Page 1 THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY x INTERVIEW OF R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA : x Washington, D.C. Friday, October 18, 2019 Interview of: R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA a witness of lawful age, taken on behalf of the United State

Page 1 THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY x INTERVIEW OF R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA : x Washington, D.C. Friday, October 18, 2019 Interview of: R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA a witness of lawful age, taken on behalf of the United State

5 was examined and testified as follows: 6 EXAMINATION BY MS. Q So, would you tell us your name, please? A Rene Alexander Acosta. Q And Mr. Acosta, you're accompanied by your 11 attorney, Gordon Todd, is that correct? 2 , • And Mr. Todd, would you identify the associate you have with you?

ons about it, please call me at By: Sincerely, R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEY I acknowledge

please call me at By: Sincerely, R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEY I acknowledge

ons about it, please call me at By: Sincerely, R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEY I acknowledge

s, but also on the extent to which officials who have been linked to Mr. Epstein — including, most notably, President Trump and his labor secretary, Alexander Acosta — knew about or downplayed them." Steve Hilton said on Fox News The Next Revolution (717), "Will we finally see some accountability from Alex Acosta

d jury investigation, and gave Epstein and other potential co-conspirators EFTA00160958 immunity from federal charges in Florida." Labor Secretary Acosta was "the US Attorney who authorized that deal.' Acosta was asked about the case at his confirmation hearing. Acosta: "The Department of Justice has

immunity from federal charges in Florida." Labor Secretary Acosta was "the US Attorney who authorized that deal.' A

notify the victims, “OPR identified no reason why Secretary Acosta should have distrusted his team on these points.”

• • I I B. Acosta Exercised Poor Judgment When He Failed to Ensure That Victims Identified in the Federal Investigation Were Informed of the State Plea Hearing Althoug

ble sharing any information about the case.” Villafana also told OPR that because of “all of these concerns and instructions that I had been given by Alex [Acosta] and Jeff [Sloman] not to disclose things further and not to have any involvement in victim notification,” she felt “prohibited” from providing additi

attorneys [ ] [became] something to consider. . . . . I think that the ability of Alan Dershowitz and Ken Starr and Jay Lefkowitz to convince Alex Acosta that I didn’t know what I was talking [about] also, all came into play. So I think there were a number of factors and it all came together. Altho

n for work release because his sexual offender registration would not take place 177 Letter from R. Alexander Acosta “To whom it may concern” (Mar. 20, 2011), published online in The Daily Beast. The FBI Special Agent in Charge told OPR that he had no recollection

afaña opined, “This is NOT good faith negotiations.” Lourie responded that he would “reach out to Alex to discuss.” Lourie immediately emailed Acosta the following: I looked at the latest draft from Jay [Lefkowitz] and I must agree with Marie. Based on my own conversations with him, his draft is

ing and trafficking dozens of underage girls in Florida, but he ended up serving just 13 months in county jail after the U.S. prosecutor in Florida, Alexander Acosta, cut what's been described as "one of the most lenient deals for a serial child sex offender in history." The plea deal allowed Epstein to avoid a f

d sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. EFTA00076627 But Barr will recuse himself from an internal Justice Department probe of current Labor Secretary's Alex Acosta involvement in approving a controversial no-prosecution deal with the wealthy financier a decade ago, officials said Tuesday. Attorney General Wil

vestigation and granted immunity to any "co-conspirators." As detailed last fall in a blockbuster series by Julie K. Brown of The Miami Herald, Mr. Acosta and his office worked unusually closely with Mr. Epstein's legal team on the deal. Both sides also labored to keep the agreement secret until it was

awyers are supposed to get the best deals they can.” If he could have gotten 10 months or no time at all, that would have been even better, he said. Acosta said in the past that Epstein’s lawyers, including Dershowitz, put pressure on his office by investigating his staff. Dershowitz has denied this. “A

pared a 53-page federal indictment charging Epstein with sex crimes that could have put him in federal prison for life. But then- Miami U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta signed off on a non-prosecution agreement, which was negotiated, signed and sealed so that no one would know the full scope of Epstein’s crimes. The

letter that they want to know more about the circumstances surrounding the deal, which was made by then-U.S. Attorney and current Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta. As Epstein’s defense attorney in that case, Dershowitz is not upset about it the deal at all. “I’m very proud of that deal, that’s what lawyers ar

I Barr says Trump has an executive path to add citizenship question to 2020 census I Iran verifies it breached 2015 nuclear accord I Labor Secretary Acosta back in spotlight following Epstein arrest in New York From The Hill To The Hill Date 2019/07/09 06:30 The Hill's Morning Report - House Dems

Pelosi said Monday that Trump wants to add the demand for citizenship information because he wants to "make America white again." > Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta: Federal charges filed Monday in New York against wealthy hedge fund manager Jeffrey Epstein put Acosta, a member of Trump's cabinet, back in the s

verifies it breached 2015 nuclear accord I Labor Secretary Acosta back in spotlight following Epstein arrest in Ne

l indictment on similar charges. He ended up serving a 13-month sentence in a local jail and avoided federal prosecution. That deal was brokered by R. Alexander Acosta, a former United States attorney in Miami who resigned last week as President Trump's Labor Secretary after public outrage over the Epstein agreemen

est shed renewed light on the deal he struck in 2008 with local and federal prosecutors in south Florida. The U.S. attorney in Miami at the time was Alex Acosta, who went on to become labor secretary for President Donald Trump. During a lengthy press conference last Tuesday, Acosta defended the deal, saying

Miami at the time was Alex Acosta, who went on to become labor secretary for President Donald Trump. During a lengthy press conference last Tuesday, Acosta defended the deal, saying it was the best prosecutors could do at the time. Acosta resigned Friday. Prosecutors have said Epstein has long made a h

da. Advising there are significant concerns with Secretary Acosta's actions in approving an extremely favorable de

ngress, including on this Committee, to "request that the results of the Office of Professional Responsibility's (OPR) review of Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta's decision to grant Epstein a non-prosecution agreement be made publicly available and provided to Congress.' On July 8, 2019, federal prosecutors in

uct by Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta during his tenure as USA for the S.D. of Florida. Advising there are significant concerns with Secretary Acosta's actions in approving an extremely favorable deal for an alleged sexual predator while concealing the deal from the victims of Mr. Epstein's crime

the Complaint which confirms his commitment. Cordially yo Rob D. Critton, Jr. RDC/JPL:ab Cc EFTA00183041 L EFTA00183042 . (USAFLS) From: Acosta, Alex (USAFLS) Sent: 811:55 AM To: . (USAFLS); Sloman, Jeff (USAFLS); exter inson, Karen (USAFLS) Subject: RE: New proposed response to Jay

a copy of the Plea Agreement with the State Attorney's Office and notification of the date and time of the change of plea. Thank you. Sincerely, R. Alexander Acosta United States Attorney By: Assistant United States Attorney cc: AUSA EFTA00183050 THE PALM BEACH POST • FRIDAY, SEPI EMBER 4 2009 Appeals

just state victims. We believe that such notification would not be required by 18 USC §3771. Your office has come to a similar conclusion, see AUSA Alex Acosta's December 19, 2007 letter to Lilly Sanchez, pg 2. We are sensitive, however, to the adversarial litigation previously filed regarding other §3771 is

rivileged — have been produced to opposing counsel]); signed Non- Prosecution Agreement, Addendum, and operative portion of 12/19/2007 Sanchez- Acosta letter (P-008328-P-008343 [not being withheld as privileged — have been produced to opposing counsel]); subfolder entitled "12/19/07 Acosta-Sanche

Duty; Claims Against Public Prosecutor; Overriding Need; Attorney Conduct at Issue Waiver Suppl. Box 3 P-013850 E-mail, Marie Villafana to Alex Acosta, Andrew Lourie, Rolando Garcia, Karen Atkinson, and John McMillan, September 18, 2007, 9:31 a.m., RE: Epstein Negotiations Atty work-product

y Lefkowitz (Also contains a November 28, 2007 letter from Kenneth Starr to Alice S. Fisher; and a November 29, 2007 letter from Jay Lefkowitz to R. Alexander Acosta (P- 010528 thru P-010530 and P-010556 thru P-010559). Pursuant to the Court's Order, these will be produced to opposing counsel upon lift of stay

eparation of a 53-page indictment against Epstein. The indictment was never presented to a grand jury, however. In 2008, federal prosecutors, led by Acosta, negotiated a non-prosecution agreement with Epstein which allowed him to plead guilty in state court to lesser charges of soliciting a minor for p

nment's noncompliance with the CVRA in negotiating Epstein's plea deal in 2008 led to the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Alexander R. Acosta, losing his cabinet position as Secretary of Labor, practitioners can expect prosecutors and judges to be more focused on the CVRA going forward. W

ttorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida in 2008." That 2008 deal, put together by then-US Attorney and recently ousted Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, granted Epstein and "any potential co-conspirators" immunity from federal charges in exchange for him pleading guilty to a single state charge. E

and state: Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(1)(A)fil: 1. R. Alexander Acosta Dean, School of Law Florida International Unive

fice of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime (May 2005) October 10, 2007 letter from Jay Lefkowitz, Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, to R. Alexander Acosta November 29, 2007 letter from Jay Lefkowitz to R. Alexander Acosta December 5, 2007 letter from Kenneth W. Starr and Jay Lefkowitz to R. Alexander

through its undersigned counsel, makes its Initial Disclosures, pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(1)(A), and state: Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(1)(A)fil: 1. R. Alexander Acosta Dean, School of Law Florida International University Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall 11200 S.W. 8'h Street Miami, Florida 33199 (305) 348-1118 Dean Acosta w

deed, the NPA's plain terms directly limit the agreement to "this District." See NPA at 2 (noting that the agreement was signed "on the authority of R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida" and requires that "prosecution in this District for [various federal offenses] shall b

s conference held by then-Labor Secretary R. Alexander Acosta on July 10, 2019. Before the Washington press corps and a global television audience, Acosta discussed the substance of the affidavit and deliberations by the USAO-SDFL on the case. See https://www.c-span.orgivideon462479-1/1abor-secretary-

22 Since the filing of that brief by the victims, Secretary Acosta has decided to resign his position as Labor Secr

to discuss this matter in any way. Until then, I remain, Very truly yours, • Michael R. Tein • cc: Jack Goldberger, Esq. • Roy Black, Esq. Alex Acosta, Esq. 3059 GRAND AVENUE • SUITE 340 • COCONUT GROVE, FLORIDA 33133 TELEPHONE (305) 442-1101 • FACSIMILE (305) 442-6744 • WWW.LEW1STEIN.COM EFTA001

e interests of the United States, the State of Florida, and the Defendant will be served by the following procedure; THEREFORE, on the authority of R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, prosecution in this District for these offenses shall be deferred in favor of prosecut

Jack Goldberger, Esq. • Roy Black, Esq. Alex Acosta, Esq. 3059 GRAND AVENUE • SUITE 340 • COCONUT GR

reement with Mr. Epstein had been a law partner and friend of two Mr. Epstein's lawyers. Both Ken Star and Jay Lefkowitz had been partners with Mr. Acosta at the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis prior to his being appointed by President Bush. EFTA00206495 I have been told by sources that Mr. Acosta was

our questions regarding any possible cooperation by Mr. Epstein, or what the USAO might have known or not known at the time of the negotiations. Re Alex Acosta alleged Conflict/Recusal Issue: It has come to my attention that the R. Alexander Acos to former Attorney General for the Southern District of Flor

ght have known or not known at the time of the negotiations. Re Alex Acosta alleged Conflict/Recusal Issue: It has come to my attention that the R. Alexander Acos to former Attorney General for the Southern District of Florida during the investigation and non-prosecution agreement with Mr. Epstein had been a

tations, or understandings. Date: R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA UNITED STATES ATTORNEY Date: By: JEFF PST

, representations, or understandings. Date: R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA UNITED STATES ATTORNEY Date: By: JEFF PST

and understanding between the United States and the defendant. There are no other agreements, promises, representations, or understandings. Date: R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA UNITED STATES ATTORNEY Date: By: JEFF PSTEIN, DEFENDANT Date: By: JAY LEFKOWITZ, ESQ. ATTORNEY FOR DFrF&NDANT Page 7 of 7 T RFP MI

torney Southern District of Florida A ALEXAXDER ACOSTA MITE. OATES .4ITORNel atIV.WL.Y.BY Lilly Ann S

the interim, I would ask that you communicate your position with respect to the sections 2255 and 3371 estates as quickly as possible. Sincerely. R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA UNITED STATFS ArfoRNEY cc: Alice Fisher, Assistant Attorney General First Assistant U.S. Attorney A(JSA EFTA00178943 ....aaay.it • a. • aa ta

n the interim, I would ask that you communicate your position with respect to the sections 2255 and 3371 issues as quickly as possible. Sincerely. R. ALEXANDER Acosyn UNITED STATES ATTORNEY cc: Alice Fisher, Assistant Attorney General First Assistant O.S. Attorney AUSA EFTA00178940 4.064••• V • • y. v.ra'.

After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the negotiation, OPR concluded that "the evidence does not show that [Former USAO-SDFL U.S. Attorney Alex] Acosta, [Former USAO-SDFL supervisor a M, or agreed to the nonprosecution provision to protect any of Epstein's political, celebrity, or other influenti

s context, the terms "global" and "state and federal liability" plainly refer to 3 In fact, the NPA states that it was executed "on the authority of R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida." NPA at 2. 8 EFTA00103033 prosecutions by those two offices, and only those two of

it was executed "on the authority of R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern Distric