In Senate Judiciary Committee, FBI director blames Alex Acosta for the ‘original sin’ in handling of Epstein case

FBI director Kash Patel on Tuesday blamed Alex Acosta for mistakes in the prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein, claiming the former U.S. attorney cast the “original sin” in the case.

Acosta, while U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, signed off on the 2008 non-prosecutorial agreement that was later described as a “sweetheart deal,” allowing Epstein to plead guilty to a lesser charge and obtain work-release from his county jail sentence.

“The original sin in the Epstein case was the way it was initially brought by Mr. Acosta,” Patel told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Patel claimed Acosta, who went on to become labor secretary in President Donald Trump’s first term, hamstrung further investigation and prosecution efforts.

“Mr. Acosta allowed Epstein to enter — in 2008 — to plea to a non prosecution agreement which then the courts issued mandates and protective orders legally prohibiting anyone from ever seeing that material ever again without the permission of the court. The non-prosecution also barred future prosecutions of those involved at that time,” Patel charged.