The House Oversight Committee expanded its probe into Jeffrey Epstein Tuesday, but former Department of Labor Secretary Alex Acosta was missing from the list.
House Oversight Chairman James Comer issued subpoenas to 10 individuals across four different administrations, including the Clintons, former FBI directors and several attorney generals. (RELATED: Epstein Victims Issue Statement Condemning Trump After Maxwell Moved To Cushy New Prison)
Acosta, a high-profile figure connected to the Epstein case, served as Labor Secretary under President Donald Trump’s first administration before resigning in 2019, according to a New York Times report.
He was not subpoenaed by the Committee.
A House Oversight Committee spokesman told the Daily Caller that subpoenaing Acosta isn’t a straightforward process.
“In a voice vote, both Republicans and Democrats on the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee approved a motion offered by Rep. Scott Perry directing the Chairman to issue targeted subpoenas to Bill and Hillary Clinton, James Comey, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, Merrick Garland, Robert Mueller, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, and Alberto Gonzales,” he said.
“Chairman Comer has now issued the subpoenas,” the spokesman told the Caller.
The subcommittee approved Perry’s motion and authorized the issuance of subpoenas.
Acosta has long faced scrutiny for approving a contentious 2008 plea deal for billionaire Jeffrey Epstein while serving as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida — a deal critics called a “sweetheart” arrangement that allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges and serve only 13 months in jail. (RELATED: ‘That Was The End Of Him’: Trump Says Epstein ‘Stole’ Female Workers From Mar-A-Lago Spa Staff)
Gonzales, who was subpoenaed by the committee, served as attorney general (AG) from February 2005 to August 2007, overlapping with the years Acosta served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.
Michael Mukasey, who was nominated by President George W. Bush to replace Gonzales in September 2007, was not voted to be subpoenaed by the Committee.
Acosta’s assistant U.S. attorney claimed the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida “bent over backwards” to accommodate Epstein while negotiating his non-prosecution agreement in a 2007 letter.
In October 2007, Acosta met with his former colleague Epstein’s lawyer, Jay Lefkowitz. Instead of holding a meeting at Acosta’s Miami office, they opted to meet at a Marriott hotel in West Palm Beach, about 70 miles away, the Miami Herald reported.
Federal prosecutors allegedly offered to drop their case if Epstein pleaded guilty to two state charges, registered as a sex offender, served time and compensated his victims.
Though he faced potential life in prison if convicted on federal charges, Epstein avoided trial and served 13 months in jail.
During a 2019 press conference, Acosta defended his handling of Epstein’s plea deal amid growing calls for his resignation. (RELATED: ‘You Think Epstein Was Bad?’: Sean Spicer Warns DOJ Will ‘Piss Off’ MAGA If No Russiagate Indictments Drop)
He argued that, contrary to criticism, he strengthened the case in Florida rather than weakened it.
