The Resignation
On July 12, 2019 — six days after Epstein’s federal arrest — Alexander Acosta resigned as Secretary of Labor in President Trump’s cabinet.
What He Did
As U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida from 2005 to 2009, Acosta led the office that negotiated the 2008 Non-Prosecution Agreement with Epstein’s legal team. The NPA allowed Epstein to plead guilty to state-level charges only, serve 13 months with work release, and granted immunity to unnamed co-conspirators. It was negotiated secretly without notifying victims.
Acosta’s Defense
At a July 2019 press conference, Acosta argued the deal had been made under pressure and that the NPA “resulted in a registered sex offender who would be held accountable.” Critics rejected this, noting federal prosecution would have carried mandatory minimum sentences of 10+ years.
Subsequent Investigation
The DOJ Office of Professional Responsibility found procedural violations including failure to notify victims but did not recommend criminal charges. Judge Kenneth Marra ruled in 2019 that the NPA violated the Crime Victims’ Rights Act.