The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office on Friday opened an internal investigation into whether it properly handled the case of Jeffrey Epstein.
The multimillionaire spent 13 months in jail beginning in 2008 after pleading guilty to solicitation of a minor, following a plea deal with Florida prosecutors that spared him from a much harsher sentence.
The investigation will specifically look at the office's decision to allow Epstein to be free 12 hours a day, 6 days a week on work release and determine whether deputies violated any rules or regulations related to the matter, The Miami Herald reports. While on work release Epstein was reportedly monitored by deputies, whom he paid $128,136 to watch him, the entire time he was out. On some occasions, records show, Epstein's personal limousine would drop him off at his office as early as 7:15 a.m. and returned him to jail as late as 10:40 p.m.
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Epstein also was not allowed to leave his office while out of jail, but records show that deputies escorted him to his Palm Beach mansion on at least eight occasions.
"All aspects of the matter will be fully investigated to ensure total transparency and accountability," Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said on Friday. Bradshaw was the sheriff during Epstein's time in jail, as well.
Epstein has been charged with sex trafficking minors by New York prosecutors. He has denied wrongdoing.
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