Justice Department Probe Into Epstein ‘Sweetheart Deal’ Finds Prosecutors Used ‘Poor Judgement’ But No Misconduct

Jeffrey Epstein in a booking photograph in Palm Beach, Fla., on July 27, 2006. Palm Beach Sheriff's Office

A Justice Department investigation found that federal prosecutors who oversaw a controversial non-prosecution deal with Jeffrey Epstein in 2008 exercised “poor judgment” but did not commit “professional misconduct,” according to a report released Nov. 12.

The investigation by the department’s Office of Professional Responsibility reviewed the conduct of former federal prosecutors, including Alex Acosta, Donald Trump’s former labor secretary, who oversaw a controversial plea deal—also known as a “sweetheart deal” with him in 2008.