Alex Acosta had multiple opportunities to apologize to Jeffrey Epstein's alleged victims. He didn't.
Labor Secretary Alex Acosta seems to think victim blaming is a thing of the past.
On Wednesday, Acosta held a press conference addressing how he handled sexual abuse allegations against Jeffrey Epstein more than a decade ago. While Acosta defended the so-called "sweetheart" plea deal his Florida prosecutor's office arranged with Epstein at the time, he also seemed confident that the entire case would've played out differently in today's culture.
Epstein was arrested over the weekend and accused of running a sex trafficking ring involving minors — charges similar to those he faced in Florida. Yet thanks to a plea deal Acosta's office arranged, Epstein only landed in jail for a few months. Acosta was asked Wednesday if he'd make the same deal today, and said because the case is "so old," there's no way he could surmise an answer.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Reporter Yashar Ali quickly called foul on Acosta's whole premise.
At multiple points throughout the conference, reporters prompted Acosta to send a message to Epstein's alleged victims. Acosta avoided doing so, going only so far as to say what happened to them was "horrendous," and said that because the matter was still "in litigation," he probably wouldn't meet with those victims either.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Marine Le Pen's fake jobs trial
The Explainer The far-right French leader could face a fine, jail time, and a five-year ban from public office if found guilty of embezzlement
By Abby Wilson Published
-
How to earn extra cash for Christmas
The Explainer The holiday season can be expensive but there are ways to bolster your festive finances
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published