A newly surfaced investigative report has raised fresh questions about the U.S. Department of Justice’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein during the George W. Bush administration, while congressional committees continue probing the late financier’s network and the government’s failures surrounding his prosecution.
Bush DOJ Implicated in Early Epstein Leniency
A Miami Herald investigation by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Julie K. Brown reveals that former Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter—who led the first major probe into Epstein in the mid‑2000s—was “stonewalled” by state and federal prosecutors after gathering testimony from dozens of victims.
Reiter recounts a tense 2007 meeting with then–Miami U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta, who had begun negotiating a secret plea deal with Epstein. When Reiter pressed Acosta on why federal prosecution was being stalled, Acosta allegedly replied that his office had received “guidance from main justice,” referring to DOJ headquarters under Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Despite evidence of up to 40 victims, Epstein ultimately pleaded guilty to a single solicitation charge and avoided federal indictment until 2019.
Bill Gates Testifies: Calls Epstein Ties a ‘Grave Error’
In a separate development, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates appeared before the House Oversight Committee, telling lawmakers that meeting Epstein was “a grave error in judgment.” Gates insisted he “never victimized anyone” and denied knowing the full extent of Epstein’s crimes at the time.
Documents released under the Epstein Transparency Act show Epstein attempted to leverage knowledge of Gates’ extramarital affairs to pressure him. Gates acknowledged two affairs but said Epstein never introduced him to women nor facilitated any misconduct.
Gates said Epstein tried to use personal information to “pressure me to re-engage with him,” but the effort failed.
Congress Expands Inquiry Into Epstein Network
House Oversight Chairman James Comer has signaled plans to interview additional figures, including Trump’s acting attorney general Todd Blanche and attorney Alan Dershowitz. Lawmakers are also examining whether Epstein used blackmail to influence powerful men—an allegation the DOJ says it found “no credible evidence” to support.
Inside Trump Administration’s Epstein Files Turmoil
An excerpt from an upcoming book by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan describes internal chaos within the Trump White House as it struggled to respond to public pressure over Epstein files.
Key revelations include:
- Former Attorney General Pam Bondi distributed unvetted Epstein binders to MAGA influencers, triggering panic among senior officials.
- Then–FBI deputy director Dan Bongino reportedly erupted in anger over DOJ’s “nothing-to-see-here” memo.
- Vice President JD Vance led Situation Room meetings warning that mishandling the case was “a huge problem” for the MAGA base.
- Trump personally scolded conservative activist Charlie Kirk for publicly criticizing the administration’s response.
Epstein’s Former Executive Secretary Calls Him a ‘Master Manipulator’
Lesley Groff, Epstein’s longtime executive secretary, told the Oversight Committee she was unaware of his crimes and denied ever enabling abuse. She described years of harassment and public shaming since Epstein’s 2019 arrest.
Groff, once named as a potential co‑conspirator in Epstein’s 2007 non‑prosecution agreement, said the label remains her “scarlet letter,” insisting she never knowingly assisted wrongdoing.
