San Mateo, CA, Aug. 10, 2019 – Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14), Co-Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and Member of the House Oversight Committee issued the following statement today in light of Jeffrey Epstein’s reported suicide.
“Jeffrey Epstein was a serial child molester who evaded accountability because he was rich, powerful, and well-connected. His suicide doesn’t change that. We need answers as to how this could have happened. Most importantly, we need justice for his victims.
A cache of documents unsealed yesterday shows Epstein had a vast network of young girls he abused and trafficked and that he was aided and abetted by law enforcement, prosecutors, and others who looked the other way. Their complicity in his crimes didn’t just fail these young girls in their bid for justice, it was a further violation of their trust and lives.
With the criminal proceedings against Epstein over, it is time for the Committee on Oversight and Reform to conduct an investigation as to how this preferential plea deal happened in the first place. Epstein’s crimes were not contained to him. Congress has a duty to ensure all those who played a role in this travesty of justice answer to those crimes. The survivors of Epstein’s exploitation demand and deserve nothing less.”o