Survivors failed for decades: here is what Republicans’ long-awaited Epstein report shows

Report urges survivor access and interviews

The committee said survivors should be able to obtain their personal files without redactions. It also called for investigators to interview or reinterview key witnesses as part of efforts to pursue justice.

Financial institutions and past deal

The report reviewed how financial institutions handled signs of human trafficking, saying they failed to identify indicators and enabled the activity. It also urged Congress to pass legislation against the weaponization of nondisclosure agreements.

In 2007, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida reached a non-prosecution agreement with Epstein. He avoided federal prosecution by pleading guilty to lesser state solicitation charges and received an 18-month jail sentence, work-release privileges and early release, according to the report.

A Justice Department Office of Professional Responsibility review, completed in November 2020, found that Acosta showed “poor judgement,” the report said. It cited his approval of the plea agreement and failure to notify victims.

Committee describes wider accountability concerns

The report said prosecutors’ failure to inform survivors about the agreement weakened their ability to pursue civil claims or expose Epstein’s crimes publicly. Committee Chairman James Comer said the review aimed to provide transparency and accountability for survivors.

The report also recounts Epstein’s death in custody in 2019. Correctional officers Tova Noel and Michael Thomas were charged that November over missed inmate counts and falsified records; the charges were later dropped under a deferred prosecution agreement.