Since the death of Jeffrey Epstein, authorities have revealed few details about the convicted sex offender’s behavior, but Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vowed to do something about that.
Speaking to voters Monday at an event in Le Mars, Iowa, the Republican governor was asked about Epstein’s activities and he promised that if elected president he would provide answers.
“I don’t know why they didn’t make all that stuff public,” DeSantis said. “You have a right to know what happened with all of that and we will declassify or put out whatever we can on that.”
In reporting on the story, Florida Politics noted that DeSantis was “never close to Epstein,” before making a desperate attempt to link the 2024 GOP presidential candidate to the deceased billionaire, reporting that DeSantis recently “reappointed a lawyer who negotiated a ‘sweetheart’ plea deal for the Palm Beach billionaire sex offender 15 years ago to one of several commissions responsible for nominating judges in Florida.”
The outlet has a decidedly anti-DeSantis tilt in much of its reporting.
Another link not referenced is that in August 2019, just days before Epstein killed himself at a Manhattan federal jail, DeSantis ordered an investigation into allegations that Epstein received special treatment as a result of bribery or influence by the Palm Beach County sheriff’s or state attorney offices, according to Politico.
“Both the state attorney’s office and sheriff had been criticized by Epstein’s victims and their advocates for the plea and sentencing deal he received and for his participation in a work-release program that allowed him to travel to his office most days for up to 16 hours, where he possibly engaged in the sexual abuse of underage girls,” Politico reported.
In 2008, Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in the Palm Beach County jail followed by 12 months of house arrest after pleading guilty to procuring a person under 18 for prostitution and felony solicitation of prostitution. He was also required to register as a sex offender.
The story provided for some interesting responses on social media — here’s a quick sampling as seen on X:
“Ron DeSantis just pledged a full disclosure on Jeffrey Epstein”
Now they REALLY wont let Ron DeSantis win.
I mean Covid accountability was enough to foist the Pharma shill fake candidate Vivek Pharmaswampy on him.
What will this do? https://t.co/U3W4PaALbf
— Dr Patrick M – AI Changes Everything (@patmcguinness) October 9, 2023
When RDS says he’ll release it, I believe him.
— Queen of Donuts (@DonutsQueen2) October 9, 2023
The quote literally says “whatever we can”. I’m not bashing DeSantis. I disagree with him on to many issues. This isn’t a bash. This is me stating that the Virgin Islands AG (Denise George) has done more against Epsteins client list than the Florida AG. But I may be wrong
— Raider the Rebel Rouser (@Liberty78382) October 9, 2023