The House Oversight Committee's latest Epstein probe oddly sidesteps Alex Acosta, raising eyebrows. The committee’s aggressive move to subpoena 10 high-profile figures across four administrations suggests a deep dive into Epstein’s shadowy deals, but Acosta’s absence is glaring, as the Daily Caller reports. His role in Epstein’s sweetheart 2008 plea deal screams for scrutiny.
The House Oversight Committee, led by chair James Comer, expanded its Jeffrey Epstein investigation Tuesday, targeting big names with subpoenas. Figures like Bill and Hillary Clinton, James Comey, and Merrick Garland face demands for testimony. Yet, Alex Acosta, the man behind Epstein’s cushy 2008 plea, remains untouched.
Back in 2007, Acosta, then U.S. Attorney for Southern Florida, met Epstein’s lawyer at a Marriott 70 miles from his office. That meeting birthed a plea deal that downgraded Epstein’s charges to two state-level prostitution offenses. A potential life sentence vanished, replaced by a 13-month county jail stint with work-release perks.
Epstein’s 2008 deal, orchestrated by Acosta, was a masterclass in legal leniency. A federal judge later ruled it violated the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, as victims were kept in the dark. This secrecy shielded Epstein while his victims were left voiceless.
Acosta’s assistant U.S. attorney claimed they “bent over backwards” to accommodate Epstein. That phrase, from a 2007 letter, paints a cozy picture of negotiations. It’s hard to see how bending over backwards for a predator serves justice.
Alberto Gonzales, who served as U.S. attorney general from 2005 to 2007, had an overlapping tenure with Acosta, and he has received a subpoena. His successor, Michael Mukasey, who took over in September 2007, didn’t make the subpoena list. The committee’s selective targeting raises questions about its focus.
Comer’s subpoenas, approved by a bipartisan voice vote, hit heavyweights across political lines. “Both Republicans and Democrats… approved a motion… directing the Chairman to issue targeted subpoenas,” a committee spokesman told the Daily Caller. The list spans Clinton-era figures to Trump’s William Barr, showing no partisan favoritism.
Rep. Scott Perry’s motion drove the subpoena push, and Comer followed through swiftly. “Chairman Comer has now issued the subpoenas,” the spokesman confirmed. But Acosta’s exclusion feels like a deliberate sidestep, given his central role in Epstein’s escape from federal charges.
Acosta served as Trump’s Labor Secretary until 2019, resigning amid Epstein-related backlash. His 2008 deal let Epstein dodge a trial that could’ve exposed powerful connections. That history makes his absence from the subpoena list baffling.
The 2008 plea deal’s fallout still stings, especially for Epstein’s victims. A federal judge’s 2017 ruling confirmed that the deal’s secrecy broke federal law, robbing victims of their rights. Acosta’s fingerprints on that injustice make his free pass curious.
While Gonzales faces scrutiny for his time as Attorney General, Acosta’s role as the deal’s architect goes unquestioned. The committee’s probe seems laser-focused on political heavyweights but misses a key player. This gap fuels suspicion of selective accountability.
Epstein’s 13-month sentence, with work-release privileges, was a slap on the wrist. Facing life in prison, he walked free to continue his predatory ways. Acosta’s deal enabled that, yet he’s not in the hot seat.
The Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee’s bipartisan vote signals broad agreement on digging into Epstein’s case. Republicans and Democrats united behind Perry’s motion, a rare show of unity. But ignoring Acosta undermines the probe’s credibility.
Subpoenaing figures like Comey, Lynch, and Holder suggests a wide net, yet it’s oddly selective. Acosta’s 2007 Marriott meeting with Epstein’s lawyer screams for investigation. Why let him skate while others face the spotlight?
The Epstein saga demands truth, not political theater. Comer’s probe could expose how power protects predators, but skipping Acosta risks missing the mark. Justice for Epstein’s victims deserves better than a half-hearted reckoning.
