Florida Judge Refuses to Toss Epstein “Sweetheart” Plea Deal

A federal judge in Florida has refused to undo a 2008 plea deal that granted immunity to serial sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators — despite a ruling that prosecutors violated the Crime Victims’ Rights Act by failing to consult with Epstein’s accusers. The decision means Epstein’s accusers will not see compensation or be granted access to FBI records related to the Epstein investigation. It also means Epstein’s alleged co-conspirators will retain their immunity. Epstein died of an apparent suicide in his Manhattan jail cell last month while awaiting trial. The U.S. attorney general has vowed to pursue Epstein’s collaborators.