Associated Press
- Two of Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers sought Monday in a Florida court to have his 2007 plea deal overturned.
- Their attorney argued that clauses protecting four associates from prosecution are now invalid after Epstein’s death by apparent suicide.
- The Department of Justice is continuing to investigate potential Epstein accomplices.
- Attorney General William Barr said yesterday: "Any co-conspirators should not rest easy."
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Two of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims say his death means the the 2007 plea deal he signed with prosecutors — which continues to protect four alleged accomplices from prosecution — should be scrapped.
Bradley J. Edwards, attorney for Epstein accusers Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, submitted a statement to the US district court in southern Florida on Monday seeking to cancel the remaining provisions of the deal.
The statement said:
"The Court should grant the victims all of their proposed remedies – including invaliding the provisions in the non-prosecution agreement that precludes prosecution of Epstein’s co-conspirators."
"In light of Epstein recent passing, all his objections to the victims’ proposed remedies have become moot. And most of the Government’s objections — which were likewise predicated on protecting Epstein’s interests — have also become moot."
Epstein signed the plea deal in September 2007, court filings show.
His side of the deal saw him agree to plead guilty to a state-level charges of solicitation of prostitution and procurement of minors for prostitution. He served 13 months in prison.
In exchange, federal-level charges against him were dropped. The deal also protected four named associates of Epstein from being charged in relation to his actions.
The NPA granted immunity to four associates as well as "any potential co-conspirators" in his crimes, INSIDER previously reported.
It isn’t clear who the four associates are.
Google Streetview
The judge in the case, Kenneth Marra, ruled in February 2019 that the NPA violated the rights of Epstein’s victims under the Crime Victim Rights Act, but the ruling had no material impact on the case.
Read more: Jeffrey Epstein told a reporter he saw Silicon Valley notables doing drugs and ‘arranging for sex’
After Epstein’s suicide in New York on Saturday, it is impossible to pursue a criminal case against him directly.
However, accusers have called for criminal investigations into his co-conspirators.
Lawyers for Epstein accusers have also said they will pursue civil cases against his estate.
Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
On Saturday, federal prosecutorsconfirmed they would continue the investigation into Epstein, and urged people with information to contact them.
At a police event Monday, Attorney General William Barr said: "this case will continue on, against anyone who was complicit with Epstein. Any co-conspirators should not rest easy."
NOW WATCH: ‘Shark Tank’ star Robert Herjavec explains what makes America great
See Also:
- Jeffrey Epstein died by apparent suicide in jail. Here’s how the prison system makes that possible.
- On a hospital visit to mass-shooting victims in El Paso, Trump made sure to remind everyone how great his rally there was
- The Trump campaign pulled ad money from Twitter after it locked Mitch McConnell out of his account for sharing a video of protesters shouting violent abuse at him
Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Bill Bostock)