Republicans Want DOJ to Probe Sex Abuse Case ‘Sweetheart’ Deal

Two Republicans want the Justice Department to investigate a decade-old plea deal in which Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta allegedly helped an accused sex offender skirt the harshest punishment for crimes against teens.

Sens. Ben Sasse (Neb.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) pressed attorney general nominee William Barr to conduct a “full and thorough” investigation of the deal that allowed Miami hedge fund manager Jeffrey Epstein to avoid federal sex trafficking charges. They didn’t specifically mention Acosta, but any probe would likely center on the former South Florida prosecutors’ lead role in the agreement, which landed Epstein behind bars for 13 months ...