Justice Dept.: โPoor judgmentโ used in Epstein plea deal
WASHINGTON โ A Justice Department report has found former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta exercised โpoor judgmentโ in handling an investigation into wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein when he was a top federal prosecutor in Florida. The report, obtained by The Associated Press, is a culmination of an investigation by the Justice Departmentโs Office of Professional Responsibility over Acostaโs handling of a secret plea deal with Epstein, who had been accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls. Under the 2008 non-prosecution agreement โ also known as an NPA โ Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges in Florida of soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution. The report drew immediate condemnation from Sen. Ben Sasse, a Republican from Nebraska, who has questioned Justice Department officials about the plea deal repeatedly. โLetting a well-connected billionaire get away with child rape and international sex trafficking isnโt โpoor judgmentโ โ it is a disgusting failure.