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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nJudge Luis Delgado ordered the testimony to be released the same day that a law aimed at making the records available went into effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through a deal approved by prosecutors in 2007, Epstein sidestepped federal charges and agreed to plead guilty to two state prostitution charges, including procuring a minor for sex. The Palm Beach Post\u2019s parent company, CA Florida Holdings LLC, in 2019 filed a lawsuit against Palm Beach County officials seeking access to evidence, testimony and reports presented to the grand jury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delgado twice ruled that he lacked the authority to release the records, prompting the Legislature this year to pass a law expanding an exception to a prohibition on the disclosure of testimony or evidence received by grand juries. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill in February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The change to the law \u201csignificantly modified the definition of \u2018furthering justice\u2019 to expressly include furthering a public interest\u201d when requested records are related to a grand jury, Delgado wrote in Monday\u2019s order. \u201cIt cannot be understated that the amendment to the law very clearly allows what previously was not legally permissible,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delgado\u2019s order said the request for the records meets the new \u201cmatter of public interest\u201d standard. \u201cThe criminal prosecutions of the most infamous pedophile in American history began in Palm Beach County \u2013 with much controversy,\u201d the judge wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor almost 20 years, the story of how Jeffrey Epstein victimized some of Palm Beach County\u2019s most vulnerable has been the subject of much anger and has at times diminished the public\u2019s perception of the criminal justice system.\u201d Epstein \u201cis indeed notorious and infamous and is widely reported to have flaunted his wealth while cavorting with politicians, billionaires, and even British Royalty\u201d the judge added. \u201cIt is understandable that given those reports the public has a great curiosity about what was widely reported by news agency (sic) as \u2018special treatment\u2019 regarding his prosecution. This matter is clearly the subject of public interest,\u201d Delgado\u2019s order said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The grand jury testimony includes details of sexual activity between Epstein and child victims of sex trafficking. The testimony \u201cconcerns activity ranging from grossly unacceptable to rape \u2014 all of the conduct at issue is sexually deviant, disgusting, and criminal,\u201d the judge wrote. Epstein died on Aug. 10, 2019, in a New York jail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n