Frankel Letter on Epstein Investigation

(linugreas at the limiter! Qtaiea Washington, 3562 31515 August 21, 2019 The l-ionorable Elijah E. Cummings The Honorable Jerrold Nadler Chairman Chairman Committee on Oversight and Reform Committee on the Judiciary 2157 Rayburn House Office Building 214] Rayburn House Of?ce Building The Honorable Jim Jordan The Honorable Doug Collins Ranking Member Ranking Member Committee on Oversight and Reform Committee on the Judiciary 2157 Rayburn House Of?ce Building 2141 Rayburn House Of?ce Build.ing Dear Chairman Cummings, Chairman Nadler, Ranking Member Jordan, and Ranking Member Collins, We write to request the Committee on Oversight and Reform and the Committee on the Judiciary investigate the circumstances and facts surrounding the 2008 plea deal involving Jeffrey Epstein as well as consider providing the victims a forum to be heard if they so desire. Jeffrey Epstein, a well-known billionaire with deep political connections, was accused '01" molesting and traf?cking dozens of young women since the late 19903. Epstein?s case was first reviewed by the former State Attorney for Palm Beach County, Barry Krischer, and was ultimately disposed of through a highly unusual negotiated plea deal approved by the former- US. Attorney, and recently-departed Labor Secretary Alex Acosta. Several other US. Department of Justice of?cials also reportedly reviewed and approved the plea dealI during the course of its negotiations and execution. To the dismay of many, the result of Epstein?s prosecution was a lenient plea deal, under which Epstein was allowed to plead guilty to lesser, prostitution-related charges and received an astoundingly light sentence: only ?3 months in a private wing of the county jail where his cell door remained open and a television was installed for his personal use. Furthermore, Epstein was permitted to spend six of seven days each week in work release despite being designated as a sex offender by the Court and contrary to existing policies that prohibited the participation of sex offenders in work release programs. Epstein was able to plead to these minor charges not only without notice to any of the victims, in clear violation of the Crime Victims? Rights Act, but with the terms of his plea actively concealed from his victims by agreement between Epstein?s counsel and the government. These extraordinary circumstances have been expressly confirmed in the written ?ndings of the federal district court before whom detailed documentary evidence and sworn testimony has been presented. The terms of Epstein?s plea deal, work release conditions, and his treatment as a designated sex offender, have all come under severe criticism, and merit further official inquiry, as does his recent suicide while in federal custody. 1 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER A series of articles by the Miami Herald, the Palm Beach Post, and other well-respected newspapers have raised these and other serious issues as to the overall integrity of the Department of Justice?s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein?s horri?c actions, and the subsequent resulting plea agreement. The Committee on Oversight and Reform and the Committee on the Judiciary have jurisdiction over the issues in this matter given the nature of Epstein?s crimes and the unusual conduct of the US. Attorney?s of?ce. We appreciate the Committee on Oversight?s leadership in requesting a brie?ng from the Of?ce of Professional Responsibly (OPR) regarding an update in their current investigation of Acosta?s alleged misconduct. However, this OPR report is still outstanding, and there are still many unanswered questions that are likely to fall outside its limited scope. Therefore, we are requesting a full and fair review of the facts and circumstances of Epstein?s shockingly light sentence and suicide. Despite Epstein?s death, there are many unanswered questions. These include, but are not limited to: (1) why did Acosta enter into an extremely lenient non- prosecution plea deal with a serial sex offender facing a 53-page federal indictment?; (2) why was the plea deal not disclosed to Jeffrey Epstein?s dozens of victims?; (3) why was blanket immunity granted to unindicted co-conspirators and who were they? (4) why was Jeffrey Epstein allowed to participate in a work release program not typically available to sex offenders?; (5) who other than Epstein?s lawyers contacted of?cials and prosecutors to intervene on Epstein's behalf? (6) who was allowed to visit Epstein while he was serving his lenient sentence?; (7) what if any illegal conduct was Epstein involved with while on work release?; (8) were there any violations of law, Department of Justice policies, procedures, and practices by law enforcement?; (9) is there any evidence that Epstein continued to engage in child molestation after he ?nished or even during his Palm Beach County sentence? (10) what was the role of local Palm Beach County of?cials?; (1 1) whether Epstein was given a favorable deal because of his stature, wealth, and contacts?; and (12) what are the circumstances surrounding Epste?in?s death? While we cannot undo the damage Epstein has caused the victims of his abuse, the survivors of Epstein?s exploitation and manipulation deserve a forum to be heard and both they and the public deserve transparency and answers to unresolved questions. The victims should be given an opportunity to tell their own stories and the government and law enforcement of?cials involved be required to explain under oath the highly unusual treatment afforded to Jeffrey Epstein. We respectfully request that the Committee on Ove1sight and Reform along w1th the Committee on the ud1c1a13/ exercise its powe1s to launch a founal investigation to answer these and otl1e1 relevant questions. Since1ely, 257.141.1119 LOIS I KNKEL BRENDA I LAWRE CE K1112 SPEIER Wembm 1'1l' ("11113111511 her of Congless Membe1 of Congress VERONICA ESCOBAR DEB 5 j: I Member of Congress Membe1 of Cong1ess 1-4155? 4. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ GK CE F. BUSTOS Member OFCOngress Mm ber Of'Congress Member of Congress 51mm ANN MGLANE KUSTER YC. +w3'6k JOHNSON, JR GWEN MOORE Membe1 of Congress Member of?Congress Member of Congress DEBBIE DINGELL KATHY C- STOR Jl CHU Member OfCongIess Member of 0111,: ess lv mb 'of ongress AL CEL I HASTINGS I ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON RASHIDA TLAIB Membe1 of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress 7 MW URPHY MKDELEINF. DEAN "ongress Member Of Congress 01 ?64. b. CAROLW B. MALONE Member of Congress 65:} MCCOLLUM ILI IAN brim ber of Congress; Member of Congress Member of Congress NNA SHALAI A HAYES BEN RAY LUJAN Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress A One) LTLEFEIZT I UWNLEY ANNA G. Member of Congress Member ofCongress 0 EB AYANNA MT IE HILL Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress me im FREDERICA 3. WILSON - 7. . Member of Co 5 Member of Congress Member of (ingress Km 6w 720 KAREN BASS R0 KHANNA Member of Congre Member of Congress Member of Congress mgr/rye:- STEVENS IRINE M. CLARK Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress