Senate Commerce: Acosta Hearing: Epstein

U.S. SENATE — CONFIRMATION HEARING TRANSCRIPT Committee: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Nominee: Alexander Acosta (Secretary of Labor) Date: March 22, 2017 EPSTEIN-RELATED QUESTIONING: Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) questioned Acosta about his role in the Epstein NPA: SENATOR KAINE: "Mr. Acosta, you were the U.S. Attorney in Southern Florida when your office entered into a non-prosecution agreement with Jeffrey Epstein. Can you explain your role in that decision?" ACOSTA'S RESPONSE: "Senator, the Palm Beach County State Attorney's office was prepared to let Epstein walk with no jail time. Our office stepped in and ensured that he would plead guilty, serve time in jail, and register as a sex offender. Without the federal involvement, the outcome would have been far worse for the victims." ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ADDRESSED: - Why victims were not notified before the NPA was finalized - Whether the breadth of immunity for co-conspirators was appropriate - Whether the sentence was proportional to the scale of the criminal conduct - Why Epstein received a county jail sentence rather than federal prison ACOSTA'S DEFENSE: Throughout the hearing, Acosta maintained that: 1. The federal intervention improved upon what the state was offering 2. The case presented evidentiary challenges 3. The plea ensured a conviction and sex offender registration 4. The decision was made by career prosecutors with his approval CONFIRMATION RESULT: Despite questions about the Epstein case, Acosta was confirmed as Secretary of Labor by a vote of 60-38 on April 27, 2017. He later resigned in July 2019 following Epstein's arrest. Source: Senate.gov / Congressional Record Available at: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/