Florida Sheriff Will Investigate Epstein's Cushy Work Release

Back in 2008, it appears he was allowed to bend the rules quite a bit
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jul 20, 2019 7:01 AM CDT
Florida Sheriff Will Investigate Epstein's Cushy Work Release
Martin Weinberg, a defense attorney for Jeffrey Epstein, leaves federal court in New York after a judge denied bail to his client, Thursday, July 18, 2019.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

A Florida sheriff launched an investigation Friday into whether his department properly monitored the wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein while he was serving a sentence for soliciting prostitution from underage girls, the AP reports. The inquiry will focus on whether deputies assigned to monitor Epstein in a work-release program violated any rules or regulations, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said in a statement. Under a 2008 plea deal, Epstein was allowed to spend most of his days at the office of his now-defunct Florida Science Foundation, which doled out research grants, rather than in the county jail. "All aspects of the matter will be fully investigated to ensure total accountability and transparency," Bradshaw said.

Epstein's plea deal, which helped him avoid more serious federal charges, involved a 13-month sentence. After a little more than three months in a Florida county jail, Epstein spent most of his days at his office, according to Palm Beach County sheriff's records released to the AP. Records show Epstein leaving jail earlier and returning to jail later than was allowed, and also show that he was escorted to his mansion rather than back to jail on at least eight occasions. Brad Edwards, a lawyer for several of Epstein's accusers, said this week he had been in contact with a woman who had "sexual contact" with Epstein in his office while he was still serving his sentence. One of the deputies who had been assigned to guard Epstein at his office for several days told the AP he did recall young women visiting, but couldn't say whether there was any inappropriate contact.

(More Jeffrey Epstein stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X