In a significant widening of the probe into the handling of Jeffrey Epstein's criminal case, the House Oversight Committee has issued subpoenas to ten prominent figures across four U.S. presidential administrations. The action, taken on Tuesday, seeks to shed light on the decision-making processes that led to Epstein's 2008 plea deal, which has been widely criticized for its leniency.
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, following a motion passed by the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee chaired by Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), approved the subpoenas. These orders compel testimony from a roster of high-profile individuals, including former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller, as well as current and former Attorneys General Merrick Garland, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, and Alberto Gonzales.
Conspicuously absent from the list is former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, who played a pivotal role in the 2008 plea agreement with Epstein during his tenure as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. This plea deal allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution, despite an investigation into sex trafficking and abuse involving underage girls.
The deal stipulated that Epstein plead guilty to two state-level prostitution charges, serving 13 months in a Palm Beach County jail with work-release privileges. It also required Epstein to register as a sex offender and provide compensation to victims, while shielding him from more serious federal charges.
The decision to exclude Acosta from the subpoena list has drawn attention, with a House Oversight Committee spokesperson explaining to the Daily Caller that subpoenaing Acosta is "not a straightforward process." The spokesperson confirmed that the subcommittee vote authorized the targeted subpoenas, which Chairman Comer subsequently issued.
The inclusion of former Attorney General Gonzales, who served from February 2005 to August 2007, aligns with Acosta's tenure, linking the timeline under review. However, Michael Mukasey, Gonzales's successor, was not subpoenaed.
Documents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office indicate that federal prosecutors may have made several concessions during negotiations with Epstein. A 2007 letter from one of Acosta's assistant U.S. attorneys mentioned the office "bent over backwards" to accommodate Epstein's interests.
A notable event in the case occurred in October 2007 when Acosta met with Epstein's attorney, Jay Lefkowitz, at a Marriott hotel in West Palm Beach. This meeting, rather than taking place at the federal prosecutor's office in Miami, raised questions about the case's unusual handling.
Despite the criticism, Acosta defended his decisions at a July 2019 press conference, stating that the plea deal ensured Epstein served jail time, registered as a sex offender, and compensated his victims. Acosta resigned from his cabinet position amid the ensuing public and political backlash.
The subpoenas issued by the Oversight Committee represent a comprehensive effort to gather testimony and documents related to the government's handling of Epstein's prosecution. While Acosta has not been subpoenaed yet, the Committee's spokesperson did not rule out the possibility of further action.
