‘Collusion’ between Acosta and Epstein

In 2007, U.S. Attorney’s Alex Acosta’s office had prepared an 82-page prosecution memorandum and a 53 page indictment against Jeffrey Epstein for raping dozens of young girls at about $300 a victim.

Succumbing to power, political pressure and putrid wealth, Acosta approved a sweetheart deal where Epstein only pleaded guilty to two state counts of soliciting underage girls and received immunity, in Acosta's district, for all federal crimes Epstein and other unnamed conspirators may have committed.

Epstein registered as a sex offender, paid some restitution, had a wing of the West Palm Beach jail converted into a hotel for him for 13 months. He only slept at the jail because he was allowed to go to his office six days a week. Epstein’s dozens of victims were kept in the dark about this travesty of justice and betrayal of the public trust.

Acosta and Epstein’s stellar team of defense attorney’s labored to make sure no one, the victims, the public or the judge in state court knew about the secret agreement to hide the extent of Epstein’s depravity, the number of victims, their ages or Acosta’s largess in protecting a pedophile.

President Trump still refuses to fire Acosta. The Palm Beach County District Attorney at the time, a female prosecutor in Acosta’s office and many others share the blame for helping to maintain a veil of secrecy over the plea agreement that allowed for no pleas from the victims.

Only because of the Miami Herald’s reporting and tenacity are we aware of this sordid embrace of criminality by officers of the justice department of the United States. This heinous cooperation between the guardians of public safety and trust and the legal guard of the multimillionaire pedophile does not seem to bother Attorney General William Barr or Trump.

If asked, either would say emphatically: “There was no collusion.”

– Roberto Romero,

Snellville, Ga.

A PULITZER PRIZE

I commend Herald reporter Julie K. Brown for her outstanding efforts and accomplishments in ferreting out the sordid details of the Jeffrey Epstein saga.

Having served as Broward County State Attorney from 1969 through 1976, I was particularly shocked and saddened to learn of the perversion of the criminaljustice system through the private collaboration of prosecutors and defense lawyers.

Even if, for the sake of argument, the state, as well as the federal government, may have had a difficult case to prove under the law as it then stood, the veil of secrecy over this plea deal is unconscionable.

Brown’s dogged undertaking was worthy of a Pulitzer Prize; and while she did not get the nod, the nationwide recognition she is now receiving will hopefully serve as a decent consolation prize.

– Philip S. Shailer, Hollywood

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ICE RAIDS

Have we learned nothing as a society from history? A despot at the head of a country begins by categorizing a certain group of people as “criminals, undesirables, unwanted, unlawful, useless, a threat to society, vermin, etc.”

He then proceeds to bar them from entering the country and to remove those already there.

He sows fear, confusion and desperation among the people.

He continues to insult, verbally harass and bully the group and any associated with it.

He then sends in the goon squad to make mass arrests, incarcerate, then deport.

The nation is torn between those who support the despot and those who oppose him.

Substitute the word “Jews” for “immigrants” as ICE prepares to make arrests on Sunday, and we are back in the Europe of the 1930s. I am saddened and ashamed.

– Valerie Sutter,

Coral Gables

COVERED IN SHAME

We should all be relieved that Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta is a member of the president’s Cabinet. Can you imagine the shame we would feel if this person was still the dean of FIU’s law school?

He would be a stain on the school’s reputation.

Acosta blends in perfectly in his current position, camouflaged in the swamp with his brethren.

– Dirk Lorenzen,

Coral Gables

TWEET NO MORE

Anyone should be able to block a follower on Twitter. However, the Second U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that President Trump cannot block people from his Twitter account because he uses it for government purposes.

It would be a relief if, as a result of this ruling, Trump would close his account and never tweet again during his presidency. – Suzzanne Schultz, Miami

UPTOWN FUNK

Re the July 11 online story “‘Like I’m in The Twilight Zone:’ Debate rages over music in Miami Beach restaurants:” Music at ambient level is like the argument of the beard. What makes a beard? One hair? Ten hairs? Is a violin OK, but not a set of drums? One musician or 10 musicians? Impossible to control.

The louder they play, the louder people talk and before you know it, residential neighborhoods that have lived in harmony with their restaurants and cafes for years become a battleground.

Forget about code enforcement. By the time an officer arrives, the volume is off because the business has been tipped off. We have witnessed that for the past 20 years.

Why fix something that is not broken? Restaurants that want to play live music should move to Washington Avenue or other parts of the entertainment district. They should not intrude in our neighborhood. You want more business? Have great food, good service and reasonable prices. Works in Sunset Harbour. That’s the recipe for success.

– Marilyn Freundlich,

Miami Beach

DEFENDING INNOCENTS

My wife and I are expecting our first baby daughter in December. It brings tears to my eyes that women are being used as sex slaves for the sick desires of the wealthy. I thank the Miami Herald for the amazing work that the newspaper has accomplished covering the Epstein story.

It disgusts me that there are wealthy people who prey on the needy and force them to debase themselves for their twisted pleasure. Uncovering injustices and standing for the common man is the reason why the media are so important in our country. – Matt Larsen, Austin, TX

THE TRUTH HURTS

Congratulations to the so-called “enemy of the people,” the Miami Herald, on the Epstein/Acosta exposé. For months, you have supplied a wealth of truth and information regarding this crime.

A job well done.

– Stuart Allen, Hallandale Beach

ROUND’EM UP

Kudos to Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown for reopening the travesty of the Epstein case. Isn’t it a federal crime to even possess child pornography? The sheer volume of seized videos and photos found in his New York mansion should be enough to put Epstein away for years.

– T. Ganglet, Palm Beach

THE SMALL HOUSE

Why was Jeffrey Epstein allowed to serve his 13month sentence in county jail?

In Florida, if an inmate is sentenced to a year and one day or more, they must serve their time in a state prison.

The purpose of a county jail is to house defendants who are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to a year or less. Therefore, Epstein should have served his time in the Florida

State Prison System, and not in jail.

Why was he allowed such a lenient sentence for such a heinous crime?

– Guy Evans, Palm Springs North

FAKE SCHMAKE!

Three cheers for Herald reporter Julie K. Brown! The service that “fake news” provides is outstanding!

Thank you and keep up the good work.

– Ann E. Voigt, Wild Rose, WI

HE SHOULD RESIGN

Alex Acosta made a good attempt during his news conference on Wednesday.

However, his role in Jeffrey Epstein’s secret plea bargain deal” allowed him to serve only 13 months in a Palm Beach County jail with generous privileges, was disgraceful.

Acosta’s non-prosecution agreement was in violation of the Crime Victims’ Rights Act because he failed to tell the victims.

As a Cuban American, I am ashamed. It was a high honor for another Cuban American to be appointed by a president U.S. Attorney for Florida’s Southern District and, later, U.S. secretary of Labor.

Jeffrey Epstein is going to jail, hopefully for the rest of his life. Acosta should resign for his role in this matter.

– Nelson Benedico

Miami