(PatriotWise.com) — A Florida judge last week released 150 pages of transcripts from the 2006 grand jury investigation into the trafficking and rape allegations against billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein.
In February, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation allowing the Epstein grand jury documents to be released beginning on July 1. By law, grand jury transcripts remain secret. However, the legislation passed by Florida lawmakers created an exception for specific cases like Jeffrey Epstein’s.
In signing the legislation, Governor DeSantis said that a mechanism needed to be in place for the “rare circumstances where people can get the truth” so justice can be pursued.
Despite the seriousness of the accusations against Epstein, prosecutors cut a “sweetheart” deal with the billionaire two years later. He pleaded guilty to state prostitution crimes and spent only 13 months in jail.
On Monday, July 1, Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Luis Delgado released 150 pages of testimony which, among other things, revealed that prosecutors were aware of the grave allegations against Epstein years before they accepted the deal.
Among the pages released was testimony from two victims, including one who claimed that Epstein molested her when she was just 14. The second victim alleged that Epstein raped her the day before her 18th birthday.
A detective investigating the claims told the grand jury that victims were encouraged to recruit underage girls, “the younger, the better,” according to the transcript.
Among the names that feature prominently in the transcripts is former Epstein assistant Sarah Kellen.
Kellen, who has been identified by Epstein’s multiple victims in various testimony and lawsuits, allegedly helped to schedule the billionaire’s so-called “massages” with his victims.
A 2007 probable cause affidavit alleged that Kellen “coordinated and aided” in recruiting young women for her boss.
While Kellen has never been charged or prosecuted for her role in Epstein’s schemes, the judge who sentenced Epstein’s friend Gislaine Maxwell to 20 years in prison described the former assistant as a “criminally responsible participant” in Epstein’s trafficking operation.
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