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Prosecutors in Epstein Case Say Investigation Will Continue

Published

4 years ago

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  • Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier accused of sex trafficking, was found dead inside his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center on Saturday after an apparent suicide.
  • The FBI and other organizations are investigating how he died when he was supposed to be under tight surveillance in the federal facility.
  • While his death ends the criminal case against him, New York prosecutors say they are still investigating.
  • Accusers can still pursue civil suits against his massive estate. 

Investigation into Epstein’s Death

Prosecutors say the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case will remain open after the wealthy financier was found dead of an apparent suicide on Saturday.

Epstein’s body was found in his cell inside the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City. However, the circumstances of his death have left the world with more questions than answers as he was supposed to be heavily monitored. The FBI, Department of Justice and the New York Medical Examiner’s Office all have opened investigations into the matter.

“I was appalled to learn that Jeffrey Epstein was found dead early this morning from an apparent suicide while in federal custody,” Attorney General William Barr said in a statement on Saturday. “Mr. Epstein’s death raises serious questions that must be answered. In addition to the FBI’s investigation, I have consulted with the Inspector General who is opening an investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Epstein’s death.”

Epstein had previously been placed on suicide watch on July 23, after trying to take his own life earlier. He was later removed from monitoring and transferred to special housing on July 29. According to the Washington Post, an officer was supposed to check on him every 30 minutes, however, hours had passed before he was found in his cell. Their report also says that Epstein was supposed to have a cellmate, but his cellmate had been transferred on Friday and was not replaced. 

“We are now learning of serious irregularities at this facility that are deeply concerning and demand a thorough investigation,” Barr said speaking to a crowd in New Orleans on Monday. “The FBI and the Justice Department are doing just that. We will get to the bottom of what happened and there will be accountability.” 

The day prior to his death, several documents from a defamation suit against his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, were unsealed. Maxwell is an English socialite who has been accused of helping Epstein recruit young women and forcing them to have sex with him and other men. 

Right now, her whereabouts are completely unknown.

Details about Epstein’s abuse were revealed in the documents, which came from an accuser who says she was 16 when he began abusing her. The documents also mentioned Epstein’s relationships with prominent names like President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew.

What’s Next for the Accusers

Questions about what happens next for Epstein’s alleged victims still remain. The investigation into the case will stay open, though it is unclear what path it will take.

“Today’s events are disturbing, and we are deeply aware of their potential to present yet another hurdle to giving Epstein’s many victims their day in Court,” Geoffrey S. Berman, a Manhattan prosecutor for the case said in a statement. “To those brave young women who have already come forward and to the many others who have yet to do so, let me reiterate that we remain committed to standing for you, and our investigation of the conduct charged in the Indictment – which included a conspiracy count – remains ongoing.”

Some reports say the investigation could turn to other people that accusers have mentioned worked with Epstein. However, no co-conspirators had been named in this case, and Epstein was the only one listed in the indictment, so criminal charges against him are over. 

His alleged victims can still seek justice in another way. They can file a civil suit against his estate. According to Bloomberg, Epstein’s net worth was $500 million. His estate included a New York mansion, a private island, and properties in New Mexico, Paris, and Palm Beach.

Bloomberg’s report also says that the alleged victim’s lawyers are asking to freeze his estate, which could lead to a long legal battle to get compensation. 

Still, for some of his accusers, the fact that Epstein won’t see his court date is upsetting. Jennifer Araoz, a victim who spoke to Rolling Stone, said he will never have to face the “consequences” of his crimes. 

“I am angry Jeffrey Epstein won’t have to face his survivors of his abuse in court,” she said. “We have to live with the scars of his actions for the rest of our lives, while he will never face the consequences of the crimes he committed the pain and trauma he caused so many people.”

See what others are saying: (Washington Post) (Vanity Fair) (New York Magazine)

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U.S.

White Supremacist Propaganda Reached Record High in 2022, ADL Finds

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2 weeks ago

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March 9, 2023

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 “We cannot sit idly by as these extremists pollute our communities with their hateful trash,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said.

White supremacist propaganda in the U.S. reached record levels in 2022, according to a report published Wednesday by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center of Extremism.

The ADL found over 6,700 cases of white supremacist propaganda in 2022, which marks a 38% jump from the nearly 4,900 cases the group found in 2021. It also represents the highest number of incidents ever recorded by the ADL. 

The propaganda tallied by the anti-hate organization includes the distribution of racist, antisemitic, and homophobic flyers, banners, graffiti, and more. This propaganda has spread substantially since 2018, when the ADL found just over 1,200 incidents. 

“There’s no question that white supremacists and antisemites are trying to terrorize and harass Americans with their propaganda,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. “We cannot sit idly by as these extremists pollute our communities with their hateful trash.” 

The report found that there were at least 50 white supremacist groups behind the spread of propaganda in 2022, but 93% of it came from just three groups. One of those groups was also responsible for 43% of the white supremacist events that took place last year. 

White supremacist events saw a startling uptick of their own, with the ADL documenting at least 167, a 55% jump from 2021. 

Propaganda was found in every U.S. state except for Hawaii, and events were documented in 33 states, most heavily in Massachusetts, California, Ohio, and Florida.

“The sheer volume of white supremacist propaganda distributions we are documenting around the country is alarming and dangerous,” Oren Segal, Vice President of the ADL’s Center on Extremism said in a statement. “Hardly a day goes by without communities being targeted by these coordinated, hateful actions, which are designed to sow anxiety and create fear.”

“We need a whole-of-society approach to combat this activity, including elected officials, community leaders, and people of good faith coming together and condemning this activity forcefully,” Segal continued. 

See what others are saying: (Axios) (The Hill) (The New York Times)

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Business

Adidas Financial Woes Continue, Company on Track for First Annual Loss in Decades

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2 weeks ago

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March 8, 2023

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Adidas has labeled 2023 a “transition year” for the company. 

Yeezy Surplus 

Adidas’ split with musician Kanye West has left the company with financial problems due to surplus Yeezy products, putting the sportswear giant in the position to potentially suffer its first annual loss in over 30 years. 

Adidas dropped West last year after he made a series of antisemitic remarks on social media and other broadcasts. His Yeezy line was a staple for Adidas, and the surplus product is due, in part, to the brand’s own decision to continue production during the split.

According to CEO Bjorn Gulden, Adidas continued production of only the items already in the pipeline to prevent thousands of people from losing their jobs. However, that has led to the unfortunate overabundance of Yeezy sneakers and clothes. 

On Wednesday, Gulden said that selling the shoes and donating the proceeds makes more sense than giving them away due to the Yeezy resale market — which has reportedly shot up 30% since October.

“If we sell it, I promise that the people who have been hurt by this will also get something good out of this,” Gulden said in a statement to the press. 

However, Gulden also said that West is entitled to a portion of the proceeds of the sale of Yeezys per his royalty agreement.

The Numbers 

Adidas announced in February that, following its divergence from West, it is facing potential sales losses totaling around $1.2 billion and profit losses of around $500 million. 

If it decides to not sell any more Yeezy products, Adidas is facing a projected annual loss of over $700 million.

Outside of West, Adidas has taken several heavy profit blows recently. Its operating profit reportedly fell by 66% last year, a total of more than $700 million. It also pulled out of Russia after the country’s invasion of Ukraine last year, which cost Adidas nearly $60 million dollars. Additionally, China’s “Zero Covid” lockdowns last year caused in part a 36% drop in revenue for Adidas compared to years prior.

As a step towards a solution, Gulden announced that the company is slashing its dividends from 3.30 euros to 0.70 euro cents per share pending shareholder approval. 

Adidas has labeled 2023 a “transition year” for the company. 

“Adidas has all the ingredients to be successful. But we need to put our focus back on our core: product, consumers, retail partners, and athletes,” Gulden said. “I am convinced that over time we will make Adidas shine again. But we need some time.”

See what others are saying: (The Washington Post) (The New York Times) (CNN)

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Immigration Could Be A Solution to Nursing Home Labor Shortages

Published

2 weeks ago

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March 7, 2023

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98% of nursing homes in the United States are experiencing difficulty hiring staff. 

The Labor Crisis 

A recent National Bureau of Economic Research paper has offered up a solution to the nursing home labor shortage: immigration. 

According to a 2022 American Health Care Association survey, six in ten nursing homes are limiting new patients due to staffing issues. The survey also says that 87% of nursing homes have staffing shortages and 98% are experiencing difficulty hiring. 

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) outlined in their paper that increased immigration could help solve the labor shortage in nursing homes. Immigrants make up 19% of nursing home workers.

With every 10% increase in female immigration, nursing assistant hours go up by 0.7% and registered nursing hours go up by 1.1% And with that same immigration increase, short-term hospitalizations of nursing home residents go down by 0.6%.

The Solution 

Additionally, the State Department issued 145% more EB-3 documents, which are employment-based visas, for healthcare workers in the 2022 fiscal year than in 2019, suggesting that more people are coming to the U.S. to work in health care. 

However, according to Skilled Nursing News, in August of 2022, the approval process from beginning to end for an RN can take between seven to nine months. 

Displeasure about immigration has exploded since Pres. Joe Biden took office in 2021. According to a Gallup study published in February, around 40% of American adults want to see immigration decrease. That is a steep jump from 19% in 2021, and it is the highest the figure has been since 2016.

However, more than half of Democrats still are satisfied with immigration and want to see it increased. But with a divided Congress, the likelihood of any substantial immigration change happening is pretty slim. 

See what others are saying: (Axios) (KHN) (Skilled Nursing News)

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