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Prosecutors in Epstein Case Say Investigation Will Continue

Published

3 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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Kathy Griffin, Ethan Klein, More Suspended From Twitter Over Elon Musk Impersonations

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3 weeks ago

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November 7, 2022

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Many have pretended to be Musk in an attempt to highlight the potential issues paid-for verifications could cause on the platform.

Musk Takes on Impersonations

Comedian Kathy Griffin and internet personality Ethan Klein are among the many Twitter users that have been permanently suspended for impersonating the platform’s new CEO, Elon Musk.

Impersonation has long been against Twitter’s rules, but on Sunday, the billionaire took the policy a step further by announcing that “any Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying ‘parody’ will be permanently suspended.”

“Previously, we issued a warning before suspension, but now that we are rolling out widespread verification, there will be no warning,” Musk explained. “This will be clearly identified as a condition for signing up to Twitter Blue.”

Musk also said that any user who changes their name will temporarily lose their verification check mark. 

The announcement came as many verified users began mocking Musk by changing their name and photo to match his, then tweeting jokes that were either absurd or out of character for the business mogul. Many did this to protest Musk’s plan to charge an $8 monthly subscription fee that would allow any Twitter user to become verified. 

Klein was one of many who changed his name to “Elon Musk” and made a photo of the CEO his profile image. The podcast host sent out several jokes, including one referencing the increased use of the N-word on the platform since Musk’s takeover, and another referencing Jeffrey Epstein.

“Even though Jeffrey Epstein committed horrible crimes, I do still miss him on nights like this for his warmth and camaraderie. Rest In Peace old Friend,” he wrote. 

His account was quickly banned, but Klein defended himself on TikTok, arguing that both his cover photo and bio labeled his account as “parody” and therefore should be acceptable under Musk’s guidelines. 

“What more do you want from me?” he asked. “Comedy is dead. And Elon Musk dug the grave.” 

Protests of Musk’s Twitter Control

For her part, Griffin likewise tweeted while masquerading as Musk, writing that after “spirited discussion with the females in my life, I’ve decided that voting blue for their choice is only right.”

Musk joked that she was actually “suspended for impersonating a comedian” and added that she can have her account back if she pays for the $8 subscription. Griffin, however, found another way around the ban.

The comedian logged into her late mother’s Twitter account and began using the hashtag #FreeKathy while calling out Musk. 

“Mad Men” actor Rich Sommer and podcaster Griffin Newman have also had their accounts suspended for tweeting as Musk. Other celebrities, including TV producer Shonda Rhimes, musician Sara Bareilles, and model Gigi Hadid have protested Musk’s Twitter reign by leaving the platform altogether.

“For a long time, but especially with its new leadership, it’s becoming more and more of a cesspool of hate & bigotry, and it’s not a place I want to be a part of,” Hadid wrote on Instagram over the weekend. 

See what others are saying: (NBC News) (Variety) (The Verge)

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AOC Says Twitter Notifications “Conveniently” Disabled After Criticizing Musk

Published

4 weeks ago

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November 3, 2022

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“What’s good? Doesn’t seem very free speechy to me,” she tweeted at the new CEO.

AOC Vs. Elon Musk

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said several of her Twitter features are “conveniently not working” after feuding with the platform’s new owner, billionaire Elon Musk.

Ocasio-Cortez has never been shy about her views on Musk. After he officially took charge of Twitter last week, the congresswoman began criticizing his new proposals for the social networking site, specifically his plan to charge an $8 subscription fee for verification. 

“Lmao at a billionaire earnestly trying to sell people on the idea that ‘free speech’ is actually a $8/mo subscription plan,” she wrote on Tuesday.

“Your feedback is appreciated, now pay $8,” Musk replied the following day.

Around an hour later, the business mogul sent another tweet appearing to call Ocasio-Cortez out for selling $58 sweatshirts. 

“Proud of this and always will be,” she shot back. “My workers are union, make a living wage, have full healthcare, and aren’t subject to racist treatment in their workplaces. Items are made in USA. Team AOC honors and respects working people. You should try it sometime instead of union-busting.”

In a follow-up tweet, she noted that proceeds go to community organizing programs, including one that tutors students who are falling behind because of COVID-19.

AOC’s Mentions Not Working

On Wednesday evening, just hours after her back-and-forth with Musk, Ocasio-Cortez told her followers that her “Twitter mentions/notifications conveniently aren’t working tonight.”

“I was informed via text that I seem to have gotten under a certain billionaire’s skin,” she added. “Just a reminder that money will never [buy] your way out of insecurity, folks.” 

The issue seemingly continued into Thursday morning when the Democrat tweeted a screenshot of her notifications page, which loaded no results. 

“Why should people pay $8 just for their app to get bricked when they say something you don’t like?” she tweeted at Musk. “This is what my app has looked like ever since my tweet upset you yesterday. What’s good? Doesn’t seem very free speechy to me.”

Musk has repeatedly claimed that one of his primary motives to buy Twitter was to protect free speech. Once taking the reigns as CEO, though, he did say he would start a content moderation council and make decisions jointly with them.

See what others are saying: (The Hill) (Insider)

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South Carolina County Votes Against Moving LGBTQ+ Friendly Books Away from Children’s Section

Published

4 weeks ago

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November 3, 2022

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Efforts to limit LGBTQ+ content in libraries first began over the summer.

Attempts to Restrict LGBTQ+ Displays

The county council in Greenville County, South Carolina this week voted against discussing a resolution that would move all books “promoting sexuality” to the adult section.

This resolution is the culmination of months of turmoil in Greenville County. In June, libraries in the county removed Pride displays at the direction of library officials. Then in September, the county’s Republican Party executive board passed a resolution to call on the County Council to restrict access to books with LGBTQ+ themes and characters. 

The resolution was proposed by Joe Dill, an outgoing council member, as well as a member of the county’s Republican Party executive board. It proposed the council “officially order that no books or content, including digital copies or online accessible materials, promoting sexuality be allowed in the Children’s Sections of our public libraries.” 

Resolution Rejected

However, the resolution required the council to suspend its regular rules in order to discuss it as it was not submitted to the council via committee. The final vote was 9 to 3 against the suspension of the rules and effectively killed the resolution. 

Those that voted against it viewed the resolution as an overreach.

“We just do not believe that’s our job to get involved in the library’s business,” Council member Ennis Fett said to a local news outlet. “We appoint a board. We can not set a precedent of micromanaging the library board, because if we do that, then, we will be micromanaging all boards and commissions that we appoint.” 

Although the council decided not to get involved, the library still has the final decision to make regarding these books. Their meeting to discuss the matter is scheduled for December 5. 

See what others are saying: (Greenville News) (The Post and Courier) (7 News)

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