Corruption has taken deep roots in
America. No one is above the law
is an empty slogan. Those who
are at the top don't care about
ethics or morality. Mr. Epstein
was connected to Bill Clinton,
Donald Trump is revealing. How we
elect and give so much power to such people. Decline of America, recently debated, is underway.
17
How did this indictment happen? Are there still honest, dedicated prosecutors working in the justice department? Hasn't the current administration rooted them all out yet? To coin a phrase popular with Mr Trump, this is a disgrace? At this point it looks like Mr Epstein will be in line for a presidential pardon at least. Also possible that he could have an unfortunate accident while in custody which makes it impossible to testify.
8
@Concerned Veteran because this sick country has always been built on the suffering of others for the privileged's own sexual and other resources
6
Predators always stick together. Acosta and Trump will stand by Epstein to the bitter end. In Trump's America, only the wealthy have rights no matter what wrongs they are accused of. Who better than Trump to sympathize with Jeffrey Epstein. Been there. Done that.
11
One of OJ Simpson's lawyers, Alan Dershowitz who is also staunch supporters and defender of Donald Trump was/is Epstein's lawyers.
11
Acosta is (due to his past actions) an enabler of Epstein’s conduct. He too should be indicted (and barred from office and or resign) as an willful accomplice. Why is this guy still have a public job? Why is Acosta not being investigated?
20
“Before the plea deal, Mr. Epstein, a former hedge-fund manager, had been friendly with Donald J. Trump, former President Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York….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.”
Who else was involved in this case? Who arranged the meetings? Who paid the girls? Was Epstein alone with the girls or were others at these sessions?
There is much to learn.
21
@Robert Pryor
Alan Dershowitz and Kenn Starr were few to mention
5
@Robert Pryor The fetishization of "younger women"- like pedophilia- has always belied the predatory nature of these sexual addicts/psychopaths, having more to do with vulnerability than physical beauty.
9
So, no one is above the law?
That depends on the depth of one's financial statement. Those legal platitudes read well on paper, but if one has wealth and the ability to weaponize the legal system, there's a different standard.
Epstein should be locked up for decades for what he did to those vulnerable children. Don't bet the farm that that will happen.
11
Jeffrey Epstein : the American counterpart to the UK's Jimmy Savile whose status as a notorious sexual predator was Britain's best kept secret preferably ignored by both the entertainment world and various UK charities who benefited from Savile's fame and largesse.
Let us hope that the world's tolerance for 'big mens'' perversions has diminished. Epstein's indictment should serve as potent warning to other predators who believe that their titles and wealth allow them to transcend conventional mores and most importantly the rule of law.
22
@AE not so sure human nature isnt beyond repair at this point, as we seem to find psychopathy amusing.
all the countries are big mouths to suck you in and devour you. time to clean house...if you have the bravery.
2
This scandal seems to be enormous. Are two presidents involved? Both Clinton and Trump are known for misusing women. And they are mentioned in this matter. Clinton was impeached for lying about his behavior. He survived in the senate by one vote.
How about Alan Dershowitz? He denies and denies. But the lady in Australia is clear. She seems to know enough to bring down many.
With all the problems we have, why do we have to spend our energy on this? Bernie Magdoff destroyed himself and others. The press was mesmerized for months. That was money and lying by so many.
Donald Trump is involved in investigations too numerous to track. Sex and money and his taxes... and lies and more lies.
Epstein and all his buddies... will feel like Maydoff on sex.
What about the twin deficits? Warming? Terror? Nuclear? The destruction of the microbiome world wide... this one raises questions about sustaining life. Are not these far more important?
The press will feast on Epstein. This stuff sells. Sex always does?
Who cares about what matters? The complex stuff that really matters is far too complex...
1
Reading the series of articles in the Miami Herald, I conclude that the word "conspiracy" describes how federal prosecutors worked with Epstein's lawyers in hotel meetings and private e-mail exchanges to shield him from the most serious charges. One of those prosecutors was US attorney Alexander Acosta, now Labor Secy. One of Epstein's lawyers, Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz has been accused by one of the victims as being one of her johns. Another john she named was Prince Andrew.
17
If convicted, how about issuing him the same sentence as a non-elite would receive? Maybe a long stretch in the general population of a tough federal penitentiary would send a long overdue message to other rich or powerful predators who are able to evade justice.
9
Judging by the names mentioned here and in The Daily Beast, SDNY, FBI, NY State and other states and nations will be asked to follow the trail in this case within the US and abroad.
The names will pull in the press. Epstein will not skip out on this one. And he may talk... which will have many nervous.
Lawyers with government and in the private sector will be involved for years. Investigators will travel,
Jeffrey Epstein was at Bear, Stearns when my dad was running the firm. I heard this name.
Les Wexner was a client and a friend.
This may involve two presidents.
Many are mentioned.
Will Trump and Clinton be ensnared?
Nothing would surprise me.
10
Kudos to the NYT for linking the Miami Herald several times in these stories. We value and honor all of the dedicated and diligent journalists working for so many top rate media outlets and it feels good to see you recognize each other.
14
Epstein was arrested at Teeterboro on his way home from France. I'm curious how, as a registered level 3 sex offender, he got to go to France in the first place.
20
I want to see Epstein in prison and Acosta disbarred. But I also want some answers about Bill Clinton's 'multiple flights' on Epstein's private plane and his friendship with him. No question that Trump is a disgrace to the office. But I shamefully gave Bill Clinton a pass over Monica Lewinsky 20 odd years ago. And now I'm wondering if there's more that hasn't come out over this filthy relationship.
13
Why aren’t his crimes referred to as rapes rather than molestation?
32
When the sordid details are revelaed during trial, here's betting the underage girls were poor, and possibly minorities. And yet, Trump and his pals want to make America great again. No problem...just let justice be "just us" poor folk.
13
It's about time this story is finally starting to get the press it deserves. I've been following this story for quite a few years and it is quite apparent the US justice system has failed abysmally to bring this chronic pedophile to account for his crimes. Accordingly, the only way this fellow is likely to be brought to justice is with repeated and persistent press articles. Making this journalistic effort much more difficult than it might otherwise be is the fact that the billionaire chronic pedophile, Epstein, has powerful friends who because of their "association" with Epstein, would like nothing more than to bury this whole thing so that none of it ever sees the light of day. Those friends include Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and ......wait for it.....Donald Trump. Now for the most interesting part....the Federal prosecutor, Alexander Acosta, who cut the ridiculous and probably illegal plea deal in an attempt to completely bury this whole story, is none other than the US Secretary of Labor, appointed by Donald Trump. What a surprise!
The question on every semi-intelligent observer's lips is 'why would Donald Trump nominate Acosta for Labor Secretary, knowing this story would re-surface (as it did) in Acosta's confirmation hearing?' The view in some circles is that appointing Acosta Labor Secretary would both reward him for his 'noble' efforts in burying this story, and buy Acosta's ongoing silence about the identities of Epstein's accomplices.....errrh I mean friends.
33
That is interesting and all but what I would like to know is why would anyone want to be Labor Secretary? There are those with commitment and integrity—- remembering Robert Reich’s work. Ahhh. Those were the days. But we don’t see that sort of.attitude in the current administration. So, unless one is using it to give or receive favors it just seems like a lot of work. And I thought that sort of thing was illegal. So, basically, why is giving that job a gift? Help me understand.
4
Did one of the multiple Mueller Investigation referrals to other U.S. Attorney offices involve Trump and his “activities” with his acquaintance Epstein in New York?
10
@John Grillo
People forget that Mueller works at the law firm that represents Kushner. He's not holier than thou.
3
Our current president has said that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and get away with it. Maybe Mr. Epstein will not be so lucky.
14
Money will always win out. The judicial system is skewed in favor of well placed/esteemed attorneys that are empowered to make deals happen no matter the circumstance.
16
Prosecutor: Mr. Epstein. Give up ALL of your powerful pedophile friends, with proof, or spend the rest of your life in jail. What's it going to be?
Get the popcorn ready. This story is going to be sensational on an international level me thinks.
28
@Richard M
This could even lead to the fall of the House of Windsor. The current successor to the reigning monarch, Prince Charles, was a close friend of the disgraced Jimmy Savile.
And now his brother's name is associated with a US sexual predator… all that fall.
6
We’re supposed to believe that the Judge in Alex Acosta’s case didn’t ask the DA if he had informed the victims of the unbelievably light punishment for sex trafficking he had arranged for their victimizer billionaire Jeffrey Epstein?! Not for a second do I believe that and I work in the legal field .....Did Acosta lie to the Judge or is the Judge corrupt too? Who is the Judge? Shouldn’t the NYT be reporting on this Judge too and not just Acosta? After all, the Judge is the one who approved the corrupt plea bargain?
37
@DSD
Yes. And let's see the lawyers. Back then and now.
12
Why are the Times and the Herald not even mentioning the lawsuit filed in NY June of 2016 by “Jane Doe”? It is alleged that Trump went to a party with Epstein and raped a 13 year old girl. It has been corroborated by a witness. The lawsuit was dropped four days before the election. Trump hardly gets a mention except for Acosta’s role. I’d mention Clinton but I think he was impeached because of the independent probe led by Kenneth Starr. Who BTW was one of Epstein’s hard hitting attorneys pressuring Acosta for the deal. Oh, what world, what a world.
58
@Kim Ruth I was about to post the same question. It was actually corroborated by two witnesses and evidently the girl dropped the case at the last minute because she was threatened.
25
@Kim Ruth
Could this relate at all to Preet Bahara's/SDNY firing?
20
Yes. Remember how candidate DJT said we would stop terrorists by threatening their family members? Perhaps he has tried that tactic on some accusers? Powerful tactic. We need to super hero law enforcers here.. Thank you to all working in and committed to fair law enforcement by the way.
6
Epstein - another Republican serial child molester. Dennis Hastert, Republican Speaker of the House (convicted, declared by the Judge to be a serial child molester), Roy Moore, Congressman, anti-gay activist Robert Bauman had sex with 15-year-old boy he picked up at a gay bar. Tim Nolan, Trump’s campaign manager-Kentucky, friend of Mitch McConnell (convicted of child sex trafficking/child pornography, serving 20 years), Ralph Shortey, Trump’s campaign manager-Oklahoma (convicted of child sex trafficking, child pornography), Congressman Donald Lukens (convicted of sex with a 15 year old, served all of 1 month for it), Strom Thurmond, a racist, fathered child with a 15 year old black girl, (no consequences), Jim Knoblach-Minnesota had sex with his daughter for more than 10 years, Senate hopeful John Hathaway withdrew from campaign after it was disclosed he had sex with his 12 year old baby sitter, legislator Edison Aldarondo had sex with his daughter for years, Dan Crane had sex with a 15 year old congressional “page”, Mayor Phillip Giordano (doing prison time for molesting 8-10 year old girls), ad nauseum.
Trump, who has been accused of sexual assault and rape by 24 women and counting, says Epstein is a great guy who likes “younger women”. Trump also has told the nation he’d have sex with Ivanka if she weren’t his daughter.
I don’t have any friends, co-workers or donors who are convicted child molesters but the Republicans have hundreds, possibly thousands.
73
This sort of behavior resulted in essentially no time in prison while marijuana possession among poor people results in 20 years. Something haywire.
53
@JO
nobody gets 20 for pot possession unless they have dealer-level quantities
2
@GMooG
Sorry, but thoughout the 60's, 70's and 80's (even 90's?) dozens if not hundreds of non-dealers were sentenced to 10+-20+ years in prison in hard core red drug war states in the Midwest, Great Plains, Deep South, etc. for simple marijuana possession. It's easily verifiable public record.
9
Trump has a 13 year old accuser who gave up because of the prosecutorial misconduct.
28
@Eric Welch she gave up because her life was threatened
30
OH yea the prosecutors broke the law in not telling the victims but what Judge agreed that this deal was OK to begin with!? Was he knowing or mislead by Mr Acosta et al?!
19
Like Trump said of the kids falsely accused of the Central Park jogger rape case, “Let’s give them the death penalty!”, I would be in favor of rounding up most of Fox News’ male pundits, and Judge Jeanine....all of Trump’s cabinet, relatives, and Republican senators, ...any world leader Trump wants to be like, and a few other usual suspects and place them all into an internment camp along the southern border. Ten years from now we can figure out who perhaps might not be a sex offender. The world would be a better, happier place. Hurray for USA soccer WOMEN!!!!
20
@Xochit
Is Chairman Kim White? President Xi Jinping? Rodrigo Duerte? Was Saddam Hussein? Was General Augusto Pinochet?
Is it gender and race that corrupts? Or is lust for power, domination and control? Are these the vices the sole province of one race or gender? Or is this just expression of an age old human temptation to abuse power for one’s own personal gain?
2
Carroll Quigley called them the deviant elite.
9
Why is the times soft pedaling this in the other articles?
"That case unraveled in 2008 after Mr. Epstein was offered a secret plea deal by federal prosecutors, one of whom is now in President Trump’s cabinet." How about instead of "one of them" you state the fact that it was the lead prosecutor who made this deal and is now our Secretary of Labor!
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/07/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-sex-trafficking.html
24
No doubt Alex Acosta gave this creep a good deal in FL because he thought it would ingratiate him with other rich miscreants. I guess it worked.
22
He was the beneficiary of White privilege!!!!
8
@InfinteObserver He's a billionaire & connected to Clinton & Trump but you say it's white privilege?
Spare me.
9
@Bill
He was the beneficiary of White privilege!
1
@InfinteObserver well, bill cosby is in prison but jeffrey epstein is not, so there's that
4
How a future Trump Cabinet member gave a serial sex abuser the deal of a lifetime
BY JULIE K. BROWN
Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article220097825.html#storylink=cpy
18
Come on, America! Does NY have to do EVERYTHING?!
45
@Nan Patience Since the SDNY is the legal epicenter of Epstein's and Trump's -- and Trump's various cohorts' -- numerous alleged crimes, NY kinda does.
8
@Nan Patience
NY has done almost nothing. Trump should have been in prison well before his run for President.
7
Some question why many of us have it in for the wealthy. We're accused of being envious of their fortunes. For me, it has absolutely nothing to do with their wealth, rather it has to do with all the harm they cause society. The wealthy; especially whites, are given a different set of rules and standards by which they live. They pay no taxes, yet suck our country's resources dry to include the workers. They serve no time in the penal system, yet the average joe gets caught with a bag of weed and they say goodbye to their freedom. If by some miracle this sex offender does serve time it will consist of confinement in a country club "jail" and/or work release. Work release, really?
Stable genius and his sex offender Merry men. Making America Great Again one sexual assault at a time.
43
Finally !! Let’s hope he squeaks and gives up his enablers and co-conspirators ...
31
@lmDo you hope that includes the Clintons?
3
And Acosta will resign, right?
19
If this is true, he won't be around much longer.
8
Where did Epstein get his money he had only one big client Leslie Wexner,alot of shady dealings around this guy.
20
Wexner is the owner of Limited Brands, which includes Victoria Secret, among others.
4
Last year at a campaign rally President Trump had protester who held up a photo of Mr. Trump with Mr. Epstein removed from the event.
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-mocks-protester-minnesota-rally-was-man-or-woman-988070
33
Curious as to where this will lead and to whom it will lead. Alan Dershowitz certainly has been on tenterhooks.
32
@André,Zero doubt. One can only wonder at the disparity in power between little girls that were of Girl Scout age, and the "non disclosure " agreements being drafted by a highly esteemed legal scholar. And in the process, Alan makes Harvey look like a neophyte.
30
I so hope he is fined millions, and that money goes to all of the victims.What a sleaze.
21
Read jack London’s The Iron Heel. This has been normal behavior by our institutions since 1776.
14
“He pleaded guilty to lesser state charges of soliciting prostitution, served 13 months in a county lockup and registered as a sex offender. His jail arrangement allowed him to get out of the Palm Beach County Stockade six days a week to work out of his office”
this is “serving time”???????
depravity——he and all the others in his grotesque circle of criminals.
26
Jack Goldberger, the lawyer who represented Epstein in this plea deal, recently surfaced from the swamp to play a major role in Robert Kraft's defense in his prostitution case in the same town--another example of how money plays a disproportionate role in "justice".
https://www.yahoo.com/gma/patriots-owner-robert-kraft-assembled-legal-dream-team-234510439--abc-news-topstories.html
I addressed this issue in May.
https://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/20190510/my-turn-patrick-moynihan-i-advised-kraft-to-accept-responsibility
Prostitution, at any age, is abuse. As Dr. Melissa Farley pointed out in several studies, payment does not remove coercion. In her studies, she found that 95% of women involved in prostitution report being physically battered.
http://prostitutionresearch.com/risks-of-prostitution-when-the-person-is-the-product/
39
This is a nice show of apparent justice.
But if you are in "the club", like Epstein, you don't have to worry about it going too far.
16
" In February, the Justice Department said it had opened an investigation into the nonprosecution agreement. The inquiry is reviewing whether prosecutors committed professional misconduct in their handling of the Epstein case."
You think? Maybe....yeah, a fish may rot from the head but it is still a rotten fish.
Book 'em !
15
Impeach Alexander Acosta.
40
You may recall, during Barr’s confirmation hearing, that Barr said he may have to recuse himself from any further investigations into the Epstein case. I believe he said there was some conflict of interest with a law firm he worked with.
29
Didn’t Barr senior hire this alleged sexoffender to teach in an all-girls school?
26
I’m surprised that Trump didn’t name Epstein Secretary of Health and Human Services. It would be just like him.
38
Acosta should resign- yesterday. So much for "draining the swamp." Trump supporters should wear MAGA blinkers to prevent them from seeing the real carnage occurring in America. Meanwhile, the chest-beating patriotism continues. Over-the-top worshipping of the military continues. USA!USA! exceptionalism continues. Homelessness is endemic. Cronyism flourishes, Start impeachment now.
27
Kirkland and Ellis: Has there ever been a law firm quite as fecund in creepy men on the public payroll? Not just Acosta, but also
- Brett Kavanaugh
- William Barr
- John Bolton
- Ken Starr
- Robert Bork
Jay Lefkowitz, Epstein’s attorney in the original case, also came from this breeding ground.
60
Add Alan Dershowitz to that list.
46
Congress needs to investigate all of this dirty affair regardless of who is tangled up in it. Epstein committed horrific acts on children and Acosta let him "walk" and not face the kinds of consequences he should have given the number of rapes and violations he committed against kids. The most frightening aspect of Acosta is that he is in charge of the migrant children in camps. I don't feel comfortable with this arrangement and am not surprised things along the southern border are so pathetic. Acosta needs to leave or be fired. If he stays does it mean the GOP is fine with raping girls? Do something for somebody who isn't rich and connected. Do something for these girls.
39
I expect to hear Trump say he doesn’t know Epstein or Acosta in the next few days.
63
NOT molesting. KIDNAP and ASSAULT. Call it what it is.
43
I hope everyone now realizes that a "meeting about Russian adoption" is just code for child sex trafficking.
46
What a creep. I hope they throw the book at him.
30
It ain't over until the Fat Lady sings.
An opera is being written for her here: hopefully, her voice is ready and able for the premier.
15
“He went after girls who he thought no one would listen to and he was right.”
Heartbreaking, just heartbreaking. Who will listen to the girls at the border?
113
@dlb And Melania got 3 million from a French newspaper who published a story calling her something like a high priced escort.
17
What a perfect time this would be for Trump to resign. Unfortunately, he hates our country and our people too much to leave us unmolested.
61
@David
Absolutely. I am just waiting for his jetliner emblazoned TRUMP to land at a Moscow airport, filled with gold ingots and other goodies to tide him over in his probable exile from US justice.
3
You have to really wonder whether within David Pecker”s infamous National Enquirer safe there exist incriminating documents of payoffs to bury revelations about Trump’s own involvement with Epstein’s juvenile sex trafficking in New York, and at other locations. Knowing Trump’s well documented past of a voracious appetite to recklessly satisfy himself, crossing all manner of boundaries, it is no leap of imagination to see him involved in this outrageous criminal enterprise. Does Michael Cohen have any information to share on this subject also?
81
He can't be blamed for feeling Trump's prosecutors stabbed him in the back. He had every reason to believe that the Trump Administration condones the behavior he is charged with. Also, isn't there a double-jeopardy issue here ?
5
No. Re-read the article. You also have a misunderstanding for how the law works.
#1 - The judge determined that the original ruling was incorrect. The case was re-opened because the prosecutor (now Trump's Labor Sec) settled the case w/out advice from the survivors. Not allowed when there are minors in sex cases.
#2 - Until the SCOTUS says otherwise, a person can be charged under state AND federal statutes for the same crimes. That is not double jeopardy, that is a jurisdictional issue. You don't want to go to jail - don't commit crimes.
#3 - Double jeopardy would if an alleged criminal were charged again for the exact same crime(s) after that matter had been resolved, whether by exoneration, plea, charges dropped, settlement, etc. In this case, that does not apply. The court WITHDREW the previous "plea deal" because it was underhanded, unlawful, and further victimized young girls who had already been FORCED or TRICKED into sexual slavery. That's how traffickers get their girls, you know that, right? This isn't a voluntary occupation.
Do you really want a person who makes a deal with the DEVIL as a CABINET member to the president? Oh, right. Our POTUS is the devil. Or, if he isn't I'm not sure who is.....
43
Does anyone need any more evidence that the rich and well-connected are held to a much lower standard than the rest of us? No wonder few Americans trust the institutions we are supposed to be relying on--and complying with--to keep this country stable. Our systems are rapidly losing legitimacy. Those at the top are resorting to wholesale corruption and tyranny to shield each other and control the rest of us.
1066
@ARNP
I'd say that these systems never held the rich and well-connected accountable in the first place, it's just that now we know about it.
138
@ARNP Given the millions that elected Trump from the most backward states in the nation, clearly millions need more evidence that wealth and privilege get a better deal in the USA.
88
Listen to the Podcast Against the Rules people of privileged are who’s breaking the country. It gives many examples. CNN and NYT should be running these stories.
37
The closer you are to the trump crime family the better chance you have of getting a pardon.
25
@Mike
The list of hopefuls is getting exceedingly long.....
6
Just another example of the moral depravity of the people in djt's sphere of influence. To have the republican party pick the AG that let this guy off so lightly for a high administration post is representative of the general moral decline of the republican party.
This is the low level of human that the republicans and djt have become and who are now governing our nation. We have gotten what we elected.
36
@kirk Important to note that Bill Clinton flew with Epstein on the Lolita Express to his private island 29 times. It's not just the Republicans. Sad to say, whomever was elected in 2016 would have put a child molester in the White House.
15
@PhoenixGuy. Clinton's secret service detail says the opposite. They keep track of where he goes, you know.
19
@PhoenixGuy Debunked story. Clinton never went to the Island, just 'borrowed' Epstein's plane.
23
Is Trump immune while President from prosecution on sex trafficking charges, and sexual assaults on minors? Asking for a friend.
69
I believe most of what I feel is said here by others. I just wish to add that I blame the ignorant racists that are so stupid as to vote for candidates and a party that consistently tries, and often succeeds, in stripping them and the country of protections of all kinds. What over-riding issue is it that allows them to cheer a draft-dodger lauding the military while swallowing tons of lies and misrepresentations? And every penny they try to take from poor and middle class, they find a way to give it to themselves in the form a tax break or loophole! I'd say his base is going to get what they got coming for their support, whatever the reason for it, except millions of other Americans will also suffer the consequences.
43
@Vonricksoord. The Rep. party is playing up the unsustainability of immigration. Dems. giving away benefits that Walmart and fast food workers can't get
4
@Anon:
Democrats are doing no such thing, Anon, and the shrieks against immigrants is a century old and filled with the same tiresome, ridiculous pablum.
Republicans really ought to find the courage to step away from right wing a.m. radio squawking and go outside, for once.
16
NPR just reported that Ken Starr was on Epstein's legal team. The irony.
33
I guess one way to get a job in the Trump administration is to let one of his buddies get off easy for even particularly heinous crimes, like sexually abusing and raping minors. Exhibit one: Mr. Acosta, now a cabinet member, but then the prosecutor who gave Epstein his special deal. MAGA indeed!
19
There are a number of fascinating avenues to be investigated, now that a fresh opportunity to prosecute Jeffrey Epstein has been discovered. The extraordinary plea bargain and the federal non-prosecution that concluded his massive sex trafficking case in South Florida 10 years ago concealed so many other criminal acts by so many wealthy and powerful men, well use your imagination! Recent reporting in the Miami Heatld indicates there may be 60 young women able to provide testimony regarding their personal experiences servicing him, his friends & clients. Commonsense suggests hundreds of sexual encounters over the 7 year span of his operation in South Florida. The degree to which the customers of Mr. Epstein' s massage/escort service have been compromised is nearly impossible to over-estimate. As just one example, ask yourself how Alan Dershowitz, a life-long defender of civil liberties & civil rights, could be persuaded to become such a pathetic Trump acolyte? He was a direct participant in Epstein's plea negotiations. How many other Republicans have been influenced by suddenly guilty consciences? How many prominent Democrats might be subject to similar influence. South Florida is nearly over-run with Russian mob influence. Sunny Isles Beach isn't called the Russian Riviera because it looks like the Black Sea. What a coincidence, compromised American power-brokers with close friends obviously entangled with Russian operatives? Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself here. Maybe not!
33
@mike4vfr Don't think you're getting ahead of yourself. I suspect this is exactly what's behind the otherwise inexplicable behaviour of so many (mainly) men in positions of political power right now.
11
Alexander Acosta. Donald Trump's Secretary of Labor. Let's just think about that for a while.
23
It is mysterious that the Southern District of New York’s Public Corruption Unit is reportedly handling the case. This unit investigates crimes of bribery, embezzlement, and frauds committed against local, state, and federal government agencies. If the indictment is for one count each on sex trafficking of minors, and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors, both of which occurred after 2002, why would that unit be charging him? Attorney General Barr must have known about these indictments, so it is premature to think they will be handled as many suspect they will be.
6
I am so gratified that this utter miscarriage is being reopened. The idea that the legal system was so so abused in the very face of those it was intended to protect. Let alone the people charged with prosecuting the case, I refer to Mr. Acosta. I so hope he gets his license revoked and prosecuted himself. The Miami Herald did a huge service to the country with this reporting. No doubt this mishandling would be used as a model for future "prosecutions".
21
A sincere thank you to Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska (and a Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee) for his repeated requests for an investigation into the 2007 plea deal negotiated by Alexander Acosta, who is now President Trump’s labor secretary, that kept Epstein from facing federal charges related to accusations that he molested dozens of underage girls.
Epstein's plea deal sounds like the "sweetheart deal" of the decade. Hopefully this crop of federal prosecutors will not only make the new charges stick like cement, but Epstein's "extensive pattern of past criminal conduct and the apparent addictive nature of his aberrant behavior" will be illuminated so brightly, his actions will no longer be shrouded by darkness, denial or ignored.
22
A kid who steals a car gets locked up in state prison for years. In 2008/2009, the big banks dropped this country to its knees and defrauded all Americans. One mid-level banker sees jail time. Epstein commits crimes that kill the souls of children and is offered a get out of jail card because he's rich. I'm cynical about American justice and I'm angry.
49
Draining the swamp? It appears that our current president has introduced at a minimum 1 alligator into the "Swamp"; an alligator who many of us would agree gave a pass to a predator who'd finally been brought to the bar of what is intended to be the safety zone of our society.
13
It's funny ,that how after Weinstein ,the Hollywood crowd and Democrats in general will not go near this one ,it's like poison to them.
6
I wouldn't be surprised if the Predator-in-Chief and Epstein conspired to have him arrested on federal charges in NY so he can get a presidential pardon after he's inevitably convicted. No state charges, because, you know, the Justice Department filed the charges under the "leadership" of William Barr, toady to Trump.
8
He should be forced to use the public defender, and bail should be set at the same fraction of his income as it would be for a person making the average salary.
10
@Mark Marks Bail should not be set. He will disappear.
8
The article doesn't mention whether Epstein is out on BAIL. Given his previous behavior and massive wealth, he would be a definite flight risk and I hope no judge in their right mind would allow him to be released under any circumstances. If he is tried, found guilty and NOT given a life sentence it will categorically demonstrate there is a two-tiered just-us system that needs not just cosmetic overhaul, but complete dismantling and replacement by citizens tribunals, with victim advocates given the power to seize assets as compensation for his juvenile victims. Now it's time to launch a DETAILED investigation into Acosta's prosecution and plea deals to see if any money changed hands, or other quid-pro-quo arrangements made. My nose tell me the federal judiciary stinks to high heaven with corruption, cronyism and class protectionism and the "haves" continue to lord it over the rest of us.
27
True Detective season 1 begins to feel more and more like a documentary. It really does feel like there's something very rotten at the top of our society. They have entirely too much power and money and are banking on the fact that they will never be held to account. The fact is this is exactly what our system produces and in order to prevent things like this happening again and we need to rein in the power and extreme wealth of the oligarchs on top of our society. This level of power has never once been used for good, and never will be.
24
...And the countdown to the statement from trump that he "didn't really know him" and had minimal dealings with him begins...
27
I hope this time Epstein gets convicted and is sent to a tough jail where he will get treated the way he should be treated.
12
I have no comment about Mr. Epstein's former conviction and punishment, but it appears that on the polar opposite end of the criminal justice system one finds the majority number of state and local serious crimes, many of which are felonies , also reduced to lesser charges as a result of plea bargains (also negotiated in secret without informing the "victims") as well...but in much larger numbers. Perhaps, in some way, this balances the scales of justice (or injustice.) I wonder why the same angst is not heard about those cases? This isn't "whataboutis"it's about the same criminal justice system. Not something different, Or is it?
4
and he is running the labor department? he is victimizing American workers as epstein violated these girls because no one is going to listen to them
11
Mr Epstein should be convicted and jailed as he should have been in 2007-08. We all know what happens to child molesters in prison: an appropriate fate for someone who has ruined other lives....
16
@LaPine he'll end up in otisville with his buds. it's not so bad up there, according to nytimes articles interviewing the mega-wealthy wall street ex-cons who've served their time there.
When are going to seriously address this sickness in our society?
22
No surprise that the Florida prosecutor who arranged the original deal that left epstein virtually free is now the labor secretary in the trump swampinet.
20
The far right seems to want to implicate the Clintons in this behavior as they hung out with Epstein. But they don't like to hear about Trump's close friendship with Epstein. They also hung out together on some of Epstein's outings, it seems.
13
.
.
we need to be careful about letting loose talk about President Trump possibly being involved in this child sex abuse with his buddy Jeff undermine his support among the Christian base that elected him.
.
.
.
just kidding.
.
39
@Edward
Preach.
7
Hmm, I wonder why Acosta was made Secretary of Labor, when he had exactly zero credentials? Could it be his connection to this case and a certain unnamed coconspirator who currently occupies the Oval?
51
@truth
has anyone WITH credentials been appointed to any position in the current
admin?
11
NYT, was it ever reported why "Jane Doe" case, aka Katie Johnson v Donald Trump case disappeared? Is it relevant now? She made many chilling accusations against both Trump and Epstein in her lawsuit and she dropped it for undisclosed reasons. She's one of many women who have accused Donald Trump over the years of sexual assault. They can't all be liars.
69
Exactly. I just learned about her story today. They buried her video three years ago. The MSM is protecting him.
11
@Maureen
It was reported that she withdrew her suit after she, the eyewitness and her lawyer received credible death threats.
25
Actually, they can be.
1
Wow.
Epstein's going to need a really great lawyer, to get him out of this mess.
Alex Acosta, graduated cum laude from Harvard Law.
That's a pretty impressive credential.
Think that Epstein could hire him? Again?
25
For those of you worrying about Barr (whose father hired Epstein to teach math to high school girls and boys, fyi) pulling the legs out from under this, feel hopeful that both the State and City of NY will be happy to jack it up and give it new legs. Article 130 of the NY Penal Code (Sex Crimes) provides many choices to put Epstein (and friends) away for the rest of their lives. To start with: age of consent is 17. NY State and City both hate Trump (and friends).
http://ypdcrime.com/penal.law/article130.htm
27
"Before the plea deal, Mr. Epstein, a former hedge-fund manager, had been friendly with Donald J. Trump, former President Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York."
Birds of a feather...
And let's not forget that Alan Dershowitz was also accused of being involved in having sex with these underage girls. It's disgusting.
30
yet again the Times minimizes Epstein's horrific crimes in its ridiculous headline. apparently he's only molested a few girls (??!!!)
17
Only convictions count. Accusations do not. This is a country of laws, like it or not.
2
News Alert!!! This story is not going away or going to be buried this time around... The pedophiles will be brought to justice... All of them!!!
17
Set your watches for the Presidential pardon.
16
@jg By the time he could act, hopefully, he will be out of the office and being prosecuted himself!
2
@petert100
By the time he could act? Trump could pardon him today. But seriously, why would he? No upside.
1
Epstein is of critical importance because his friend, the loser, has kidnapped and jailed or outright disappeared AT LEAST thousands of kids—we STILL DO NOT know the full count!!!—and his "best people" or even he himself may want to go even further than mere "family separation" and grope or rape them.
The kidnappings alone are evil, and compounded with rapes would be terrifying. But consider that he and a large chunk of the Border Patrol have proven themselves blatant racists and might be intending to breed their genes away on top of that, and we here have a serious strategic attempt at something we call genocide...and we've been there before.
13
@SR WOW! That's pretty dark.
3
@SR
Another thing you can speculate about in regard to the missing children is organ donation farms for the rich, because of course the evil ones would do that. I wouldn’t be surprised at all.
3
Why do Trump and all his friends enjoy picking on (destroying) children so very much? I feel sick.
The USA is a cesspit. Disordered bullies have all the power.
This has got to stop. Children need to grow up strong and healthy for a country to be successful - and not just the rich little white bully boys - ALL of the children.
45
@KA
The U.S. original sin is misogyny, not race. It was always a nation for men, by men. Still is. That's why there's not one square inch where females are safe. That's why only 3 to 4% of men who rape ever see one day of jail.
14
Kudos to the Palm Beach police officials and Miami Herald team for keeping this story going.
65
I’m intrigued by the comments that link Epstein to the father of William Barr. Mr. Barr, after all, is our current AG, and the these are Federal charges. I’m assuming that these prosecutors could not make the arrest without his knowledge. I’m equally intrigued in the politics behind all of this. How much dirt does Epstein have and on whom? It would not surprise me at all if it involved at least a couple of Democrats. When it comes to cynicism, I’m finding it impossible to keep up with this administration.
19
It was documented Epstein had video recorders in every room. Hopefully the FBI confescated them!!
2
“I’ve known Jeff (Epstein) for fifteen 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 Trump, 2002
41
This predator is in real jeopardy now. When Trump pardons him, Republican elected officials may well issue some strongly worded statements of disapproval.
18
David, Don’t hold your breath about Republicans denouncing Epstein. I hear no Republicans voicing outrage about abhorrent the treatment of refugee children as young as two months old. You are delusional if you think Republicans - both politicians and their constituents - care about the sex trafficking of minors or the exploitation of the vulnerable. If you think otherwise, by all means, post links demonstrating their outrage.
13
@David Will these statements be directed at Mr. Trump or Mr. Epstein?
4
@David. You mean like they have about Roy Moore?
6
It seems very significant to me that the SDNY office has explicitly brought in public corruption specialists. This at least implies issues with the original Miami ADA office and possibly Secretary Acosta. It may also cast a wider net to other political figures mentioned in the story.
24
This horrific tale is about sin. His sins of lust, perversion, exploitation of vulnerable teens and selfishness are at the heart of this horror. The prosecutors who agreed to basically no jail time ought to be imprisoned and that Dept of Labor Cabinet should be second in line, right after Epstein.
17
Pizza Gate was something right wing crazies believed in. An insane story Alex Jones broadcasted sounded unbelievable. Was truth hiding in fiction? A sex scandal involving leading businessmen, politicians and organized crime couldn't be? Maybe not the Alex Jones version. The only question is will Epstein sing. To bad they don't water board for crimes against children. What if they they loose him in the system for a while and put him in a supermax he might name names then?
What if they started a special investigation like with Mueller? You know spend forty million or whatever it takes? Get the best legal teem together? Fact is when the trail is done and these men are spending their golden years in prison the could pay for the trail so all that goes with isn't shouldered by the American people.
Just joking this country is too corrupt.
9
You can be sure that if Samuel Little had been a rich white guy, any comments about him would be full of complaints about how the rich escape justice. It really has nothing to do with that. The world is chock full of vulnerable people, plenty of predators (of all stripes) to prey on them, and a general lack of interest among the general population, unless a rich or famous person gets busted.
9
I've commented on this before and I wrote a letter to Senator Sasse who was investigating this (never got a response.) I see Jeffrey Epstein on the Upper East Side with very very young women. I see him in the Lexington Candy Shop that is fifty yards from a school and frequented by kids. This guy did not learn his lesson, he flaunts it. I saw him leaving there with a young girl and they had their hands in each other's back pockets. Let's hope this predator finally goes away.
66
@carrie Thanks. Just lost my appetite for dinner.
7
The Epstein used sexually were almost always from poor families, and were not only recruited from strip clubs. They were recruited from the local junior high schools, shopping malls and swimming pools.
One of Mr. Epstein’s most vocal victims was recruited from Mar a Lago when she was 15 years years old.
46
We seem to be drifting toward two sets of laws, one for the wealthy, another for the peasants.
26
@Rich Fairbanks
Drifting towards? Huh? This has been normal since the founding of the nation. It's what you expect in a plutocracy. Consider Howard Roark from the potboiler for juvenile males The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand who lets Roark rape, among other antisocial behaviors, as part of his right as an important social leader (an architect?). I would guess all human primate societies make exceptions for alpha male behavior.
7
@Rich Fairbanks For my friends and myself the drift began in 1974 with the headline, Ford pardons Nixon.
7
@Olyian
I think the trend began before Homo Sapiens diverged genetically from Chimps. Maybe even from Gorillas.
4
What is of particular interest about this case is that it is highly likely that Mr. Epstein engaged in this behavior with other wealthy, high profile men. Things would get very interesting if the prosecution offered him reduced jail time in exchange for ratting out a few of his buddies. It's high time we sent a message to the "elite" in this country that they will answer for their crimes just like everyone else.
Oh, and regarding his buddies: I still believe in the presumption of innocence. Yes, Bill Clinton rode on his private jet a half dozen times, but that doesn't automatically make him a child molester. Neither does it make Trump a sex offender because the two of them were seen in photos together at high profile events. Presumption of innocence. This is America - not a banana republic. However... is it worth the prosecution looking into and potentially offering him a deal? Absolutely.
18
Don’t forget Epstein’s buddy and Trump’s biggest fan, Alan Dershowitz. This summer in the Hamptons may be pretty tough on Ole Dersh.
9
@Jon Since almost none of us reading the articles about Epstein will be called upon to serve on a jury in the unlikely event that he ever goes on trial, we can presume anything we like about Epstein, Trump, Clinton and Dershowitz. Or any of the others who might be named. I chose to believe their accusers. Trump and Clinton have already shown themselves to be liars. In the case of Trump, a thousand times over.
7
Generally, rich and influential people only have to pay for the crimes they commit against other rich and influential people. Too often they can get away with anything as long as their victims are poor and powerless. Those who take up their cause for the sake of justice are our true heroes. There are just far too few of them.
We have far too many such as Acosta who pervert the justice system and are richly rewarded and promoted. Few people in our society have as much power as prosecutors with their discretion. What happens to Acosta and those who aided him is just as significant as what happens to Epstein. With they both be pardoned? Sadly, that was my first thought on hearing the news. DJT will have to decide is it more to his advantage to pardon him or throw him under the bus or both. Waiting for the tweets........
16
He is being charged in federal court, so I assume that a Presidential Pardon is in the works. I do not believe it is illegal for the POTUS to sell a pardon for , say, $! billion or more.
9
Frankly, I am as equally upset with Acosta as I am with Epstein.
What a gross failure to execute his responsibilities appropriately. Not being a lawyer I do not know if there is any legal remedy to punish Acosta, but I would love to hear from a smart HONEST prosecutor if these poor victims can get some kind of satisfaction against Acosta.
20
@Garrett Hart
And Trump rewarded Acosta with an appointment.
9
How has Secretary Acosta managed to keep his own freedom, let alone law license and cabinet position? I wonder how a Democratic Labor Secretary would fare.
15
In this country, those who have the gold write the rules and people who don't are getting sick of it.
13
A fascinating bit of info was missing from the article -- that the Public Corruption Unit of the SDNY is handling this case.
This makes me wonder about scope of the investigation leading up to yesterday's charges.
In the SDNY's collection of evidence, how much dirt on Trump, Clinton, Dershowitz and Prince Andrew has ended up in the 'dust pan'?
15
@AX, remember that Pence cancelled a visit to NH this week, with no reason given. Wonder if they are circling the wagons due to this arrest and potential blow-back on Trump, Acosta, et al.?
9
@AX
There is no statute of limitations for sexual assault on any child under the age of 16 in Florida. It’s eight years for over the age of 16.
Ostensibly, Epstein could be brought up on state charges for the victims not involved in the first case against him years ago. When that happens, only the governor of FL can pardon him. Trump is powerless to do so.
11
Bingo, Christina. Not that Pence didn't already feel immediate danger: Manafort selected Pence, after all, so he'd be the second-easiest impeachment case ever—after the loser of course.
3
No doubt as a Republican and friend of trump, he will dodge any consequences. Why are there no State charges? Federal charges means he can be pardoned by the immigrant child abuser in chief - indeed, what ever happened to the unaccounted immigrant children that have fallen through the trump child abuse system?
The trump club is full of unrepentant unaccountable criminals that Republicans give a religious pass on too. There should be a registry for that too.
7
No matter where the girls came from, they were, at the time, children being exploited. PERIOD!
21
Trump was accused of abusing young women at Epstein's in the 90s. He needs to be removed from office. Why? Because while lies were told about Hillary, truths have been told and ignored about this president. He belongs in a jail cell. Lock him up needs to be the only chant we hear. How low have we fallen as a nation and a people when wealthy men actually enjoy abusing our most vulnerable girls and suffer no consequences. I am not an evangelical, but there is no moral place for excusing this behavior. Paying off or "silencing" the poor young women you abused doesn't change the facts.
28
I thought it was weird how Alan Dershowitz suddenly came out so strongly in support of Trump, and made such a strong case against impeachment. He’s also implicated. Search Dershowitz vs. Boies.
42
The comments from some of the male readers shows us that young women are expendable. Who in the name of God believes it is acceptable to exploit children? Clearly, some of your readers.
22
Yes there are two systems of justice. One for the rich and one for the poor. And per the excellent Miami Herald link, Kenneth Starr believes in another yet another system. One for Republicans and one for Democrats. (He was one of Epstein’s “heavy hitter” attorneys pressuring Acosta to sign off on Epstein’s deal according to Accosta).
26
@Kim Ruth
There have always been two systems of American justice: one for males and one for females.
9
I have a sneaking feeling that this could be one of the biggest
stories ever and I am certain that there are investigative reporters who will track this to the bitter end. What a disgusting cabal of amoral rich men and the system that protects them. Reading that Mr. Acosta, the prosecutor now cabinet member, who made the spectacular plea deal possible has put a moratoriam on allowing victims of sex trafficing to enter the country, I felt my sensors go on high alert. Why would he do that? To protect other friends? The thought that my favorite targets - Trump and the criminal 'justice' system - may well be under a powerful looking glass makes me believe this sordid portion of our history will end and that the perpetrators will all end up either in jail or deprived of their status in any area.
32
@zizzi
I certainly hope you are right!
5
From the article:
"Mr. Epstein also got the girl to bring other girls who worked with her at a local strip club."
So she was underage for Epstein, but OK for the strip club? Any charges there?
16
@Peter Zenger Strip clubs employ waitresses too.
1
Epstein's case only backs up my assertion that a person is more likely to get off if they are rich and guilty than poor and innocent.
Nuff said.
12
At least one of his victims, who later recruited others, was worker at age 15 in the "locker room" as an "attendant" at Mar-a-Lago. And, pray tell, what was a 15 tear old girl doing in a locker room? Working for a man who brags at about the same time that he'd like to be allowed to date his own nubile daughter because of her attractiveness. One can only wonder how many other girls traveled through Trump's Mar-a-Lago and other properties into that sex ring. How many other folks are not mentioned or prosecuted because they are rich and famous and the girls are poor and nobodies.
34
Didn't he come from a very good family and wont his life be ruined by these nasty allegations??
28
This once again demonstrates that "Equal Justice under the Law' is a fiction. Justice depends on how much money you have, what race you are and whether you come from "a good family". This is demonstrated not only by this case, but others such as the young man who raped a girl in NJ but the judge declined to really punish him because of his background. This corruption has resulted in less and less confidence in our justice system, and the incarceration of too many people of color and of low income. White color criminals buy their way out of jail. Mr. Acosta should resign his cabinet post. I wonder how much money he was paid in some manner to allow Epstein to walk the first time around.
12
I'm sure that Acosta will be called upon again to explain and defend his actions. My guess will be that his motivation was financial, i.e., he knew that Epstein could drag out some proceeding forever so he thought it best to let the state handle it.
5
I bet it had more to do with dirt Epstein had on rich and influential politicians.
8
No one knows what goes on behind closed doors. Well, here, they’d did.......and did nothing about it. Until now.
7
About time.
This predator should have never gotten off so lightly the first time (read: rich white privilege).
Hopefully, justice will prevail.
16
@The Black Millennial
Male privilege.
There, fixed it for you.
4
The wealthy inhabit a world that us lumpen masses are scarcely able to imagine. When we do imagine, it's often with sadistic envy.
6
Good. Perhaps justice will finally be served. Acosta’s hands are not clean either.
11
Stay on this like a bloodhound, NYT.
This crime is far deeper and involves many more influential people than reported.
The story is far more engaging and revealing than yet another Trump headline .
Pair up with the Miami Herald and expose this disgraceful crime.
No one better to handle than the SDNY!
45
Jeffery Epstein should be the one locked up in a cage for crimes against children and teens, not refugee children. But, like Stephen Miller and Harvey Weinstein, AIPAC and others have not come out to denounce these criminal perpetrators, instead the likes of Alan Dershowitz (closely associated to Epstein parties with teens) keep defending the indefensible.
22
How does the US Senate confirm Alexander Acosta as Labor Secretary, shame on GOP
27
After Epstein is tried and convicted, prosecutors should go after Alexander Acosta.
26
Remember Trump walking into the dressing room of the Miss Teen America pageant? Gotta go throw up now!
26
Why dont we just make these white collar criminals pay a 70% tax for the year to the government for their various crimes...
that will certainly be a deterent...hit them in their pocketbook.
7
They should be put in the general population with the other prisoners told of their crimes. Not like Manafort getting protective custody.
4
Sixty victims had to be found in order to prosecute this cretinous individual. Why wouldn't just one be enough? Then we have society casting asperity on the women who accuse Trump of rape. How much lower will our standards as a society go?
26
How much money or perks went to Acosta? Time for an audit, then indictment.
16
Thank you Southern District prosecutors!
20
It's about time! Will the Queen be able to protect Prince Andrew, who has been photographed with young girls on his friend's yacht?
13
First we excused rape and trafficking of children by those who face very credible accusations like Jeffrey Epstein and Alan Dershowitz. Now we excuse outright murder of a Washington Post columnist and US resident and help cover it up from the Oval Office no less -all because they can buy impunity.
18
He will talk and bring others down
7
@John Smith He will be given bail and disappear.,
3
I see that they have indicted JE for paying prostitutes for massages, due to the age the girls they get the benefit of being victims of sex trafficking. Now, we want to see the hundreds of Brothels in Queens, where mostly Korean women literally are sex trafficked by the pimps. The brothels never closed even when former queens borough President Donald Manes was shown to have owned 48 of them. I would like to see Congresswoman #AOC speak out against the literal human trafficking going on in her district today.
26
I am always amazed when someone, supposedly, so smart does such dumb things.
3
@David C. Clarke: the behavior has nothing to do with intelligence. it has to do with sexual deviancy. people are still buying and enjoying michael jackson's music. the very rich play by different rules. their devaince is simply a cost of living they can afford. they don't feel any particular shame about it. thanks to Preet's old team in NY, epstein's victims may get some justice.
11
@David C. Clarke Well, time to drag out the old cliche about men having two brains and only one blood supply.
5
Apparently the outrage is that this guy has money. Since when does a serial rapist need money to be a perv?
The money angle is for those who are jealous of success and want to pretend the successful did not earn it and do not deserve it. True Marxism.
Connecting this guy to anyone else is child like thinking designed to put everyone in a box.
2
@scott I wonder how it's possible to be so off-base. The outrage is that because of his money he was able to escape anything more than minimal consequences. I suppose you think quite highly of Epstein's friend Trump, who also has loads of money (or so he claims) and has been very credibly accused of behaviors that are not too dissimilar. If it is all about envy of those with money, why has Bill Gates not been targeted? Maybe because a rich sleazy person needs to do more than have money to be accused of a serious crime.
What I see as childlike thinking is assuming that this is all about money, which appears to be a reasonable way to interpret your comment.
15
The outrage is that because this guy had money and power, he was not prosecuted for federal crimes that they had proof he committed.
12
The outrage is not that he has money, but that his wealth and connections got him off the hook for YEARS. It sounds like you haven't bothered to read the Miami Herald investigation, I highly recommend that you do so.
14
Good. I hope they find him guilty and give him the gift of a life-time in the gated community without appeal. Next up, another serial abuser whose initials are DJT; can he be tried too?
11
@Birdygirl
It’s unlikely while Barr is AG.
Vote blue, no matter who.
10
Yay! The devil is finally in jail! Another Trump buddy. Not surprisingly.
7
@GCAustin,
I hope he’s denied bail because he’s such a flight risk with that private plane of his.
6
It appears that the main reason that Epstein is going back to trial is the unsealing of the court records in the original case. That was too much disinfecting sunlight on this germ-ridden case.
That unsealing is due to two men: Alan M. Dershowitz (who was on Epstein's defense team) and Michael Cernovich. Neither man is well-liked by the left, but does that mean they should be ignored in a news story? At the very least, I'd like to understand their motives. I get that Dershowitz's sought the unsealing to defend his reputation, but what was Cernovich's motivation? I recognize that Cernovich has a notorious record and reputation, but that only makes this more interesting.
https://www.apnews.com/d10514aca1c94563a97185cc6e1146df
3
Why does Trump's involvement continuously come to light, either directly or tangentially, in so many high-profile rape cases? How can this despicable abuser and enabler still occupy the oval office? Oh yes. Republicans and their "Christian Right" phalanx are fine with a rapist as president, as long as he keeps stuffing asylum seekers into cages and leaving them to rot. Gosh, that's what Jesus would do, isn't it?
25
'White men pull their laws and religion out of their back pockets when they think it will do them some good.'
Geronimo
This all you need to know about United States.
28
I have been waiting for this revolting news to come out for 2 plus years.What say you Alexander Acosta???Was your reward for violating federal law, letting Epstein off the hook, not informing his victims of this unbelievably sleazy move,trump appointing you to his swamp as Secretary of Labor??Exactly WHY did the low life in the WH feel it necessary to award you in such a manner???Rumor has it that Epstein found one of these girls in the locker room at Mar a Lago.Did Pious Pence come racing back from NH last week to smooth the ruffled feathers of Evangelicals when news of Epstein's arrest was imminent??By anointing Acosta Labor Sec.was trump hoping for protection against the very same vile offenses his buddy Epstein committed??Keep in mind the Asian woman now hustling dough for personal meetings with trump was the OWNER of a string of the "spas"Epstein visited.Any woman who still votes for trump after this latest reveal must have been or still is in an abusive relationship and thinks this behavior is normal.
33
Acosta is a disgrace. Infuriating that he is Secretary of Labor. He should be disbarred.
14
Such an inconspicuous headline for such a potentially explosive story???
11
And now this pig needs to squeal, cause there were a lot of very famous, very successful, very powerful pigs, including, but not limited to former and current presidents, who may have abused children along with him or knew of the abuse and kept their dirty mouths shut.
11
The true reason that this case has been revived is due to the unflagging work of The Miami Herald newspaper’s crack investigative reporting team, led by ace reporter Julie K. Brown. If she and her paper have not already receive a Pulitzer Prize for their work uncovering this nest of maggots, I am confident they will be so recognized.
43
Wondering whether the "Katie Johnson" lawsuit against Trump and Epstein alleging rape of a minor at an Epstein sex party in Manhattan will re-emerge.... or will Epstein flip on Trump?
26
Donald Trump's great friend, the child molester Jeffrey Epstein, is finally going to be brought to court. All those women will have their day to tell a jury what this monster did to them when they were children. Justice may yet prevail, even though he is a billionaire.
Does this mean that Epstein's paid-off Miami protector, that Trump lickspittle, Alexander Acosta, will be out as Secretary of Labor? Or does Acosta still get to keep his reward for subverting justice?
11
Get another tale of two countries. The ugly
powerful America raping the beautiful America. Let's hope for some belated justice.
10
Now is time for the national electronic media to spend quality minutes on this sordid case. Expose the man for what he is, a filthy un apologetic Pedophile, and his circle of high priced legal talent, you Alan Dershowitz among others and the cowardly former prosecutors, you, Alex Acosta for cowering and basically letting this sordid individual go free.
Do people really think that in the past ten years this monster has curtailed his sexual predations. Really!!. With four exclusive locations around the world, his addiction is out of control and without any consequences to his disgusting behavior, it will continue. Think of how many more underage girls have been abused.
Enough is enough. It’s your journalistic obligation to expose this Travesty of a human being and the legal ecosystem that has provided him with the Freedom he does not deserve.
25
@John Z I see no need to allege that he is addicted to anything. That can be interpreted as these behaviors being beyond his control. It surely appears that he is wealthy, well-connected to very powerful men, and therefore feels impunity. It's pure, lightly adulterated corruption.
2
He needs to be locked up. He is a monster- preying on these young girls. Put him in the general population- he is simply a coward. Award his victims-
12
Is it too outrageous to honestly suggest "Lock him up!" for Donald Trump's Florida pal, Jeffrey Epstein? Why do very rich sex-traffickers get a pass in their long and sordid criminal cases? Who else do we know who has been given a pass for molesting women (as shown on TV) for most of his adult life?
12
Epstein could find some small degree of redemption if he rats out his cohorts in these sordid crimes. They all should be in jail.
10
Here’s a guy who could financially arrange to have and influence all sorts of gorgeous women to his liking.
Yet, he sexually prey’s and exploits young disenfranchised under age girls.
11
epstein, trump and clinton wallowing together in the pig sty.
8
This story is like a parfait of corruption.
-Sweetheart deal by Acosta , one of many corrupt know nothings that Trump hand picked for his Rogue gallery of dirtbags to run the country into the ground.
-Good friend of Trump with lots of Palm Beach Buddies( Mara-Lago Members)
-Underage girls at a strip joint. Any connection to Chinese rub down Chinese spy master and Mara-lago Member?
-Disgrace AG Barr"s Father gave Epstein his job at the Dalton School.
Did he learn how to trade stocks from Bernie Madoff, or Irwin Schiff?
12
And by the way, what happened to Robert Kraft’s prostitution case in Florida?
I would love to be a criminal but only if I were a billionnaire.
You get away with everything in America if you have $$$ and connections. It also helps if you are a Republican...
15
Seems very mysterious where Mr. Epstein's billions (? millions) come from. There is the story that he is a 'genius money manager' who was a math whiz and didn't bother to go to college (or left early?). The only definite information that I have read reports that he was a money manger for the Wexlers. It seems a stretch to think that he was running some sort of black mail enterprise by offering young women to powerful men initially or that that was his business plan. One would think that he was more probably just hooking up the girls / often underage girls with his 'buddies' to give them what they want and be a 'good host'. Though it no doubt gave him a huge amount of influence which he probably started to build on when he saw the power that was falling into his hands because of his 'parties' and the introductions he was making. The more one reads about all of these 'players', it seems pretty clear that the superego development phase, completely passed them by.....
33
@Craig Jeff went to The Cooper Union for a year, dropped out, went to Warton.
Though some overlapping undoubtedly is involved, I would keep Jeff's money enterprise and his lady enterprise separate.
@Craig
Many hedge fund managers made scads of money buying companies and decimating their pension plans. It was all the rage for over a decade
10
The Miami Herald’sJulie Brown done some some detailed reporting on Mr. Epstein and the sweetheart deal he got from Alex Acosta .... https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article220097825.html
35
Epstein's sexual predatory behavior didn't start 10 or 20 years ago. His raping and molestations began when he was very young. It started in his head as fantasy and later as his conduct. It's who he is and will be until the end. Hopefully his end will come in prison.
46
Now is the time to ask what Epstein's trips with those other sexual predators, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, were all about. I would love to see if evangelical Christians would still rally around Trump were it to come out that he sexually exploited underage girls. Should we conceive of the ruling class as a network of pedophiles reinforcing one another with opportunities for power and money? Is this where the road of empire leads?
51
@CFB
Evangelicals will never betray their Messiah Trump.
They have slipped the surly bonds of human decency to touch the face of Trumpian turpitude and they love it.
12
@CFB. What trips did he take with Trump?
1
Bingo
Hurrah, truly. The sickening should be judged and pay for their behaviour here and now. If there’s a hereafter, hope they have to answer there, too — and pay the severest penalties.
7
I hope with all sincerity Mr.Acosta does not have daughters or children.
They would be of the age of the girls pimped out.
Bail for Mr. Epstein has to be out of the question.
His hubris exceeds all bounds as shown by returning to the United States into a maelstrom. He felt he was untouchable.
16
Two over-arching themes that I have observed from the reactions of authors and an investigative reporter: This is not the simple story of a sick individual with important connections. More importantly, it's the story of a "power-broker in a world where this behavior is the price of entry." It also should not be reduced to a story which facilitates the taking-down of a perpetrator from whichever partisan side you are on. Young girls are exploited in a real system of money and connections. Personally, I believe that is the story. I'm also interested to see which powerful figures and media organizations are speaking about this incident, and which are noticeably silent.
38
The Miami Herald and NY Times have confirmed my trust in the goodness of the American newspapers and reporters. They are the heroes in this country.
67
Most of the comments conclude that the system is irretrievably broken. But this is a positive indication that the system, though under strain, is holding. The free press and justice system are alive and well enough to not let this go despite the fact that this predator’s buddy is President. The light is shining on him now. Gonna be hard to hide.
26
@ViggoM Bill Clinton is no longer president.
1
@ViggoM I think that is a good point though that things have gotten to this point and have been so out of control, I think leads to the somewhat real reasoned fear that all is lost. Hopefully it isn't. But things look really, really bad.....
1
@Jackson:
Bill Clinton was not accused of and did not molest children.
Trump has been accused, however, viz. the Epstein scandal.
Why can't Republicans ever look in the mirror and take the personal responsibility they prescribe for the rest of us?
And what's with the relentless, three-decades-old obsession with the Clintons?
5
www.scribd.com/doc/316341058/Donald-Trump-Jeffrey-Epstein-Rape-Lawsuit-and-Affidavits 2016
From this must-read lawsuit we learn under more:
"Plaintiff was enticed by promises of money and a modeling career to attend a series of parties, with other similarly situated minor females, held at a New York City residence that was being used by Defendant Jeffrey Epstein. At least four of the parties were attended by Defendant Trump. On information and belief, by this time in 1994, Defendant Trump had known Defendant Epstein for seven years and knew that Plaintiff was then just 13 years old.
On the fourth and final sexual encounter with Defendant Trump, Defendant Trump tied Plaintiff to a bed, exposed himself to Plaintiff, and then proceeded to forcibly rape Plaintiff. During the course of this savage sexual attack, Plaintiff loudly pleaded with Defendant Trump to stop but with no effect. Defendant Trump responded to Plaintiff’s pleas by violently striking Plaintiff in the face with his open hand and screaming that he would do whatever he wanted.
Immediately following this rape, Defendant Trump threatened Plaintiff that, were she ever to reveal any of the details of the sexual and physical abuse of her by Defendant Trump, Plaintiff and her family would be physically harmed if not killed."
Two weeks ago the Labor Department (now headed by Acosta) put a new moratorium on processing visa applications for victims of human trafficking. That way the crime witnesses can't be accessed.
74
@Buonista Gutmensch
This is really frightening that the corruption is so deep...a horrible (ok - alleged) crime and a complicit government that is demolishing the rule of law. Where is any sense of morality or ethically grounded actions in addressing human trafficking and the real lives of young girls...
7
@Buonista Gutmensch . I wish I didn't have to reply, but according to the Daily Beast, Jane Doe dropped the suit in 2016. Maybe she was paid off.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2016/11/04/donald-trump-teen-rape-accuser-drops-suit
4
Famous author James Patterson was a neighbor of Epstein in Florida. Patterson recently wrote a book about the scandal titled "Filthy Rich: The Billionaire's Sex Scandal" that provides a detailed look behind the scene, with emphasis on how a talented, powerful team of lawyers can simply overwhelm local prosecutors.
Well worth reading.
39
There is a class of children in America, the "throw-away" children, with broken ties to their families and to those who might protect and supervise them, left to be exploited, usually on the streets of our cities. Epstein knew about them, knew that they were easy pickings and knew how to exploit their neediness. That, by itself, is a major outrage. But a second outrage is that the justice system allowed itself to be manipulated by him and his attorneys to give the lightest of consequences. Anyone with a serious interest in this case should read the more detailed account from the Miami Herald; it's an excellent piece of journalism.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article220097825.html
Now we read how the Attorney General's father appointed Epstein at an upscale New York school. We already know that Donald Trump and Epstein were friends. Will those connections once again allow Epstein to escape consequences? With Trump's friendship and his knowing what Epstein was doing, I also wonder if both of them had indulged in this heinous behavior.
25
@blgreenie
Everyone needs to click on the MiamiHerald article which gives much more info than this piece in The Times.
The charge should be sex-trafficking!! in addition to child abuse or rape as appropriate.
I think this is a particularly heinous example of male culture in certain circles... tolerated by wives, girlfriends, etc. for the sake of the status quo.
8
The real question is not whether Epstein will be convicted. It is what might happen if he is convicted? What might he tell prosecutors to lighten his sentence? What might powerful people do to prevent Epstein from testifying? Justice has been delayed in this case for over a decade for scores of victims and numerous perpetrators. Will it be denied again?
13
Sadly, under our "justice" system, there is no way this guy is looking at anything more than a short stint in a minimum security facility. Maybe he'll only get 4 days of work release this time! Older white man, with his fancy lawyers and his high-level political connections... he'll get barely a slap on the hand.
I would love if a trial would blow the lid off his whole sordid cadre of entitled rich men and sexual predators, including Trump and Clinton. But this Justice Dept will settle for next to nothing to keep that lid firmly in place.
Then again, maybe it is bait for Trump to obstruct justice again on a subject most Americans can agree is despicable. hmmm...
11
@tiredlocke. When did Trump obstruct Justice?
@Jackson
Read the Muller Report to find out. It’s all there in black and white.
5
@Jackson, Oh, gee, I don't know, it seems to be about a monthly occurrence for the last 2 1/2 years, or so. You know perfectly well what I'm referring to, and I'm not going to entertain your prevaricating.
2
Bill Clinton's good friend. Hillary's lucky she didn't win. Could you imagine the uproar.
11
@Julia Trump
2
@Julia Bill and Donald probably shared the same children. There's going to be an uproar anyway.
3
@Julia This would have remained buried. Epstein would have walked. Hillary would be too big to fail.
2
Good. But the person who needs to be arrested, based on claims by many many women, is the President.
This is the white elephant in the room. We have a serial predator in the White House who would not be hired by any firm in the country, based on these allegations.
It's time to arrest him. This isn't about politics, it's about justice for victims of sexual assault. He can defend himself in court, just like everybody else.
29
So now that the Mueller probe is completed expect Trump to really start the party. Epstein is the first big name in a long string of pedophile arrests that have been ongoing but expect more. Good ol' Jeff has had this coming to him for a long time. Many others will see wrath soon, too.
11
If you have enough money;then you can buy your way out of any charge brought against you. Thanks to the New York Times for helping to drag this serial rapist and child molester back into the light. I hope he is sent away to prison for the rest of his life without the possibility of parole. I do not want him on the streets ever again His crimes may represent an ongoing criminal conspiracy. What money is not awarded through the civil courts to his victims might be able to be taken by the justice department.
9
Acosta's career should be over.
22
People are concerned that Bill Barr will intervene on the pedophile's behalf. Bill Barr's father hired Epstein, who had zero credentials, to teach at his private school, The Dalton School in NYC.
Fresh meat for Epstein?
24
@JFMACC
I doubt it. Dalton’s students mostly come from elite families who have the resources to pursue charges. I imagine Epstein was hired to do what he did best; arranging for discrete liaisons with trafficked kids.
4
Why would men like Clinton, Dershowitz, Trump, Prince Andrew and probably countless others hang with this guy? What was in it for them? Rhetorical question.
25
I hope they nail him. I hope his cancerous acts spread indictments like wildfire to Acosta and any and all wealthy and powerful men who participated in his sex trafficking of teenage girls.
27
Vanity Fair wrote about Prince Andrew and his ties to Epstein back into 2011, and I wondered how Epstein could get away with his pedophilia for so long.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2011/08/prince-andrew-201108
19
There is an active lawsuit in which it is alleged that Donald Trump raped a barely-teenage girl at one of Epstein's parties.
24
@Juvenal451. No, there isn’t.
@Juvenal451
No, there isn't. That suit was dismissed years ago.
It was not dismissed--it was dropped by plaintiff after threats received.
2
Will they also investigate the times Bill Clinton flew on Epstein’s private plane to JE private sex island in the Caribbean ?
Who has Epstein given campaign donations to in the past 10 years.? How deep does the cover up go?
11
@Bob Kerlin Clinton SS already debunked this story. Never flew to the Island.
4
Trump hung out with him. Said he was a fine man a fun man. I'm sure Trump saw nothing wrong with his sex behavior. Trump appeared to like a little older type woman. Surprised Barrs department is actually doing justice work.
5
The threat to Democrats that Bill Clinton will be implicated is one big nothing burger. We've known for years that he is a predator (remember the small scandal in the White House involving a blue dress and a cigar?) And he was impeached by the House for those offenses. So bring it on - we are hardly in denial about people in power acting horrifically.
38
God bless and keep well, the SDNY.
24
Bad as Epstein's sex crimes are, and deserving of severe punishment, he is equally culpable, in my eyes, for being a hedge fund manager, who "earned" fifteen billion dollars by gambling with other people's money. What enabled him to garner such great winnings? Access to inside information not available to ordinary investors. The whole practice should be outlawed, and severely punished too.
40
Do these men not have sisters, daughters, nieces? What were they taught growing up? To be Masters of the Universe, apparently. And that means acting on your worst impulses with impunity. It's disgusting and I hope a message is being sent. No matter how powerful you are, justice will be served. Maybe?
25
@Tim
I have news for you, all molesters/rapists have mothers. Most have sisters, wives and nieces too. It makes not one bit of difference when the predator has an itch to scratch.
10
Unfortunately it is the mother’s ,sisters, etc. who are at the root of the molesters illnesses, psychologically speeching.
@Rhsmd1
WHAT??
Freud was discredited years ago. The molesters in question are perverts with no conscience. What percentage of the population are on the sociopath-psychopath- malignant narcissism spectrum? According to Robert Hare, PhD, a Harvard professor who studies them, it’s roughly 10%. Finance is full of them; it’s one of the professions where the percentage is proportionally highest. Sociopathy has high heritability— as high as 75%. That is NOT due to mothers’, sisters’, or other females’ behaviors. To blame women for the criminal acts of men is disingenuous and sexist.
7
How, exactly, did Alexander Acosta become Trump’s labor secretary? Epstein reportedly had an elaborate video recording system in his various estates, and he was generous in offering ‘services’ to important friends and acquaintances. Trump is reported to have gone to his parties in New York and said that Epstein ‘liked them young.’ Moreover, a former 13 year old alleged in a suit that Trump and Epstein raped her repeatedly. She withdrew the suit in November 2016 and has remained silent since then.
Epstein’s gentle treatment at the hands of the Feds a dozen years ago suggests important connections to powerful people. How else do you essentially get away with sexually assaulting dozens of underage girls. His jail time was a joke. He was allowed to go to his office and ‘work’ during the day. Mind you, he’d been retired and living off his billions for years. He then spent his nights in a single cell with his own private guard outside.
It could all be coincidence but it seems there are very few coincidences in the Trump administration, just more slimy dealings. The House should consider investigating how Acosta was appointed.
59
@Michael Tyndall. Epstein's "work" during work release reportedly included meeting with various women behind closed doors. And Barr being the son of the man who hired the unqualified Epstein to teach at an all girls school. Justice Kennedy's son working on Trump's financing (when US banks wouldn't), and Kennedy stepping down during the Mueller investigation. The web around Trump keeps getting bigger, and the connections seem much less "coincidental". Epstein's black book, records & tapes could potentially take down hundreds of powerful men. I hope it comes to that, whoever they are.
11
@Former repub
Dalton is co-educational.
2
@World Court My mistake. Appreciated
2
Is there a bigger target in play?
Should be an interesting plea out conversation.
14
According to public records, he pled to felonies in two separate cases. One conviction is under s.796.07, the other under s.796.03. In one he was sentenced to 12 months, in the other 6 months consecutive. In both sentences he was committed to the custody of the county, not the state. Had either sentence been more than a year the law requires imposition of a state prison sentence. (For example, 18 months in each case concurrent is the same overall penalty, but this sentence would have to be served in state custody). Sentencing him to county custody is what allowed him to get out of jail each day. Had he been committed to state custody the judge and jail would have no jurisdiction to authorize work release, and the state prison system does not allow sex offenders to participate in work release. The state also agreed to the plea of 18 months total which was below the 21.5 month minimum required by the state's sentencing code. (This is a fairly common occurrence.) Deals are common in the judicial system because there is risk for both sides in going to trial. This is highly applicable in sex crimes. We can perhaps presume the state believed this was the best strategy to avoid a trial which may not have produced a favorable outcome. Unfortunately, the public lacks the full case information, and the trial experience, necessary to evaluate that decision. We have to trust that the attorneys did their best to protect the public interest without undue external influence.
4
@Robert: The public understands plenty. We understand corruption and criminality against young, vulnerable girls and we understand that a lot of bigwhigs were a part of it. That's what we understand.
23
Would anyone be surprised if Epstein is pardoned sometime after Nov 3, 2020 and perhaps before Noon on January 20, 2021?
I know I would not be.
16
Thank you, federal prosecutors.
15
@Susan Weisser: Thank you to the Miami Herald! Your bravery and courage are much needed in this world.
33
Epstein might be in grave peril. The rich and famous might decide he knows too much.
23
JFK was a much greater womanizer than Bill, but somehow he retains his golden boy status.
9
The mans been dead for almost 56 years. Please let it go.
16
@Molly K.
Maybe because the women in JFK’s case were just that...women.
Not 13 year old girls. What part about age of consent don’t you understand?
32
@Molly K. JFK did not sexually abuse children.
26
Epstein is friends with Trump, Acosta gives Epstein a sweetheart plea deal, Trump gives Acosta a cabinet position. Quid pro quo. Acosta is Trump's kind of guy.
46
The link between prosecutors and this hideous man’s defense is the legal firm of Kirkland Ellis
Reading the Miami Herald’s investigation, all the key legal players on both sides spent time at this legal “power house”
26
This is more likely to be part of a pedophile ring than that Qanon nonsense about one run out of the basement of a pizza joint that had no basement.
What's that I just heard about Donald A+ owning a modeling agency and a beauty pageant, access to underage girls? We'll never get a full view inside the billionaires' boys club where money and power more often than not let the rich avoid consequences for despicable activities.
23
A few people worked on Epstein's Wikipedia entry overnight, one of whom removed the trump quote from NY mag that was an admiring description of Epstein's social activities. Doesn't matter, it's all over Twitter now.
Expect some distractions to spew from the White House soon.
36
A few years ago:
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York scheduled a hearing for Case 1:16-cv-04642 Jane Doe v. Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey E. Epstein in which our president was accused of raping a 13 year old at one of Epstein’s parties. My understanding is the victim was intimidated and dropped the charges. Perhaps this arrest is in part a follow-up to this case and could (one hopes) lead to
true justice for the many women/girls that have been assaulted by both Epstein and our president. Respect and gratitude to NY’s Southern District, the FBI, the journalists at the Miami herald, NYT and other publications that have not allowed this to be eternally swept under the rug.
51
@Eleanor L. Big thanks to Miami Herald journalists who Excavated this low life , Epstein, AND to recent NY southern District's work !! PRESS ON & take away Acosta's law license & Jeffrey's passport . They deserve NEITHER !
Jeffrey , no one left to help you . NO BAIL --he's a repeat offender & forget rehabilitation --waste of taxpayer money ! . Pack the courts in NY ! Already CLEARLY lost in the courts of public opinion .
5
Another one of trump's friends...Should we be surprised?
12
And a friend of the Clinton’s
And a friend of the UK royal family
Equally surprising?
8
He is also pal’s with bill clinton.
2
Girls/women are tools and currency for powerful men to gain leverage over other powerful men. Trump was a close associate of Epstein, and like Epstein, owned a "modeling agency" and the unfortunate girls who fell into his trap. Evidence shows that Trump fell into Putin's sexual trap and was forced to run for president and work for the Kremlin as a spy/mole. This is how intelligence agencies work. They find secrets that they can leverage against "assets." It's not a "conspiracy theory;" It's just how spies operate. Trump's fan club naturally sees past this and can excuse anything while professing "values" and "beliefs" that are diametrically opposed to everything the con artist represents.
17
No worries. He’ll make a big, beautiful deal. Then move to Alabama and run for the Senate. And WIN.
Seriously.
17
We now live in a country where a billionaire could literally “shoot someone on Fifth Avenue” and get away with it!!!
12
Who gets a deal where, sentenced to jail, they are released 6 days a week “to work?” Martha Stewart was robbed.
27
An all-around great day. Epstein arrested, USA wins World Cup. Yeah!
15
There has to be more to this story than a (mysteriously) rich guy addicted to sex with minors. Who is protecting him and why? Reporters need to look under the rocks and see what's scurrying about underneath.
14
A call out to the Miami Herald and their excellent series on this sexual predator and child molester published in 2018.
It’s a horrific story. And it shames our legal system and the old boy club that protects those who commit hideous crimes.
37
Trump Once Praised 'Terrific Guy' Epstein Who Likes Women 'On the Younger Side'.
This is the comment from the President of the United States making chid sexual abuse no big deal. Deplorable.
Hopefully Epstein pays for his crimes this time around and doesn't get any favors for being an entitled, rich White guy.
22
Isn’t this the guy that is big buddies with Bill Clinton? Figures...
7
@William. I do not know about bill Clinton. But there has been much reporting about epstein’s friendship with fellow sexual predator Donald trump.
8
Where are all of the 'righteous' congressional leaders? ...
where is the holier-than-thou VP? ...
working for the citizens? ... not quite ...
equality? ... yah, right ...
7
There has been a one way class war being waged in the US by the wealthy against the rest for too long. Like in any war, there is rape and pillage and moral collapse.
19
I like how, until today, more people probably knew about Pizzagate (an insane conspiracy theory about a ring of politically connected pedophiles) than about this (a real ring of politically connected pedophiles potentially implicating both Donal Trump and Bill Clinton). Why is that?
12
You learn the strangest things from comments on these articles. The suggestion of googling keywords Epstein owl brings up imagery of Epstein's private island "Little Saint James" and an unusual temple showing owls with erections. Money may not cause perversion, but it certainly feeds it.
14
And Treyvon Martin was guilty of what?
Oh yes, being black while walking down the street to buy Skittles in the great state of Florida.
And there are those who will argue there is equal justice under the law!! This country is turning into such a joke!! Without principles we are nothing folks.
25
Epstein’s crimes are heinous and yet he remained a free man to enjoy his wealth and continued to brutalize young women and girls! This is the FLAW of our justice system which incarcerates a Black woman in Texas for several years for voting without being officially registered and allows a wealthy monster like Epstein to go free!
Alex Acosta should resign and should be de-barred!
27
@Mari
Disbarment is too lenient. He belongs in federal prison.
4
“I’ve known Jeff for fifteen 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 Trump in 2002
Nobody sinks America deeper, quicker and more shamefully than its current disgrace of a President.
Remember in 2020.
1753
@Socrates What a repulsive quote from a repulsive man.
252
@Socrates And, "Only the best people will work in my administration." Like Alexander Acosta??
331
@Socrates
From the same article you failed to link to:
“Jeffrey is both a highly successful financier and a committed philanthropist with a keen sense of global markets and an in-depth knowledge of twenty-first-century science,” Clinton (former Democrat President Bill Clinton) says through a spokesman.
http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/n_7912/
And it was Bill Clinton flying around on Epstein's private plane with Kevin Spacey...not Trump.
"and flies celebrities including Bill Clinton and Kevin Spacey on his Boeing 727."
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2003/03/jeffrey-epstein-200303
Trumps description of Epstein ("many of them are on the younger side.") appears to be 100% accurate.
196
The Jeffrey Epstein story reinforces my belief that there are two clear and distinct systems of justice in this country, one for the poor and middle class and another for the rich and privileged. So many Americans seem to cut the elite in this country a lot of slack, while being fine with ruining the life of a first time offender who is poor or without resources. What a country! I'm not sure who or what is to blame for this distinct division, other than I feel we have been selling away our collective soul for quite some time. Obviously power is controlled by the top 1% and it's apparent that the little guy has few, if any, advocates. Epstein, on the other hand, has friends in very high places (perhaps they aren't really friends, but rather other older men who like exercising their power over poor, young, vulnerable underaged girls). One can only imagine that Epstein may have some very compromising information he is holding over the head's of his so-called friends. I, personally hope the whole ugly truth comes out. Thanks to the fine investigative reporting done by The Miami Herald and to the independence of the Southern District of New York, which resulted in Epstein's recent arrest. He should be denied bail and his passport should be revoked. A monster is a monster, regardless of his wealth.
92
@Kathy Garland
Very well said. Thank you.
7
@Welcome Canada Thank you for your kind remarks.
1
I'm already sensing a Trump pardon. Epstein is too valuable to the feds for providing information on white collar crime (insider trading, etc.), and considering there is an unofficial second justice system for US billionaires, I doubt he'll have any trouble negotiating a light sentence and luxury perks for himself. Never mind that a petty thief holding up a convenience store would never be allowed to negotiate a sentence for themselves.
29
State prosecutions are coming to thwart any possible Trump pardon.
7
Barr will stop the justice department from pursuing this, or do what Acosta did, give his "prison" when he gets to leave every day.
Epstein just has to say, "I didn't do this" and Trump + every rich gross man will say "I believe him" just like he believes Kim Jong Un and Putin and Kavanaugh.
Get this guy.
8
@Vexations
A pardon for sex crimes with minors after the beating Roy Moore took in a blood red state? I highly doubt it. Trump’s reelection may come down to mere hundreds of votes and anything as explosive as giving a pass to a verified child sex trafficker could be the dealbreaker. Think about it; he went against the ardent passion evangelicals, his only unified hard-core bass, had for Roy Moore by supporting his opponent even though there was even less evidence of child sex crimes against him. I’d wager $100 now that he won’t pardon him.
As for knowledge of financial crimes, that ship has sailed and Epstein was not on board. He’s already proven to be of no use in investigating them and he’s been a solo operator with very few real clients in the last decade. Multiple news outlets provide accounts of how he had nothing to offer beyond the situations with which he was personally involved. I did a quick search and discovered that even Fox Business News backs those facts.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/jeffrey-epstein-was-said-to-be-a-witness-against-wall-street-a-fbn-investigation-suggests-otherwise
1
Epstein is going to need even longer, stronger strings to pull on to get out of this one.
I'm eager to see how well his good friend Donald Trump treats this explosive kerfuffle between SDNY and the rich and famous of southern Florida.
21
The independence of the SDNY in this matter is a breath of fresh air. This indictment has me thinking Nancy Pelosi knows something we don’t when she says she wants Trump in jail, not impeached.
I’m now reconsidering my stance on impeachment knowing that playing the long game almost always pays off better than caving into passionate initial impulses. It’s quite possible there are indictments waiting for a one term president.
46
How about impeaching for high crimes and misdemeanors against the American people first and then a trial and jail for corruption and crimes when Trump is out of office. Why would
Impeachment preclude criminal proceedings when Trump is no longer protected from our laws? He deserves both.
14
Some years ago I visited a 14th Century church in Paris. Up next to the altar was a section for "privilegies," i.e., the aristocracy. Looks like our nation has descended to the same level as pre-revolutionary France--or, given the history of slavery, maybe we never ascended, despite our pretension of "equal justice under law."
29
My thoughts exactly. Reading this only made me think of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserable. It took several republics for France to exorcize this from their system. It seems it has taken us one republic to grow it.
12
Outstanding reporting from the Times, Miami Herald, Daily Beast and others. Thank you for your persistence and diligent follow-up on this important story.
I recall reading that Mr. Epstein secretly videotaped some of the activity on his island. It will be interesting to see if that is unearthed. He could have been blackmailing many of the officials who let him off easy the first time...and others.
According to the Miami Herald, "Court to unseal up to 2,000 pages of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents." Excellent!
50
Underage children/young adolescents are not being protected. They are being used and exploited by priests, ministers, Hollywood types, politicians, financiers. We keep treating these incidents as if they have no connection to one another. What is it about our society that so many people think that they can abuse young girls and to a lesser extent young boys ? I do not want a return to the puritanical and somewhat hypocritical 1950's of my childhood. But I will certainly not argue that this version of " freedom" is healthy and beneficial to our social fabric and the self actualization of our children.
History does show that children without adult protectors will often be exploited. We have a lot of unprotected young people who are easily scooped up. But why we do not prosecute better those who harm them is impossible to justify.
21
@Consuelo: The 1950's maybe has the myth of being puritanical but it wasn't. My father was a pedophile and he was an authoritarian Republican. And I know many women my age who were also abused by family members. It happened all the time.
4
I hope that there is something that will stick in state courts so that there is no chance of a Presidential pardon (though I think that such a pardon would be extremely telling since how can one morally justify the pardoning of someone who traffics in children?).
8
Being charged is one thing but let’s hope he actually gets convicted.
22
And convicted is good but he probably would go to a country club prison for a brief period, at most.
2
And locked up!
1
Epstein was a friend of Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. Both partied with him.
Epstein plea bargain deal prohibited the release of the identification of any of his co-conspirators, which included many powerful friends.
The Justice Department last year opposed cancelling Epstein’s deal.
Did Trump take care of his old friend through the Justice Department? Who is on the Epstein restricted list of co-conspirators.
It seems there is much more to this story than the Justice Department has allowed to be public so far.
Looking forward to more reportage of this sleazy, predator and who joined him in this abuse of minors.
30
Follow the money and the girls. Ask what the people who bestowed favors received. If someone is smart enough to report a bribe or 'gift' on their taxes then there is no reason for the IRS to ask questions. A free press can review lifestyles and ask pertinent questions.
2
Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump are both proof that we do not live under the rule of law in America and that everyone is not treated equally before the law. We have to stop teaching this in schools because it absolutely is not true.
21
@DSD I believe you forgot to mention Bill Clinton as part of the proof.
8
Al Capone who committed a plethora of crimes landed in jail for tax evasion.
Is it possible Trump's numerous transgressions will be punished similarly with jail for statutory rape? Epstein may have no choice but "sing" if he knows something that may save him from a life sentence. The Republic will be thankful. It may take a criminal to drain Trump's swamp.
Nothing is impossible any more.
20
The lenient treatment that this child predator received 10 years ago is mind-blowing, even in a society in which money talks, men have ruled, and sex crimes are often viewed as "he said, she lied." I don't know if the Miami Herald's explosive report on this guy last year forced the government's hand, or if New York prosecutors had been planning this for a while, but I'm glad for the women who wouldn't stop seeking justice that it's finally happened.
When's the indictment coming for Alexander Acosta, the Florida buddy of Trump's (and current labor secretary) who agreed 10 years ago to give this guy work release -- work release! -- for a punishment, and violated the law by not notifying the victims?
40
I would think that the Justice Department would not have to do anything but read the Non-prosecution Agreement and any other documents prepared by Mr. Acosta to indict him as a Party to Obstruction of Justice in the Epstein case, just on the fact that the victims were lied to when Prosecutors in the case said that Mr. Epstein was still being investigated and the victims were not made aware that Acosta agreed to a Non-Prosecution Agreement.
If nothing ever was more outrageous, it certainly is outrageous that Mr. Acosta is heading up the Labor Department. This must have been Trump's present to Mr. Acosta for not prosecuting his friend Epstein.
Will Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew be called as witnesses in the Epstein case? You are known by the company you keep, as my grandmother used to tell me. Are these two men "birds of a feather"?
Thank god for the Judge in Florida. Obviously he is one who knows what the law is and is willing to enforce it.
Let's see what the Barr and Trump Justice Department does with this case.
Certainly if Acosta is found guilty of committing a Federal Crime and Epstein is also convicted will Trump pardon them?
Was Trump, Clinton, Prince Andrew and Acosta a part of this Epstein Sex Trafficking scheme?
So many questions left unanswered.
19
When jail is not enough for the punishment. Whoa unto the man who would flog the children with his riches. Eternity is forever.
4
To concerned republicans, how can you not be concerned with a sitting president being involved? You are, however, strangely concerned with a president who’s been out of office for 16 years? If you don’t care about children being raped, then you shouldn’t care if Clinton was involved. If you do, then focus on the sitting president first. If you don’t care, (and I’m starting to suspect you don’t) you should forget about it. Maybe the laws should only apply to our political opponents. I suppose that is logical.
27
It's not enough to know he is being charged. Will he end up again with an ankle bracelet and confinement to relaxing in his luxury suite? When the wealthy have to do the same amount and the same type of time as the lowest of the low, then I'll believe there is justice in America.
881
@Anthony Davis
The US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of NY is run very differently from Alex Acosta's FL US Attorney's office so -- unless the case falls apart -- the results should be very different.
160
@Anthony Davis
SDNY is the Southern District of NY, not the SDFLA. If they grabbed him they've got a case and will prosecute it.
41
@Robert
I notice that Maurene Comey is a prosecutor in the SDNY.
14
“He went after girls who he thought no one would listen to and he was right.” Another indictment of our criminal justice system and it's failure to protect those who are seen as disposable.
958
@Patricia
bullies always pick on the weakest most vulnerable victims because they know they can get away with it.
157
@Rain
Why do your comments make me think of our current president and his followers? So Sad ...and Worrisome!
56
@Gerry, they were children
36
We have been waiting a very long time for justice in this sordid, horrific affair. The idea that a man could sexually exploit underage girls on a wide scale and that authorities would give him a pass was once unthinkable. But then we learned about Larry Nassar. American women are loosing faith in the will of our institutions to protect them and their children. We will be watching what happens with Mr. Epstein.
830
@Nancy....American women are not the only victims of sexual abuse and women are not the only ones losing faith in the judicial system. It is commonplace across the United States to see young male children being sexually abused by their adult female teachers. These female teachers--perhaps because they are sometimes considered attractive--are often given a slap on the wrist for raping male children. Boys are also sexually abused by men at an alarming rate. And studies suggest that a huge percentage of rapes of men and boys goes unreported because of the stigma of being deemed 'gay'. It is an issue of power, gender bias (in both directions) and unequal treatment before the law on the basis of wealth.
34
@Joshua Folds
The only place I've seen women's predation on boys presented as "commonplace" is Fox News and allied media.
Could you post links to a source (or sources) outside of that media environment-- or to
primary research sources that support the statistical claim you're making here?
90
@Joshua Folds - No quick reference here for comparison, but for every female teacher taking advantage" - my guess is there are at least 100 male ones.
The cases of women committing these transgressions have been widely publicized and they generally face the full force of the law, NOT a slap on the wrist. Because they are so - rare - I doubt there is a a "huge percentage" of them compared to those of men.
83
Anyone who thinks any billionaire in today's America, much less one with such strong connections to our president, is going to suffer any consequences for this sort of behavior has way more confidence in our system than I do at this time.
729
I have confidence in the prosecutors in the Southern District of NY.
129
Wish the same for his very good friend Prince Andrew of England.
20
@LawyerTom- normally I would agreed to but SD answers to Barr and he is totally under the thumb of the rump. Don’t you think?
19
So it's not just a swamp of political corruption, it's also a swamp of wealthy sexual miscreants and the government officials who protect them from justice. Wonderful.
We Americans should stop patting ourselves on the back with all this talk of bravery and freedom and justice. That's a fairy tale for children. We have gotten lazy, apathetic and ignorant and we are allowing our country and its institutions to be destroyed from within by the wealthy. Instead of fantasizing about becoming wealthy ourselves, we should recognize the vast majority of wealthy people did not amass their wealth by being good people and treating others well. Quite the opposite. A major course correction in our economy and financial system is long overdue for us to get to a place where freedom and justice are realities and not fantasies. We have nothing to be proud of until we start fixing this mess by at the very least getting money out of our political and legal systems.
1223
@ChrisH
Well said, especially the part on what you so adequately name 'the major course correction in our economy and financial system is long overdue'.
Especially our financial system is completely off track. Huge amounts are being paid for a minimum of effort, whereas great efforts are being paid miserably.
As a general rule, it can be said that great wealth can only be accumulated by selling products or services to us, the gullible consumers, at over-the-top prices. Whereby these same products are being produced by poor souls who have to work for sometimes not enough to survive on...
110
@ChrisH
Brilliant comment. Please say this far and wide to everyone you know. For a non-American this is music to my ears-- things I have been trying to gently say to my relatives, friends and colleagues for over 30 years. The warning signs have been there for a long time.
There is still time to wake up and salvage what was wonderful-- just ask us non-Americans for help : ) we do love you.
91
@ChrisH from Earth .... well said! Remarkably well said.
52
President Trump promised to “drain the swamp” in Washington. But with the appointment of people like Alex Acosta he is actually filling the swamp.
213
@Oliver What he didn't say about draining the swamp was that he was building condos on top of it (no doubt a licensing deal with foreign developers doing the actual building) and filling them with his crooked friends.
86
@Bobs Well said! Too bad there are no emojis for these comments!
7
Trump is a big fan of Epstein (as well as Alabama judge Ray Moore), and seems quite heartily to approved of this kind of behaviour. (from NYMagazine 9/28/2002):
“I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy,” Trump booms from a speakerphone. “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. No doubt about it – Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”
http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/n_7912/
54
Epstein taught calculus and physics at the all girls Dalton School in Manhattan from 1973 to 1975. source: Wikipedia
He was given the job by Attorney General William Barr's father, who was the head of the all girls prep school from 1964 to 1974.
Some reporters might want to do some digging. Maybe in this Me Too era some of the students might be willing to come forward.
1214
@Jay Lagemann. Wow...that is bizarre, and somehow, it just figures.
158
@Jay Lagemann
Dalton is not and was not an "all girls" school, but that aside, Donald Barr was, according to the Times, 'accused then of turning a “humanistic, progressive” school into one in which “discipline and authoritarian rule” were the hallmarks.'
He eventually resigned, thanks to his "unitary" theory of school governance -- where he and he alone, not the trustees or anyone else, would determine how the school operates.
Sound familiar?
163
Bob Barr’s actions make so much more sense now!
105
William Barr's father, then the headmaster, hired Epstein to "teach" young girls at Dalton School.
It's only 1 degree of separation now.
Let us hope Barbara D. Underwood is on the case.
596
@babka1 There is so much beneath the swamp. More to unearth and more for us to see things that are horrifyingly real.
30
@babka1
Omg...
Is this the opening scene of a blockbuster movie or an Amazon/Netflix mini series being written right at this very minute.
4
@babka1. Alas no. These are Federal charges, and Ms. Underwood works for the state AG’s office.
5
As mentioned in the comments, trump was an Epstein chum. A young woman claimed trump violently raped her then threatened her life. She attempted to come forward again prior to the election and was threatened again. Strangely, Acosta was appointed labor secretary by trump after Epstein's sweetheart deal for which he was responsible. The filth amongst our current 'leaders' runs deep and I for one am grateful for this latest development. I do hope the Feds will protect the victims this time around. I also pray that someone is keeping an eye on CBP while it cages young girls as the rot starts at the top and freely flows in this country.
184
Clinton was an Epstein chum too. Let’s not forget that.
@lulu roche. The pleadings and allegations in the now dismissed case of Jane Doe v. Trump and Epstein are disturbing to say the least. The two sworn affidavits under penalty for perjury are notable. I have long wondered if we, in fact, have a rapist in the White House, especially given the many credible accusations of sexual assault by other women, including ex-wife Ivana, against Trump. See the Complaint and affidavits at:
https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000158-26b6-dda3-afd8-b6fe46f40000
10
It's about time. Wish there was some way to take Acosta down. The rich and powerful are the ones who drive demand for sex-trafficking, exotic animal trafficking, drug-trafficking, human trafficking and all the worst of humanity's sins against life. Many of the rich and powerful are good people but it only takes a few Jeffrey Epsteins and DJTs to inflict terrible damage on the rest of us. The Musk/Bezos contingent is now spearheading "space-trafficking" or the egomaniacal pursuit of toys to fling them far above the inconvenient "little people" who are mucking up "their" planet. These guys are straight out of the James Bond villain playlist. Being a billionaire isn't good for your mental health, apparently.
54
Had a federal judge (a member of the Judicial Branch) not ruled the agreement illegal, it can pretty much be assumed that the Attorney General (of the Executive Branch) would have never allowed his prosecutors to pursue this case. Once again we can be heartened by the fact we still do have three co-equal branches of government which will finally result in justice for all of the young girls and women who were abused by this man.
26
I hope you are being a bit naïve about this.
All the good laws in the world don’t matter without enough people of integrity to enforce them.
2
When a member of Britain's Royal Family are possibly involved, dont expect transparency!
22
NYSD-thank you. Now onward and upward to Trump and family.
45
I'm appalled that a billionaire can still be held accountable in Donald Trump's America.
33
Maybe there will finally be justice for those children. Shame on our system (and Alex Acosta) for giving that criminal absolute freedom for decades. And if Clinton, Trump, or others played any role in these crimes, they should pay too. Trump even admitted he was friends with the criminal and knew his sexual proclivities.
56
@Larry: Exactly Right and Wrong do not have a party. Everyone involved in this should be held accountable regardless of their political popularity.
9
Call your members of Congress and demand that they speak out against Acosta. He must resign as Labor Secretary.
60
Thankfully, justice may happen in New York, Florida could not see past his money. Florida is a southern state where ignorance is bliss, the only hope is the more northerners who move to the coast.
26
Since I found out about the connection between Labor Secretary Acosta and the Epstein non-prosecution agreement and the connection to Trumpworld, including the fact that Epstein got his hooks into one of the victims while she was a teen employed at Mar A Lago, I've been wondering about the splendid drop in unemployment numbers under Mr. Trump.
Could they be rigged by Mr. Acosta's Labor Dept. to make Trump look good?
96
@PacificNWer
I don't trust one number that comes out of this rank, vile, lying Russian-elected administration. The past two months, private jobs numbers have been abysmal, and then suddenly a week later in both instances, voila! jobs numbers released by the Acosta's Labor Dept. are fantastic...
12
This man assaulted me when I was 19 years old and in college in NYC in 2006 (after cases were already against him!!). While not a “minor” at the time, his actions were still horrid and something I’ll never forget. I’m still coping with the guilt for “putting myself” in a situation like that, but hearing of all these stories over the years are validating. I was working as a sex worker part time to pay for school. I also had other jobs as a nanny and daycare assistant. I was recruited by a woman who worked for him and I met with her beforehand to ask questions and communicate my boundaries. A partially nude massage in his private mansion for a quick $200? It didn’t sound too bad and I trusted it coming from another young woman. When I got there, Jeffrey told me he just got off his private jet. I gave him the massage and when I thought I was about to leave, he assaulted me, inserting fingers inside me. Too terrified to run or scream, I calmly got dressed and tried to leave, getting lost in his gigantic mansion on the way out in the elevator.
It took me years to realize what this was. Rape. He raped me. I’m sure there’s dozens more young women, and minors who have been harmed by him. His power and wealth have allowed him to get away with this for far too long.
I’m about to be a mom, pregnant and have a good life. I don’t regret the work I did during that time. But I wish I never met him.
Jeffrey Epstein deserves what’s coming to him.
165
@K Thank you so much for speaking out about your own experience with this creep..
I'm sure that was not easy to do after such as experience.
I too do believe that justice has finally arrived for Jeffrey Epstein, and I agree with you that he surely deserves whatever is now coming to him.
All best to you. Enjoy your new baby and your family. I hope that you and yours continue to enjoy a very good life.
24
@K. Please report this to the prosecuting attorneys.
38
@K...that a dreadful crime he committed against you. Can you contact The Times and give full testimony to his crime?
11
Curious how Epstein can be charged with trafficking if he paid underage girls to have sex with him. Using the same logic, couldn't someone arrested for possession of heroin be charged with drug trafficking?
1
@BobMeinetz
Because the girls are underage it is trafficking. The girls cannot legally give consent.
7
@BobMeinetz
The trafficking part is that he acquired and moved girls from state to state between his various residences for illicit acts by him and others in his group. If the heroin possessor moved heroin between states to distribute, then yes. If not, then it’s simple possession.
6
@BobMeinetz trafficking is when you employ another person to find children and bring them to your home. Which he does.
3
I hope that Epstein pays dearly for his crimes against children. Is it too much to hope that Epstein might also rat on Trump who calls Epstein “a terrific guy ... lots of fun to be with,” who “ likes them on the younger side,” which implies to me that Trump has known for years that his pal was a rapist. Could it be that the detailed allegations of a civil suit filed in 2016 in the Southern District of New York against Trump and Epstein alleging rape, supported by two verified affidavits, but dismissed by the plaintiff who allegedly received death threats, were something the American people should have paid more attention to before they entrusted Trump with the highest honor and office in the land?
43
28th amendment to the constitution says: if you are a billionaire
you can do what you want, no laws apply to you.
8
This overdue development should make us all appreciate the power of investigative journalism, the dedication of the journalists behind it, and the courage of the victims to come forward, without which this story would have been long forgotten.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article221957120.html
110
@BriKf, Absolutley!
If there any justice in this world they’ll come for Trump just like they did Epstein.
45
Discussion about sex time? Maybe time for less permissiveness overall? But historically 14/15 even 13 (post onset of menses) females have engaged in intercourse and gotten pregnant. (And still do.) 18 by definition is arbitrary -- and like it or not kids are aware/in most cases by age 10. So now what?
How about teaching rules about dating: three months, no sex. Legalizing prostitution? Promoting marriage before sex instead of the popular first child out of wedlock bit that happens a lot.
Is Epstein a creep? (lots of those around!) how do all people (men and women) call out creeps instead of idolizing them because they have power and money? Frankly, Epstien has had lots of supporters along the way.
(BTW in the 18th C young girls-- preferably virgins became preferred as sex partners by those who could afford them because it was assumed they would not transmit syphilis!)
3
@Auntie Mame Your comment is very inappropriate. Just because a child has started getting her period doesn’t mean she is ready and available for sex. Jeffrey Epstein is not “dating” young girls. He is assaulting them. Girls, regardless of their their own thoughts about sex, deserve to be protected from predators like Epstein. We should be teaching our kids how to avoid situations like the Epstein house. But human trafficking is a very real problem, especially here in the United States. Vulnerable young girls are often the target.
12
@Auntie Mame Where do you get your numbers? According to the CDC, the number of high school students who self report having had sex is down over the past few years. Less than half of high school students say that they have had sex by graduation. When my kids were in high school 5-10 years ago, they did receive information about sex and birth control and other issues.
5
Really just a creep? Wow!
1
I would strongly recommend lifelong hormone treatment, similar to what the Brits gave Alan Turing to convert him, for Mr. Epstein. And dividing up all of his assets among the victims. Those two things seem to be a fair way of treating him.
20
@Robert M. Koretsky — So you advocate making stuff up as we go along to punish those we need to punish. How do you square this with commitment to the rule of law — or are you just trying to generate a reaction?
Maybe, as part of a plea, Jeffrey will “name names” of co-conspirators.
39
@Robert
It's possible, that Acosta let Epstein off merely a slap on the wrist because a trial might have revealed other highly placed perps.
A thorough investigation is in order.
10
Too bad for Epstein he wasn't indicted in New Jersey where rapists are handled leniently if they're from "good families." "Wealthy" means good in Jersey...
13
@Jack be Quick...as come on! One judge, not even a substantial portion of the NJ judiciary.
1
Justice delayed is justice denied. This creep got away with sexual assault for decades because of his money that bought corrupt connections. I can guarantee that if he ever has to appear in court it will be in a wheelchair and that the claims that he is a ill, old man and should get leniency. He should have been locked up decades ago.
20
this is extremely good news! Now let's reel the whole miasmic knot of toxic relationships in to shore and off to prison. This would be the peak of me-too payback. We didn't send the bankers and financiers to jail after 2008 and we the people are still steamed about that. Please get this man and his enabling fellow power dogs.
31
Epstein shows:
"It's not what you know, it's who you know.
More importantly, it's what you know about who you know."
37
Trump, Clinton, Epstein. Change is needed.
18
Our president's offshore partying with Mr. Epstein happened a long time ago. The age at which it's a good idea to'grab them by their private parts' was never suggested in his public comments, but surely he never meant young girls....although it would not be a surprise if Mr Epstein got a presidential pardon. Our president is a very forgiving person.
9
@kirk
It was younger women that Trump accosted. Beauty queens, models, actresses and various others "who were not his type.
5
Money can’t protect you forever. Understand, Donnie Danger ?
Yes, it’s a witch hunt. And I’m the witch, along with millions of other Mothers and Grandmothers.
Tick-Tock.
105
Wait, so the U.S. Labor Secretary, Alex Acosta, who is the top official in charge of human and sex trafficking violations was the person who gave Epstein this sweetheart deal in Florida a decade ago? What’s wrong with this picture?
60
@DHG >>What’s wrong with this picture?
The appropriately named Donald John Trump.
5
It was only a matter of time before his past caught up with him. I remember the controversy in the mid 1990's swirling roundabout private jets and island retreats with Clinton and Dershowitz , and teenage girls.
10
Another one of Trump's close friends goes to jail. Trump also provided Epstein the underage teen Virginia Giuffre for his sexual urges who was working illegally at his Mar a Lago resort.
22
Epstein is sickening. The fact that he has been abusing little girls for years and getting away with it underscores our justice system's complete lack of regard for children. It's more important to protect wealth and power than our little girls and boys (Catholic priests).
31
From an Epstein deposition:
Q: Have you ever had a personal relationship with Donald Trump?
A. What do you mean by "personal relationship," sir?
Q. Have you socialized with him?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Yes?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Have you ever socialized with Donald Trump in the presence of females under the age of 18?
A: Though I'd like to answer that question, at least today I'm going to have to assert my Fifth, Sixth, and 14th Amendment rights, sir.
In Epstein's contact book, under Trump's name "were 14 phone numbers, including emergency numbers, car numbers, and numbers to Trump's security guard and houseman."
54
@Moira...It's long overdue that trump's longtime body guard,Keith Schilling, have a sit down with open minded, honest officials.
10
Can we expect this by noon? I really don’t know him very well at all, he might have gotten coffee for me once or twice, you know these guys and their locker room talk, it’s just one of those weird coincidences that I’ve also been accused of sexual molestation, my bizarrely loyal AG’s dad employed him, I gave his plea bargain prosector a big job, and his lawyer similarly accused has been carrying my water for three years.
11
Trump kicked him OUT of Mar a Lago, Clinton flew to his island.
Just saying, this is going to get ugly for some people, right Bill?
9
@Sparky Jones
Why?
As if any rich person could get justice in the US.
6
Lots of people hoping their names are not circled in Jeff's little black book!
https://gawker.com/here-is-pedophile-billionaire-jeffrey-epsteins-little-b-1681383992
9
“According to court records, in a 2007 interview with the F.B.I., one girl shared that at age 15 she began visiting Mr. Epstein... Mr. Epstein also got the girl to bring other girls who worked with her at a local strip club.”
- Fifteen year old girls work at strip clubs in Florida? There’s your story.
Who owns these clubs?
What laws apply to strip club in Florida?
When did 15 year olds start working at strip clubs in Florida?
Where in Florida are they?
Why are strip clubs that employe 15 year olds allowed to operate?
How do they receive licenses to operate?
Separately, this story didn’t mention Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean.
He allegedly used this retreat for even more salacious activity than massage and is reported to have brought many of his aforementioned “friends” there for ”conferences.”
Is there a journalist in the house or do you just regurgitate press releases from law enforcement and clips from Miami TV?
16
Finally. Why was Acosta's ridiculous, politically advantaged deal allowed to stand for 11 yrs?
24
Trumps buddy, so do now we hear about him and the Donald and the 12 year olds in Waterbury?
13
Many will be eager to learn the extent to which trump and acosta partied with epstein and his girls. Barrr will likely be ordered to obstruct justice if it gets too close to them, but justice for the young victims needs to be guarded.
21
Ten years of evading justice after a sleazy slap in the wrist in 2007.
Hope this go around is a full take down with lots of real jail time.
18
If B Clinton has any real connection to this, I kinda hate to ask what Biden knew and when did he know it? I mean, as long as we're getting to the whole truth.
6
@rick...why do you bring up Biden in this regard? Based on what?
5
@rick Okay, other than the fact that Clinton and Biden are both Democrats, and you clearly are not, what is the connection you are intimating between the Great Triangulator and Joe Biden? Did Biden hang out with Clinton or something?
5
Thank goodness for the SDNY. But still, too little, too late for many of those girls - 30, 60, who knows how many ruined lives. Maybe we'll hear from/about Trump's other known rape victim.
9
Another feather in trumps fedora - Alexander Acosta. Truly, he only hires the best.
14
How many children did he abuse in the time since the prosecutors botched the original case?
14
Just another one of the "very best people" surrounding our current WH occupant.
13
" In her civil lawsuit, Virginia Giuffre states that, at the age of 15, she was working as a towel girl at Mar-a-Lago when she was lured into prostitution by Epstein's girlfriend at the time, Ghislaine Maxwell " . Any updates on this 2017 Claude Taylor report: "New York Attorney General has human trafficking investigation ongoing against Trump Model Management involving sexual exploitation of minor children. Key cooperating witness is the go between who worked with Russian Organized Crime in supplying the girls/woman to Trump Model Management."
42
Read the Miami Herald's reports (link in article)--especially timeline report--I note there is also an accusation of rape by the current pres at an Epstein party in '94 in this timeline report....
17
Here’s to hoping that Trump is one caught in the net!
12
@Rjk Apparently, there ARE allegations that Trump participated in sex with minors provided him by Epstein. What a stand-up guy, eh? So beloved by evangelicals.
4
If there is to be any justice in this in this sordid affair then many more people should be charged. Anyone who visited his orgy island or infamous NY parties should be investigated. First and foremost, Ghislaine Maxwell, Alan Dershowitz, and Prince Andrew should be brought before a grand jury. Also Clinton, Trump, and numerous prominent other politicians and business executive should be seriously investigated.
21
The townhouses on his block all have security cameras. Investigate the footage and identify all who partake.
12
@Ms M.: There's probably a back entrance with no security cameras.
1
How long before yet another corrupt Trump Cabinet member, here Acosta, chooses to “resign” from that august body? How grotesquely ironic that a criminal enterprise based upon the forced, inhumane sexual “labors” of captive children will, at long last, bring down this Administration’s Secretary of Labor. Lock him up!
20
Sordid is right!
3
Once again Trump is associated with the bottom feeders.
Disgusting .
I know the stable “ genius “ will claim to know nothing.
Maybe NASA can give him some “ astronaut lessons “ and propel him to the dark side of the moon.
11
Exactly why did Trump named Alex Acosta Secretary of Labor?
28
Birds of a feather flock together. All those Bill Clinton haters can now add Donald Trump to the mix as sleazy.
11
What would compel Alan Dershowitz to defend this guy?
Unless Epstein has something on him...
47
Of course the system works differently for the rich and well connected! When a human being is arrested in America the 1st thing to occur is an opportunity to get out. Not based on merit, not based on location or locating devices ....it's based 100% on how much money you have! If ur poor, you don't get released! If your well off... They don't even put you in a cell ,you stay in the intake until ur check clears! It's sickening and completely unbalanced for millions and millions of poor Americans! The real crime is NOT doing nothing. The working class with those in poverty clearly hold the majority, we could change this with just a little organizing and unity. That's the sad part, we allow this to continue!
6
Alex Acosta, Alan Dershowitz, with friends like these who needs enemies?
10
I'm looking forward to hearing from the Links at Bedminster today.
"Mr. President - what do you know about Jeffrey Epstein?"
"I never met him"
NOT my president
16
I hope they also indict his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, I suspect she would be able to give details that Epstein would choose to take to his grave. This is bigger than one old, rich, white man. Drain the swamp and lock them all up.
33
Pretty good bet that being arrested in the New York area means he was arrested in the Hamptons, where billionaires go to play in summer after Palm Beach in the winter.
7
@Carl Zeitz
"CBS Miami reported that Mr. Epstein was arrested late Saturday afternoon at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey after his private jet landed there from Paris. "
it's literally in the article.
2
While this case implicates Trump by association, along with one of his "best people, Acosta, and a loud cheerleader, Dershowitz, it will not surprise me one bit if it is used as a weapon to strike more harmfully against political opponents.
Trump and his base have, after all, already established they don't care what Trump has done, does, or might do, no matter how foul.
In fact, they seem to revel in the worst of it.
Any of his past actions and comments about young girls will be spun as "fake news" as long as there are no charges.
They're already claiming Trump's relationship with Epstein was a trap so he could take him down later.
21
Donald Trump in 2002: “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It’s even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them on the younger side. Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”
34
@TG Yes we do. However some of us have the taxpayers pay for our social life. 108 million for Trumps 190 days of golf at his clubs. Over $600,000 in fees for secret security golf carts (Paid to Trump hotels). These rich guys sure know how to have a good social life.
6
@TG — I checked out the source of this quote on Newspapers.com to make sure it wasn't disinformation. The quote is correct. New York Magazine, 2002.
5
Maybe he will get a plea bargain deal for what he can tell us about our president.
Put together the pieces and testimony of female witnesses who enabled these sex crimes wherein DJT was actively involved.
It seems I do recall there is a credible basis for the above claim.
12
NYT, more coverage is needed on this story.
Allegedly, exactly how did Epstein find these girls? Did he have a wife or partner of his own age during the same time period? Did he think he was cleared forever and this was a closed case?
Also, try to explain what does not make sense to most people via interviews with medical people - why would an adult harm children?
To the victims, the lawyers, and the people who are fighting to protect children - keep up your fight! Those of us with abuse in our past stand behind you. (There are many of us standing behind you)
21
How shocking in the age of Trump that another billionaire gets away with molesting 30+ underage girls for years and then gets a deal where he can work in his office most of the week.
We have a myth that "no one is above the law " but I see little evidence of that since even the president is not held accountable despite numerous lawsuits.
18
@gfHe didn’t get the deal in the age of Trump. He got the deal when Bush was president and Clinton was getting ready to run. That doesn’t mean Trump,is some kind of a saint. ,
Sounds like “Wilding” to me. Will the President be taking out full page ads advocating for particular punishments pre-trial? Will the national press be writing about the breakdown of the family structure of the billionaire class & the failure of their fathers?
16
Epstein could escape justice because of his affiliation to famous people who are clearly invested in obscuring capability. Hopefully justice will prevail and allow those young girls whom they victimized to be avenged.
8
I hope SDNY prosecutors go after Mr. Trump with the same dogged zeal as they have Epstein. BTW: What's is going down w/ their Trump investigation (Individual #1)? Not a word of it since the Mueller Report was issued.
10
@Iliipofhudson: I read that on April 1, Barr ended seven (I think seven) of the investigations Mueller handed off to other DA's. But the FOIA request did not say which investigations were ended only that some were.
1
"I've known Jeff for fifteen years," Trump said.
"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."
- Newsweek
https://www.newsweek.com/trumps-longtime-friend-jeffrey-epstein-arrested-sex-trafficking-minors-florida-new-york-1447908
11
"Mr. Acosta has defended the handling of Mr. Epstein’s case, saying the plea deal sent Mr. Epstein to jail and guaranteed that he would register as a sex offender."
Just how does registering as a sex offender impact on a billionaire's life? And, his county jail time? Meh.
14
“Arrested as he got out of his private plane from Paris”.
That says everything why it took so long and the fact that they are trying him again speaks of how egregious he crimes must be.
10
Everything associated with this administration in any way is sordid, one can only imagine what else will be uncovered if it loses power and control over the Justice Department after the next election.
And maybe there are revealing photos from parties to be released featuring characters known and unknown.
Juicy, juicy.
7
When I read The Daily Beast’s article last night, I felt physically ill. I also have to ask this question yet again: why do so many people wonder why women and girls don’t come forward after they’ve been sexually assaulted?
34
This story only piques my interest as to what incriminating information there could be, on many politicians, in the National Enquirer vault.
22
This case teaches us that If you have enough money, you can avoid the worst penalties for being a sexual predator. But the wheels of justice move, albeit slowly, to a proper conclusion. I don't think Trump's friend will stand by him now.
4
Here’s another one of Trump’s buddies. Birds of a feather stick together.
Of course, given the opportunity, Trump will say he’s never heard of him.
8
Apparently Jeffrey has a very nice mansion in Palm Beach, Florida. Sounds like it might be the perfect property to remodel to house, protect and provide education and training for women who have been victims of abuse. Should not be difficult to fund the on-going operation of the facility after selling off Jeffrey's assets.
11
@Anne Ominous I had the exact same thought! It would be so fitting...
3
"The plea deal that protected Mr. Epstein from federal charges was signed by the top federal prosecutor in Miami at the time, Alexander Acosta, who is now President Trump’s labor secretary.", this sentence caught my eye. I agree with an earlier comment. Reporters should do some more digging on this one. There aren't even 6 degrees of separation here. Please let's stop focusing on all the crazy things DT says and expose him for the narcissistic exploitative criminal that he is. It will never change the minds of his virulent supporters, but might give pause to others.
13
This type of cover-up is why the great power that accompanies great wealth is more important than the money.
13
From the article: "Mr. Epstein, 66, had avoided federal criminal charges in 2007 and 2008 in a widely criticized plea deal ... Before the plea deal, Mr. Epstein, a former hedge-fund manager, had been friendly with Donald J. Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York."
Placing the plea deal into the correct timeframe allows us to note the relative power base from which Trump, Clinton, and Prince Andrew might have acted on behalf of Mr. Epstein. It also allows a more balanced view of Mr. Acosta's role, since the plea deal was offered more than 15 years before he was installed as Secretary of Labor.
But the Epstein prosecution needs to focus on the wider group of those people in his 'Rolodex' who knew what they were informed in when they attended Jeffrey's parties. That, quite amazingly, is not discussed in this article.
5
This gives one pause to wonder if they arrested Epstein now to shake him down for information on his relationship with Trump for their case they are building with Michael Cohen. Trump apparently spent a lot of time in his company. Either way, I applaud them for finally doing the right thing
28
In another case against Epstein a judge just ordered the release of 167 documents that have been under seal since the original trial.
The judge noted that included in the documents are the names of prominent politicians, businessmen and a former popular Prime Minister.
24
This is the litmus test of our entire justice system. This is all over the news now. All of the AP and MSM have picked it up so there can be no ignoring it. All eyes are on US. For those officers that have doggedly pursued this, we salute you. Let's hope this exposes everyone in Epstien's blackbook. Even if this brings down our federal government, we will rebuild out of the ashes and be much better for it. God bless America.
20
trump's connection with Epstein is the first thing that comes to my mind, and I can't be the only one.
9
Epstein is a longtime close friend of Trump. “I’ve known Jeff for fifteen 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 Trump.
10
It was reported this morning that a team of FBI investigators were seen entering Epstein's New York City's E.73rd St. residence as an audience of neighbors stood outside watching the goings on. One of the neighbors taking it in was Woody Allen known as a long time associate/friend of Epstein's. This street was also also once the home of Bill Cosby. Could this coincidence of residential alignment be one giving credence to that old adage "Birds of a feather flock together?"
17
it will be interesting if he will flip on his buddies many who are well know but protected by their power, wealth and status.
7
The real facts are that many of his close acquaintances ,Presidents, and very ,very well known celebrities supposedly traveled to his fantasy Island and such.There's much to be known here ,which has been hidden away by the ones with power to whom laws do not apply.
11
“The love of money is the root of all evil” whether it’s in the leadership of the GOP, the acquiescence of the Christian Coalition, the greed of the Wall Street elite, or the parade of corporate lobbyists.
Anti-abortionists revealed to have extra-marital affairs, Trump’s own lawyer a long time defense attorney for an opioid manufacturer, Trump’s convicted drug smuggler pilot sheltered in his building, NYC bankers hiding Trump’s reckless business plans for fear of corporate exposure, and political “leaders” with long histories of infidelity claiming the moral high ground, are all indications of a society running aground.
Politics is at risk of becoming another “reality show” like Trump’s scripted and edited phony television show. As long as people want to believe professional wrestling, watch auto races only for the crashes, and marketing has morphed from informational into misleading consumers, we aren’t far from seeing a rerun of the Christians vs the lions.
If the honest politicians and free press are defeated, it’s game over. Orwell’s 1984 world looks surprisingly familiar.
10
“He went after girls who he thought no one would listen to and he was right,” said one of Mr. Epstein's victims. And, it's not just helpless runaway girls that are not listened to. It's also the victims of presidents and supreme court justices, and governors and senators. A victim doesn't have to be a homeless 15-year-old to have her accusations dismissed by police and prosecutors. All a woman has to do is give an account of an assault by a powerful man and the knives come out and she's treated exactly like Mr. Epstein's victims were. The goal of the system is always to protect the powerful.
32
Mr. Acosta needs to be disbarred and removed from office for unprofessional conduct in this sordid cover up. Now, I am glad that Mr. Epstein was deservedly arrested but what about another perp in office, Trump, who appears to be untouchable just because he is president? What happened to all the young women he molested or attacked who complained and nothing was done, other than law suits to shut them up?
231
@Betsy
The president can be charged. the famous memo they keep claiming shows he can't. Mr Dixon draws a false conclusion for his boss after making the argument very clearly that not only can he be charged he should be charged. It is almost as if he tacked on the conclusion to an argument he never read.
https://archive.org/details/1973OLCAmenabilityofthePresidenttoFederalCriminalProsecution
9
@Betsy: Bill Clinton, another unabashed sexual predator, was a friend of Mr. Epstein, and allegedly visited him on his private island and who knows what else.But hold on: Did not the Clintons and their allies, apologists in the media make it o.k. for powerful men to aggress women? Recall the refrain, "It's just about sex." Ms. Ireland, head of NOW at the time never spoke out in defense of JUANITA BRODERICK , PAULA JONES and other women, Clinton's victims when he was governor.So why all the fuss about Trump's alleged improprieties!Recall story, perhaps not spurious of Ted Kennedy and former Senator Chris Dodd performing a "sandwich " on a female victim, which went unreported at the time. And Ted Kennedy, refusing to help Ms. Kopechne from drowning in 1969, calling his attorney rather than risk his life to save the victim, was the subject of commiseration by his Senate colleagues and the liberal press.Yet he was guilty of negligent homicide.
1
This outrage has been out in the open for decades. What is new now is that something might finally be done about it. At issue is not only long-delayed justice for victims of Epstein's crimes, but also the prostitution of our system of justice.
Anyone who reads this article must lose respect for our nation's law enforcement and legal systems. Widespread public cynicism and loss of respect for those institutions will lead us to the same sad place where so many other failed democracies reside.
101
"The plea deal that protected Mr. Epstein from federal charges was signed by the top federal prosecutor in Miami at the time, Alexander Acosta, who is now President Trump’s labor secretary."
Still hiring nothing but the best.
155
You may not like who or why he defended, but your job as an attorney is to protect your client
@Dave He was the prosecutor, not the defense attorney.
13
@Dave — Ummm, the role of the prosecutor is to prosecute, not to defend...
6
Thank you New York.
Looks like you are doing the jobs others failed to do.
204
Sickening events....I'm glad someone has taken up the ball dropped by the corrupt prosecutors in FL on this one. Would have been better off in state court, possibly, where his friend Donald has less influence.
52
He's rich, this is America. What does anyone expect?
38
@vaughn
I agree in part - take OJ Simpson and all. But I still think our justice system is on par or even more fair than anywhere else in the world - so I don't particularly like America bashing.
A friend of mine growing up told about his experience as a rich kid growing up in Pakistan, and how his family ran over a peasant and paid the local authorities a few dollars and got off free.
So I guess it could be worse.
2
I expect much better. That’s why I’m voting Bernie or Warren.
4
@Donald Driver
Pretty sad when the "greatest country in the world" has to compare itself with an overpopulated third-world country to make itself look less corrupt. You can do better, I hope.
1
I wonder if trump is nervous. This also made me wonder what was happening with Robert Kraft and his prostitution charges. Yep, he has managed to slide through without even a scratch. Not even slap on the wrist. There's something about Florida. Why have we not heard anymore about the woman that owned that parlor and her connection to Mar A Lago?
150
@Chris
Trump's talent lies in how he manipulates and controls the media. One outrageous act after another keeps the news all about him and his latest bizarre words or deeds while the others fade. The public has an ever shorter attention span. Yesterday is already fading into the miasma and it's hard to remember much about this morning. We are kept in a state of mental and emotional exhaustion by out always on devices.
3
Before we go all nuts on William Barr or his dad, can we acknowledge that William Barr is the head of the justice department that just rearrested Epstein and it’s likely his dad had no idea what this perv was up to. If we on the left are going to have any credibility we can’t get hysterical.
36
@Billy Bobby
William Barr is a federal appointee and totally owned by Trump, Epstein, McConnell and the oligarchs.
These charges against the molester Epstein were brought by the State of New York, despite Barr's malevolence.
24
They are Federal charges not State charges.
5
@Joe Miksis Actually, they were brought by the feds (SDNY), not by the state.
3
This case is going through the PCU which oversees the investigation and prosecution of corruption crimes committed by elected and appointed officials. This should be an interesting case.
Public Corruption Unit of SDNY:
The Public Corruption Unit works, in close partnership with the FBI and other federal, state and city investigative agencies to maintain and protect the integrity of all levels of government. The unit oversees the investigation and prosecution of corruption crimes committed by elected and appointed officials, government employees, and individuals and companies doing business with the city, state, and federal government. Corruption crimes investigated by the unit include bribery, embezzlement, and frauds committed against local, state, and federal government agencies.
56
@Debbie
Thank you very much.
Mr. Acosta is in their cross hairs.
What will Mr. Epstein have to say about his ex BFF?
1
But he's a billionaire, and he gets out there and says what he means and breaks all norms and grabs females at will, so I guess I'm supposed to admire him, look the other way, put on a ball cap of some sort, and denigrate anyone who demands clean air, clean water, affordable higher education, and wages indexed to inflation.
Correct?
115
"The plea deal that protected Mr. Epstein from federal charges was signed by the top federal prosecutor in Miami at the time, Alexander Acosta, who is now President Trump’s labor secretary."...
If Acosta were atypical of the people Trump has put in charge of our vital departments, that would be one thing. But this is the kind of garbage he has put in important positions throughout OUR government.
I don't know how Trump's supporters defend that.
129
“But given his extensive pattern of past criminal conduct and the apparent addictive nature of his aberrant behavior, an arrest comes as no surprise,” Mr. Scarola said on Saturday night."
So why did it take so long for this predator to be arrested?
Good grief, an "extensive pattern", and "apparent addictive nature of aberrant behavior" and yet he was allowed to waltz through life, untainted, undetected and free as a bird to continue this sick and horrific behavior.
It goes to show two things - one, obscenely rich men can do and buy their way out of anything and second, young girls continue to be victims because they have no reliable and credible advocate to protect them from predatory monsters like Jeffrey Epstein. It took the feds 11 years to catch up with this disgusting man's behavior and acts?
Somehow I don't believe he will do any serious time for his crimes. All of those young girls he violated will continue to be robbed of the justice they deserve.
56
@Marge Keller Let the process work. I have full confidence in the SDNY.
4
@Jeanette Grayeb-MIhal
When it comes to the SNNY - me too. Not sure about anyone else though.
Great point. Thanks for bringing that too light.
2
If prosecutors had done their job a decade ago, many girls would have been spared from Mr. Epstein's assaults. This is just another example of our two-tiered justice system--one that lets billionaires go free to assault young girls, and the other one that does nothing to protect young girls from predators. If Mr. Acosta had any character he would recognize that his failure to protect the public from a dangerous predator in 2007 exposed many girls to harm. But, judging from where and for whom he now works, it's doubtful that character is a quality that Mr. Acosta possesses.
78
@Ms. Pea
"If prosecutors had done their job a decade ago", The Donald might have been implicated and we would have been spared today's chaos. But wait ! Hillary (who surely knew about Bill's friendship with Jeffrey and had herself probably been a guest 'on the island') could not afford to have her own political aspirations derailed by such sordid connections. Who pulled what strings to quash this and give Epstein a non-sentence ?
1
@irene In 2007 when Epstein was tried, Clinton was beginning the first of her failed attempts at the presidency. Whose ear did they have, or who had theirs?
I hope his victims strip away every penny of his billions in future civil suits against him. He is the lowest of the low...a perverted, disgusting, loathsome degenerate. Even rotting in a jail cell is more than he deserves.
132
It’s about time. This guy is truly a monster.
99
One count? For molesting dozens?
64
Many here fail to mention that Epstein somehow intimidated state and federal prosecutors. That is scary, and needs to be investigated.
154
@Garak I suspect it was less intimidation and more blackmail. There was a reason Epstein carefully cultivated relationships with important men and took others on his planes with him.
9
@Garak
Threats and intimidation is an effective form of self defense. Another practice he has in common with trump.
2
@Garak he may have them in his deep money pocket. Everyone has a price in our system. It could be cash, votes, influence whatever....
Let's face it....the wealthy, particularly wealthy men, live above the law in this nation. From the White House on down it seems that as long as one is wealthy enough, one is immune from consequence no matter the crime. We've always had a system that favors the rich, but the divide has grown ever wider. Now we have prison systems built for profit where the incentive is to jail the non-wealthy so that this same crowd can grow richer. It's disgusting and ultimately, untenable. I'm not sure what the end will look like, but it's bound not to be a pretty one given the state of our nation and the world.
168
@Ellen
Jeff Skilling and Bernie Madoff, among many others, refute your first sentence.
@Wine Country Dude
The line is drawn when you steal form the rich as Madoff and Shilling did. You can mess with their kids but don't touch their money.
7
I read that some of these girls did not come forward because Epstein hired people to find “dirt” on them to use in court cases and discovery that discredited their testimony. It sounds like extortion to me. It seems like the rich and famous use these methods often.
124
@Bob Not only that, they had a reasonable fear of being prosecuted themselves for prostitution and/or procurement or incarcerated as "persons in need of supervision."
7
It is way past time for this individual to be arrested and tried and hopefully convicted. The fact that he got a plea deal in Florida from a DA that is now the Labor Secretary in the Trump administration is outrageous. No wonder so many people are
saying that justice in this country has taken a long walk! If you have money you often get a bypass or a much lesser sentence than deserved, and if you do not have money you get the book thrown at you. I hope people in this country are not still under the illusion that we have equal justice under law- not so at all!
198
@Carole Ellis
Epstein's well known friendship with accused serial sexual predators, Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, should also be fully investigated.
Good friend, Trump called Epstein a “terrific guy” and “fun”, and has even publicly stated that Epstein "likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side,”
Even more shocking is that the federal prosecutor, Acosta, who LIED to the victims about the light nonprosecution deal he gave Epstein is rewarded with a high level Cabinet position, "Secretary of Labor", by none other than Epstein's friend, Trump.
Time to bust this foul smelling case wide open.
12
Will the prosecutors get serious and actually do their job this time? Epstein simply applied the 'unspoken' rule of law last time and bought and threatened his way out of jail and all of the most serious charges against him. He is the poster child for the 2 tiered justice system in America. His money and connections continued the blatant victim blaming that goes on when women are sexually assaulted. Their victimhood ignored in favor of protection of the rich and powerful.
The corruption of America's judicial process is reaching even higher now that our Attorney General has laid down before Trump.
No wonder faith in our institutions is collapsing.
By Monday, Epstein will have had ample opportunity to spread his money far and wide and get his lawyer's going again to buy him out of this latest accusation. While of course he can have a lawyer, I would hope that people watch what he does. Will he be extorting 'friends' to exert their pressure? Silence people? He did it before, of course it worked, so why wouldn't he do it again?
100
I read through the comments and didn't see this mentioned: Jeffrey Epstein not only got out of jail daily on "work release", he was also housed by himself in the "private wing" of the jail.
(With his own innerspring mattress, toiletries, food and computer, perhaps?)
141
@Suzy K
The rich are different from you and me. Even their prisons are different.
3
@Suzy K
Just the same way we treat immigrants striving to be us.
2
"The plea deal that protected Mr. Epstein from federal charges was signed by the top federal prosecutor in Miami at the time, Alexander Acosta, who is now President Trump’s labor secretary"
--------
In light of the sweetheart deal he received, it would be interesting to see what a thorough investigation of the relationships between Acosta, Epstein, Trump as well as Clinton might turn up.
113
@Sam
Trump lover and Fox News contributor Dershowitz is an Epstein friend as well.
5
Life in a maximum security prison would be a fitting sentence this
time around.
83
“He went after girls who he thought no one would listen to and he was right.” In law schools they should be teaching lawyers about the worldwide implicit bias against women. This is from the Kirwan Institute at Ohio State: "Also known as implicit social cognition, implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. These biases, which encompass both favorable and unfavorable assessments, are activated involuntarily and without an individual’s awareness or intentional control. Residing deep in the subconscious, these biases are different from known biases that individuals may choose to conceal for the purposes of social and/or political correctness. Rather, implicit biases are not accessible through introspection.
The implicit associations we harbor in our subconscious cause us to have feelings and attitudes about other people based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, age, and appearance. These associations develop over the course of a lifetime beginning at a very early age through exposure to direct and indirect messages. In addition to early life experiences, the media and news programming are often-cited origins of implicit associations." Women and girls are still a group too many lawyers simply ignore. What can be done to repair these centuries of hurt?
91
@YouStillCan'tSayThat: You quote these statements about subconscious associations, their causes, and their effects as the gospel, but how do you know what is harbored in my subconscious and what is available to me through introspection and what is not? I conjecture that this is junk science.
Please note that this doesn't mean I'm disputing what you're saying about how women are treated, but arguably the evidence for that lies in publicly observable facts about people's behavior.
1
@YouStillCan'tSayThat
Law school seems to teach bad morals-- always deny every thing-- never say your are sorry -- and many ways to say you're innocent-- my implicit association made me do it-- when you are guilty as charged. Obama denigrated art historians as worthless but people entering law are taught to be liars. PS not sure the females were so innocent either but they should have been at the very least of an age (18) and properly paid with soc. sec, medical and pension benefits. Time to legalize prostitution/sex work.
@Auntie Mame I will call it a tragic day when the only thing this male-dominated world can imagine women can be trained to do is deliver sex.
But yeah, letting people legally do sex work is certainly cheaper than free college for all. Certainly cheaper. Is a woman a taker or a maker when she's doing sex work? I'm going to have to ask Paul Ryan that, because he's a man and he would know, because he's a man.
If you naively believe legalizing sex work would end child prostitution, you just don't know a thing about the depravity of human beings.
In CA, now that pot is legal, we're still waiting for the marijuana black market to dissipate. That's what the politicians said would happen. So much for that prediction.
4
This is why over 50% of our lawyers, judges, legislators, congress and senate need to be female. There needs to be a check and balance onour male dominated patriarchal society that does not stop these criminal organizations which exploit the poor, the vulnerable and the weakest members of society.
294
@Rain. You could not have said it more succinctly . This is a disgrace who's shelf life is long expired. It still amazes that in the 21st Century and we are facing issues of the worst kind of discrimination on all levels of society, be it race, gender, religion or economically. We need a system of justice that will enforce the law equally, eliminate these barriers and provide a safe and equal society for all.
31
@Rain It has grown wearisome to read that women are the panacea for the continuation of some of the loathsome conditions in our society. If I recall the facts correctly, a female United States assistant attorney general in Florida was deeply involved in the negotiation of the outlandish deal Epstein got in that jurisdiction. Many women react to wealth and power in the same way many men do: by courting it in hopes of gaining it or in hopes of at least preserving their livelihoods or station in life. It is a worthy goal to have more women involved in making and enforcing the rules, but we need to make sure they posses morals that are not as easily set aside by them as they are by too many men.
59
@Rain
No, 66 percent need to be women.
We need at least a two thirds majority female representation to offset the overwhelming stench of testosterone currently polluting Washington DC.
10
Money talks, money walks.
It is the eternal order of things.
36
It shouldn’t be. This is why we need Bernie or Warren.
18
@JJ Sanders and Warren are powerless over this centuries-old paradigm, unfortunately.
2
When Epstein is convicted, I suggest his fortune be split between the victims. It can't bring back their innocence, but it will certainly get Epstein's attention in a way that nothing else could.
360
@Art Likely
And when DJT and my 2nd least favorite president, Clinton, are exposed as participants in Epstein's well known off shore sex parties,
how do we make them pay?
At least Clinton got impeached.
6
@Art Likely
His legal fees will be so high that they might not be much left. His being called a 'philanthropist' leads me to think those were little more than bribes to buy silence and get-out-of-jail card. Donations to political campaigns serve the same purpose and are just another name for 'attempted bribery.' Charitable foundations such as the one maintained by the Trump Family Crime Syndicate just serve as laundromats and pumping stations for criminal activity.
4
The Times reporting is frustratingly vague about the new charges. Why publish if you're reporting almost entirely backstory? The central new information according to the Daily Beast is this:
"The new indictment—which, according to two sources, will be unsealed Monday in Manhattan federal court—will reportedly allege that Epstein sexually exploited dozens of underage girls in a now-familiar scheme: paying them cash for 'massages' and then molesting or sexually abusing them in his Upper East Side mansion or his palatial residence in Palm Beach. Epstein will be charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors—which could put him away for a maximum of 45 years. The case is being handled by the Public Corruption Unit of the Southern District of New York, with assistance from the district's human-trafficking officials and the FBI."
291
@Andy My hunch is the "Public Corruption Unit" and sealed indictment is the key. We'll find out tomorrow who else is implicated... This is much bigger than just Epstein.
107
Could be the case we’ve been waiting for to expose Trump. There is a close connection to Epstein that cannot be ignored.
21
@Dave S The way this was buttoned up so tightly in Florida, given that Clinton, Trump and Robert Kraft all were Epstein’s running buddies, certainly excites the imagination. You’re right, this is big.
16
"He pleaded guilty to lesser state charges of soliciting prostitution, served 13 months in a county lockup and registered as a sex offender. His jail arrangement allowed him to get out of the Palm Beach County Stockade six days a week to work out of his office."
Surreal. If this creep was able "to get out of the Palm Beach County Stockade six days a week to work out of his office" then he only served 13 full days in jail WHILE continuing to work and make lots of money.
Apparently, there are different rules for billionaires and regular folks like me who break the law.
I don't see his situation changing much because of his relationship with the president. And regarding Alexander Acosta, while he "violated federal law when failing to disclose Mr. Epstein’s nonprosecution agreement to his victims" will there be any consequences for this violation of federal law?
Please, I would venture to guess that a little hand slapping may occur, but not much else. This rotten apple analogy is no longer only effecting one barrel of apples, but the entire orchard.
151
@Marge Keller "Apparently, there are different rules for billionaires and regular folks like me who break the law."
As one who has lived in very wealthy California most of my life, I have seen this over and over and over again. The wealthy get away with murder, Marge. It happens all the time. The poor bring them their dinner, their newspapers, and their online orders. Since the wealthy pay for people to bring them everything, I guess some of them figure it's "normal" to pay for girls to bring them sex too. The VIP treatment so many wealthy people get in CA is incomprehensible to many regular folk. IMO, it is why Internet privacy has not been a priority for Congress. Those Silicon Valley billionaires are VIPs.
55
@YouStillCan'tSayThat
Sick and disgusting doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. Thanks for taking the time to share your perspective. So incredibly sad and unjust.
5
@Bar tennant
No - Donald Trump.
4
I first heard about the connection between Epstein and Trump in early 2016; I was advised to not make anything of it during the campaign due to Bill Clinton's connection to Epstein.
However, anyone who was involved in this kind of behavior deserves to be taken down, regardless of political affiliation.
644
@Matthew Carnicelli
Agree with your unbiased comment. Let everyone be given "due process." More to come out.
56
@John Samore, Jr. That's not quite what was meant.
1
@Matthew Carnicelli, who advised you not to make a deal of it?
7
There are actually three crimes here. The first was the single charge that Epstein plead guilty to. The second is this current charge that we don't know much about.
But the biggest of these crimes was the one committed by the politically connected federal prosecutor in Florida that gave Epstein the deal of the century while totally abandoning those 60 young girls who were his victims.
The public was also a victim here. Never before has race, class and money influenced the outcome of a case as it did here.
Epstein was a major contributor to both Democratic and Republican candidates. And many prominent figures were reported to have been regular guests at Epstein's parties. Even if they weren't preying on under age girls they were present when Epstein was.
But not to worry. The plea deal offered by the prosecutor couldn't have been written better if Epstein's own defense lawyers had drawn it up.
No trial, no public humiliation, no famous names revealed and no "real" jail time. And no justice for 60 young women who weren't permitted to testify and weren't even told of the deal as required by law.
Imagine some pimp being told he could "go to work" every day and simply had to sleep in a cell at night? Epstein was that pimp.
I hope this time the prosecutor does their job. Epstein should get the same due process as any other defendant, but his power, money and race privilege does not entitle him to one bit more.
Maybe this time justice will be done.
827
@Drspock worse than a pimp, a predator.
110
@Drspock His defense team did draw up the defense deal.
37
@Drspock Sadly, this prejudicial action occurs as a thread through history. Here is a more recent example:
A du Pont family heir who pleaded guilty nearly six years ago to raping his 3-year-old daughter was never put behind bars because a Delaware judge ruled he "would not fare well" in prison, court records show.
Robert H. Richards IV — scion of the family who built the chemical empire and kin to the co-founders of a prestigious law firm, Richards Layton & Finger — was given eight years probation and was ordered to seek treatment after being convicted of fourth-degree rape in 2008, the records show.
42
Hold all accountable. Now. Justice delayed is justice denied.
87
“Mr. Epstein...had been friendly with Donald J. Trump”? For heaven’s sake! Donald J. Trump’s current Labor Secretary, Alex Acosta, is the one who cut the lenient, sweetheart deal with Epstein that allowed him to molest and traffic dozens of underage girls with virtual impunity. And oh, by the way, one of Trump’s staunchest defenders, Alan Dershowitz, is being sued for defamation by one of Epstein’s victims, who claims that he sexually assaulted her as well. “All the best people.” When, for goodness sake, will enough be enough?
978
@Steve Griffith
Super comment. It will not stop because there way too many people that knew Epstein. The point is for each accused to have his or her "due process."
44
What are we being asked to see here? Men—and women—in positions of power—no matter their walk of life, race, or family status—must begin to understand that sex should never be a weapon. But then, to weaponize any behavior, look where it has brought us as humans. Tragic business, indeed.
30
@Steve Griffith
How come Epstein is not already a member of the Trump admnistration or at least a GOP backed candidate for next year's elections? His credentials are superb.
Provided he coughs up quite a few more millions of dollars for the right cause of course.
24
Sadly, another example of how an individual received leniency because he was wealthy and connected. How do we bring attention to this injustice? How do we change the system?
69
@Tom
The rich and powerful have always been able to sweep their criminals under the carpet and get away with their crimes. The rich and powerful are groomed to experience this and then expect it and then do it themselves for their young, their families, their friends, their business associates. This is how Trump was raised and this is how he raises his children. This is why he wants more and more power and control - to exploit the weak and vulnerable in our society. Time to hold Trump accountable along with his corrupt and criminal administration - anyone half way decent that was in that inner circle left long ago when they saw the magnitude of what they were up against. Even today, justice department officials and lawyers who want to do the honest and right thing - they leave because they know with a corrupt and criminal president and AG - decency and honesty and truth and justice will not prevail. This is our America today thanks to the Republican party.
63
@Tom
Start by writing, emailing, tweeting, or calling your two Senators and your one House congressional representative to complain.
It only takes a few minutes and they are very influenced by floods of responses on specific topics.
3
Is there a Justice Department tradition that the Secretary of Whatever cannot be indicted?
134
That’s a good one.
3
@MidcenturyModernGal
No problem.
Trump can just pardon Acosta since Acosta violated federal law.
But there must be some state charges in Florida that this flagrant serial predator violated. Unfortunately, I think their state attorney general is a Trump lover.
5
@ModernGal
Not yet. They’re working on that.
His victims were underage, isn’t any sexual activity with a minor a rape? Where does molestation end and rape begin?
212
@represent
molestation becomes when when there is penetration
13
@represent
He "traded" in little girls as young as 8. Investigators found a note on his bulletin board. "Two eight-year-olds."
You are right the descriptions from the victims are horrific, it was rape and sexual abuse.
80
@represent it seems to me they are treading carefully using only molestation in order to indict this very wealthy man with connections to our so called leader as well as high end lawyers. Hope it works but I'm not holding my breath.
8
Who are the people surrounding Epstein? Will they be held accountable?
94
Wow! This is gonna shake some very high profile people to their core. I remember the stories, and the peopled involved, back in the 1990's.
You can bet that some of those people involved are having a hard time reading todays Sunday paper.
268
@ClydeMallory, yes, plus a former president, among other VIPs
45
@ClydeMallory so are Bill and Hillary Clinton. Both pals with Epstein and both are documented to have traveled to Epstein’s private island which was nicknamed “Orgy Island” on his private jet “The Lolita Express”. This scandal involves a lot of powerful people.
13
Donald Trump is among those high profile people you refer to.
159
I have followed this story for a long time. It's about time something "real" is being done with Epstein...I would just hope that others that had been named would also face justice.
175
A man who is believed to have molested, raped, and trafficked not dozens, but more likely, hundreds of children may finally face justice. Good. Epstein didn’t do this with the help of Ghislaine Maxwell alone. His predations had to have been assisted by well-placed parties in government and law enforcement. Now expose them and bring them to justice too.
531
This is so unfair. Daily, we see the rich being treated more leniently than would be the average person. I hope they come at this miscreant with everything possible. He needs to be used as an example. I don't care how rich he is, fair is fair.
117
This was handled the way it was for a reason, my guess it’s a much bigger story and touches more than a few influential people in high places with the power to make it go away.
578
@Chris Strongly agree!!
9
@Chris-It ain't going away this time. Too many people showed up at the Women's March and have #MeToo! experiences. Epstein and his fellow sexual predators wil be held to account.
3
As if US billionaires are subject to the same laws we are.
108
If justice is to be served in this case, other heads should fall, including all the prosecutors and judges that went along with the corrupt plea deal.
304
It’s about time! This should be followed to its ultimate conclusions. It appears there is a huge scandal under a big rock that many have protected for years. Please shine the light now!
436
The Miami Herald has been a beacon of light in this story. Thank God for newspapers. Subscribe wherever you are!
187
Will be interesting to see who else was party to this.
249
@Joe
Indeed.
Wouldn't surprise me if there are some other very big-name individuals involved.
I hope they are all outed.
118
@Joe Yes, see Socrates's comment below.
28
@Joe. Think could prove to be very embarrassing for many powerful men.
1
I hope these woman finally get justice. Alex Acosta should be fired.
669
@Mary Alice Boyle
He should also lose his law license.
169
@Mary Alice Boyle
I'm afraid this is only the tip of the iceberg...
11
@Mary Alice Boyle
how about Acosta should be prosecuted - he allowed this to go on for another 11 years. they are all guilty of conspiring.
34
"Mr. Epstein also got the girl to bring other girls who worked with her at a local strip club." What's going on in Florida? It's okay to openly employ underage girls at strip clubs?
472
@crone this is Florida. Sadly, anything can happen here and it usually does.
38
@crone
Read any Carl Hiassen book. They're all about the bizarre things that happen in Florida.
4
@crone No, it's not okay. But it is ubiquitous. Do you imagine strip clubs to be especially scrupulous about following the law?
9