A Florida judge unexpectedly released the transcripts of a 2006 grand jury investigation into Jeffrey Epstein on Monday afternoon.
The transcripts delve into allegations of sex trafficking and rape against the late financier, stemming from incidents that initially surfaced in Palm Beach County.
The decision to release these documents ahead of schedule was unexpected, especially since Circuit Judge Luis Delgado had a hearing planned for the following week to discuss the timing and method of their release.
The move follows legislation signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in February, which permitted the release of these documents on Monday or at any later time as directed by Judge Delgado.
“The details in the record will be outrageous to decent people,” Delgado wrote in the court order. “The testimony taken by the Grand Jury concerns activity ranging from grossly unacceptable to rape — all of the conduct at issue is sexually deviant, disgusting, and criminal.”
“For almost 20 years, the story of how Jeffrey Epstein victimized some of Palm Beach County’s most vulnerable has been the subject of much anger and has at times diminished the public’s perception of the criminal justice system,” the judge continued.
“Epstein is indeed notorious and infamous and is widely reported to have flaunted his wealth while cavorting with politicians, billionaires, and even British Royalty.
It is understandable that given those reports the public has a great curiosity about what was widely reported by news (agencies) as ‘special treatment’ regarding his prosecution.”
