Alex Acosta, then the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and later the secretary of Trump's Labor Department, was 'out of town at a conference' so the assistant U.S. Attorney who was wanting to charge Epstein and have him arrested was told 'no.'
The FBI's supervisory special agent was 'extremely upset' regarding the missed chance.
In May 2007, Marie Villafaña, who was the head prosecutor on the case, filed a prosecution memo saying she wanted Epstein to face up to 210 months, or 17 and a half years, in prison for allegations that he sexually abused young girls and many women.
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According to the report, Villafaña 'intended to file charges by May 15, 2007 and the FBI plotted to arrest Epstein shortly thereafter.' But she hadn't received the authorization to indict Epstein.
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On May 14 Villafaña told others via email that Epstein was supposed to fly to New Jersey from the Virgin Islands, and requested filing charges the next day.
The answer 'no,' according to the report. Her boss Acosta needed to take his time making sure he is comfortable before proceeding.'
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The case had been waiting for a long time, and one prosecutor was required to know what Villafaña's 'rush' was at that point.
Villafaña 'could not seem to get [her supervisors] to understand the seriousness of Epstein's behavior and the fact that he was probably continuing to commit the behavior, and that there was a need to move with necessary speed,' she stated in the report.
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Unbeknownst to his claimed victims, in 2008 Epstein's lawyers would make an agreement with Acosta under which the billionaire would face only state charges and the federal investigation would be concluded.
That plea deal grew being the subject of the 350-page Justice Department report published this week.
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The report explained that Acosta had shown 'poor judgment' but that his behavior did not constitute professional misconduct.
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Acosta said in a statement that the report 'fully debunks' claims that he had cut a sweetheart deal for Epstein.
He stated the report confirmed his choice to go ahead with the plea deal, which led to a jail sentence and certification as a sex offender for Esptein.
Epstein was finally sentenced for two years behind bars, and he served only 13 months, with much of that time spent on a six-day-a-week work release.
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