Years before the 2019 federal charges, Jeffrey Epstein resolved a Florida investigation with a state guilty plea and a federal non-prosecution agreement. The deal became one of the most criticised in modern U.S. prosecution, and in 2020 the Justice Department's own ethics office reviewed it. This guide sets out what that review found.
Under the agreement, federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida — then led by U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta — agreed not to bring federal charges if Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges. In 2008 he pleaded guilty to two Florida state prostitution-related charges and, according to ABA Journal reporting on the review, served 13 months in jail.
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The Department's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) released its findings on November 12, 2020. According to the report's executive summary, as reported by NPR and the ABA Journal:
• Acosta showed "poor judgment" in resolving the federal investigation through a non-prosecution agreement, and in failing to make sure the State of Florida intended to notify victims about the state plea hearing. • OPR did not find that he committed professional misconduct. • OPR found no evidence that the decision "was based on corruption or other impermissible considerations, such as Epstein's wealth, status or associations." • Victims were not told about or consulted on the agreement before it was signed, which OPR said left them "feeling confused and ill-treated by the government."
Acosta, who later served as Secretary of Labor and resigned amid controversy over the deal, said through his attorney that the findings "fully debunk" claims of a "sweet-heart deal." Senator Ben Sasse, who had requested the review, called its conclusion inadequate, and a lawyer for victims called it "a cover-up."
In July 2019, federal prosecutors in Manhattan charged Epstein with sex trafficking of minors in a separate case covering conduct in New York and Florida. He died in custody the following month. Our court-records guide covers that case, and the Justice Department's 2025–2026 releases include records from the Florida investigation.
Our standard for this section: we report only what Justice Department releases, court records, the law itself and the Inspector General say. We do not name victims, and we do not publish lists of people who appear in the files — appearing in a document is not evidence of wrongdoing. Allegations are labelled as allegations.
Federal prosecutors in South Florida agreed not to bring federal charges if Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges. In 2008 he pleaded guilty to two Florida state prostitution-related charges and served 13 months in jail.
In November 2020, the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility found that then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta showed 'poor judgment' but did not commit professional misconduct, and found no evidence the deal was based on Epstein's wealth, status or associations.
Facts on this page were checked against the sources below on October 24, 2026 by Himanshu Singh. Spot an error? Email hello@nowdeclassified.com.
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