PALM BEACH, FL—The grand jury documents from Jeffrey Epstein's 2006 Florida trial will be released in less than five months, due to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signing a new law mandating grand jury testimony of dead pedophiles be publicly available.
“The public deserves to know who participated in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking,” DeSantis said at a signing ceremony for the law in Palm Beach on Thursday morning. DeSantis was joined by two victims of the now-deceased millionaire.
“Nobody should be protected from facing justice due to their wealth or status, and those who harm children should be exposed and punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
HB 117, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Tina Polsky and Republican Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, allows for the public release of certain grand jury documents and testimony, including past cases like the 2006 Florida investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Under the new law which goes into effect on July 1, disclosure of grand jury testimony will be allowed if the subject of the grand jury inquiry is dead, the investigation was about sexual activity with a minor, the testimony was previously disclosed by a court order, and the state attorney is notified.
The trial took place in Palm Beach, with the Palm Beach Police asking the State Attorney to charge Epstein with felony charges such as unlawful sexual activity with a minor and lewd or lascivious molestation. Instead of charging Epstein, State Attorney Barry Krischer instead presented the evidence to a grand jury.
Until today's bill signing, Florida grand jury documents and testimony were kept secret from the public. Because of Krischer's actions, the names of those involved and the accusation details have been sealed away.
“Palm Beach County and the victims suffered from Epstein’s vile behavior before the world ever knew his name,” said Rep. Gossett-Seidman at the signing. “I followed the story as we parents kept our kids close, but we never stopped seeking the truth. The police investigated relentlessly, and now the Governor opens up the last chapter of this sordid story."
In a press statement, Sen. Polsky responded to today's ceremony, saying, "The public and the victims deserve to know if prosecutors steered the jury away from indicting Epstein on more severe charges. We need to know if the system worked or failed in the pursuit of justice of this heinous individual,"
"I look forward to the transparency the legislation will provide to the people of Florida," she added.
