Miami Herald Publishes 'Perversion of Justice' Investigation
The Miami Herald publishes Julie K. Brown's 'Perversion of Justice' — a comprehensive investigative series on Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, the 2008 Non-Prosecution Agreement, and the institutional failures that allowed Epstein to escape federal prosecution. The series profiles dozens of victims, many of whom speak on the record for the first time. The reporting creates massive public and official pressure that leads directly to the 2019 federal arrest. Brown is ultimately awarded the George Polk Award for her work.
People Involved
The Investigation
Julie K. Brown of the Miami Herald spent over a year investigating the Epstein case, focusing on:
- The 2008 NPA’s extraordinary terms
- Alex Acosta’s decision-making as US Attorney
- The impact on victims who were never notified
- The network of enablers and complicit institutions
The Publication
On November 28, 2018, the Herald published the first installment of “Perversion of Justice”:
- Three main features plus supporting documents
- Dozens of identified victims, many speaking on record for the first time
- Direct examination of the NPA’s most problematic provisions
- Profiles of Acosta, Krischer, and their decision-making
Public Impact
The series generated:
- Immediate political pressure on federal prosecutors to reopen the case
- Renewed scrutiny of Alex Acosta (then serving as Secretary of Labor)
- A wave of media follow-on coverage
- Victim coordination and advocacy acceleration
Epstein’s Ultimate Arrest
The “Perversion of Justice” series is the direct journalistic cause of the July 2019 federal arrest. Without Brown’s reporting, the Epstein case might have remained closed permanently.
Awards
Julie K. Brown received the George Polk Award and multiple other journalism honors for the series.