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PoliticsU.S. Politics

Democrats Want Trump Labor Secretary Acosta Out Over Epstein Sex Plea Deal

By
Alan Fram
Alan Fram
and
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Alan Fram
Alan Fram
and
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 9, 2019, 10:51 AM ET

A growing collection of congressional Democrats say President Donald Trump’s labor secretary should resign because of his role in a 2008 plea deal that let a billionaire financier escape prison time for alleged sex crimes.

Among the Democrats calling Tuesday for Alexander Acosta to resign were Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a 2020 presidential candidate. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday night that Acosta should step aside.

Acosta was a federal prosecutor in South Florida when he was involved in a secret 2008 plea deal that let Epstein avoid federal charges.

That investigation involved at least 40 teenage girls. The agreement let him avoid a possible life sentence.

Epstein was charged in New York on Monday in a new federal indictment accusing him of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls.

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About the Authors
By Alan Fram
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By The Associated Press
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