The House Oversight Committee has taken significant steps to expand its investigation into the case of Jeffrey Epstein, subpoenaing the late pedophile’s estate for documents and call logs that could shed light on federal mismanagement and potential ethics violations. Committee Chair James Comer requested a wide range of materials, including a book compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday, his will, and details of the non-prosecy agreement. Comer highlighted the need to examine the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death, the operation of sex-trafficking rings, and ways for the federal government to combat such activities, as well as potential violations of ethics rules involving elected officials.
The committee is also seeking to review the non-prosecution agreement, which allowed Epstein to avoid more severe federal charges in 2008. This agreement, signed off on by former U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta, was concealed from over 30 underage victims, according to The Miami Herald. Epstein pleaded guilty to two state charges in Florida but served only 13 months in county jail, with the benefit of a work-release program, and made confidential settlements with some victims. The agreement also allowed co-conspirators to avoid charges, a point of contention during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s alleged accomplice.
Documents sought by Comer include entries from a book compiled by Maxwell for Epstein’s 50th birthday, details of the non-prosecution agreement, and information on Epstein’s financial transactions, call logs, and visitor records. The committee is also looking for any documents that could be interpreted as a potential client list related to Epstein’s activities. An attorney for the executors of Epstein’s estate stated that they are reviewing the subpoena and have always committed to complying with any lawful process. The House Oversight Committee has previously sent a flurry of subpoenas related to Epstein, leading to a bipartisan investigation into the late pedophile’s case.
The investigation gained renewed focus after the Department of Justice’s handling of the case sparked a GOP revolt by far-right figures. The DOJ had previously declared the case closed after an