Kaine’s Post-Press Conference Questions For Acosta About Jeffrey Epstein

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta’s press conference this afternoon, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following questions about the former U.S. Attorney’s mishandling of serial sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein’s case in 2008:

“Secretary Acosta’s attempt to justify his secret sweetheart deal with Jeffrey Epstein was laughable. Here are some of the questions he needs to answer:

1)      You blame state prosecutors for the light sentence. So why didn’t you have your own federal prosecutors charge him? That was your call and you caved to Epstein.

2)      You claim that you struck the deal to protect victims from tough cross-examination. But why didn’t you let survivors decide for themselves whether to take the stand? And why did you work so hard to keep the deal hidden from them, violating their rights in the process?

3)      By letting Epstein plead to a prostitution charge, you insulted the survivors and failed to inform others that he was a predator. How do you justify letting him whitewash his crimes?”

Kaine pressed Acosta about the plea deal during his 2017 confirmation hearing and voted against his nomination. He has called on him to resign as Secretary of Labor.

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