MysticMango
Well-known member
Alex Acosta, the former US attorney for the southern district of Florida who negotiated a plea deal in 2008 with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has revealed that pursuing a trial would have been a gamble. In a recent testimony before the House oversight committee, Acosta described the evidentiary hurdles that a federal prosecution of Epstein would have faced and why his office ultimately turned the case over to Florida state prosecutors.
According to Acosta, going to trial with victims who had changing stories and issues in their background would have been extremely challenging. Defense attorneys could have used these inconsistencies against the victims during cross-examination, potentially undermining their credibility. Moreover, many victims had priors that could have been used against them by defense counsel, further complicating the prosecution's case.
The government's non-prosecution agreement with Epstein has long been a topic of controversy, and Acosta acknowledged that the evidentiary hurdles were significant. However, he argued that the trial would have sent an important signal: that a billionaire sex offender could not get away with his crimes. By negotiating a plea deal, prosecutors aimed to demonstrate that justice would be served.
Acosta also addressed criticisms about the non-prosecution agreement, including allegations of corruption and obstruction by Donald Trump, who had a friendship with Epstein until they fell out over a property dispute. Acosta denied that Trump was consulted on the plea deal, stating that he operated in different social circles than Trump.
The testimony comes as Prince Andrew has agreed to give up his royal title and other honors after it emerged that he continued his friendship with Epstein despite claiming it had ended. A posthumously published memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked to Andrew by Epstein's co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell on three occasions when she was 17, is also set to be released soon.
In the testimony, Acosta highlighted the importance of sending a strong signal that justice would be served. He acknowledged that the defense team for Epstein, which included constitutional lawyer Alan Dershowitz and former independent counsel Kenneth Starr, came close to crossing ethical boundaries but did not think they crossed any lines.
The House oversight committee's investigation into Epstein has been ongoing, with Democrats demanding that Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi comply with a congressional subpoena to release the full Epstein files. The committee has accused Bondi of obstructing the investigation and refusing to cooperate with its inquiry into what was described as a corrupt quid pro quo between the Department of Justice and Ghislaine Maxwell.
According to Acosta, going to trial with victims who had changing stories and issues in their background would have been extremely challenging. Defense attorneys could have used these inconsistencies against the victims during cross-examination, potentially undermining their credibility. Moreover, many victims had priors that could have been used against them by defense counsel, further complicating the prosecution's case.
The government's non-prosecution agreement with Epstein has long been a topic of controversy, and Acosta acknowledged that the evidentiary hurdles were significant. However, he argued that the trial would have sent an important signal: that a billionaire sex offender could not get away with his crimes. By negotiating a plea deal, prosecutors aimed to demonstrate that justice would be served.
Acosta also addressed criticisms about the non-prosecution agreement, including allegations of corruption and obstruction by Donald Trump, who had a friendship with Epstein until they fell out over a property dispute. Acosta denied that Trump was consulted on the plea deal, stating that he operated in different social circles than Trump.
The testimony comes as Prince Andrew has agreed to give up his royal title and other honors after it emerged that he continued his friendship with Epstein despite claiming it had ended. A posthumously published memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked to Andrew by Epstein's co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell on three occasions when she was 17, is also set to be released soon.
In the testimony, Acosta highlighted the importance of sending a strong signal that justice would be served. He acknowledged that the defense team for Epstein, which included constitutional lawyer Alan Dershowitz and former independent counsel Kenneth Starr, came close to crossing ethical boundaries but did not think they crossed any lines.
The House oversight committee's investigation into Epstein has been ongoing, with Democrats demanding that Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi comply with a congressional subpoena to release the full Epstein files. The committee has accused Bondi of obstructing the investigation and refusing to cooperate with its inquiry into what was described as a corrupt quid pro quo between the Department of Justice and Ghislaine Maxwell.
especially considering the changing stories from the victims and their priors... it's crazy how defense attorneys could've used that against them 
also, can't wait for virginia giuffre's memoir 
. Acosta's testimony makes sense, i guess, but what really gets me is how much emphasis we put on 'winning' the case vs just doin' what's right. Like, yeah, sendin' a signal that justice will be served, but at what cost? These victims were already so traumatized, and you gotta wonder if they were even prepared for the drama that would've unfolded in court.
what's wild is how many people are still questioning this non-prosecution agreement and whether Trump had any involvement 
meanwhile Prince Andrew just gave up his royal title over the friendship thing, like who even cares anymore 
There are some serious fishy smells here.
The whole thing just feels so complicated and messy 
. It's like, justice was supposed to be served but it didn't seem like that at all 
.
? Giving up his title and honors is one thing, but I feel like that's still not enough considering what happened with Virginia Giuffre 
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. Will they be released soon? And what exactly did Florida AG Pam Bondi have to hide? 
. And those victims' stories changing like the weather? Forget about it! It's like they're trying to prove a negative 
. Maybe we'll get to the bottom of this Epstein saga and figure out what really went down... or maybe not 
. Like, what kind of guy continues to hang out with someone who's known for his sick and twisted behavior? It just shows you that some people are more concerned about appearances than actual doing right by their friends and acquaintances.
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