This archive report was first published on 13 July 2019.
On July 13, 2019, Labor Secretary Alex Acosta announced his resignation, amidst growing controversy over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Epstein, a wealthy financier, was accused of running a sex-trafficking scheme that brought dozens of underage girls to his homes in New York and Palm Beach, Florida, between 2002 and 2005.
Prosecutors alleged that Epstein and his employees could face up to 45 years in prison if convicted.
Acosta's decision to resign comes as Congressional Democrats demanded a briefing from the Justice Department about the 2008 agreement not to prosecute Epstein, which included a promise to Epstein's defense team that federal prosecutors would not notify his victims of the arrangement.
Lawyer Lisa Bloom, who represents several of Epstein's accusers, said Acosta never belonged in the position in President Trump's administration that he is leaving.
“President Trump was willing to overlook Acosta's sweetheart deal with Epstein when he appointed Acosta, even though many raised this issue at the time,” Ms. Bloom said in an email. “Acosta has abused his public trust and should never have been appointed in the first place.”
