Image source, Getty Images
- Author, Max Matza
- Role, BBC News
A Florida judge has ordered the surprise release of graphic transcripts from the 2006 trial against pedophile Jeffrey Epstein — an investigation that ended with a legal slap on the wrist for the millionaire financier.
Epstein struck a deal in 2008 to avoid charges of sex trafficking and rape. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was sentenced to 13 months in prison.
The nearly 200 pages of documents contain details of Epstein’s crimes, including first-hand accounts from victims and details of bribes paid to underage victims.
On Monday, Circuit Judge Luis Delgado ordered the release of the 16-year-old documents, writing that “the details of the case will be scandalous to honest people.”
“The testimony gathered by the grand jury involves activities ranging from the unacceptable to the rape — all of the behaviors involved are sexually deviant, disgusting and criminal.”
Calling Epstein “the most infamous pedophile in American history,” the judge added that the state’s leniency in the case “has generated considerable anger and at times diminished the public’s perception of the criminal justice system.”
“Epstein is indeed notorious and infamous and is widely reported to have flaunted his wealth while indulging in hobnobbing with politicians, billionaires and even British royalty,” he continued.
“It is understandable that in light of this information, the public is very curious about what has been widely presented by news agencies as ‘special treatment’ regarding his prosecution.”
The release of the records came on the same day that a new Florida law went into effect allowing the release of 2006 grand jury documents. Grand jury documents are normally never made public.
Convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor, Epstein moved in social circles that included key business and political figures, including former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, celebrities and even Prince Andrew.
New scrutiny of Epstein began in 2018 after the Miami Herald published interviews with Epstein victims, some of whom sought to file civil lawsuits against him.
Renewed interest in the case has led prosecutors to file new criminal charges.
His accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, is serving a 20-year sentence for helping Epstein commit sex trafficking crimes.
