Alex Acosta is frequently singled out as the architect of Jeffrey Epstein’s 2008 non-prosecution agreement (NPA), but mounting evidence suggests that he was more of a functionary than a decision-maker. As the U.S. Attorney in South Florida, Acosta did sign off on the sweetheart deal that allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution and serve minimal time in a county jail. However, emails and DOJ records show that once Epstein’s legal team escalated their complaints, the matter was kicked up the chain of command to Washington. Acosta even reportedly told the Miami Herald that he was told Epstein “belonged to intelligence” and that backing off was not a choice, further muddying the narrative that he acted independently. The DOJ’s Office of Professional Responsibility later criticized Acosta’s judgment but stopped short of alleging misconduct.

The real power players behind the Epstein NPA appear to have been then–Attorney General Michael Mukasey and Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip. When Epstein’s lawyers petitioned to have the case reviewed, DOJ officials in D.C.—including those in the Criminal Division and the Deputy Attorney General’s office—were briefed and ultimately approved the non-prosecution path. In other words, the final green light came from the top of the Justice Department, not Acosta’s office alone. This recontextualizes the NPA as less a rogue local failure and more a coordinated decision at the highest levels of federal power. The narrative that Acosta alone bears the weight of the Epstein scandal not only oversimplifies the truth—it protects the very people who had the authority to stop it and didn’t.

to contact me:

bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

source:

https://nypost.com/2021/02/04/top-doj-officials-okd-epstein-deal-maxwell-lawyers/