. created an inquiry into the justice system in the U.S. in 1962-63 in regard to equality under the law. He was not surprised that at every level the rich fared far better under the law than the rest. He was trying to create a true system of justice; not just prosecution; under his watch. Of course Dallas ended that. Ever since the scales have been tilted more and more in favor of the Oligarch class. I would like to think that merely exposing that truth would change things. But sadly it seems as if there is no way to shame people like Epstein and his ilk. For it has been proven that; as Buffy Ste. Marie brilliantly portrayed in one of her very insightful songs; " The Big One`s Always Get Away!" The game is forever rigged in favor of the rich.
20
@TM The aspirations of working people struggling to better themselves did not create Jeffrey Epstein, enable him, or collude to protect him from justice for his gross sexual predation and self-indulgence.
He and his wealthy friends did.
17
@Jack Dorne Well said!!
4
"Seized child pornography deepens questions about Jeffrey Epstein's 2008 deal"
There, fixed it for you.
29
How about indicting all the employees that provided these children, yes children.
Epstein is a pedophile. I was caught up in a sexual situation at 14 by a much older person and just barely had the street smarts to escape it.
18
"A trove of lewd photographs of girls, discovered in a safe inside the financier Jeffrey Epstein’s Manhattan mansion the same day he was arrested, is deepening questions about why federal prosecutors in Miami had cut a deal that shielded him from federal prosecution in 2008".
Three things ... Money ... Power ... Connections ...
15
@Gene Is the Times actually trying to say that the rich are subject to the same laws as they rest of us? Hello, Hillary Clinton? Marc Rich?
2
Jeez, people. Why have you no opinion on the sad state of our rip-off economy?
Sex sells. One wonders, is there really anything else?
2
Bill Clinton and Donald Trump were hanging out with this guy!?
I am shocked, Shocked!
14
Ms. Watkins missed the other accomplices to Epstein’s sex trafficking network who were given immunity in the plea deal, all women, including his personal private jet pilot and a very well known daughter of a British tycoon, who now works on environmental causes.
10
Rich guy gets away with a crime. No news there.
Here’s the “man bites dog” hook... finally he may actually face some jail time.
Let’s see if the clearly corrupt prosecutors who let him off the first time face any consequences.
7
I was surprised yesterday that many cable outlets reported how many times Bill Clinton had flown on Epstein's private jet, but none that I saw mentioned Katie Johnson, the woman who sued Trump and Epstein in the Southern District of New York for rape. Johnson, who was only 13 years old when the rape allegedly took place at a party at Epstein's mansion in 1994, withdrew the suit in 2016 when she received death threats (part of her suit was also that Trump threatened her at the time of the attack), but her testimony is available online for all to see under the title "Katie J's testimony v. Donald J. Trump."
31
@Luke
The video isn't testimony because she never testified under oath.
I’ve more than a few questions; but my main one is why we continue to put up with a government that has shielded this pedophile, headed by a President accused of sexual assault himself?
Trump & Acosta would resign if there were a shred of decency in either of them. Putting up with their leadership is unequivocally abusive to over half of the population of the United States.
274
@Elizabeth Grey
It is amusing that you expect decency from politicians and lawyers, especially from the narrow-minded Conservatives!
As for the voting population, do you recall the percentage of eligible voters who DID vote in a Presidential election?
14
@Elizabeth Grey Answer: Because 'decency' is of little to no importance to his electoral base. Even now they are straining to equivocate, describing Clinton as basically the same as Epstein while the President gets his usual free pass.
Moving forward, I think it's time for us -- and you are a member of the 'resistance' just like most of the Times' readership -- to put pressure on the national leaders of the Democratic party to find the same level of expertise the other side has found in media, marketing, polling, and social networking.
Far more than money, this is what allowed the Trump candidacy to flourish under a rock, first in the thousands of largely apolitical memers whose enthusiastic satire such as Pepe was harvested and weaponized by consultants in the Cambridge Analytica orbit.
I don't know who finds and hires such people. But I do know it's not the clueless, fumbling, tone-deaf DNC aka the people who rolled out a red carpet for Russian hackers. It's also not the HRC team, so valuable in protecting her from 30 years of slander they never learned how to do anything else.
Who is it? As Richard III said, surely the devil can tempt you to do good.
Replies are open.
15
@Elizabeth Grey
They will not resign. They have not a shred of decency.
19
Epstein must have paid off the Miami prosecutor's office big time for them to be so relaxed and lenient with him. Acosta is a disgrace to the legal profession and needs to resign and go live on one of Epstein's islands forever. Or face prosecution for being on the take, if the evidence proves it.
11
Money and power created this monster who ruined the innocence of so many young girls.
He should have been sentenced to jail immediately in Miami.
His senseless light sentence with Alexander Acosta as his accomplice makes a new trial a moral imperative.
Acosta must resign and must pay a penalty for his behavior, that is just as immoral as Epstein's .
Nobody is above the rule of law.
9
And can we please stop calling it "sex with underage women." If they are underage, they are not women, they are children. The appropriate word is rape.
27
Trump and Clinton—two sides of the same coin.
6
Math is God’s hammer. A tool by which the Universe was formed.
You have:
1. First Law of Thermodynamics
2. First Law of Motion
and
3. First Law of Mankind: Money Politics = Corruption.
4. PC’s Law: Those that cater to the Rich are the Most Corrupt.
(Think political party that begins with an R)
6
Trump once said that he could shoot someone on the street and nothing would happen. There unfortunately are two systems of justice in this country. Obviously if Mr. Epstein was a low income individual he would have been locked up in prison for life.
There seems to be a sex trade market going on and it is protected by rich politicians in this country. Clinton, Trump, Dershowitz and maybe Kraft?? Lock them all up! Hopefully this might turn out to be the biggest story about corruption in this government we've ever seen..
5
All mentioned in the headline are accused of sexual/violent crimes. A sad debauched elite class. We let them rule!
5
Epstein, Acosta and Barr three of Trump's slimy buddies deep in the muck of the Swamp Trump was supposed to drain.
How do you think Trump's immoral and brainwashed supporters at his rallies would feel if this was one of their daughters?
9
Seems this investigation should also include 2008 AG Michael Mukasey and those under him in DOJ in the Bush 2 administration, if Acosta’s deal with Epstein’s lawyers was approved high up in the DOJ as claimed.
And of course what did Acosta get out of it? Did Epstein pay him off? Given the level of corruption in this administration and its cabinet, I wouldn’t be surprised. The culture at the top trickles down...a liar and grifter at the top makes the culture of the whole administration.
6
This is a stark reminder that evil lurks among us, whether it's in the White House or a townhouse on East 71st Street. Every single person implicated in this horrid series of crimes should be exposed and paraded in a mass perp walk. Epstein's den of horror should be sold and the money split among the victims of his child sex trafficking ring. Of course it's a friend of Trump; he is most comfortable galavanting among other sexual predators. It's all utterly despicable. I wonder how he would feel if Ivanka had been snared as part of such an evil cabal? He probably wouldn't care one bit.
6
Is it true that Epstein got his teaching job, without having achieved a degree, from connections with William Barr's father?
10
@Gregory J.
Appears to be true.
5
The machinations that were put into effect on Epstein's behalf in 2008 will not longer be possible, as now everyone knows who he is, and his connections to Trump will keep all of the sordid details of the case in the news. Epstein may have felt that partying with the rich and famous afforded him some ego boost and not incidentally, some cover for his despicable lifestyle, but this notoriety will now work quite efficiently against him. No more ankle bracelets and day-camp style "sentencing."
5
Now is the time to fire “labor secretary” Acosta. Yet another wonderful Trump appointee.
7
Absolutely shocked that nude photos were found in this man's possession.
3
His money should be money should be used to help victims of child and sexual abuse and his homes turned into resource centers! Bury this person, we can grow something beautiful from this tragedy.
4
Rich and powerful are always helped by corrupt politicians to get away with crimes. In America despicable rich get what they want even when they are caught in committing horrible crimes. Poor get punishment, not justice for involvement in petty crimes. This is not the democracy founding fathers had dreamed of.
4
Breaking: the Lolita Express has been grounded (hopefully)
4
Trump wants us to worry about predators and rapists coming up through Mexico, many staggering from exhaustion after fleeing violence. We need to worry about the ones right here, starting at the top.
25
Adults turning a blind eye to this kind of behavior?
Wasn’t this also the case - hello, people! - regarding Micheal Jackson??
8
Leslie H. Wexner just GAVE a $55 million house to Epstein and then "cut ties?"
Please find all the videos and photos.
I suspect Wexner's payout is the tip of the iceberg!
16
@Panthiest
That is not what the article says.
This degenerate would not have been exposed save for a free press. Reporter Julie Brown and the Miami Herald have done heroic work.
The drafters of the Constitution were flawed people, (as all of us are) but the First Amendment was genius.
22
It's noteworthy that Clinton and Trump are both members of Epstein's circle. Together they represent the status quo that the American people are starting to rebel against. Bernie Sanders is the only one who labels a need for a revolution but I think he has a point.
6
Maybe evidence will turn up that both Trump and Clinton used Epstein's "services," and we can finally attain the bipartisanship we need in this country by them putting both in the same jail cell.
12
This "terrific guy," as the president called him, is a fitting symbol of the entire Trump administration. Abuse, they're all abusing the entire country, and the variety of ways they're doing it is breathtaking.
5
The Salem Witch Trials are very relevant for understanding the government's legal system. When the poor and powerless were accused, they were punished -- but, when the rich and powerful were accused, they put an end to the witch trials.
Their legal system is characterized by racism, classism and powerism. It enforces their laws, not yours. It is illegitimate, unjust and evil. Therefore, they call it, "the Justice System."
4
Many years ago there was a NY madam named Polly who had a little book filled with clients who were prominent politicians at the time. They all ducked for cover when she was busted and the police found the book. Sound familiar?
5
And in lifestyle news, Mr. Epstein is about to try the tiny house experience - going from a 21,000 sq. ft. house to one of about 40 sq. ft. Not much room for a spa.
7
That which is hidden shall be revealed....
Here's my prediction,other powerful men are going down, one the current resident of the White House and, two, a former resident.
I doubt all these young girls used protection and bet there are some unacknowledged offspring. DNA tests will help reveal the paternal lineage and some lines will lead to the White House. Impregnating children is not acceptable, no matter how much money you have..
10
Money talks and tons of money shouts.
We are a sad lot. How many lives has he ruined? I guess he came from a good family....
4
"Forget it Jake; it's Chinatown."
That chilling ending of the film Chinatown spoke of the power, lechery and corruption of the ultra-wealthy. But guess what, this ain't Chinatown, and it's no longer 1930, or even 1970. Or 1990 for that matter.
It's worth noting that Robert Towne's original screenplay ended with Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) shooting dead her rapist, pedofile father Noah Cross, and fleeing with her daughter/sister. The director, Roman Polanski, changed the ending to its infamous tragic, startling one with its despair, resignation and hopelessness against a "system" of wealth, race and cronied power.
No longer is that the case. At last, in the face of huge obstacles and corruption so deep it entangles two presidents (and many more), the voices of several powerless young women - made heard by a very brave female journalist - are heard. At last.
The #metoo movement will not let this one pass, at least not without a fight. Not this time, hopefully not ever again.
Maybe this time we get the ending right, and the ending that's deserved. The time has come. At last.
6
He's been in the spotlight for months now with a review of his case. One would think even his hubris would subside enough for him to dispose of incriminating photos. What a piece of work.
6
If Epstein was anything less than incredibly discreet (and he doesn't seem to be) I won't be surprised if they find compromising photos of other powerful men in that trove.
The prosecutors will probably keep what they find under wraps until they are prepared to use it. But it promises some very interesting news in the coming months.
If "Tiffany Doe" is among those photos, the woman who brought charges against Trump of having been raped by him when she was 13, maybe she will be able to press her case after all. She withdrew it in November 2016, stating she had received death threats. Maybe now she will be provided the protection she needs to bring charges.
https://www.snopes.com/news/2016/06/23/donald-trump-rape-lawsuit/
10
What does Jeffrey Epstein really have? According to details about him available on the internet, he has no children. His obsession with young girls is a sign of a mental illness originating from something he is trying to cover up. He may have material wealth and "connections", but mentally he is bankrupt. Will "justice" be achieved if he is convicted and imprisoned for life? Is there any therapy for his serious mental illness?
If you can afford Epstein's lawyers his sentence is the kind of outcome you expect. His lawyers dictated to Acosta the sentence they would accept. Acosta was rewarded and part of the service was to insure everything was kept quiet all those years.
151
@DooDah I disagree. I believe the initial deal came from pressure from his co-conspirators who were given a blanket "pardon" in the Epstein plea deal. We will discover the names of those people as this goes forward.
5
@DooDah
Alan Dershowitz has been blackballed by his fellow residents of Martha's Vineyard owing to his total support of the most corrupt president in our 243 years.
Now Mr. Dershowitz has been found to be a friend of Epstein. This celebrity attorney is starting to look more like the infamous Bruce Cutler who defended NYC mob boss, John Gotti, for years.
As the FBI pours over the recently discovered trove of photos at Epstein's homes, everyone on his friendship list should be sweating bullets.
6
“This is old stuff. This is ancient stuff.”
This was, and still is, criminal "stuff"
As was the court and lawyer stuff.
All about the Benjamin stuff.
11
He’ll just use Kraft’s legal team.
5
The Epstein saga reminds me of that long-running joke (and movie) The Aristocrats. A joke so filthy and disgusting that it's been told, retold and embellished for decades. What's that saying about many a truth told in jest? Epstein shows there's moral debauchery that comes with obscene wealth. The 1 per cent have lost their ethical bearings. Good journalism has shined some antiseptic light on this perversion of justice. Well done.
175
The photos. I keep thinking about the woman who filed a claim as "Jane Doe" in order to remain anonymous. She alleged that Epstein and Trump both tied her up and raped her when she was 13.
Once Trump became the GOP candidate, the threats came pouring in and because she was fearful for her life she dropped the case.
It would certainly be justice for one of those photos to be a photo of her because that would be hard evidence. Sure, Trump would refute it as he does when it comes to all of his sexual assaults even after openly admitting that this is what he does.
A trove of photographs. I really do hope this gets blown wide open when it comes to the people in power who were involved in hurting these girls, including Trump.
12
There two types of Justice in this country. One for the wealthy
and one for the rest of us.. If it wasn't for Investigative
journalism,(thank god for a free press) he would still be free as
a bird.
9
The rich know money can buy a lot. That's why when they're in office they do all they can to heartily tilt the bucks towards their bank accounts. Wake up 63 million Americans. Or not.
6
He should be she's of all his assets, and that should go to the people pained by his poor choices.
Mr. Berman said his office had been “assisted by some excellent investigative journalists,”
This is the reason that Trump is terrified of the press calling them the enemy of the people. In reality the free press is the enemy of the corrupt and therefore he corrupt are terrified or the free press.
15
I’ll bet that most people will continue to talk about this story in spite of the fact that other articles on the front page will affect them personally: facial recognition tech used by our government; an increase the militancy in Buddhism, an historically peaceable religion; a judge’s blocking Trump’s latest fiat to disclose drug prices in their ads; and Turkey’s financial crisis — and that’s just the big headlines.
The big takeaway from this story and all the others that relate to this Administration is the overt corruption of the individuals indicted but also that of the government and/or those officials! Watch out for the Republican “projection” trying to make it seem like every administration has bad actors, but we have never seen in our history the number and kind of slimy, overt coziness between the leaders in government and the rich.
6
@B. Rothman You seem to,be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. So can the rest of us. And I can even knit at the sme time.
3
Please clarify women or girls. The words seem used interchangeably even though an important distinction in this story.
7
Epstein's behavior "shocks the conscience" of some people. To others, including apparently a substantial proportion of the right-wing evangelical Christians who support Donald Trump, it's just the kind of thing rich and powerful men sometimes do.
5
This must be the one thing that everyone, red, blue, purple, can agree on: justice was not served and that he and all his co-conspirators, including the Labor Secretary if warranted, should be tried and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This one should unite us resolve.
5
Here's what I hope for: create a foundation funded by ALL of Epstein's billions, plus at least some of the millions his defense attorneys were paid. Then, with professional advice, victims can choose how to fund programs to empower girls and boys to recognize, resist, and report any adult who attempts to sexually exploit them. Epstein can live on social security in whatever apartment he can afford to rent on his social security. Acosta should tell the truth about everything that happened, explaining why he made this agreement with the defense attorneys and why he also protected unnamed unindicted co conspirators from prosecution.
2
Plutocracy. That is the big problem.
4
No one will resign and this will be the new norm. Watch.
2
Catherine Rampall has a very interesting column in the Washington Post about the Labor Department's responsibilities in helping provide visas to people who have been trafficked. The Department has reduced its cooperation in this area under Alexander Acosta. No doubt, other things aside, Alexander Acosta and his political appointees assume that they're doing what Donald Trump wants in making life dangerous for refugees. Why was it precisely the Labor Department where Alexander Acosta ended up?
5
My comment may have already been made (one would very much hope so), but clearly the application of the law is very different for the wealthy and connected than for those of us who are merely peasants. Had Mr. Epstein been your average citizen or a person of color, he would already have been incarcerated. I can think of another person of privilege whose deeds also warrant incarceration but he too is protected by his position in the Oval Office.
7
The ruling plutocracy is here and fully entrenched. The New Gilded Age.
7
Lost in all the current commotion is the profound question of how Epstein got his fortune, or even if he really does have a fortune. One take away from the excellent Vanity Fair article (in 2003) is that Epstein, like many other self proclaimed hedge fund managers, insists that his 'billionaire' clients require absolute secrecy. How many other so called billionaires have gone down the same road of building and then protecting a reputation by using expensive baubles for self promotion, while claiming they can't reveal the sources of the funds? Bernie Madoff comes to mind. So does a certain entertainer turned politician. When these people defy gravity long enough, they become reckless and crash to earth, or so we should hope
6
Well done to SDNY prosecutors. The question I haven't seen answered is how they were able to get this far. In the Jeff Sessions/Bill Barr DOJ, how did an investigation of a past associate of the president get clearance to start and continue? And based on the DOJ's recent behavior, can we expect to have them drop all charges? I don't trust the DOJ as far as I can throw it, and I'm just waiting for them to throw their own under the bus to let Epstein walk away. I hope this doesn't happen. But it won't surprise me if it does.
5
The true heroes of this story are reporter Julie K. Brown and the newspaper that supported her, the Miami Herald.
It's refreshing to know that in 2019, it's still possible for one determined journalist to be the prime mover in bringing someone to justice.
Courageous women and men who doggedly pursue the truth are not our enemies but the best friends a democracy could hope for.
We don't have to pine for the good old days with intrepid reporters like Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. When it comes to investigative journalism at its best, those good old days are still with us, thanks to news organizations like the Miami Herald, the Washington Post and The New York Times.
12
The Patriot News from Harrisburg and its young woman reporter were the source for the stories on Sandusky.
7
I have no confidence in the validity of this investigation that appears to me to be a retaliation against Democrats by the political Trump Justice Department resulting from the Democrat focus on the abuse of the children of migrants in detention. The motive is glaringly apparent. Aside from the political motivations of this case, the Press conference was clearly an attempt at tampering with the potential Jury pool, national in scope.
For a billionaire to take the fall to protect other co-conspirators means those co-conspirators must have been amazingly powerful.
4
I have no confidence in the validity of this investigation that appears to me to be a retaliation against Democrats by the political Trump Justice Department. The motive is glaringly apparent. Aside from the political motivations of this case, the Press conference was clearly an attempt at tampering with the potential Jury pool, national in scope.
11
@SHAKINSPEAR I beleive you are mistaken about the "validity of this investigation". While the SDNY is part of the Republican run Justice Department, the SDNY, commonly refered to as "The Sovereign District of New York", is a longstanding famously independent entitiy. And the last thing the Repupublican run Justice Department wants is for friends of Individual 1 to be squeezed by those they can't control. This arrest and indictment is a clear problem for vulnerable sexual predators, friends of Epstein.., whether they were Impeached in the 90s or soon to be Impeached.
16
@SHAKINSPEAR would you have felt the same if your daughter had been one of his victims? or your son accused of statutory rape b/c as a teenager he had consensual sex with his 15.5 yr old girlfriend? Give the politics a break and see it for what it is: the manner this was handled by the federal prosecutors in Florida as an example of the rich and powerful getting a sweet heart deal. Hats off to the reporters who had the tenacity to bring this creep out of the woodwork.
16
Let no one be above the law. Victims need to have their day in court. Search his other homes and hide-outs, and don't let him post bail or plea out. Sordid to say the least. I hope there is justice.
91
The fact that federal prosecutors in Miami had cut a deal that shielded Mr. Epstein from federal prosecution does not really surprise me. I’m a long-time Florida resident, and throughout the past several years, I have read several reports of abuses and corruption that the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Florida Department of Corrections were involved in.
22
American elites are not much different than many kings and royal families in many countries around the world- be it in terms of buying degrees from "prestigious" and rich institutions like MIT & Harvard, dominated by hereditary rich and powerful people from not just USA but around the World who are destined to occupy influential positions in either private or Govt organizations- irrespective of their talent or leadership quality; or buying justice at will. And that "aristocracy" and sense of entitlement for privileged class also trickles down and pollute other places, less prestigious institutions, and private companies. This works on the same mentality and towards the same social engineering for which the Republican party and most American companies are so fond of trickle down economic models that ensures more wealth and more power for fewer and fewer people at the top.
Every party, in general, seems to be trying exploiting the loopholes than fixing it. Harvard alumni Jeffery Epstein & few others arrested are just exceptions & not the rule. Trump & so many rich & powerful people who nicely evaded & continue to evade justice are the norm.
Many such incidences now started to indicate to common Americans what some pundits believe that USA is increasingly becoming a typical 3rd world country with declining social mobility, decreasing trust on its political system and democratic institutions.
22
@bonku
Jeffrey Epstein is not a "Harvard alumni." He never attended the school nor graduated from any college. Nonetheless, AG Barr's father Donald Barr, headmaster of the Dalton School hired him to teach. This gave Epstein his first position of authority over children, but apparently not his last.
10
If proven true (everyone is innocent until proven otherwise), Epstein and everyone involved should be accountable to the law. If it is proven that Clinton and/or Trump were associated with, benefited from or knew about it and kept quiet, they too must be held accountable to the full extent of the law.
28
What chances of obtaining justice against the most powerful? Nada in the USA.
4
Disgusting. I hope all the guilty are served a heaping dose of justice.
21
It's kinda cool that the cops broke open the 15' fancy doors. Bring on the comeuppance!
35
Perhaps France should begin their own investigation into his activities there. Better yet, Interpol...
41
I am shocked Barr took the high road here. He has mired himself into all affairs of business including the Supreme Court's decision about the census appointing himself as trump's lawyer and judge once again.
15
@Marlene what a shock, the AG is getting involved in cases.
Jess Session’s sense of duty at AG looks downright saintly when compared to Barr. Barr is shameless - he is blatantly zealously protecting Trump the man over the US, or even the office of the President.
2
@Marlene
You call that taking the high road?
1
It will take a woman with a conscience to clean up a disgusting mess like this and pass laws so it won’t happen again. Can’t wait until Kamala and Nancy get it done!
26
@Renee I believe you meant Warren and Sanders (not a woman but a feminist).
3
Put in perspective there’s literally thousands of girls boys men & women with firsthand knowledge of this stuff. Employees, wives sisters brothers friends cleaning ladies drivers and on. Be it trump or Epstein Roy Moore etc, being a pervert “works” if you pick your vics smartly meaning poor young & powerless in the face of you. As matter of fact, behind closed doors republicans get excited about it. It’s considered manly.
24
All people get excited about it if they are rich and powerful enough. Doesn’t matter what party.
3
Jeffrey just followed our role model president; but may be a little too far. A game played by those sitting on "thrones”. With powerful lawyers, "liars" can get out of any illegal acts. OJ Simpson, Robert Kraft (NE Patriots owner...), our president... Wait for presidential pardon.
22
" said Mr. Acosta had no comment."
It continues to amaze just what the trumpster had in mind when he promised "only the best people" for his administration.
40
@Carlton Does he ever have anything in mind when he does anything?
4
These are Federal charges. Can Trump pardon Epstein? A key question.
12
Men protecting men. No surprises here.
18
@Deborah - There are men among the prosecutors too.
2
Barr seems to be involved in this in a variety of ways. His father,Donald Barr,hired Epstein,who had no college diploma, to work at the Dalton School for young girls and boys. Then,after an investigation,both Epstein and Barr left within a year. Makes you wonder why. Then William Barr’s law firm represents Barr in sex scandal in Fl and Acosta gives Epstein a deal no ordinary person would get and now Acosta is Sec of Labor. Oh my, how the mighty. I pray, are falling! I’m not even going to mention our holier than thou, love of the evangelicals, Donald J. trump.
39
Friend of Bill got a sweet deal in 2008. The Clinton money machine and their wealthy friends ....
11
Friend of Bill is also friend of Trump, friend of Barr, friend of Les Wexner, Friend of many other rich and powerful people- the girls were tolerated by the wealthy because they were getting something valuable in return- what do you think that was? How did Epstein earn his fortune? There is a lot more to know here.
36
@Joe Yo
Deal occurred under Bush. Nice try, though.
Not a Clinton fan, less of a Trump fan. Trump'sd praise of Epstein speaks volumes, but nothing any reasonable person wouldn't already know about Trump.
35
And then Alex Acosta was made labor secretary by Trump after brokering that sweet deal.
33
The real hero here is Julie Brown of the Miami Herald. The evidence was there all the time and law enforcement knew about it. By publishing the long piece in the Herald, she made it impossible to ignore any longer.
105
Julie Brown has helped to restore a smidgin of my confidence in the ‘Watergate-style’ tradition of pure, raw, undiluted and brave investigative journalism - so currently absent with the Media.
A sincere thanks to you, Ms. Brown, for your tenacity, fearlessness and compassion in an age where your profession is viewed as nothing short of an endless flow of ‘fake’ stories, ironically orchestrated by the greatest fake, bogus charlatan ever to despoil and contaminate the noble position of POTUS.
Please stay on this case, and hopefully our day is coming when we can all witness “how the mighty fall”, and bring this nightmare to a close.
5
I always thought the Russian collusion investigation was a stretch and that it would never bring down Trump.
This is different. This is real. In particular, the allegation that Trump may have raped a 13-year old girl is horrifying.
It's not just Acosta who will lose his job. The Trump presidency is in big, big trouble.
51
@Caleb - The rape of the 13-year old was openly in the news in the mainstream press in the months just before the election. I remember it well. I also remember when the case was withdrawn. And I also remember an interview with the sister of the victim, who said quite openly they had withdrawn the case due to receiving death threats.
For whatever reason, perhaps justified, they must have felt they were not going to get the protection they needed because of the power of the defendants.
I'm hoping pictures of that girl will be among those found and that recent events might give her the confidence to put her case forward again.
This Snopes page sums up the history and provides references.
https://www.snopes.com/news/2016/06/23/donald-trump-rape-lawsuit/
5
I wish. The Teflon Don can always plead ignorance and who wouldn’t believe him.
2
God bless our free press. In times such as this, they are carrying the weight of freedom on their shoulders just as much as soldiers do. No wonder that when Jefferson once stated that if he had to choose between “a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter”. Keep up the great work.
73
@Djr
Loved the line...“carrying the weight of freedom on their shoulders just as much as much as soldiers do...”
They also deserve a “thank you for your service”, especially now, since so many have been murdered or imprisoned in recent years. Perhaps a memorial wall listing the casualties in the “War against Freedom of the Press”?
7
Well, maybe we had better all wait and see how the investigation goes? Both as to Epstein and his various "...friends..." in both political parties?
Just a thought.
9
Acosta was likely appointed to this cabinet position intentionally by trump and his pals. The Secretary of Labor oversees the human trafficking problem and the opportunity to lead young immigrant girls to where he and Jeffrey and other pals needed them to be.
27
From elites in the US catholic church, to the elites in the political parties, to the elites in the judiciary and court system.
If Americans only knew how widespread pedophilia was among the rich and powerful decision makers, we would be lynching our large swaths of our politicians, judges and CEOs publicly. Epstein is but the tiniest tip of the iceberg in a vast ocean of abuse and corruption among America's powerful.
45
@David
Nail on the head. As a younger woman, my friend confided to me that the reason her fiance was hospitalized (a young man) was that he had been raped by his high-powered executive dad as a child. The father owned a very famous clothing brand which many people would recognize. He would also rape girls in northern Wisconsin in a cabin with his executive buddies. One girl disappeared. She was 13. They gang-raped her for kicks. Sound familiar? The son (my friend) had a complete breakdown right before the wedding. I was doing the flowers and my farm was situated near that cabin- and as we were driving she blurted it out. I believe I was in shock for days. I was asked not to tell anyone, but I refused.
4
Will Trump be charged as well? He knew Epstein "liked" young girls - and that makes him a mandated reporter of child abuse. What about Acosta? He allowed a known predator to go free - 6 days a week! If nothing else, should he not be disbarred? It's been said repeatedly that "evil is the new social norm..." It looks like it's been around for a while and enabled by those who hid behind the word "justice." It's not justice for all...it's justice for some. Grateful to the federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the journalists who refused to let this be okay.
38
@Patricia what about Bill He had a frequent flyer card to Epstein Island. His name is on the flight record books 24 times
7
Looks like a lot of people are in trouble, both sides of the aisle. Can’t wait to see what the photos reveal.
2
I'd like to see them ALL come tumbling down. Wouldn't you? This could be a watershed moment for ALL female candidates.
2
Excitedly anticipating tough-on-crime Republicans supporting prosecutions of all involved....
40
This is about the miscarriage of justice, once again, because of money. Imagine if this predator was poor. He would have been in prison for many years already. Mr. Acosta should be charged as an accessory after the fact.
42
So the current Attorney General, William Barr, who is now in lockstep with the President, a sexual abuser, has to recuse himself because also defended Epstein in the Florida case and got him a sweetheart deal via Acosta, now the Labor Secretary? Not only are these Trump mafia "lieutenants" in their present jobs because of murky deals with a predator in chief, but this article makes it more possible that Putin has some photographic/video dirt on this President. This stinks to high heaven and I find it interesting that only the Southern District of New York seems to be in a position to prosecute all the President's men. New York, save us.
54
@Me
"So the current Attorney General, William Barr, who is now in lockstep with the President, a sexual abuser, has to recuse himself because also defended Epstein in the Florida case and got him a sweetheart deal via Acosta, now the Labor Secretary? "
Umm, no. That is not what happened, and not what the article says. Try reading the article before you comment
This is the episode of “The Lives of the Rich and Famous” the little people weren’t supposed to see.
26
I highly agree with @Donna Nieckula that this is not an Us vs Them issue. This is not about Republicans and Democrats. This is about the corruption that has infested every area of government, from the President down to the members of a small city council. A world where money and power dictates everything from small favors to looking the other way to extremely serious criminal activity.
This doesn’t stop at Jeffrey Epstein, but he will probably be the only one who goes down or serves any real time.
When these charges were finally brought, Epstein was given the okay by Alexander Acosta to continue the sex trafficking for more than a decade after it should have come to an end. I have to wonder just why Acosta was not charged as a co-conspirator in this case, or at the very least charged with aiding and abetting a known criminal enterprise.
It is perfectly clear that money and power has influenced every governmental agency in every corner of the country with some form of political or criminal corruption within and we just sit back and allow it. When do we demand an end to this. Don’t you people think they have distracted us from the corruption and truth by dividing us and pitting us against one another for long enough?
If there is one hard fact that this article has shown it is the the laws of our country only apply to those who don’t have the money and power to bypass them. The wealthier one is the less the rule of law applies to them. It’s been this way forever.
39
Hmmmm.... now Alexander Acosta is the Secretary of Labor in Trump's cabinet. One has to wonder which other Palm Beach "beautiful women loving" friends of Epstein might have been beneficiaries of the 2008 plea deal?
24
How about a Special Prosecutor to investigate Acosta and DOJ on this? Find the money and follow it. This smells worse than three day old fish.
39
So they caught another rich guy with his pants down.....I'm shocked. The wealthy have been raping this country for years. Maybe if these young girls had enough money and stability in their lives they would not have been as vulnerable to this creep. And maybe if rabid Republicans stopped pushing billions to the top socio-economic tiers through tax loopholes and scams and "get out of jail free cards' I would have enough money for dinner tonight and gas to get to work. They can cut off this guys (fill in the blank) for all I care, how is that going to put food in my table, healthcare for me and my family and the ability to survive without having to work three jobs at almost 60 yrs old ?
44
Did the President see this one coming? If so, all the king's horses and all the king's men apparently couldn't put a stop to it. It seems Acosta was a likely pick for the President for his cohort of guards; I suspect he owed him a favor.
As usual, dander is up because of the assumption the Christian right is a hypocritical enabler for this type of thing. President Trump weighed in on this back when with something to the effect, 'He like me loves beautiful women' in particular those on the young side. Kind of a smoky response.
If he were able to articulate it, he might go this route: I respect women, I hire women, I even in many cases prefer women. I am also part of the Playboy generation and beautiful women are available who are offering skill sets not pertinent to my business'. Some of these women have publicly rued the day they found themselves in vulnerable situations with someone they might have assumed they could handle.
Across the country, many women who have hung on to their husbands and their families, and possibly their churches, struggle with these ideas. A dime held tightly between the knees solves some problems but creates others.
I look forward to some uncomfortable times for Mr. Epstein; this politically convenient mess has more than adequate support.
Mr. Epstein must have some cards to play. He might be rethinking who his friends are.
10
@William There are women, and there are girls; and ("playboy generation" or not) there is a vast difference between them.
1
The truly shocking aspect is how the media is minimizing - to the point of ignoring entirely - the deep decades long personal ties with Bill Clinton, while blowing all-out-of-proportion a business deal that involved Trump years ago.
The media claims they are not the enemy of the people...maybe they aren't, but it would be nice to have some evidence of that, at least once in a while.
10
Let's drop the bias. Trump and Clinton were both "friends" of Epstein. This is all over the media. If both go down, so be it, they get what they wrought. The best we can hope for is that the media and justice system bring this case to the light of day. I would like to hope it can happen, but remain cynical. The connected wealthy living in high places seem never to suffer the consequences. I do know that this country is depressing.
39
@David
Worse still, if you look at the original documents related to the case, where his address book was transcribed, it lists personal phone number of Eli Wiesel. What would Eli Wiesel be doing to associate with someone like Epstein? Managing his money?
8
The truth is, I don't care as much about Clinton's connection (unless we learn that he, too, was participating in these activities). He hasn't been in public office for two decades, and it appears that his connections with Epstein happened after he left office, if we believe his accounts. Trump, on the other hand, is the sitting president. Learning about his involvement, and how he might be subject to blackmail because of it, is a more pressing issue.
4
Like the Church, powerful men with lots of money and lawyers sexually molest children and get away with it. They believe they are above the law. Let's make sure they find out they aren't.
42
Let us please call this by the right title. It is a child pornography and trafficking case. Epstein should have been put away for life and been put on the list of sex offenders.
End of discussion.
40
I can’t remember. Was Epstein the one that got away with walking into teen girls’ locker at Miss Teen USA?
45
They didn't "mishandle" the case against Jeffery Epstein. They handled it exactly the way the 1% designed the system to handle it.
57
One has to wonder why the public outcry took so long, although many of the details of Epstein's crimes became public long time ago, only his recent arrest and the fact that Acosta is part of Trump's team has caught the public's interest. What about the abuse of the victims, is that too common to be interesting, is the public used to the fact that wealthy people can often buy their freedom ?
If men aren't willing to, at least women should care for each other, most of us have at least once been the victim of male chauvinism. And we always will be, if we're not ready to fight it.
13
Depraved and disgusting as this case is, it again shifts attention from the latest allegation - a rape mind you - against Mr. Trump. It seems Mr. Epstein may finally face consequences, albeit too late. Why does the president get a free pass EVERY time?
47
Why won’t you equally acknowledge that bill clinton went with Epstein on his jet to his private island for fun with kidee’s
8
@Rhsmd1 Because he did not. Been investigated, already.
9
@Rhsmd1
I'll acknowledge it: When people show you who they are, believe them Both Bill Clinton and Donald Trump have each shown us.
This is not about party politics and fealty; It's about adult men feeling their positions in society give them free rein to do as they please.
They are both disgusting men. I will wait patiently for full disclosure sure to emerge from this new arrest of a third disgusting man. Bring it on.
And to women out there who with their knowledge of these activities enable adult men to abuse children, what's the genesis of your stench?
12
Acosta must resign.
There is no honest or decent explanation for him giving Epstein
such a cushy sentence.
43
Epstein is a major Democrat Party donor and bundles. He gave heavily to the Clintons and Schumer.
The FL D.A. state’s attorney who had the case first was a Democrat who protected Epstein. The media blacked out this case. Only Fox’s Bill O’Reilly did a report on this crime in 2006.
The Florida Democrat D.A.’s behavior was so egregious that the feds took it over. But the feds could only go so far at that time. Some say the head of the FBI helped spike the investigation of Epstein.
The head of the FBI at that time was a guy named Mueller.
11
Source?
10
@Reader One. Try reading and researching a little bit instead of relying on the NYTs. This is all public record, but you'd never know it from the Democrat Party media complex. Google the name Mike Cernovich on this topic or read Ann Coulter's article from March 2019. Try also alan Dershowitz who, along with Cernovich, brought this to light once again.
3
@Cjmesq0 - Epstein seems to have covered his bases with both parties.
Acosta by the way was appointed by G.W. and now owes his current position to Trump, who is on record praising Epstein and winking at his predilection for young girls.
As a Democrat I'm fine with prosecuting any Democrat who participated in this horror but I don't see a single Republican calling out for justice for any Republican who has participated.
13
How many times was Trump on Epstein’s private aircraft? More times than Bill Clinton?
20
Trump has his own private aircraft.
1
Possessing Lewd Photographs of girls is a crime only if they were taken without permission (I think) and/or if they were minors at the time.
3
“Girls” implies 19 and under. Go ahead and believe that all those photos are of 18 and 19 year olds.
7
@JQGALT. How old is a female when you stop calling her a "girl"? Generally in a legal sense 18. And if these WERE of UNDERAGE MINOR CHILDREN, it makes it child pornography. Stop defending child predators. Whats locked up in YOUR safe and on YOUR hard drive springs to mind.
14
C'mon....why should this surprise anyone. A wealthy guy gets a slap on the wrist for very serious crimes by a prosecutor who said the evidence was not strong enough. Nod nod wink wink. Same guy goes on to be a cabinet secretary. Couldn't make this stuff up. Some things I think about are: this guy, a registered sex offender, flies around the world. Is he notifying authorities in France he is a sex offender and his whereabouts? Both Clinton and Trump knew the guy, hung out with him and were never given a massage? Never? Both guys who went on to similar acts of their own. But that behavior started AFTER they stopped hanging out with Epstein? One of them who is accused of entering a changing room where young girls in a beauty pagent were undressing? And the prosecutor was the only guy who could have been Labor Secretary? No one else out there who could have done that? Why him? Why did Trump stand behind him when the story fully broke? I am sure his supporters will say 'Trump had nothing to do with this' . Too many coincidences for my taste. The question the girls need to be asked is: Did you ever give massages to any men beside Epstein? Something tells me one of them will say something Trump supporters won't want to hear. Because they know lots of people who get accused , falsely, by dozens of people of abusive sexual behavior. Happens every day. I can hear them now: 'He said he didn't do it.' Same thing Epstein said. Birds of a feather...
24
Some of the girls already HAVE said Epstein shared them and one has said Trump actually raped her when she was 13 years old. Hope there is some corroborating evidence in the trove of photos. Apparently Epstein’s mansion was wired by the previous owner inside and out with security cameras.
3
I would bet in the coming days ,Trump's name will come up in the investigation
21
So will clinton
5
Thats because the media wants desperately to tie this to Trump, when in fact, Bill Clinton has been sheltering Epstein, and has been if not complicit, possibly an accomplice to these crimes. Thats the real story you’re unlikely to read in these pages.
8
Last time I checked Clinton isn’t the current President.
18
If Alex Acosta was so corrupt as a US Prosecutor (like Christie of New Jersey) and the Judge approved of his corruption, it tells you that there is something seriously wrong with the justice system in the United States. What is wrong is that people like Acosta and the Judge think justice is a game where they can sell the principle of equality before the law to the highest bidder. They have no respect for our society and completely lack any sense of humility in the jobs they hold. We know that monsters like Epstein are all around us. One is even President of the country. How sad that we discover the monsters are in positions of power throughput our justice system. As long as such corruption exists, equality before the law is still a cruel joke.
18
Great legal deals available only to those who can afford it. It's a big club and we aren't in it.
27
The adage “you are who your friends are” rings true, again. No decent person would associate with someone like Epstein. At the very least, anyone who witnessed Epstein’s perversion and said nothing is in my opinion an accessory to the crimes.
Anyone who frequented the company of this man should be of interest to the authorities. I don’t care if it’s Clinton, trump, Dershowitz etc.
21
Just think of the poor high school kid who may have sent a dirty picture to his girlfriend and who gets to register as a sex offender and now this monster who got a sweetheart deal because he was wealthy and had the right connections.
26
From the article:
"Mr. Clinton’s office said in a statement on Monday that he knows nothing about “the terrible crimes” connected to Mr. Epstein."
No surprise here - previous testimony from Bill Clinton has indicated that he didn't even know what sex was.
14
@Peter Zenger
he didn't know what the "definition of is - is" either
9
The original plea deal is almost as sickening as the crimes of which Epstein stands accused. It amounts to a conspiracy to facilitate Epstein's serial sex-abuse of minors ex post facto. Not only should Epstein face justice but so should everyone who did his procuring for him or aided him in any way. And so should Acosta himself and anyone who participated in this scandalous plea agreement, including the judge who signed off on it. All, in my view, are guilty of facilitating the sexual exploitation of minors.
15
Acosta shouldn't merely resign. He should be prosecuted. What I cannot understand is why the media insists on treating these public scoundrels with such deference. If I were a reporter, I would ask Acosta the following questions: "Sir, is it because you think the sexual exploitation of adolescents by rich and powerful men is a positively good thing that you gave Epstein that sweetheart deal in 2008? Or is it merely that you consider the sexual exploitation of adolescents to be no big deal? Something to shrug one's shoulders at. It has to be one or the other. Which is it?"
17
A part of it feels like in general terms a bit of national/institutional hypocrisy going on by the media and the justice department.
Somehow this guy has suddenly been caught and has done huge wrong, which he of-course has.
Yet, the institutions who seem to be sanctimoniously claiming he has done this and that, or breaking the news, have precisely let somebody else another prominent individuals get off with perhaps even greater crimes: Trump!
Trump is probably a national and global criminal, most recently accused of sexual assault and essentially rape just a few weeks ago or even days.
The way Trump has gotten away with seeming criminality makes this story by the media and justice department seem a bit hypocritical.
It seems kind of weird to see these people on television talking about another man being such a criminal etc, yet they turn around and give a pass to another one.
It’s quite weird. And a Supreme Court justice accused of sexual assault could also help rule on the case or similar issues.
The media and justice department and all these people just seem to be weird. I don’t know what the word is but it seems so strange. The hypocrisy and inconsistency presented without a blink seems quite telling.
11
Who signed off on the deal at Main Justice and why?
8
I hope this leads to taking down not just trump but reopens the doors to taking up Kavenaugh as well. Pressure him off the bench if those responsible for vetting appointees shirk their job.
16
The Epstein - Trump connection is pretty big. Wasn't Trump Model Management thought to have provided many of the girls to Epstein? Remember published reports how Trump lusted after Ivanka when she was 13, 14 years old? That if she wasn't his daughter, he'd "be with her".
The rot is very deep.
36
Here's the thing, for those of you who want to say "BILL CLINTON" as if that means we should ignore trump.. fine, take bill down too. I'm tired of his defending his behavior. Just because it's easier to ignore culpability with a false whataboutism doesn't mean we should. Anyone found involved should be arrested, I want to know who at the DOJ is, or was, involved and approved the deal that allowed the criminal behavior against children to last another 11 years..
23
@melan1e. If Clinton is proven to have done anything here, so be it. However, it seems that he is more.inclined to adult consenting relationships. A matter, save for one, between himself and his wife. On the other had we have 40+ years of a certain Individual 1 being hoist on his own petard as far as groping and admitting on tape to lusting after his own daughter, to buying a teen pagent to gain access to those girls, to using that position to walk in on teens dressing, to numerous accusations of rape including of a 13 year old. Some of these exploited girls came from HIS club in Florida! So, yes, investigate, finally. Punish who needs it. But the weight of it would seem to skew towards Ivanka's groping father this time.
12
Imagine getting immunity from federal prosecution. How much does that run you? And come to find out his lawyer was Kenneth Starr. Really?
These men, they really do have unlimited privilege and zero moral compass.
20
We all know there is a law for the rich and powerful and there is a law for the rest of us. But the 2008 criminal prosecution of Epstein has put the reputation of the Justice Department and the entire Federal justice system into question. The fact that "friends of Jeff" are now the Attorney General and President of the United States does not inspire confidence that justice will be served in this matter. Epstein, like J. Edgar Hoover before him, has too much dirt on people at the heart of the U.S. government. I suspect another sweetheart deal will be negotiated despite the public outrage to come.
17
Let us take a deep breath. Epstein is a very dangerous and cruel person. This is not about Clinton, Trump, Barr, or Acosta. Epstein has been doing this for decades and not served serious time. Putting Epstein behind bars and protecting children from global child traffickers should be the priority. Hunting down our political enemies will only help Epstein's lawyers 'muddy the waters' so they can broker a deal and escape justice, again. An investigation of Epstein's clients should follow. I have a feeling that neither Bill Clinton or Donald Trump are involved. They knew Epstein - all these NYC billionaires know each other. The fact that AG Barr's firm represented Epstein in 2008 doesn't mean Barr is also a pedophile! We all know that the desires of Clinton and Trump do not extend to children. They are both disgusting enough as is.
25
@Redneck - I admire you for trying to keep some perspective but I think you err in lumping Trump and Clinton together.
Trump brags about being a sexual predator. There are photos and video of him groping his daughter and talking about wanting to date her. He's winked about Epstein's penchant for young girls so at the very least he appears to have known about his behavior and condoned it.
22
@Redneck
Unfortunately, it is also about Mr. Acosta as he was the US prosecutor at the time. A very incompetent or biased one just on this case alone.
17
As the article notes, Trump started a modeling agency in connection with Epstein, giving him access to Epstein’s “pre-approved” underage girls. Trump was clearly much more than just another VIP with a taste for women “on the younger side.” Let’s hope both Acosta and Trump do the right thing and resign, rather than forcing the rest of us to follow Trump’s role in this sleazy tale as it unfolds in court.
No matter how things turn out for Epstein, Trump’s presidency is over. “Epstein? I’ve never met the man” won’t fly this time.
16
"Attorney General William P. Barr said on Monday during a trip to South Carolina that he had recused himself from the case..."
Recused?!?! Watch out, Barr. Isn't that why Trump fired Jeff Sessions?
16
@Steve. Didn’t that chain of events also include an ex-judge in Alabama accused of soliciting 14yr olds in mall food courts?
1
What if he came from a good family and got good grades??
46
@Vivienne he could also have been a recruited athlete.
1
As a former career prosecutor, Republican political hack Alex Azar's disgusting "plea deal" for lifetime pedophile and Trump buddy Epstein was and is beyond belief. The fact that Azar is STILL Labor Dept secretary is also beyond belief.
Azar should have been disbarred for breaking federal law by doing his dirty deal in secret from the many victims. Maybe Epstein will finally get some measure of justice after another 13 years hurting new underage victims. Repubs have no shame, no morality, and no conscience. Just endless greed, gaslighting, and sociopathy.
26
@UARollnGuy So the guy is only Trump's buddy and not Clinton's as well? For once back away from the ledge and recognize this is not about one political party or the other but rather about the rich and powerful connected white guys taking care of each other.
4
@UARollnGuy You’ve got the wrong Alex. Alex Acosta, now Labor Secretary, was the prosecutor. Alex Azar is HHS Secretary and, presumably, has nothing to do with this case.
9
@UARollnGuy
Let's not forget, according to the Miami Herald article, that Clinton was listed on the flight manifest for Epstein's private jet, the "Lolita Express" numerous times for flights to Epstein's private island (dubbed "Orgy Island"). This is NOT a repub issue, last time I checked Clinton was a democrat.
5
Acosta needs to go and the FBI and DOJ need to throughly investigate to deal he made. He must have been paid off in some way in order to have given Epstein such a sweetheart deal.
Acosta another rotten apple on the Trump tree.
24
hmmmm, I do wonder why AG Barr recused himself...hmmm?
9
@RobReg his father hired Epstein as a teacher in an exclusive high school many years ago before he started working in finance apparently.
Barr claimed he was doing it because they have a connection through a law firm he worked for.
He didn’t mention the personal connection through his father, according to msnbc last night. The senior Barr hired Epstein even though he had no teaching qualification to a very exclusive school in Manhattan.
So Barr didn’t mention that part, according to msnbc
21
As a survivor of sexual child abuse perpetrated by my paternal grandfather my life's trajectory was changed. I was fortunate to find counselors that were able to help me make my arc from victim to survivor, but the wounds never heal. The unbelievable miscarriage of justice orchestrated by Alex Acosta was the reason I protested his coming to FIU as a dean of the LAW SCHOOL. Acosta needs to be investigated. This has been coming for a decade and might explain why the Public Corruption office is handling the Epstein case in NY. I hope justice can come out of her coma.
62
No mention of Donald Trump who previously admitted knowing & socializing with Epstein.
15
They did mention Donald Trump. Re-read the article.
@ERT only in mentioning Acosta as Labor Secy.
1
I read an interview with a doorman who works close to Epstein's NYC home. He said even to the present he saw young females constantly coming in & out of the home. It sounds like he was still at it which may be how the FBI got a search warrant for the home.
19
@Ann. Another good reason to tip the doorman properly at Christmas.
2
A new hotbed deflection, just in time to distract us from Muellers testimony.
7
Not a paranoid by nature but this whole story reeks. So we have Barr, the AG, whose father hired Epstein to teach math at a prep school in Manhattan known for its rich and famous clientele - even when Epstein did not have a college degree. And Epstein's "tenure" at this school did not last last long. And then we have Acosta - who was in charge of the case against Epstein while he was a US attorney in Miami who basically set Epstein "free" for his repeated crimes against children in Florida. And Acosta was appointed by Trump for his cabinet position as the head of the Department of Labor. And AG Barr has just "recused" himself from any DOJ involvement in this case against Epstein. I remember in summer of 2016 that it was Michael Flynn's son - who worked for him - was shown to be a distributor of the internet "disinformation campaign" against Hillary Clinton inserting on a few platforms on the net a story reporting she was responsible for a nefarious childhood sex "ring" that rounded up children and kept them in the basement of a pizza parlor in D.C. Absolutely nuts - but there it is. This is a nightmarish, eerie take-off of "six degrees of Kevin Bacon" or something.
23
Those Moscow tapes will be G-rated evidence once Epstein's lawyers start working on another plea deal.
5
..., “deepens questions about earlier deal ...”.
You most certainly must mean; deepens questions about the validity of: “We are a nation of laws”.
It’s obvious that, in the United States of America, if you are wealthy, and thus have connections, then the laws do not apply to you.
Had this been “Joe Sixpack”, it would have been [case closed and Joe locked up] a long, long time ago.
20
An interview with a 13 year old who described sex parties and massage sessions hosted by Epstein and attended more than once by Trump, where sex acts were performed on both Trump and Epstein, are really disgusting. The victim stood to make money on the lawsuit she brought, but then she abruptly withdrew the lawsuit. She stood to make money, but her vimeo interview really rings true on what happened. Ugly times.
31
Even if Epstein ends up in jail, justice is not served.
What about Acosta and the prosecutors in Florida who reached the “ deal” with him? They trivialized and insulted the underage girls he molested. They need to serve time too. Seven days a week.
26
This thing was fixed from the get-go, from the carefully sculpted grand jury indictment that reduced Epstein’s charges to the least dangerous through the back-channel off-site private negotiations between attorneys kept secret from the judge and victims that let this guy skate. Why? To protect other political VIPs who joined Epstein at his “Bunga-Bunga” palaces (à la Silvio Berlusconi, for the uninitiated) here and abroad?
What other reason could there possibly be?
Epstein now is like an aggressive cancer previously excised as quickly as possible that has returned in a form unresponsive to previous therapies.
20
Does this man has any rights to walk alive and free again? Put him in the prison with the general population and the justice will be done.
10
I’d be interested in what your perspective is on “justice” being done? I assume that’s a reference to him being raped as a form of vigilante eye-for-an-eye justice. An interesting perspective in this particular media outlet, yet one that doesn’t solicit any response from the usually outraged. Maybe I’m wrong though and you just meant he’d be beaten or even killed...
@Morgan Pony. And perhaps not letting him out 6 days a week for 12 hours at a time to go conduct his private "wealth management" business was not exactly a "prison sentance", and locking him firmly up behind actual bars, in a general population prison--- such as Great Meadow or Dannemora--- is what SHOULD have happened, but didn't. Perhaps don't use your prison fantasy life to infer what other posters have written is their intent.
6
I read the piece in the Miami Herald about this case and it portrays Epstein as a horrible person, a depraved and mentally disturbed person who should be in prison for the rest of his life, preferably in a prison where he would be in the general population. Sex criminals who prey on young women soon discover that in prison they might not be treated well by their fellow inmates.
This kind of crime must stop.
13
[[Federal prosecutors in Manhattan charged Mr. Epstein on Monday with sex trafficking, dealing an implicit rebuke to that plea agreement, which was overseen by Alexander Acosta, then the United States attorney in Miami and now President Trump’s labor secretary.]]
...only the best people.
17
I'm waiting for Acosta to hand in his notice. Trump could not have assembled a more corrupt crew. The fish rotting from the head could not be more apt!
22
Mr. Epstein’s lawyer, Reid Weingarten, said the allegations in the indictment had already been settled in 2008. “To us this indictment is essentially a do-over,” he said. “This is old stuff. This is ancient stuff.”
The indictments weren't settled, they were essentially buried due to privilege. As for a do-over, the sexual assaults were never even acknowledged but dismissed due to dark deals. Sexual assault and pedophilia bargained from justice is not old stuff, it's always current and a nightmare in the psyche of the violated. Ancient stuff is not children violated sexually by a billionaire law scoffer. Ancient stuff is what you find in a archeological dig or in your attic or garage or an antique shop.
27
@Loud and Clear Amen to that!
4
"Only the best people."
15
Took two paragraphs to mention Trump. Bill Clinton has been on Epstein’s private jet nearly 30 times. This feeding frenzy from these media outlets is purely because they can throw Trump in with it. Thats all these media clowns care about now. The Clintons are far more
involved in this but you’d never know it based on the way this has been talked about, covered, or more appropriately , not talked about until it fit the anti-Trump narrative.
9
@F. Jozef K. "President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York. In 2002 and 2003, President Clinton took a total of four trips on Jeffrey Epstein's airplane: one to Europe, one to Asia, and two to Africa, which included stops in connection with the work of the Clinton Foundation. Staff, supporters of the Foundation, and Clinton's Secret Service detail traveled on every leg of every trip. He had one meeting with Epstein in his Harlem office in 2002, and around the same time made one brief visit to Epstein's New York apartment with a staff member and his security detail. He's not spoken to Epstein in well over a decade, and has never been to Little St. James Island, Epstein's ranch in New Mexico, or his residence in Florida."
9
Bill Clinton has not held public office since 2000. His potential involvement is less newsworthy than that of Trump.
1
@Moira
Read the Clinton statement carefully. He doesn't deny the many public reports that say Bill flew on Epstein's jet dozens of time. Rather, he says that he was only on the plane 4 times "in 2002 and 2003."
Money talks very loudly in America.
14
I'm glad this is finally coming to fruition. What happened in Florida was an abomination. How can Epstein get 13 months in prison, in which he is actually free for 12 hours a day, six days a week, when someone else faces 20 years for licking ice cream?
18
If this was an older women we were talking about here, instead of a man, this would be a none story
3
@steve Not so many a Madame has had her day in court.
2
Due to the absence of ethics and humanity of Acosta and others and the complicity of a boys club of entitled psychopaths - 11 more years of victimization occurred. 11 more years of girls who were traumatized and whose allegations would be ignored. We are in dark days when the judicial system does more to protect a remorseless predator than it does a 14 year old girl.
35
"Attorney General William P. Barr said on Monday during a trip to South Carolina that he had recused himself from the case because Mr. Barr’s former law firm, Kirkland & Ellis, had represented Mr. Epstein."
very funny. Barr has no problem supporting trump's allies in so many areas..... but stat rape and sex trafficking must be a bridge too far.
13
Until everyone realizes that the law is written nor for the victims of any crime, rather it is written for perpetrators. That alone should be obvious, as to these three cases, of three men, Epstein, O. J. Simpson, and Bill Cosby. All three guys should be in jail for life, but the kind of lawyers who would defend them, don't care about the greater justice, of truth, and victims, usually females, and in all these three cases, it is only about females, except in the case of Ron Goldman. Everyone that doesn't believe all of the above, are just individuals who are victimizing all of the females, and Ron Goldman, all over again. The legal laws we have in this country, are such, that the law schools demand that all charged with a crime should have such good representation that they would get off of every crime they are charged with, whether arson, assault, armed robbery, child abuse, identity theft, murder, rape, robbery, etc. It isn't anymore whether people have actually committed the crime they are charge with, rather it is feeling more sorry for the person charged than we do for the female raped or murdered. When you have a society, where everyone is not being found guilty of their crime, you will have a horrific society, and we are approaching that point, and this case makes one look directly at it, and do you like what this looks like for the future, of being a victim.
5
So nice to be still able to believe in justice!
4
Now we know why Trump made Acosta his Labor Secretary.
QUID PRO QUO
Acosta negotiated the cover-up.
29
Jailed exactly one day each week, for 13 months...
Why do the media including NYT keep saying jailed for 13 months, "but freed to work in his office, six days per week?"
Acosta should be fired and forbidden ever to hold another government office. And our nation deserves to know the names of the other men involved in Epstein's scheme.
27
As to why Epstein was offered such leniency by Mr. Acosta and others, FOLLOW THE MONEY.
15
Don't laugh. This could be United States' next president.
11
And when will Interpol be involved for international trafficking?
14
Once again Trump's admiration for a deeply nasty character shines a light on Trump himself.
20
After Reading Pamela Meyer's LieSpotting, 2010, about the corporate culture that led to the US meltdown, it is clear that the chickens have come home to roost.
9
Does New York State not have statutory rape laws?
An adult male having sex with a 14-year-old would be considered rape in many jurisdictions. Why is the media avoiding this term? Billionaire's privilege?
Note that handing over a hunk of cash doesn't negate the statutory rape offence.
20
Acosta, as U.S. attorney, apparently acceded to all Epstein's lawyers' demands -- and Epstein's lawyers included Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, who was accused himself of rape by one of Epstein's alleged victims. I am hopeful that this time the case against Epstein brings down all those who aided, abetted, and participated in these crimes, whoever they are and no matter their positions of power or their wealth.
And I emphatically agree with Speaker Pelosi: Acosta is wholly corrupt and must RESIGN.
31
This example of special treatment by the law is "the Swamp" personified
11
“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”
24
@Human Brilliant! Tom and Daisy have never seemed less to me like characters in a novel than they do now, more's the pity.
2
Parents, teach your sons they do not have authority over women, they do not have the right to use women, they do not have the right to demean women, and they most certainly do not have the right to exert physical control over women. No male person has the right to hurt a woman, nor does he have the right to abuse, intimidate, or threaten a woman. The world is going to be a pretty rotten place, until men learn they have limits and learn they are in no way superior to women. This is not a political issue, but an issue of respect for women and respect for the law. And it's an issue of men leaving their arrogance behind.
14
Trump's contemptuous attitude towards women was well known before the presidential elections, but that didn't stop his voters from making him president. Do one really have to wonder that a predator like Epstein is protected by his people ?
12
How many more Epstein's and Trump's are operating in plain sight? Right smack dab under our noses.
Remember when Trump joked about walking in on naked pageant participants because he owned the show? Or when he bragged that he could do anything he wanted to women because he is a celebrity and, "they will let him do it?"
Remember when Trump said that Epstein "likes them on the young side?" Remember when candidate Trump had a stream of accusers who stated under oath that he raped them - one of whom was 13-years old, and another of whom surfaced two weeks ago to tell her story of being raped by him in a department store?
Fast forward to July, 2019. Not one single member of the Republican Party leadership will distance themselves from Trump. And, on an hourly basis, our national airwaves are dominated by Fox News whose business model is focused on brainwashing American citizens with right wing propaganda for the exclusive benefit of Trump and the Republican Party.
All of the above is happening in plain sight, right smack dab under our very noses.
30
@Alabama And when, after WWII, they asked the German citizens how they allowed such atrocities go on under their very noses? The response was, "we didn't know!" For the first time in my life, I understand why they answered that way. They couldn't do anything about it, so they closed their eyes to it.
5
money is the root of all evil......the older i get, the more i see that is true...
BUT
we live in a world in which ALL that matters, in the final analysis, IS money.....money to buy things, including people, buying personal " justice " and buying those people who are in positions to " judge ".
sadly, those without money, receive a different kind of " justice "
8
@marshall It's the "[love of] money" that is the root of all evil. Everything else applies, though.
3
Firstable, I am appaled and offended that President Clinton’s name is invoqued here. He had NOTHING to do with this. His name is dropped here just to sensationilize. The story is horrible on its own as it is.
Unfortunately, Epstein had access to the rich, famous and powerful simply because of his wealth which is part of the tragedy here. Sadly some, like Trump, might have known, by his own words, that he likes them young...
This guy is so well connected that, even the current Attorney General of the United States had to recuse himself. How much Barr knows about this guy, I really would like to know. Barr truly gives me the creeps but he cannot be guilty by association either.
It is Acosta who needs to be brought to account in addition to Epstein. Needless to say Epstein deserves to be locked in a room with the parents of the victims for a week before going to jail for the rest of his life.
But what Acosta did was awful too. He was an enabler instead of being the person responsible to protect the innocent. He needs to resign first and foremost.
8
@CRL
If Clinton had "nothing to do with this" why was he listed numerous times on the flight manifest for Epstein's private jet, the "Lolita Express" to Epstein's private Caribbean Island?
6
No man has a right to misogyny against girls or women, men exist because a woman breathed life into them and nurtured their existence.
Amos Tuck and Abraham Lincoln are turning in their grave today as the party they built has turned into the " Rich Perversion League". Every person who voted for the current monstrosity should consider themselves responsible for the debased views and actions of a man who thinks it is ok to dehumanize women and treat them like chattel.
12
I find it disgusting to the extreme that most are commenting about Epstein's ties to Trump, while ignoring the fact if far more suspicious contact with Clinton, and the fact that Epstein got off under the Obama administration. Surely Obama was aware of the only billionaire facing criminal charges in all America. I detest Trump and have no doubt he is as guilty as Epstein, and Clinton. Those who cynically try to use this just to score points on Trump and the Republicans alone, are no friends of women's rights. These rich abusers are liberals and conservatives and need to be brought down equally to their knees.
9
@ AR....2008? (the year Epstein’s lawyers reached a settlement on the FLA charges). Obama took the oath of office in JAN ‘09.
14
@AR President Obama was NOT in office in 2008, as he became our president on Jan. 20, 2009. Care to reconsider that comment?
13
@AR
Far more suspicious? I'd say the comment Trump made about knowing Epstein for (now over) 15 years makes Trump look extremely suspicious.
How could Trump not have known?
1
This is turning out a very interesting start with fingers pointing to Trump with dirt to spare. Sad that the NYTimes did not disclose here that the Civil case in 2016 had been silenced.
Maybe the Federal Case is moot of prosecuting Trump and Epstein by the DoJ, there is the fact that Trump and Epsstein were NY citizens so they both could be prosecuted by NY state, In which case, the ban on DoJ going after a sitting POTUS doesn't hold. NY's hands are free to go after him.
9
@WorldPeace2017 if you are 13years old and you are threatened by Donald J. Trump, wonder if Michael Cohen was the bulldog of the day, what would you do, easy at our age, I would hope that I am of sane mind, however, reading some of these posts about how the monsters
would I be surprised if any Canadians would be brought into the mix, probably not, when you run a sophisticated network such as Epstein has taken right out of organized crime not a tv series then maybe you can say "I would have stuck it out" by the way this case was in the Southern district of New York, maybe it will be revived as a criminal case, wouldn't that be justice.
2
Epstein, the Clintons, Prince Andrew, Acosta, Trump. Nothing but blue-chippers involved in this guy's circle. I hate to say it, but I think this case is just the tip of the iceberg. If the investigation is thorough, I have a hunch a lot more big names will be exposed and linked with these horrific kinds of acts. Hopefully it will give the rest of us a rude awakening, so we can stop turning a blind eye and realize that right now there are thousands of victims around the world falling prey to this kind of trafficking. And these poor kids need our help.
11
Something stinks in this. Are there no photos or video clips of this pervert today? No film of him entering or leaving the courthouse or hearing room, before or after the hearing? The prosecutor phrases accusations in the passive voice. A lot of “alleged” without much “accused.” It sounds like he’s a journalist trying to be non-partisan rather than a prosecutor trying to convict a monster. The timing is far enough ahead of the election to allow Fox News to spin it and the story to die down.
I’ll believe this prosecution is on the level when a conviction is handed down and he gets the maximum sentence, or when Trump pardons him. As for his stay in jail, his money seems to be working on the outside, wouldn’t be surprising if it works on the inside as well. There’s only one place for someone like him, and it’s not in this world.
Please give us photographs and video of what’s happening. I want to see his face as he goes thru whatever this is we’re reading about, but not seeing.
5
Reading the 2003 'The Talented Mr Epstein' in Vanity Fair warning signals flash throughout this article. Foresight, rather than hindsight.
Very, very creepy on every level, especially Epsteins friendships & associations with wealthy men obviously attracted to his perverse proclivities including Donald Trump.
Donald Trumps 'fake news' will not work this time.
14
I didn't think you'd print the truth. It was a paradox.
There is no justice in America.
4
No doubt about it, if he is let out on bail he will leave for a certain Middle Eastern country that never sends those wanted by the authorities back for trial.
8
I don’t know which I find more repulsive: the crimes themselves, abuse and rape likely committed by Epstein and his confreres; that these rich, powerful monsters have been able to evade any consequences of their acts; or the willingness of a substantial minority to ignore crimes when they are committed by leaders who support their own fears and hatreds. That minority (and I pray that that are only a minority) will share much of the responsibility if the monsters continue to evade justice.
7
Slave owners used up whatever they wanted. Today they are not called slaveowners. But you know who they are, because they still use up whatever they want.
The Constitution is our weapon.
I am equal.
I will stand if I choose. I will kneel if I choose. I will pray. I will not pray.
I will give the same courtesy to others, that I want for myself.
If for some reason I cannot or will not give them the same courtesy that I expect, they will know that it is my choice and mine alone. I will not allow myself the pretense of superiority because of birth or religion.
9
@Honest Abe Well said, Abe! Well said!
2
As I read this gut wrenching story, the question repeatedly comes to my head — “Did those that helped Epstein get away so easily have little children, especially girls?” If they did, as a father, I really wonder how they would have gone home and slept after helping him getting off so easily and how they feel about it now, knowing fully well what their actions did to the lives of hundreds of young girls, like their daughters? This guy is clearly a bonafide creep who got wealthy and powerful, but where we fail as society is when we don’t nip such creeps in the bud and land up instead failing hundreds of victims. I hope he is materially cleaned out for restitution for whatever it is worth and money given to them and a fund for other such victims.
16
@A. Chandra. Acosta has two young girls now, google up his "Swearing in" and look at their faces, and his wife. Particularly the older child. I don't know if he has any older children, but I fear for these two, they already look haunted. I know that look,. my face wore it for a long time.
2
Sexual predators have been around for a long time, and the fact that this man is one is not so surprising. What makes this story sickening though is that abuse & rape is clearly accepted and condoned by our legal system — as long as the perpetrator is rich and powerful. There are no repercussions, no real punishment for violating, abusing and raping underage “children” and young girls. This is yet another example of how there are 2 legal systems in this country — in one laws exist and are applied excessively severely to the poor and powerless; and an alternate parallel one where the laws don’t apply, egregious violations are overlooked, perpetrators get away with almost anything because they are rich and connected. Our country sadly is as corrupt as any third world nation we tend to look down upon.
14
In TV news footage of the townhouse door being pried open and good last confiscated, a number of younger women left the building. What was that about?
This whole story and everyone involved makes me physically ill.
11
Something for everyone here! Clinton AND Trump both seemed have spent some good times with this guy. For the selective hand wringing about Acosta, it's worth remembering that the leniency occurred under the Bush administration, and it is the Trump Department of Justice that is now pursuing him. As for the MeToo movement, it has been unhelpful in sweeping all sexual offenses under one zero-tolerance standard: Al Franken (who would be running for president right now) is ruined along with Harvey Weinstein; a NY state official's 45-year career as a leader in open government is ended because a young reporter didnt like the way he spoke to her, and Peter Yarrow gets disinvited to an arts festival in upstate NY because of exposing himself to a fan in 1969 (he long ago paid the price under the law). MeToo is a weapon used for political assassination, blurring the lines between serious abuse like this one and handsy Uncle Joe.
3
What was the "quid pro quo" for the plea deal?
4
The brazen nature of this affair is stunning. Epstein obviously thought this was all wrapped otherwise he would have transferred all assets and flown to Brazil by now.
13
I've been watching this for some time now. It's not a partisan issue but it is a political one. Corruption is growing and this is just a symptom. This guy should never see light again.
12
Federal and state law needs to be changed immediately to invalidate non-disclosure agreements from being used to silence prosecution witnesses in felony cases like Epstein's.
12
@Solar Power
No need for change. Law is already clear that an NDA does not prevent someone from having to testify under subpoena in a criminal case
Jeffrey, you've convicted yourself:
"On the second floor is a mural that Mr. Epstein had commissioned in recent years: a photorealistic prison scene that included barbed wire, corrections officers and a guard station, with Mr. Epstein portrayed in the middle.
“He said, ‘That’s me, and I had this painted because there is always the possibility that could be me again,’” said R. Couri Hay, a public relations specialist invited by Mr. Epstein to a meeting at his home and to view the mural three months ago.
Now, Jeffrey, it's time to tell us about your brothers in crime.
11
I think evidence will show that Trump forced Bill Clinton to fly on Epstein's plane at the behest of Putin. The plane logs were then changed to reduce the number of flights from 26 to 4. Barr covered this up by having Acosta cut a deal that shielded the payoff originally made by Michael Cohen. This will in the end get to the root of the problem which is the lengths that Flynn went to to shield Kushner and Don Jr. This is going to be good.
2
Hopefully as part of the investigation, authorities will also cease camera footage from his NY mansion as well as other properties and from his off-shored accounts.
4
@Ann
Yes. I am shocked there has been no mention of the camera footage. Prosecutors need to see everyone involved.
2
Round one put the second string enforcement team on the job and reach a toothless agreement. Bone Spur combat medal. Vietnam era fighter pilot duty in Alabama.
The American way is for the pain of federal law and rules to fall on those without the money or powerful friends to carry the heavier burdens imposed by the federal government.
The second trial is not over.
7
If Epstein was anything less than incredibly discreet (and he doesn't seem to be) I won't be surprised if they find compromising photos of other powerful men in that trove.
The prosecutors will probably keep what they find under wraps until they are prepared to use it. But it promises some very interesting news in the coming months.
4
Would it be a surprise if Donald Trump enjoyed some of the massages and “play time” in his pal Epstein’s mansion?
Who knows how many were paid off by these two rich and powerful sexual predators? We know trump’s M.O. by now.
36
Sam,
You can try to bring Trump into this, but his close friend is Bill Clinton! Epstein was a big DEMOCRATIC donor. Bill Clinton is likely to be in BIG trouble!
3
One doesn’t cancel out the other. Trump is unfortunately the current president.
3
@Kelly Wishful thinking. And even f he is involved it doesn't exonerate Trump like all you cultists think it should
And now he’s Secretary of Labor. Outrageous.
36
Clinton acknowledges four trips on Epstein’s private plane?
The Guardian is reporting Epstein’s private flight logs show Clinton flying 26 times with Epstein, and that’s the number that has been reported for years now on this case.
It’s insulting for Clinton to claim he knew nothing about these terrible crimes. Epstein was obviously proud of his passion for underage girls and made no effort to hide it. Epstein should be held accountable, but so should anyone else who contributed.
40
@Annie Gramson Hill And many of those trips, according to the same pilot's logs, were without the secret service detail replaced by a full complement of young girls ..
4
@Annie Gramson Hill
Yup. So thankful we have people who are prepared to fight for the truth and bring these criminals to justice. We need to get behind them. So much of this filth has been exposed in recent years. Church. Government. Entertainment. Schools. The list just gets longer and more pervasive. Please speak up. These criminals survive because people who know, or should know, need to gather the courage to speak up.
2
Everyone involved in him getting a slap in the wrist the first time must know that they helped this felon victimize more innocent children.
We need to know who those people were and hold them accountable for being accomplices to this man’s crimes.
30
And what about his employees and rich pals, all pandering to this child abuser or even ... oh wait, Mr. Acosta's office spelled it out back then: "co-conspirators." Who also went untried and unpunished.
Well, let's hope NY does a better job, because it's not just Mr. Epstein who needs to be charged and tried -- it's everyone who also abused young women with him, and who enabled and pandered for him.
No matter how high an office they may now hold.
39
As singularly grotesque as his own warped behavior has been, could Epstein's main crime be that he has been blackmailing the rich and powerful? Who is in these pictures that he had locked up in a safe? Who has he been furnishing with underage girls at his palatial playpens? Who are the intermediaries (both men and women ) who brought these girls to him? Did he blackmail his way off the hook during his first two brushes with the law? Over the years, his soiled name has been linked with the likes of Trump, Woody Allen, Harvey Weinstein, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew to name just a few in an ever widening rogues gallery. Clearly Epstein has violated the conditions of his original release from prison and should be sent back to a real jail (where child molesters meet with swift justice) to do real time. The slimy lawyers (both defense and prosecution) who gave him his sweet heart deals should also answer for it. This is turning into what may become the greatest scandal in US history (no mean feat). The stench from this mess has now permeated to every level of our government. It can no longer be kept under a lid of payoffs and PR damage control. The public is screaming for blood and rightfully so. This rock needs to be turned over to see what comes crawling and slithering out from underneath. And if powerful heads roll....so be it. There is only one law and one justice for everyone.
44
Good and trusted pals with Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, and Bill Clinton? Each is world renown for lasciviousness. These are the leaders of the western world. Who are we?
20
We're NOT them.
8
The original deal was made in Florida where the only crime is voting while black.
41
Acosta aided and abetted a pedophile and sex trafficker. When are the charges going to be filed?
31
Epstein, Clinton, Trump, Woody Allen,.…. sheesh ! Enough to make the skin crawl. Lock 'em all up.
14
The Injustice Department under Trump is obviously countering the Immigrant children story with this one. I got the idea after quickly viewing Krugman's oped and returned here to write that.
11
"Attorney General William P. Barr said on Monday during a trip to South Carolina that he had recused himself from the case because Mr. Barr’s former law firm, Kirkland & Ellis, had represented Mr. Epstein."
Tony soprano Trump seems to know who his made mates are. Keep an eye on the temps. They'll tell the story.
9
I have read the article and many of the comments that seem to fault the article for not tying Trump to Epstein and accusations made by 'Katie Johnson' of being raped by both Epstein and Trump many times at parties in Epstein 'apartment'. So I looked up 'Katie Johnson'. As much as I despise Trump, there are extensive holes in the her story and therefore questions about her veracity. This article is dealing with the truth as put forward by trained investigators and is well documented. No need to deal with what for now, is still esoteric.
7
You might be right. So it's time to focus on the more than twenty women who were brave enough to come forward with their stories of how Trump attacked and sexually abused them.
And 20 is almost certainly just the tip of the iceberg.
8
There is something rotting at the center of this saga, a story that is a game changer, if allowed to be heard. The fact that he was facing life in prison and got 13 months with work release for 12 hours a day should tell you everything
32
Still, the religious right will support this perverted administration, but I understand how they would since I come from a Catholic parish where a half dozen priests raped children and from an archdiocese where hundreds more did the same with almost no one being prosecuted because the perverts in power--Church and government--protect their own. So I would assume that the Republican fundamental churches share many of the same sorts of leaders--degenerate criminals and child abusers--and they do not want to criticize Trump et al. when many of them are doing the same or worse. When will the moral majority say "enough" to the Republicans?
28
Rich white guys always win.
Why is this a revelation?
24
They need to find out who these other "co conspirators" were in 2008 and raid their houses. No one is above the law. There is NOT one set of laws for the rich and well connected and another for the little people (to quote the late Queen of Mean who also had endless arrogance and contempt for our justice system).
20
@Brodston
Acosta broke the law by executing the nondisclosure agreement by denying the victims their legal rights. It should be voided/nullified and used to release the sordid details on the co-conspirators.
Why is the DOJ so willing to throw the victins under the bus and at the same time shield the creeps who made this lucrative rapist scheme impervious to legal effect?
4
When I read: "I had braces on" I cried.
33
This case represents an extreme scenario - powerful, rich, politically-connected white man (or men) sexually abusing very young, poor, powerless women. One that is certainly repeated elsewhere, given the scope of sex trafficking. Of course Epstein (and his co-conspirators, for you can be sure they exist if the original accord gave them immunity) got away with it. It's almost a miracle that there may finally be justice, thanks to dogged journalism, police and prosecutors. And consider that if Epstein got away with it for so long in the United States, where there are supposed to be all sorts of law-and-order safeguards, what chance do women and other vulnerable populations stand against the powerful in the rest of the world ?
42
Ha....no one is above the law? It sure seems to be the case. This one got away without punishment for years....It would have been for life, were it not for a member of the ‘fake’ media. Bravo ‘fake’ media. There may even be a foot locker of shoes dropping...if the system will allow it.
36
Barr recused himself because his law firm represented Epstein?
How about now when he was appointed by “Individulal #1”?
42
Does anyone here in the United States of America believe for a moment that great wealth, power, and political connections, do not insulate most with access to such, from ever having to fear real punishment for their criminal actions, including misdemeanors, felony, rape, paedophilia, and murder, and our attempts to export mayhem via war and conflict, on other nations.
It can be said that one antonym for justice is lawlessness, which by all recent measures appears to be the reality prevalent in the mindset of the wealthiest and most powerful of American elites, even reaching all the way into the soulless creature we know as Trump, the 46th President of the United States of America.
Tens of millions of dollars will be spent, of our tax dollars, to prosecute this latest example of a perverse psychopath, and tens of millions more of his wealth will be spent in an effort to circumvent real justice, and buy this lowlife some form of respite, and deals will be made, and the victims will again be left feeling sullied.
Here in America we have become so inured to the daily horrors visited upon us by those who are able, and all too willing, to buy their way out of responsibility for their evil, it seems that we have given up on holding on to even the most basic definition of decency.
The world watches this decadence take over America, and soon it will begin to fear that somehow or other, lest it infect the entire planet, they will be forced to try and stop it.
36
@Mel Farrell
Thank you for this. You nailed it!!
3
Anyone in a position of power working for Trump appears likely to have abused their power in some way. Let the investigations continue and there are likely many more to commence.
20
We are a nation of laws. We must return to them. The alleged crimes this man have committed are heinous and must be fully investigated, tried and convicted. Other crimes will undoubtedly be uncovered, likely involving a Labor Secretary, possibly a law firm and several unscrupulous individuals who worked for the defendant(s). Uncover the crimes, try them, put the guilty into our overcrowded prisons. Crime victims my engage civil suits against their exploitative tormentor who has the means to provide financial compensation as well as provide for appropriate counseling to help with their wounds. Can the American justice system deliver? Let us pray.
13
@SunnyG - The US isn't a country of laws rather lawyers. I see too much litigation, negotiations and deals in the US particularly involving corporates and wealthy people. There is also a focus on the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law. BTW, I am from the US.
3
There is no "political" issue here. This is simply a "right" or "wrong" issue and is clearly a "wrong" issue.
The American People deserve to know what information he had on his computer and the names of all other involved parties that aided or assisted him in anyway. No matter where the "chips" fall.
Let's take the gloves off (just this once) and treat each and every one of them for what they are: PREDATOR HUNTERS who seek-out and hunt the most vulnerable members of the human race - children.
26
I know I’ll get ripped apart for this but isn’t Epstein a very sick man who should have had mandatory treatment while in custody in Florida? As hideous as their behavior is, predators should be separated from the community and treated. Being surrounded by enablers and protectors who enjoyed the benefits of his wealth is part of the problem.
15
@RNYC he didn't get treatment because part of his deal was being graded to the lowest level of sex offender and also law enforcement didn't think what he did was actually that bad. Plus he probably came from a "good family".
2
@RNYC Epstein was separated from the rest of the prison population...he was allowed to leave the county facility he was in 6 days a week for 12 hours a day I believe. Epstein and s beyond just "sick". He knew exactly what he was doing and used his wealth and the privilege that accompanies that wealth to manipulate the criminal justice system. He deserves to be locked away for the rest of his life and should be placed in a teal prison with the general prison population.....even they do not tolerate crimes against children.
2
I think it'll be really helpful if a financially savvy journalist can investigate whether or not he's really a billionaire.
The Times and Forbes already validated Donald Trump's "wealth" without any evidence, let's not repeat that with this guy.
9
What’s the difference if he is or is not a billionaire? That has no real bearing on the crimes he’s accused of committing.
2
If the plaintiff known as Katie Johnson is correct, Epstein’s trafficking goes back to at least 1994, not as this placeholder suit stTes 2002, and the girls were as young as thirteen, as opposed to 14. Her video testimony seems extremely credible.
17
"Terrific guy.. Lot of fun to be with."
Trump on Epstein, 2002
What kind of fun did he mean exactly? Access Hollywood type fun?
24
Only a Trump justice department has the guts to go after Epstein. The president is already a billionaire, so Mr. Epstein's act falls flat.
And you democrats still want to bring this president down? Shame on you.
11
Right. It was Trump’s Sec of Labor who cut Epstein loose last time around.
39
@Egon12 And Trump personal DOJ lawyer William Barr who had to recuse himself because his law firm represented Epstein.
7
The rule of law means that the president doesn’t run the justice department or direct prosecutions. Shame on you.
5
The South Florida deal appears to have been struck during the George Bush administration. Charlie Christ was Governor of Florida at that time.
11
But who was on the national stage running for the Democratic candidacy against Senator Obama during that time?
Hint:
HRC
@MDCooks8. And??? If you have a point, make it. Tossing out bizarre one liners is not useful.
1
@MDCooks8. Hint, hint, why would a Republican administration seal evidence that could hurt a Democratic rival for the presidency. Seems to me that if it was damaging to Clinton they would be anxious to have it see the light of day in order to damage her if she became the candidate. Which, of course she did not. Don’t let your dislike of the Clintons get in the way of common sense. These were Republicans all the way who made this deal.
Crimes were comitted by him in New York so why hasn't he been arrested by local authorities? Are thy too corrupt and or incompetent to do so?
10
Guys like this one has only one right place to be, jail, forever. Society need no put out with individuals of his type.
10
I have heard the name for years..but why is this big today? Throw the book at him. I guess there is a lawyer Acosta who had something to do with this 10 years ago so the cable and news media is jumping on this. I hope he does not see the light of day if guilty but because Trump said something about "he loves beautiful girls, some of them young" right after 9/11 now we need to care? Maybe Acosta should go, I am informed and could not pick him out of police lineup
3
@arthur Me thinks there is a lot more you could read to be informed - check the Miami Herald's Julie Brown's extensive investigative reporting, and read it all. And several previous NYT articles. Take particular note of the part about "a lawyer Acosta who had something to do with this 10 years ago", who is Trumps Labor Secretary (overseeing sex trafficking), and recently approved relaxing some sex trafficking laws. And Epstein's connections to our current AG Barr (and his porno publishing father), the law firm that defended Epstein (alumni include Barr & Acosta) and a web of others that is just starting to untangle, we hope.
11
It's not only Acosta's past which is troubling: he is head of the Department of Labor, the very same department which controls and oversees the US's policies on human trafficking.
And is it any surprise that Acosta has recently relaxed laws on human trafficking?
It's unthinkable that Alex Acosta should have ever been picked as head of the Department of Labor. And he should have been ousted long ago when the Epstein case details came out.
Fire Acosta now, and investigate his motivations in allowing sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein these last 15 free years, which have allowed Epstein to continue raping and assaulting.
42
@DVargas -- its a Democratic policy idea to decriminalize sex work. Acosta was an official in the Bush administration when he gave Epstein the lenient sentence. Get off the blame the Trump train. This is a nonpartisan scandal.
1
Is he going to Rikers? It’s where he belongs. He certainly is a flight risk.
24
One assumes "trump" and Berman are on conference calls to "strategize" on this.
9
The American Bar Association should disbar every lawyer who signed off on the light treatment of Epstein.
Am doing now can people see why women don’t come forward when they have been raped? Not to mention all the untested rape kits and states who force rape survivors to pay... if you are a sexual abuse or rape survivor, there is no justice in this country, no accountability for rapists or their enablers.
34
@Barbara, There is justice but not nearly enough to please me. The impunity of the rich criminals in America is one of the worst things about our country, for nobody should commit serious felonies--especially hurting children. Lock em up.
3
The way the leader of such a great country and moral individual will explain this/these incidents will be just like getting away with shooting some one in the middle of the street in New York. He’ll say I could do anyone anywhere any age and my people will still stand behind me. Oh and especially the GOP men and women alike. Isn’t he such a great example for the kids. Moral majority isn’t that now an oxymoron? I think so. God help us.
21
“GOP senators decline to criticize Acosta”. GOP senators decline take a stand against corruption period. The party of law and order is now the party of “scandal? What scandal”? They see nothing, hear nothing and vote on nothing.
48
Well, what a tangled web we weave...
Trump's hand picked fixer, Barr, has to recuse himself because of his ties to Epstein, so he can't take care of Acosta who let Epstein off in the first place. Most corrupt administration in US history.
61
Also - Bob Barr has undertaken similar behavior to Epstein.
9
Dershowitz will surely face opprobrium and threat of termination from Harvard now, right? Isn’t that what they do at HLS when professors undertake representation of accused sexual predators?
35
@RJR Good grief. If Dershowitz is found guilty of bad behavior, then let's rip him apart, but just because a name is somehow connected to someone, nobody should assume anything and presume wrongdoing. Innocent until presumed guilty. The mob doesn't rule. Or does it?
4
@RJR let’s hope so. It would be interesting to find out whether or not Dershowitz himself participated in Epstein’s “business.”
4
@RJR
Sullivan may have faced opprobium, but he was not terminated from Harvard Law School, where to my knowledge he remains a tenured professor. His contract as "Faculty Dean" of Winthrop House was not renewed, and he was allowed to continue in that position until the end of his contract. So he was not fired from that position either.
Surprisingly, no mention at all about Alan Dershowitz.
26
@Tell It Like It Is Wait for it. There is still time for his name to come up.
1
Isn’t it amazing how constitutional the GOP is when it comes to immigration, and concerned about taxes, yet to hear any slamming on the table of fists over Child abuse, disgraceful, pervertion of one of their backers. Wow if he was a democratic friend I imagine you would hear their outrage around the world.
26
@Ellyare you really surprised at GOP behavior? They stand for only one thing and that’s their own pocket.
9
No I suppose I usually comment with my original northern born sarcastic humor. It just gets my sense of decency that those who could afford it the most use it the least.
1
Did Acosta's office extend the same courtesy of being allowed to work outside prison for 72 hours per week to plumbers, cooks, landscapers, etc.?
It would certainly be an interesting step forward if that were to become commonplace under Acosta's leadership at the Department of Labor.
32
I'm sure that Mr. Epstein's accusers and families have already been "pressured and intimidated" by Epstein and his handlers as Stormy Daniels was threatened by Mr. Trump's. I wonder if Trump's accuser, who was 13 when she was procured at the bus station, will come forward again.She was no doubt "pressured and threatened " to drop her case. His intimidation tactics have been successful in many,many cases- so many people say.
44
I’m sure I’ll get ripped apart for this but isn’t Epstein an obviously very sick man? Why didn’t he receive mandatory treatment while in custody in Florida? Predators are not normal people and should be separated from the community however, they should receive treatment. Being surrounded by enablers and protectors who enjoyed the benefits of his wealth is certainly part of the problem.
16
Trump declares that Epstein is a nice guy. Well from Trump's point of view they could be brothers. It is in the same category as Trump calling Kim and Putin nice guys. Epstein represents all the Trump voters who could not see the ethical depravity of their candidate.
35
@just Robert I agree completely. However, Bill Clinton's statement earlier today simply does not ring true to me.
5
Epstein and Jupiter (Palm Beach County)massage parlors both trafficked sex and both pimps hung out at Mar-a Lago. Trump seems to always be in the middle of these stories, and never too surprised, and I am least surprised. He is a sexual predator.
48
@DLA
Of course he is. He TOLD us he is. We should believe him.
5
I hope that we all remember what kind of person Donald Trump selected in making Acosta a member of his cabinet. You know, the same Donald Trump who boasted that he could assault any woman he wanted to? To the Evangelical Christian leaders who still back Trump: You have made a real bargain here, haven’t you? What does the Bible say about rape and the predation of children?
62
A wealthy pedophile who was shown leniency several years ago by a member of The Donald's current administration?
Is this news? It's just another chapter of the unfortunate reveal of the top one percent's ability to purchase and escape justice.
36
Acosta, the one Trump lackey who doesn't have the title of "acting" cabinet member, has a front and center role in this disgusting travesty of justice.
How can this happen?
28
As bad as Mr. Epstein's behavior is, it pales when compared to that of the hundreds of Catholic priests who used their positions of trust and "moral authority" to sexually attack children.
12
@rob Frankly, I feel it's in the same category. The church has moral authority. Epstein has money.
15
No, it doesn't pale in comparison to the Catholic Church; it's all painfully disgusting and sick. It’s hurtful to all the children involved.
24
And it’s not a competition.
7
I could barely read the linked 2002 New York Magazine article without becoming nauseated. This fawning article on this "Man of Mystery" who was so brilliant that he "collected" scientists was written by an alleged journalist who should be ashamed of what was written. And the Vanity Fair article on Epstein was sanitized by its editor. Can we stop calling these sorts of magazines "journalism" and their writers "reporters" or "journalists"? They are fan magazines of the most cynical and despicable sort, written and edited by people who knew what kind of people Trump and Epstein are.
33
I look forward to Trump's assessment that there are "very fine people on both sides" of this issue.
Also to watching the religious right remain silent about the revolting exploitation of girls and women while they continue to fulminate about the rights of fetuses.
86
A very important point.
10
The "deal" that was not a deal was just white male privilege pure and simple. He continued because he assumed they just winked and looked the other way.
Anyone involved in making that deal should be brought to justice.
41
If he's convicted, let's hope he's not sent to a white collar prison. A 'regular' one will do just fine.
33
(If) convicted, hopefully he spends the rest of his days behind bars, and, since he has damaged many young women, his entire fortune could be taken through civil suits, and distributed to his victims.
42
Men of this ilk deserve the worst a civilized society can bestow upon them--to sit in solitary every day they remain alive. Where does the evil come from?
26
Epstein is vile and disgusting, but it's sad to read so much blanket hatred of "the rich." There are certainly some rotten rich people, but many more who are good people and do wonderful things for others. Just another example of broad brush identities being assigned by mob mentality as if all those who fit certain criteria are the same. All rich people are not bad. All white people are not racist. All straight people are not homophobes. All democrats are not socialists. All conservatives are not heartless. People, please get a hold of yourselves.
29
@Bruce
That's not the point, Bruce.
The point is that BECAUSE he was a rich white man he avoided due punishment through powerful connections and a pleas deal.
Nobody said all rich white men are bad.
Learn to read critically before you comment.
28
@Bruce
Worried much?
7
” All Democrats are not Socialist ” you have a problem!
5
This guy needs to go to prison. A real prison. Not a country club with bars on the windows. Then they can dig into this plea deal that Acosta gave him and they can send Acosta along with him.
41
It is clear that his home was and is a crime scene. It is clear that he has continued to possess lewd and pornographic photographs of underage victims, even after the kid glove handling by Alex Acosta. The courts can and should take away all his assets. If there is any justice, the monetary value of those assets should be given to the victims who testify against him in order to help them to rebuild their lives.
40
So why is the Secretary of the Dept of Labor, the one who signed off a plea agreement that gave Mr. Epstein a pass for this sexual abuse of minors, still the Secretary of Labor?
He, along other prosecutors in Miami should also confront disbarment and should be investigated for, yes, corruption and collusion —unless they can reveal if they were pressured into giving this billionaire a pass and permission to sexually exploit young girls.
40
I want Harvard, NYU and all the other big-name organizations who received Epstein’s philanthropy over the years to set up a trust, funded by returning his donations. Give that money to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and other sex abuse survivors. What school would want his “gifts” at this point?
60
Ok- no schools. How about giving the assets to health services for women rescued from sexual slavery.
11
What about the co-defendants/co-conspirators/other enablers who I heard on the radio were granted immunity? For what? There was no trial in Fla., so no need for immunity to testify. Who were they and why the immunity?
36
“Individual 1”
5
Epstein didn't get his sweetheart deal in 2008 because he is one of those "insulated, powerful men [who] can escape accountability." He got it because he has information, damning information, about a slew of other powerful men, who then intervened to protect him.
The US attorney for the SDNY has unwittingly opened a can of doo-doo which will either be quickly closed again with some clever lawyering and strained legalistic parsing or, if not, will reveal a dark underbelly at the highest ranks of society that I think even those calling for Epstein's scalp might wish had never been exposed.
97
@J. Cornelio
No, I'd like it exposed, all of it.
2
We have laws on the books to protect children and let a predator like Epstein walk? I would say finding pornographic pictures of children will be a new charge that he won't be able to wiggle out of. I wonder if anyone we know is an unindicted Co-conspirator? Sooner or later it all comes out in the wash!
30
Based on other commenters - Denise and Sammy - pointing out how Epstein’s first deal stunk to high Heaven, the germane question is why make such a deal in the first place?
The answer that comes to my mind is: if they threw the book at him the first time, Epstein and his lawyers would fight to the death to ensure their client served as little time as possible. Meaning they would call a parade of witnesses and associates - President Clinton, among them - to either vindicate their client or share the blame.
Epstein’s first deal obviously protected some other very powerful people.
38
Society changed in the 60’s and beyond,sexual norms liberalized,pornographic proliferation through media and internet had no bounds,advertising treated women as objects,lines blurred when it came to sexual activity. Men in general have participated more than they want to admit. How about your baby sitter? Young girls fascination with older men. Older men’s fascination with younger girls. It’s a weird world out there. Epstein brought it to another level. Are we about to enter a more moral world of respect for each other.Maybe. But Epstein is not the problem it is us (men).
6
It's a two way street.
5
@Don Q
Really - adult men on one side and teen-aged girls on the other?
14
Don Q-actually is it not a 2-way street when the female is under age.
12
Corruption plain and simple. The law as applied in this country is akin to a spider web..it catches the little bugs while the bigger more powerful ones break right through the web. The longer I'm alive, the more apparent the American justice system is a farce.
24
Dershowitz...again. Wherever the wealthy creeps are, there is Dershowitz. By the way, who noticed the U.S. statement when they refused to sign that international agreement on hate speech? "The answer is more speech." Dershowitz, again. He keeps the nicest company. I will be surprised if this does not somehow lead to Trump. The Cabinet and Palm Beach connections can't be coincidences.
53
Nor should the US sign any anti “hate speech” agreements. We have the first amendment here thank God, who is it that gets to decide what is or is not “hate speech”?
2
The story of Mr. Epstein confirms my belief that a man's true wealth is directly proportional to the values he lives by.
24
Mr. Epstein is charged with sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy. And who are the other conspirators, pray tell?
32
Is anyone surprised Trump or one of his proxies did not care about this crime? Seriously, if there is one thing we know about Trump and his entourage, it's that they have zero respect for women of any age.
43
Trump just dined with Robert Kraft, charged with prostitution via a massage parlor he frequented in Florida. I'm wondering just how much the two of them chuckled at the ludicrous idea that any law can bar any billionaire from doing whatever he wants to mere women -- or very young girls.
64
@JFMACC
Lordy. Really? Unbelievable. Trump had dinner yesterday with the man who was arrested for soliciting prostitution from young women trafficked from Asia.
Kraft: Charged with soliciting prostitution. At a massage parlor in Florida. Which used young women trafficked from Asia. Once (and perhaps still, covertly?) owned by a woman. Who has ties to the Chinese government and possibly Chinese intelligence. Who held events at Mar a Lago. Who was a Trump campaign donor and attended Trump campaign events at Mar a Lago. Who appears in photos with the Trump family.
1
Acosta was confirmed in 2017. His involvement with the Epstein deal was raised during the hearings. There’s no reason for him to resign voluntarily. Unless new information about this debacle points towards him it’s doubtful he’ll be disbarred.
Florida has a chemical castration law for sex offenders. It would be interesting to know if Epstein was exempted.
NYT, 4-17-17
Mr. Acosta has also faced renewed criticism of his role in what some consider a mild plea deal given to Jeffrey E. Epstein, a billionaire New Yorker who was accused of paying underage girls for sexual acts. As part of the deal struck by Mr. Epstein’s lawyers, the office of Mr. Acosta, a federal prosecutor in Miami at the time, agreed not to bring federal charges against Mr. Epstein.
In the committee session in March, Mr. Acosta defended the deal and said it was offered based on the evidence, noting that Mr. Epstein was required to register as a sex offender.
3
So who among us still believes Alan Dershowitz is the exalted voice of the Rule of Law?
He is now just another co-conspirator, working in his own self-interest.
64
It is outrageous that both Jeffrey Epstein and his buddy Donald Trump are just now being investigated by the Southern District of New York. Where were they for the last 20 years as both these men flaunted every law in the book and got away with it. If they had gone after Trump for tax evasion when it was happening he wouldn’t be the President now. Same goes for Epstein: the NYC DIstrict Attorney at the time, Cyrus Vance, went along with the original Acosta deal. It just goes to show how corrupt the whole American justice system is. How many of these young girls do you think were used to help facilitate the corruption? Sex trafficking is big business across the globe. Hopefully the truth behind all this will come out and America will finally wake up to what’s really happening with the rich, the powerful and the well-connected.
53
@robert lachman
You mean “flouted” not “flaunted.”
6
If Epstein was having sex “acts” with minors, I would think statutory rape and/or assault charges would be in order, though that’s a state court issue. Being caught with pics of nude girls must certainly be a violation of his registered sex offender status, as well as child pornography laws. And I certainly hope that the employees that helped him with the sex trafficking are named and charged, too. I hope we can expect more charges to follow, and for him to be denied bail.
Finally, how timely that NYS just expanded greatly the statute of limitations for sex crimes! Justice was delayed in this case, but hopefully, finally, justice won’t be denied.
41
I hope every politician from both sides of the isle involved pays the ultimate price.
30
How is Alex Acosta still in Trump's Cabinet? Oh right, "drain the swamp."
46
Epstein is an extremely wealthy man. I say 'follow the money' and we'll soon learn why some of these folks acted the way they did.
26
His good buddy Trump said Epstein gave great parties. I have to say that I could be persuaded that he was more than likely a willing and enthusiastic participant in these “parties.” What reason has he ever given any of us to believe otherwise?
33
@Bodyman.....Anyone see the film "Eyes Wide Shut"? Perhaps Einstein had parties such as those, but with underage girls. Maybe sex trafficking in underage girls is really how he's made his fortune? Just a thought.
1
In order for Epstein to get such a sweetheart deal in Florida, there must have been money that changed hands. Somebody's pockets got full...no way he got that deal and nobody profited off of it. #followthemoney
48
Anyone wondering about why this child molester got a plea deal should be asking who else might be in some of those same kind of pictures... people who might have attended a "party" or two at the Epstein's houses...
Looks like Putin might not be the only person with kompromat on some prominent people.
51
My wife and I just had our 14-year-old niece from Florida up to visit us for two weeks.
She could have been a victim of Mr. Epstein. She is gullible and impressionable (as are most teenagers). She could have fallen into the web of a dirty old man, lured by attention, money, the promise of a modeling career, and so forth. She could have been passed around like a party favor at one of Mr. Epstein's under-age girl rape parties.
I am disgusted and sickened by the evil acts of Mr. Epstein and his co-conspirators. Justice must be served, for all who are involved.
72
1-800-Call-FBI. This is how serious, “genius Wall Street intellectually gifted” and meritocratic Jeffery Epstein’s heinous children violations are. Not surprisingly, the distinguished professional complainer and faux moralist, Alan Dershowitz appears on the list of people who “feasted” on tweens and adolescent girls, including those brought from abroad.
52
When will we know if trump or other powerful men participated in these sex parties where under age females were abused and raped?
33
@Rpasea
We already know.
16
@Rpasea
We will know when we start LISTENING to and BELIEVING their victims!
3
So, Trump gave him an unqualified endorsement as a great guy (who liked "youngish" females)...Not sure how Trump will minimize and explain away his labor secretary's association with and the deal Epstein got. Any day now, Trump will declare he never heard of Epstein.
41
@Andy Panda
He’s already done so.
Epstein has been charged with criminal activity, but Alex Acosta is directly responsible for this outrage. He must be removed from his current office. He should probably be disbarred or even charged with proprietorial misconduct.
48
Why would any federal prosecutor (Acosta) on their own negotiate a deal that were state crimes at the 11th hour?
Epstein’s attorneys are hinting to very, very high places and I don’t think their referencing President Trump but most likely Bill Clinton...
The deal was made in June 2008 and who was campaigning to be the Democratic candidate prior to the deal besides Senator Obama? Take one guess....Hillary
11
Acosta, a three time Bush appointee and life long republican was protecting Bill Clinton?
24
@MDCooks8
What exactly does Hillary Clinton have to do with any of this? Is that the only name you can come up with? “Lock her up.” Is there anybody else in the world to talk about?Sometimes you folks leave me flabbergasted. The deal in 2008 had to be approved by the Attorney General of the United States at the time. Who was the president at the time? George Bush. Who was the attorney general? Michael Mukasey. These folks are Republicans. Please try again. What does Hillary Clinton have to do with any of that? Or, again, are those the only two words you know? “Hillary” and “Clinton.” Why not try “Trump” and “child molester.” Those would be interesting new words to learn.
30
Trump's comment is scary, but not unexpected.
15
A den of iniquity across from The Frick Museum.
Charming. Simply charming.
And the neighbors know nothing, naturally
18
It’s so obvious justice is not blind and there are 2 Americas- one for the rich and untouchable and one for the rest of us.
33
I am struggling to understand why this is front-page news. It was also a 10 minute lead on the evening broadcast national news of the 3 major stations tonight ahead of the California earthquakes Before today I’d never even heard of the man and have no need to ever learn of him again. His second 15 minutes of fame because he rubbed elbows with both Trump and Clinton, both of whom are also on the unsavory sex abuse spectrum? Thank you very much but I had my fill with Robert Kraft.
2
The story is significant as the folks you allude to, Kraft & Epstein are/we’re close associates of this POTUS.
Epstein boasted that his ‘modeling agency’ that managed his young girls was modeled on the Trump agency where POTUS current spouse was managed.
24
This goes above and Beyond Mr Kraft.
4
@Shallcross
His second 15 minutes of fame is because new evidence has been found and the crimes he is accused of are vile beyond belief.
You might not care about the sexual abuse of young girls, but much of the world does.
13
Strong indication that the behaviors treated with great leniency in 2008 continued until last Saturday. How many more lives were damaged as a result of Mr. Acosta failing?
34
Well, well, well. He gota a pass. Wonder who pulled the strings? But this is the way it is in our great country. It's who you know, how much money you have, and that's the ticket. He will still be pardoned, just wait and see.
16
It is inappropriate to make judgement about anyone accused of a crime before all testimony is provided in court. It‘s obviously dangerous to do in our system that strives to be entirely impartial and fair. If Epstein is indeed guilty of what he’s accused, it wouldn’t be surprising based on his history, however ... which is even a biased thing to say. What really would be very interesting to know about is the relation between wealth and lewd behavior such as that of which Epstein is accused ... at least in men ... and in American men in particular. Do we who pursue wealth to be “winners” realize its risks? But all of this said ... this is not to overlook the horrible damage done to alleged and certain victims, child victims at that. Providing justice to them, which must happen, is not same though as healing because what they’ve experienced undoubtedly has life-long hold and adverse personal effect.
4
Thank God for the Sovereign District of New York. May justice be served to all the inequalities. My heroes.
And great work by the Miami Herald. It was them able to dig this out and put it back in the news. The FBI, the SDNY and the free Press, allow me to have faith in our future!
44
@Peter. it is the SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK a Federal office under the DOJ. And in THIS case working WITH NY State law enforcement.
This is a part of the moral crisis in America. It was clear who Trump was but he was elected President of the United States by the voters of this country. When the wealthy own the levers of power they live above the laws that apply to the rest of us. They don't pay their taxes while the "little people" do and other laws don't apply to them. This was not how the founding fathers expected our country to be. "All men are created equal" means exactly nothing these days.
32
@Frankster I agree. Unfortunately, it also meant nothing in 1776.
5
Frankster,
Trump was NOT elected President of the United States by the people. The people voted against him by 3 million votes. He was selected by the very undemocratic Electoral College.
17
Trump said in 2002
to the New York Magazine
“(Epstein’s) a lot of fun to be with … It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side”
That is a very damning comment and suggests Trump was aware of Epstein's sexual preferences and activities.
46
@IdoltrousInfidel
I read in The Daily Beast that Epstein's neighbors remembered seeing Trump coming and going...
15
And what does that prove?
1
@MDCooks8 it proves that he may have been involved in Epstein's lewd acts and it certainly warrants an investigation based upon circumstantial evidence ("when you are famous women will let you do anything") and eye witness accounts. Don't worry Mr Trump supporter, the truth is going to come out very soon and once it does everyone involved whether republican or democrat should go straight to prison.
1
If only Labor Secretary Acosta had done his job properly back in 2008, many young women could have been spared being molested by that pervert all these 11 or so years.
35
Lock him up and throw away the key!!!
26
“Photos of nude girls” is what the rest of us call child pornography.
70
Drain the swamp, he said
18
To be rich,white and male with friends who are rich, white and (mostly) male is to operate in a separate tier from the rest of us, particularly the poor. You can sexually assault women and girls, falsify tax returns, launder money, and more with nary a care in the world because you can buy your way out of "justice."
If ever there was a time to shine a light on these cockroaches, of whom Epstein is merely one example, it is now. He needs to go away forever...along with all the rest of them.
60
Acosta stinks big time. Wonder what Acosta from Epstein in return for the incredible deal he got. Money, teenage girls, or a promotion? No honest prosecutor would have given Epstein the deal of a lifetime unless there was something in it for him. Acosta needs to be the focus of not only a Florida state investigation but a federal probe as well. He sure walks and quacks like a duck.
38
@rcthurlow Yeah, he sure got that promotion!
8
What is wrong with Mr. Epstein? What is wrong with the rich and powerful men that participated in his rape parties for underage girls?
I am a man. I have no desire to have sex with young girls.
The only thing I can think of to explain this sick and evil behavior is that it is all about power and not sex.
30
@MidtownATL They like them because they can just use them and throw them away. No complicated feelings, emotions, relationships...
16
@MidtownATL it's proof that evil truly does exist in this world. I think this story is going to get really ugly before all is said and done
4
Every one depicted in the photos are either victims or perpetrators. All perpetrators must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. And Mr Acosta needs disbarred and removed from all positions of influence.
38
Why is anyone surprised about this,just think of the people trying to get their kids into Ivy League schools by cheating. Rich people feel the law does not apply to them and most of the time they are right, it is a rigged game the only kind of game a they would ever play.
22
Grotesque: what some parts of our "legal" system will let wealthy men get away with, while imprisoning millions of others. Painful - to see the respect he has been accorded. What a fun guy!
I hope he get's his due. Wish that all those who treated him with such tender care would also come under investigation.
17
Who else is not at all surprised that Epstein is a friend of the current WH occupant?
28
These super rich perverts think they are above the law and untouchable with their banks of highly paid lawyers .
We all know the rich and corporations have their own legal system of fines, no jail time, and many times they "own' our scales of justice.
This degenerate when found guilty must be sent to a maximum security Federal prison where there is no parole and not be separated from the rest of the prison population. No country club prison making license plates.
He should have to forfeit his properties and bank accounts.
So glad that the brilliant legal mind Dershowitz is deeply involved as many others will become entangled in this viper nest.
Accosta must lose his cabinet seat and be disbarred forever as a lawyer.
And a a new complete transparent investigation of everyone involved in his first sentencing brought to light for all to see.
It is also beyond belief that Trump was not involved based on his past history with women and so many public statements and actions to threaten and silence his sexual extra marital escapades.
43
@bsh1707
Dershowitz, Hmmmm! He has been accused by a couple of Epstein's victims of being complicit in the sex crimes...
16
They should liquidate his assets as completely as possible. Take it all.
They should liquidate *him*, or at least feed him to some sharks. I'm sure that would be a "massage" he'd never forget.
As others have noted, I will do as well, albeit a bit more bluntly (if the NYT will allow it): funny how a rich, white, male is given such a lenient sentence and treatment. I'd bet he'll have a lot of sad (rich, white, male) friends. They'll have to look elsewhere for 'entertainment'.
13
@DKM I wonder what Trump thinks Epstein's punishment should be for this? He demanded the death penalty for the Central Park 5 even after evidence acquitted them. I've noticed he's been real quiet about this recent story. He's no doubt worried who is going to talk first, Epstein or one of his victims.
6
His arrogance (keeping photos) will bring him down.
His sense of invulnerability is so repugnant.
Well there’s that old phrase.
Pride comes before a fall.
37
Whether he is guilty or not the State Attorney-General should not be commenting as if Epstein's guilt was foregone conclusion while carefully inserting the word 'alleged'.
2
@Lawrence Linehan
Which "State Attorney-General" are you referring to? We're talking about a federal prosecutor, not one at state level.
As to the substance, the U.S. attorney (not general) in charge is the one bringing the charges, as in asking for the prosecuted party to be convicted on the ground put forward by his office. We had better hope he does not think there actually aren't any grounds for a conviction.
Given his position, it's enough to state he is being prosecuted.
5
@Lawrence Linehan What are you talking about? There is already evidence he committed these crimes from 2008 and he was already convicted well on his way to a lifetime prison sentence until Acosta saved him with his secret deal. Epstein is already guilty under his prior conviction so it makes no sense to try and defend him unless you think it's ok to molest and traffic young girls too.
3
@Renaud
You are right – I was referring to the remarks of the United States attorney in Manhattan, Geoffrey S. Berman, who until I searched for a reference to him as the State Attorney-General, to prove you wrong, I was certain I had seen a reference to under that title – usually I highlight and copy names and titles and then paste them to avoid mistakes like this – apolgies for my carelessness.
I stick by what I said that if Mr Epstein is going to trial Mr Berman should not be commenting as if Epstein's guilt was a foregone conclusion while carefully inserting the word 'alleged'. as in: “The alleged behavior shocks the conscience.”
(You yourself, have commented that: ‘Given his position, it's enough to state he is being prosecuted.’)
He is a friend of the rich and powerful. Of course justice is not the same for him as it would be for us. "Justice is blind" my foot. She peeks under that blindfold.
17
Equal Justice Under Law?
4
To be fair, these photos are only relevant if the girls are underage. If not underage. It’s nobody’s business.
The real story here is Acosta! What did he get?? He has not resigned from the Cabinet over this??
12
@Northpamet
Did Mr. Epstein ever recruit any girls who were 18 or over?
8
R Kelly the singer who is black is being charged with more then 20 counts. the billionaire pimp of underage girls is being charged with 2 counts cuba Gooding the black actor was handcuffed and paraded in front of the media for allegedly touching a women's breast in a nightclub Epstein the billionaire is arrested at airport and away from the cameras.
58
Is there a psychologist out there? What is wrong with this man?
There are probably many possible answers to this question. But I would like a start.
I grieve for the victims whose lives have been changed unalterably just at the moment when they should have had
the chance to make their own plans for the future.
14
No one can diagnose without training or specifics or from afar. Perhaps some might guess mania or narcissism but such folks carry shame and regret about their behavior. Like POTUS but probably far more intelligent he apparently lacks empathy and may be a simple sociopath unwilling to be assessed.
4
Why are all the details of the case in the news already--can it not wait to get to court before putting it all out? I'd really like to see him tried in court with no wiggle room for appeal because of the publicity.
1
A young woman began a lawsuit in 2016 accusing Mr. Trump of inappropriate behavior(noted in news sources). This alleged behavior was purported to have occurred at a David Epstein party who was recently arrested. New York state recently signed a bill where a person has until the age of 28 to file a criminal charge against an accused when the incident happened when that person was under the age of consent which is 19 in New York. That young woman dropped her lawsuit reportedly because of threats of harm. Mr Epstein is 66 years old. Do you think he might turn state's or federal evidence so the prosecutors might hold accountable the 'stable genius' in the white house? Maybe Mr Epstein might accept a plea deal. He can be charged in state court as well as federal court which recently happened to Paul Manafort. State prisons can be rough, and federal pardons are of no use to get one out. I support the attorney general of the great state of New York in prosecuting criminals to the fullest extent of the law.
18
@John
Even if it means not getting any information on Trump, I say...
No plea deal for Epstein.
Period.
5
There is no better example of what money can buy - here's a criminal that under any other conditions would never see another day in freedom able to walk freely every day of the week.
Our justice system is utterly broken
32
Let's not forget that Trump supported the Clintons and other Democrats for years before turning on them as he prepared to run for president. He gets in office and immediately appoints Acosta as Labor Secretary and the Clintons are unusually silent. The webs these billionaire spiders have spun may be showing some tattered edges but you can be sure they will remain largely intact and few of them, if any, will be exposed ever.
16
I can't even imagine what those girls went through in their lives growing up. How many more of these dirty old men are living in this world ? I hope they all pay a price, karma will burn them one way or the other.
18
Does anyone really think the Justice Department under William Barr will really investigate any of this. Alexander Acosta gave Epstein a really nice sweetheart deal and Trump rewarded Acosta with a nice cabinet position. I don't think there's any chance Barr will direct a full investigation, including finding out who else joined Epstein in raping minor girls.
20
@DJAlexander
Of course you are right. Justice? There is none.
The whole thing is a scandalous filthy affair. One wonders how the people who sanctioned his lax sentence were rewarded. One also wonders what they were afraid might happen to them if they did not make
things easy for Epstein.
The only Justice which prevails is one for the wealthy and privileged Whites who can afford very skilled and expensive lawyers. What has transpired in consistent with the corruption which is rife in all aspects of leadership and the people supporting what is transpiring in the country generally. A tragic ongoing state of affairs.
6
@DJAlexander
I think Barr has recused himself from Epstein case.
6
Yes, Barr has proved himself to be partisan hack continuing obstructing the Department of Justice that POTUS appointed him to ‘lead.’ But this prosecution is by the State of New York.
6
Are these photos something that can result in child pornography charges against Epstein?
9
Why are so many rich and powerful men obsessed with having sex with underage girls? What is wrong with these people?
27
@MidtownATL They can get away with it,
1
Simply...Lock him up! His behavior is repulsive.
And ...his money needs to go to his victims.
20
Some conspiracy theories should be examined without hysteria, even if they read like some far-right fever dream. The nature of Epstein's relationship with his powerful male associates demands further investigation but please, for the love of God, no more Russiagate nonsense!
Hot tip: start with Clinton and Trump's jaunts on Epstein's private jet (which has been dubbed, I kid you not, the 'Lolita Express')
11
Back in the early 1990s, I remember reading articles and reports about businessmen, from the USA and Europe, traveling to Thailand to have sex with 11 and 12 year old girls.
Now we find out more details about Epstein’s abuse of girls and young women.
This needs to be thoroughly investigated, and everyone involved, including “customers”, must be fully charged as allowed by law, tried, and the guilty given maximum sentences as allowed by law. Full accountability... nothing less.
23
NPR reported that they can only identify one of Epstein’s clients when he was a hedge fund manager. His source of his wealth is at the moment a mystery. I bet a lot of rich guys are sweating now.
45
Jeffrey Epstein only had one client at his hedge fund - multibllionaire Lex Wexner.
4
@Susan And Lexy Wexy owns a retail conglomerate that includes Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works. I'd say the jokes write themselves, but the situation is too sick for humor.
2
@Susan he had one client that we know of, no way he became a billionaire off of the “work” provided by one client.
1
Very interesting and heartening photo of law enforcement entering his mansion; half the officers are female. Maybe this time they will actually lock him up for a long sentence that isn't served one day a week.
25
Will all the sexual predators who are not elite billionaires get work furloughed reduced sentences? This is the new era of anything goes if you're extremely wealthy and connected. Is there guilt by association for Woody and Clinton?
This takes the attention away from the Catholic priests who have walked away without justice.
In the 21st Century, the good ole' USA is no different than a third world country where women and children are treated as pawns for work and pleasure.
11
Will Fox News tell Trump about his friend's arrest?
15
They’re actually all over it. It’s too scintillating to put aside.
5
Acosta should resign.
Now.
42
This is a FEDERAL prosecution brought by the TRUMP Justice Department. In case anyone here is having trouble connecting the dots, that means (a) Epstein has nothing on Trump and (b) Epstein has plenty of career-ending, go-straight-to-jail information on prominent Democrats as well as Republicans outside of Trump's sphere of influence. Maybe the chants of 'lock her up' will soon shift to 'lock him up'.
11
Richard, read before you write. This indictment undermines a plea deal cut by Alexander Acosta, Trump’s labor secretary
72
@Richard - Cute. Keep telling yourself this.
43
Well ... just remember who vetted and hired Acosta before you start pointing fingers at Democrats ..... none other than Individual One a.k.a. Trump!
120
He got away because he has powerful friends. Had he been a nobody he would have been put away for years. In his next trial those powerful friends, including Mr Trump who knew him well, must be called to testify.
16
I’m waiting to hear from the Dalton girls
while Epstein was teaching there.
22
@New World
That was in 1972, so those "Dalton girls" are senior citizens now
3
@GMooG
They still remember.
6
@New World
Sure. Like Christine Blasey Ford? Memories like that are worthless.
The fallout from the Epstein case may well have a much broader impact than that of the Harvey Weinstein case.
This is just sick and evil.
29
The indicted dirty-deeds in just one country.
I cannot bring my mind to wonder about his Island of horror in the Caribbean.
21
Alexander Acosta should go to jail with this guy. How many more girls were abused by Epstein since the plea deal made in 2008. Disgusting!!!
51
Mr. Epstein is an example of the people exalted by the modern-day Republicans. Business leaders. Billionaires. The "job creators".
There is nothing wrong with success or wealth. But that status does not place you above the law.
Mr. Epstein has already demonstrated that money can buy a different form of "justice" for the wealthy in the United States.
I sincerely hope that this time around, the Justice Department will demonstrate that we are all equal under the law.
If not, we will see what the Republican Party is really all about. The new Feudalism. Lords and Serfs. MAGA = Modern American Gilded Age.
33
@MidtownATL
Bill Barr is the perfect person to clear this up.
He knows the details from the inside.
Everybody admires and trusts him.
He has an impeccable record of diligence and rectitude in all matters of public scandal.
(And maybe Mr. Epstein's early background from his dad?
4
The sweetheart deal that billionaire Epstein got from Trump's current Sec. of Labor, Alexander Acosta, makes one wonder if Mr. Acosta was paid handsomely for this gift. I sure hope that the NY US Attorney's Office is also looking into that possibility.
30
I think it’s more likely that Epstein’s lawyers found something on Acosta. Apparently, they had hired private investigators to investigate the prosecutors....
24
@Martini I did not know that. Hmmmmm the plot thickens.......
1
Great work by the journalists.
We'll congratulate the federal prosecutors when and if Epstein is convicted and sentenced appropriately. Flashy indictments and breaking down doors makes for good media coverage, we'll see what it leads to this time. None of his friends have ever been convicted for their crimes.
21
Your referencing the Miami Herald obviously...
5
I clearly have not read all 1.3K comments but the NYTimes and Readers picks I see focus on Trump and his years long connection to Epstein, rightly so. What I do not see are as many recommended comments expressing concern for the young women and girls who were exploited by Mr. Epstein. Child trafficking and sexual exploitation of children (more specifically and correctly called kidnapping, rape, and child pornography) are crimes which unfortunately occur all too frequently across all 50 states, to both boys and girls, and more frequently to children of color. While the FBI has been active in investigating these crimes, they are often under-reported and remain unseen, under-investigated, and unpunished on the local level.
39
"I've known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."
- Donald J Trump
21
It is unconscionable that Alexander Acosta allowed Epstein to avoid Federal prosecution. The lame plea agreement that Acosta negotiated in 2008 was tantamount to having given Epstein a free “get-out-of-jail” card. Acosta’s assertion that the plea agreement succeeded in getting Epstein registered as a sex offender and a mere 13 months in jail has not seemed to have changed Epstein’s behavior. Rather, Acosta’s decision appears to have enabled Epstein to continue abusing young and underage women and girls. Had Acosta sought true justice for the victims Epstein mostly likely would be in prison today, and all the women he is now accused of exploiting would have been spared.
22
@Alan Schlossberg
I wonder whether Mr. Acosta's level of personal "wealth," whether or not it appears on his tax filings, took a big jump when he arranged that sweetheart deal with Mr. Epstein's attorneys.
Or did the defense have enough on him that he did it all pro (¿cui?) bono?
7
@Oded Haber
Which part of your tax filings shows your "personal wealth"? Mine just show income.
1
@GMooG
The level of personal wealth, which I agree doesn't appear on one's tax filings,
… could be seen in silhouette by changes (in this case upward) in the luxuriousness of his lifestyle, the purchases he made, and so on.
_Changes_ in one's personal wealth, (again of the upward persuasion), can often be classified as, or reflect a change income, which presumably would appear in legitimate tax filings.
Better?
We need to figure out why Acosta would’ve arranged such a sweet deal for Epstein back in 2008. Must’ve been someone in a very high place that didn’t want to be exposed. The then current POTUS comes to mind.
If Bill and Donald are implicated in any of this, they are both very well protected. Let’s see if another logic defying plea deal is struck to protect them.
12
The president in 2008 was George Bush. There is absolutely no reason to believe that Bush had anything to do with this. He had much bigger problems at the time.
2
I don’t know how much power Trump had at the time. He did have money and a fixer. Maybe he promised to sell his first born child to make the problem go away, as long as it wasn’t Ivanka.
He did have a big interest in keeping his name out of a senstional trial involving the trafficking and raping of teenagers since he was a big TV star at the time. That status seems to have rescued him from financial difficulties due to bankruptcy.
His network and sponsors would not have looked kindly on his involvement with the Epstein case and his ability to hawk his own brands would have suffered. See Bill Cosby
The (alleged) evil acts by Mr. Epstein are on par with the barbaric types of abuse that go on in North Korea or Saudi Arabia.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
And apparently, in America, money can buy absolute power.
I hope Mr. Epstein and his co-conspirators will finally be brought to justice. The victims deserve justice. And the moral authority of the United States depends on it.
18
@MidtownATL I don't think we can claim that the U.S. has any moral authority anymore.
4
@CB
"I don't think we can claim that the U.S. has any moral authority anymore."
I hear you.
2020. Volunteer. Donate. And VOTE!
5
Nothing seems to set people off more than a rich pervert being collared, as it were. Apparently we have millions of them running around the country. Now that's a good potential use for those detention centers we all admire. After the children are released of course.
20
Hmm...what are the odds that among the trove of child pornography are some photos of fancy people in compromising situations?
It’s hard to believe money was the only reason Epstein got that sweetheart deal.
These women deserve justice and I hope it will finally be served to all who were complicit.
48
does anyone have information on retired Justice Mary Ann Barry sister of Donald Trump, I understand she was an appellate court justice appointed by Bill Clinton in 1999, she was on the third circuit which did not include Palm Springs however recently she made the decision to retire due to possible involvement in a financial case regarding her late father and handled by her brother Donald Trump, now no one can apparently review any case involving Justice Barry however one need wonder if in 2016 when the case brought by the 13year old girl involving President could somehow have been influenced by Judge Barry, was there any connection or correlation between the Justice, Mr Acosta, Alan Dershowitz, and Ken Starr head prosecutor in the Clinton Impeachment. one needs to wonder how far she would have gone and may continue to venture in order to protect her brother,we all need to remember that prior to being a judge you are a lawyer and you are sworn to protect the laws and constitution of the USA even though Donald seems to disregard these same laws and constitution Thank you for allowing me to voice my opinion as I am Canadian but have strong legal views when it comes to any crime be it a misdemeanor or a felony.
24
@Rachel Quesnel addendum: interesting, I know I have some timeframes that are off, yet my personal journals have been reviewed, I have followed Mr. Epstein's case since the early '90s, a little over 2 years ago, I did make a notation that I wondered when the Donald, would actually Pardon his good friend Jeffrey as he had been given this beautiful deal, guess a pardon is now out of the picture at least that is sweet.
6
@Rachel sorry Rachel, but the southern district handles only federal cases.
So,if he wanted to Trump could very well issue Epstein a pardon.
2
Oh my, is he going to sing and a whole lot of namely folks will appear and be totally embarrassed. I sure hope so. Hope springs eternal. This man is more than disgusting.
17
My guess is that somewhere an offshore anonymous account, or several, was/were funded to get to the lenient sentence from South Florida.
16
Is it just possible that this guy has made an entire career out of blackmail and information peddling, using young girls as bait?
40
Does anyone remember Jane Doe, the woman who made a credible accusation that our current president raped her, in the early 1990s, when she was 13? She described a home in Manhattan where there were lots of parties with underage girls.
67
@Emily I believe that was an Epstein party.
6
@Emily
Where is Jane Doe now? Is she entitled to speak up or has her silence been purchased through money and intimidation? Jane if you are out there- we will help you.
I guess he had an approach that was a bit different from the Alabama Republican. Judge Moore accosted girls in malls. Love these righteous Republicans
27
@Joan Starr, Dear Joan, I got two words for you: Clinton and Weiner, Three if you include JFK. If you want to delve deeper; sprinkle in Ted Kennedy and his nephew. Oh, you are gonna have to use your other hand to count, Gary Hart.
2
So you mean that we should only care about pedophilia if it’s the other party? I’ve got news for you - only Republicans think that way.
9
@Tony
Are we counting now? And two wrongs never make a right.
The only thing nearly all sexual predators have in common is that they are MALE!
4
Good job stopping him at Teeterborough!
13
They really threw the book at him the first time, didn’t they? Are you in jail, and able to leave six days a week. It’s almost as if they didn’t see it as a serious offense, except for the year in jail and being able to leave six days a week. I wonder if the girls he molested back then are able to work six days a week.
632
@Ben in Oakland trump appointed Acosta as Sec. of Labor. Another good choice. I just wonder how all those Evangelists feel about backing trump.. They've given up their right to speak to morals.
114
@joe
Most of them had no such right anyway. The most outwardly religious communities are often hotbeds of the things they inveigh against. Truly moral people don't have to talk against immorality over and over. Please note that there are decent religious communities, but what they talk about over and over is not sin; it's often social justice.
69
@Joe Evangelicals have no morals.The only thing they care about is forcing others to live as they do.
48
Funny coincidence he was arrested as he returned from Paris. Reminescent of Roman Polansk, the film director who simce 1978 has been a fugitive from the U.S. criminal justice system, having fled the country for Paris while awaiting sentencing in his sexual abuse case, in which he pleaded guilty to statutory rape. Wonder if Epstein visited Polansk when he was there?
5
Let me guess: he's a good man just like Paul Manafort and it's terrible how he is being treated.
35
A master class on how to impugn the character of persons associated with the subject and now defendant, without making specific allegations of wrongdoing against them. Presumably Mr. Epstein had photos of scores of celebrities and not just those specifically identified.
2
@Abe M
People who "party" with sex offenders don't just sit on the sidelines.
10
@Susan
and people who brag about having the same tastes as sex offenders -like liking younger women- have the same attractions.
2
I can only hope that he might have photos or videos that document some of his powerful friends and their participation in these acts.
The fact that Bill Clinton is documented to have traveled at least dozens of times on his jet to his parties, for example. Trump is also apparently quite aware of what goes on at an Epstein party.
17
Trump is on the record saying Epstein is a terrific guy and loved the very young women.
16
Ah yes,@AZPurdue...I was waiting for the both-siders to show up. I feel sure that if Bill and Donald are both implicated, it will prove that Clinton is a depraved fiend and Don merely committed youthful indiscretions (in his 60s).
24
I wonder if Trump will pardon him?
3
Per my first comment about Trump aiding and abetting—- same goes for Bill Clinton if he knew.
6
What are the odds Clinton and Trump are involved?
10
Doesn’t Trump’s comment about Epstein liking younger girls mean that Trump knew what was going on?
“Aiding and abetting” anyone? Sounds pretty close.
30
@Tom
You have no idea what "aiding and abetting" means, do you?
1
Just Epstein’s bad luck to have known Trump. Now in the coverage of this transgressions our scorn for Trump and his sins will be added to Epstein’s own. Our prosecution of him will serve for us like Trump’s vicariously in terms of gratification. Almost as demented sounding as Epstein’s, for sure.
3
@John Doe
Sure, John, those are the same thing. Feeling that justice has been done if a predator goes to prison, and feeling that justice might be done to the predator’s friends who may well have been involved, is pretty much exactly the same thing as what the predator did.
What?
In the annals of moral equivalence, that’s one of the weirdest of all. Are you so blinded by propaganda and indoctrination that you can’t draw a line between your cult leader, obviously a predator himself, and the predator now being prosecuted? Or can you only defend your cult leader as being unfairly attacked every time he’s caught? Oh but wait, he hasn’t been caught here.
Yet.
4
Maybe it's not so bad that Robert Sullivan isn't being renewed as House Dean at Harvard; it looks like he is going to have his hands full, with this case.
7
New York Times:
"Nude photos of girls" should be changed to "child pornography".
Speak the truth when it needs to be spoken.
65
Or at the very least to "photos of nude girls" since photos rarely wear clothing.
9
True IF those young women were underage. The article did not say that
Epstein has been abusing girls/children for a long time. So well known that even Trumpster commented on his attraction to young girls. Epstein’s clients knew as well. Accredited investors are savvy enough to know they are investing with a child pornographer and felon. Their hedge fund profits are cursed. Epstein funds should be liquidated and distributed to victims.
22
Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Palm Beach. Hmm, who do I know who is friends with Epstein and has a place in Palm Beach?
28
@Detached That's innuendo. How about Bill Clinton? He was a friend and a named visitor. Given his history, don't be surprised if he pops up.
5
@jaco
Trump has been credibly accused of raping a 13-year-old. Apparently it took place at an Epstein party, and the accusation was made long before today. It’s not guilt by association. It’s a question of what the association in fact means. Do you find it impossible to believe that your president is a child molester? Oh, you’re right, it’s right up there with the basements of pizza parlors. Sure it is.
4
@MCH
The difference between Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, in this particular case, is that one has been credibly accused of raping a child and the other has not. One also remembers that Clinton was attracted to women in their 20s and 30s. He didn’t barge into dressing rooms filled with teenagers. Are you folks so angry at the elites who won’t let your cult leader into their club (and whom, unfortunately, you feel look down on you as well) that you can’t see him for who he is even with the evidence right in front of you? Well, actually yes. Because as far as you’re concerned he doesn’t know anything about Russia either. How do you folks look up at the sky in the morning and decide it’s green not blue? Delusional doesn’t begin to describe it.
2
Just think of the other lying and cheating he must have been engaged in to amass such a fortune. I really hope they look deeply into his finances and check through the others who did business, and "partied" with him and these little girls. This world of corruption should be ripped open. His money should be seized and put in an endowment that provides scholarships and aid for underprivileged, abused young women and he should never see another cent of it.
27
I really wonder about his co-conspirators.
8
Only the best people.
19
He was allowed to leave the Palm Beach County jail 6 days a week to work????? What kind of sentence is that????? He is obviously not just a predator but a very bold and unconcerned one, to have kept all this evidence showing apparently under-age girls in his Manhattan home. When you have that much money, and you have gotten away with such filth and corruption your entire life, you think that you will always be able to buy your way out of trouble. And most of these kinds of people do. I do hope that this time he pays dearly for what he has done. It is hard to imagine what kind of a mind preys on children like this.
1032
@Elin Minkoff A mind that is debased, perverted, evil, corrupt, without shame, a conscience, or morals, aberrant, perverted, degenerate, sadistic, amoral, rotten, warped, wicked...stop me when you've heard enough...
75
@Elin Minkoff
One that thinks the laws don't apply to him and he can do what ever he wants ..... remind you of anyone else in the public sphere?
118
@Elin Minkoff said "It is hard to imagine what kind of a mind preys on children like this."
A very sick mind, one that is self-important, egotistical, unconcerned with the interests or rights of anyone else, and has no regard for the law or for societal norms.
Doesn't that sound just like a man who has been a public servant since January 20, 2017?
108
Who cares who Epstein is?
Just throw him in jail for what he did and move on.
NYT replaced the census article which is more important to us citizens, for this tabloid sleaze on its front page?
That it attracted 1200+ comments only shows the extent of voyeuristic, sick psychology that has penetrated our society at large.
5
As a mother and grandmother, I want Epstein in jail!
16
@Joan Starr
Sure.
Just put him in jail already.
The only way I would get interested in Epstein is if he has me in his will.
Who cares? Parents of girls involved, men who joined in his parties, the guilty ones involved. As usual the truth is not a half hour episode on tv.
And yet again our dear President is 2 degrees or less away from a felony indictment/conviction/plea deal. How many credibly accused or convicted criminals does an elected official need to be closely connected to for the public to begin to believe that said official may not suitable for the office they hold?
22
Trump held a fundraiser “at a friends house” on Epstein’s block last month. Hmm
2
The indictment alleges acts between 2002 and 2005. It is now 2019. 14 years, without something new, raises more questions than answers.
5
Am I missing something? They say ‘engaged in sexual acts with a 14 year old’. Isn’t this called rape?
46
I am curious to see how this will lead to Trump.
The SDNY case against both him and Epstein, for multiple alleged rape incidents involving minors at Epstein's very 71st Street Mansion was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs in September 2016. Will we ever know what happened there?
Acting President Donald Trump needs to answer very pressing questions about these troubling incidents. He must be very anxious today with his buddy Jeffrey behind the bars.
SDNY Case #1-16-cv-04642
Read it, share it.
19
Thanks for the reference to the SNDY case. It does raise some serious and increasingly troubling questions about Trump's behavior and attitude towards women. It was hard to read. All we can hope for is that Epstein kept photos with proof.
2
Just think: in certain ‘conservative Republican Christian evangelical’ jurisdictions, a 14 year old victim of this fellow would be forced to give birth to this man’s spawn ‘to protect the life of the child.’
A ‘child’ apparently meaning a non-viable embryo the size of a fingernail - but not a living, breathing, walking, talking young girl victimized by a perverted, malevolent billionaire.
58
And once she had the baby she would be ignored, known always as “that bad girl” and where would support or healthcare for her and the child be? Yeah we get it. Same old same old.
BREAKING NEWS (this PM)
Barr recuses from Epstein case.
——-
Trump must be livid. If Trump only knew that Barr would do this he wouldn’t have nominated him.
Barr’s clock is ticking.
Better call Beauregard.
17
If there were photos of Trump with underage girls, would they be revealed or destroyed?
14
Decadent, corrupt, perverted, criminal oligarchs? Check
Far-flung, expensive, interminable military campaigns? Check
Outrageous wealth disparity? Check
Huge influx of poor, downtrodden refugees from colonial outposts? Check
Malignantly narcissistic dictatorial leader? Check.
The fall of Rome is nigh.
17
Donald trump is not a dictator, his term is almost coming to an end :)
4
“He was permitted to leave the facility six days a week to work”
- poor Epstein – he had to work even while being in jail…
6
Who wants to take odds that this all gets hushed up again? Who wants to bet against the possibility of his many wealthy and powerful friends subverting the law AGAIN? Not me, have seen too many guilty walk free because of their connections.
5
If this doesn’t get trump imprisoned, what will. We need Mr. Mueller and the Grand Jury.
5
@Fred - why does this get orange imprisoned? I hate every last solitary thing about the guy (except that he blisters the crooked Chinese on trade) but that would be guilt (so far) only by association. if he's guilty ol' billy boy goes too.
the question I want to see answered is if there IS some evidence of one or both playing with underage girls then tell us old wise owl mcconnell, why that impeachment was necessary for clinton but not for the orange crooked liar?
and I'm dying to hear the answer parents/guardians give when asked what did they actually think was going to happen when they were asked to let their 14 y/o go (alone) to some old white guys house for a $300 nude massage. I cant believe anybody who's not drooling stupid couldnt smell that one out.
1
sam, most of these girls were from foster homes, off the streets, or had unstable home lives. That’s usually what predictors look for...
4
People watching this case should read between the lines of the indictment. There is something B I G here!
Think about it: The case is being brought by the division of the SDNY that deals with public corruption of government officials! These are the same people who are looking at the Trump Inauguration and Trump hush money payments by his lawyer Michael Cohen.
The SDNY has a sex crimes unit but they are working in a supporting role. How could this be unless the case involves elected or appointed political leaders?
Stay tuned folks as the newest Trump scandal has just begun!
32
Why is Michael Mukasey not being looked at? He was Alexander Acosta’s boss as US Attorney General. Surely he had to have at least known about this case and tacitly approved the agreement. Who was Mukasey protecting?
11
Please bring predators like this to justice. I don’t care if it’s a Democrat’s like Clinton or a predictor like Trump who’s been accused by so many young women already. They all need to be brought to justice.
Epstein is beyond the pale. He’s beyond the narcissists he includes. He is a demon.
As are all those who let him off in Florida in 2008, including William Barr and the horrific Cabinet Minister, Alexander Acosta.
It appears to be a small world when it comes to protecting Trump and the many white old men who’ve participated in so many crimes against humanity as he himself has done for decades.
20
After all the legal trouble he's been in for YEARS, he still has child pornography in his possession?
Talk about a feeling of security...
40
Justice all too often seems to be the province of the wealthy and the connected. And the white.
Let's start getting it right.
14
@MD
I think you meant to say “Escape from Justice.”
It’s time to plug the holes in our Justice system that allow the wealthy to scurry away. Let the perp-walks begin in earnest.
@MD
It’s not about white. It’s about money and power.
Michael Jackson was an example of a child molester who got away with it for years, and he was black, almost.
Bill Cosby is doing a tro for a lifetime of rape.
He’s black too.
1
"It was striking, prosecutors said in court documents, that Mr. Epstein, having been convicted of a sex offense involving an “underage victim,” would continue to maintain “a vast trove of lewd photographs of young-looking women or girls.”
Um, not really. He was let off practically scot free 10 years ago, serving 6 months (he spent 12 hours a day at his "office"), a rich white man treated like a snowflake, lest he melt.
He's gotten away with murder, figuratively speaking, for years so why would anyone think he'll be held accountable now?
24
one of the many swimmers in the septic tank of life shared by potus and his pals
30
Received a 1-year sentence in FL, and was able to work outside the jail for 6 days a week? That's a pretty sweet deal. Exactly what was the legal thinking in that plea deal, Mr. Acosta? Tough, firm justice, I presume.
21
Future prominent Republican post or cabinet position, check.
4
@Jim R.
He served 13 days total
2
To all the men involved with Epstein, whether you're a Prince or a USA president, past or present, I hope you are all indicted and tried for your misconduct.
We would like a female judge and jury, men can't pass go without raping and cheating.
Mr. Acosta, you should also be investigated and charged for aiding and abetting a pedophile.
I hope that when it's all said and done that Jeffrey Epstein loses "Orgy Island", The Lolita Express and every house where he committed these acts and every penny he has and ever hope to have. It should all go to restitution for the victims.
70
@M
"I hope that when it's all said and done that Jeffrey Epstein loses "Orgy Island""
Despite that incredibly opulent mansion in the photo, according to Wikipedia his actual regular residence is the "U.S. Virgin Islands."
He's a man that pursues what he wants.
2
I hear you and agree with all except your indictment of all men, and tacit men mplication that women are blameless in such matters.
I was molested and sodomized by my aunt for years when I was a very small child. You would be surprised how widespread such behavior is. When I have shared this information with women, it is shocking how often I have been attacked for “stealing a women’s issue.”
Those who rightly condemn this creep and others like him lose some of their credibility if they do not equally condemn female abusers and support their male victims.
10
The press must be all over Acosta on this.
Harangue him at the office.
Camp outside his home.
Ask his wife how she can stay married to a man who knowingly went out of his way to protect a serial molester.
Ask him the same question. And keep asking it.
Insist on his resignation.
More of the "best people" working for 45.
Good god.
84
@johhnyb
One might also ask the same questions of Catholic hierarchy and parishioners, about how they, including the pope, can demand only that accused rapists be turned over to Church authorities, and not to police, for investigation. The pope, to me, is just another criminal accessory to rape.
15
@Franco51 I carry no brief for the RCC but let’s not deflect, shall we?
2
Maybe Epstein is the reason all those Republicans Senators are so quiet on Trump.
Perhaps they attended some of Epstein's parties, too?
67
@An independent in
We know Bill Clinton attended. We knew that four years ago when Bill's enabler, Hillary, was running for President.
3
@An independent in
Barr too, of course.
6
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/04/donald-trump-teenage-rape-accusations-lawsuit-dropped
I hope the photos entered into evidence reveal a 13-year old girl who is the litigant in the above case, forced to drop her case due to all of the death threats she received once Trump became the GOP pick.
50
Great post! Everyone — follow this link to The Guardian!
Important connection linking Epstrin and Trump!
Let's hope he has something on Trump!!
38
@Your worst enemy
That just means he’ll get a pardon
1
Where is Bill Clinton? Anyone seen him recently? Maybe he is hiding from the press?
8
This is about trump and bush. The Clinton Family is innocent !
@Aristotle Gluteus Maximus Clinton was president over 20 years ago; how about we focus on the current one, who calls Epstein a "terrific guy" ?
12
@MMM
If they are going after Epstein today then Bill Clinton is also fair game considering his history as an individual and his history with Epstein. Clinton has been branded as a predator by more than one person and he has a relationship with Epstein that looks like more of the same old stuff he is known for. Wouldn't you want to know if a former president was a practicing pedophile, or not?
1
Awful behavior and the information gets muddled in the headline and leead when the report should have said photos of nude girls. It's a distraction to describe the photos as nude. Does that mean they are unframed?
5
Perhaps, this Epstein incident is what caused Mike Pence to cancel his schedule and return to the White House the other day.
Does anyone believe that "meetings about Russian adoptions" are anything other than code for Russian sex-slaves?
34
very very interesting.
2
Who are the assistants who aided Epstein, Weinstein, Michael Jackson, Cosby, Trumo, and others in their predatory activities? They should all be prosecuted, too.
22
@Elise
Along with the pope.
1
@Elise FYI, Cosby owns a home right across the street from Epstein's.
He’s a pervert like Trump. Take a big chunk of his I’ll gotten gains and pay his victims.
Let’s take a moment to cherish women: our mothers, sisters, and daughters.
Thank God for the beautiful women of the USA World Cup team. For a few days we can be proud to be Americans.
26
Have we, as a nation, fallen so low that we have disregarded Katie J's testimony about Jeff Epstein and Donald Trump, including about how Trump raped her when she was a 13-year old virgin. If what she is saying is true, this man should be behind bars for life instead of in the White House. Here's the link:
https://vimeo.com/176181706
Please watch this tape. It rings totally true and by the end of it, like me, you will probably be crying, as well as shaking with rage.
The least that Congress or the prosecutors can do is interrogate Katie J and the other girls that she has mentioned in her testimony.
35
Driving to work in San Jose, I see homeless encampments alongside the freeway and wonder what kind of world we live in that rewards predators like Epstein with mansions and their decent hard working, struggling servants and now, we find out, sex slaves with a tent!!
39
This guy certainly seems like a creepy perv, but remember, these are prosecutors, the same breed that railroaded the Central Park Five, the Duke lacrosse team, the Norfolk Four and many dozens of other entirely innocent people during the Satanic Ritual Abuse hysteria of the 1980's. As with those cases (McMartin, Country Walk, Wee Care, Little Rascals, Fells Acres) prosecutors know that allegations of sex crimes against children are an almost certain slam dunk with juries and the public. And against a billionaire? Not saying these charges are specious, just saying.
3
Just saying.... get real
5
There are photos
4
If he hadn't previously pled out charges for sex with under age girls your little story might make sense.
7
Remember when our culture’s leading creep was Donald Trump? His buddy just stole the crown.
9
This is hysterical. They should give E 71 between 5th and 6th one of those special landmark designations and call it the "block of shame." I used to live on that block; on the north side, which is I believe where Epstein's house is. I can't tell from the photo which house his is, maybe #7 or #9, if #11 then the next to the one I lived in.
Once, when I was living there (years ago) I was on a bus going down 5th to work one morning and happened to look at open newspaper someone next to me had. I gasped as I saw a photo of my building , which had been caught in photo of building next to mine, which had also been invaded by FBI, who were shutting down big Mafia owned after hours gambling club.( I almost didn't mind having the Mafia there as there "security" kept block very safe.) I'm not sure if that was what is now Epstein's; I don't think so, I think Epstein's is one or two over and the one that Mafia had is now owned by head of Cantor Fitzgerald on 9/11 who missed the disaster because he was taking his son to 1st day of school(but whose brother was in office and died).
And if all this weren't enough, Bill Cosby owns (or owned) a townhouse directly across 71st, on the south side, from Epstein's.
4
Why can't Epstein just stick to the super-villain code of misconduct and set up shop on a private Caribbean island?
Oh, wait...he did.
Sorry Jeffery, my bad.
18
Questions should be raised by Trump's Secy Acosta's lenient treatment of Epstein's earlier crime.
If Epstein had been sentenced to a longer term for that earlier offense [as he should have been] numerous young girls would not have been abused because Epstein would have been in the clink and unable to abuse.
Upon conviction Epstein should be sentenced to a long enough term so he is never free to molest and rape again.
9
Most Americas say Trump understands really bad actions that implicate other narcissists.
1
Putting aside his desire for girls instead of women and the psychological (or even physical) inadequacies leading to that desire, here's what I just do not understand:
This guy is rich enough to hire people to go in search of very young-looking women of legal age. He could have them delivered to his doorstep as easily as most of us have a newspaper delivered.
Why risk losing such a privileged life for fleeting moments of gratification? Is it immaturity? Arrogance? Stupidity?
I wouldn't risk losing my lifestyle (and freedom) for anything, and I have far, far less to lose.
6
@Kathy Dreher
Until now, he had no reason to suspect he was "risking" anything.
2
Not “nude pictures of girls “. But “pictures of nude girls “
15
Many young women and girls would have been spared from this human-shaped bag of garbage if in 2008, law enforcement had sought justice instead of a bargain.
20
@AJ
way to focus on the important stuff!
Waiting to see how this shakes out. With Barr as Attorney General and Trump as President, Epstein certainly has friends in high places. If there is any physical evidence whatsoever that clearly demonstrates that Trump was involved in having sexual encounters with underage girls, this is likely to magically go away as it did before, just as nothing has has come of the claims by women that Trump raped them. Further, Barr has clearly demonstrated he will do whatever it takes to protect Trump. Obstructing justice is not a problem for him.
Had Epstein been an ordinary citizen without connections and tremendous wealth, he would have been put away years ago, but then to quote F. Scott Fitzgerald: "Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me".
15
Maybe he will get a cell with Robert Kraft and we can save taxpayer money by not giving them showers, changes of clothes, or toothbrushes. Trump can join them, although it’ll be a little crowded, when he is out of office. They can brag to each other about their sexual prowess and how it was all “fake news” and how they were mistreated.
23
The Times reported "Mr. Trump told New York magazine in 2002 that Mr. Epstein was a “terrific guy” whom he had known for 15 years. “He’s a lot of fun to be with,” the president said at the time. “It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.” "
Trump knew Epstein since 1987. Could he have been a guest at one of Epstein's parties? Perhaps Jeffrey will try to cut a deal with the prosecutors. To quote Donald Trump "Who knows?"
7
I just want to add that if I had a billion dollars I’d be trying pretty hard to date Jennifer Aniston. That’s all. Carry on commenters...
8
Alexander Acosta, the US Attorney in Miami and now Trump's Labor Secretary. " Jeff Epstein, a fine man, " Trump. At what point will the this Administration's sleaziness stop? Obviously, there is always lower ground.
1
I'm shocked, shocked to find an obscenely rich man not getting away with this criminal and abusive behavior!
6
From Newsweek,
"In 1994, Trump went to a party with Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire who was a notorious registered sex offender, and raped a 13-year-old girl that night in what was a "savage sexual attack," according to a lawsuit filed in June 2016 by "Jane Doe." The account was corroborated by a witness in the suit, who claimed to have watched as the child performed various sexual acts on Trump and Epstein even after the two were advised she was a minor."
Trump just exposes the real corruption at the center of our society. Money rules over justice in America. The right team of lawyers plus Alan Dershowitz can buy you freedom from any heinous crime if you are super wealthy ( see Von Bulow, O.J. and Epstein). Trump' s alleged rape of a minor will join the heap of other outrageous behavior and crimes he has perpetrated without true consequence. Sad.
27
I am just waiting to hear Trump say that Epstein is "not he is type of Friend". This whole story is GROSS!
1
When asked for comment, President Trump stated "I never knew the guy. He might have brought in coffee once..."
9
When government is so corrupt and unjust as in the epstein case in florida, the chances that families of the victims will take the law into their own hands increases. And what the feeling of being deprived of justice melds with the feeling of injustice based on income inequality, it creates quite a powerful motive for revenge. I am thankful that the USAG for Southern District of NY has arrested and indicted this criminal predator. Let's find out who else participated in his underage sex parties and who protected him.