Make predator, prosecutor face hard consequences

The law may yet bring justice down on sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, since the law is in different hands. Then there’s timing. Last Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Marra ruled that the Department of Justice broke the law by not notifying Epstein’s victims of the 2008 deal that allowed the billionaire to escape federal prosecution and plead guilty to a pair of minor state charges. One day later came news that New England Patriots owner/ billionaire Robert Kraft is among those accused of soliciting sex from a human trafficking ring in Palm Beach County.

Marra recounted how Epstein “sexually abused” more than 30 girls — some of them barely teenagers — between 1997 and 2007. It happened at his Palm Beach mansion, at Epstein’s other homes in this country and overseas.

Female recruiters brought the girls to Epstein. Some shed their tops or all their clothes while Epstein, as Marra wrote, “masturbated himself.” With other girls, “the conduct escalated to full sexual intercourse.” Some visited Epstein “100 times or more.”

Yet Epstein’s lawyers persuaded Alex Acosta, who was then the U.S. attorney for South Florida, to approve the deal. Acosta now runs the U.S. Department of Labor, which is charged with combating human trafficking. Then-Palm Beach County

State Attorney Barry Krischer agreed to the state charges that led to just 13 months in jail, with Epstein allowed out during the day.

Acosta, Marra ruled, violated the Crime Victims Right Act. It requires the government to notify victims about developments in their cases. “While the government spent untold hours negotiating the terms and implications of the (non-prosecution agreement) with Epstein’s attorneys,” Marra wrote, “scant information was shared with victims. Instead, the victims were told to be ‘patient’ while the investigation proceeded.”

Marra gave lawyers for the government and the victims 15 days to craft a possible remedy to the “violation.” Imagine the possibilities, legal and political.

First, Epstein.

At one point, prosecutors said Epstein might have committed “numerous federal offenses.” He could have faced life in prison. Ideally, Marra would invalidate the deal. But he might not want to go that far.

Nothing, however, now prevents the Department of Justice or Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg from charging Epstein. A creative prosecutor could assess statutes of limitation and treat Epstein like someone running a criminal enterprise.

Revisiting the case could broaden it. The illegal agreement also spared “potential co-conspirators.” That term could apply to Epstein’s recruiters and possibly to other men. Epstein’s circle includes Prince Andrew, former President Bill Clinton, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and President Donald Trump.

This is where the human trafficking ring that ensnared Kraft comes in. The new anti-prostitution focus is to go after the men. They provide the demand, for which the traffickers provide the supply.

Aronberg called it “evil in our midst” when he charged Kraft and others. Evil occurred for years in Epstein’s mansion. Yet male attorneys on both sides excused that evil and tried to hide their actions.

The solicitation charges even implied that the girls were complicit.

Now, Acosta.

Why did he and Krischer allow Epstein to skate. Was it because Epstein’s legal team, which included Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr and Alan Dershowitz, intimidated Acosta and Krischer?

There are intriguing details. “Glad we could get this worked out, for reasons I won’t put in writing,” Krischer emailed one of the federal prosecutors. “After this is resolved, I would love to buy you a cup at Starbucks and have a conversation.” Or was it more than legal firepower? During his confirmation hearing, Acosta claimed that he got the best deal possible, given the evidence. What sounded like a lie at the time — under oath — sounds even more like one, given Marra’s ruling.

The Democratic-controlled House could seek to impeach Acosta, but the Senate wouldn’t go along. Better would be a resolution calling on Acosta to resign.

White House Press secretary Sarah Sanders defended Acosta, calling the case “complicated.” Actually, it’s simple. A rich man with powerful connections preyed upon countless underage girls — starting when he was 44 years of age and continuing — and the system favored him over his victims.

By Randy Schultz