Former U.S. Attorney Acosta Testifies on Epstein Plea Deal Before Congress

WASHINGTON — Alexander Acosta, the former U.S. Attorney for southern Florida who negotiated a controversial plea deal in 2008 with Jeffrey Epstein, appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Friday. This deposition comes as the committee continues its investigation into Epstein, a late convicted sex offender.

Acosta, who also served as Labor Secretary during Donald Trump’s presidency, arrived voluntarily for the closed-door session, expected to involve intense questioning. House Oversight Chair James Comer characterized the deposition as significant, predicting it would be a challenging six hours.

The plea deal negotiated by Acosta allowed Epstein, a wealthy financier, to avoid federal charges, leading to just 13 months in state prison for prostitution charges related to underage girls. Critics have labeled the agreement as a “deal of a lifetime.”

In July 2019, Epstein was arrested on federal charges related to a sex trafficking ring, but he died by suicide in August while in custody at New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center. The recent inquiry revives scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding Acosta’s plea deal.

During the hearing, Comer emphasized the need for accountability, referencing warnings about Epstein’s crimes ignored by prosecutors. “Acosta was a major player in that,” he remarked.

Earlier this week, FBI Director Kash Patel’s testimony indicated disagreements within Trump’s administration over the investigation, with some members pushing for transparency surrounding Epstein’s case files.

The Oversight Committee has issued subpoenas for information and interviews with both Democratic and Republican figures, including Acosta, as part of a broader investigation. They have received multiple documents from Epstein’s estate and are working to access further evidence related to the case.

This deposition marks the first time Acosta is being questioned by Congress regarding his decisions during the Epstein investigation, which began in 2005. The committee is expected to share a transcript of Acosta’s testimony publicly in the coming weeks.