The Series
“Perversion of Justice” was a three-part investigative series published by the Miami Herald in November 2018, reported by Julie K. Brown. It is widely credited as the single most consequential act of journalism in the Epstein storythe investigation that forced federal action after years of inaction.
The Reporting
Brown spent approximately two years on the investigation. Her methods included:
- Locating and interviewing roughly 60 women who identified as Epstein victims
- Reviewing court records, police files, and FBI documents
- Obtaining records related to Epstein’s work-release program
- Interviewing law enforcement officials who worked the original case
Key Findings
The series documented several previously underreported facts:
- The non-prosecution agreement was negotiated in complete secrecy from victimsa violation of the CVRA
- Victims were never invited to participate in, review, or comment on the agreement
- Epstein received extraordinarily lenient conditions during his 13-month county jail sentence
- His work-release program allowed him to leave custody 12 hours per day, 6 days per week
The Consequences
- The Department of Justice opened an inquiry into the 2008 plea deal
- SDNY prosecutors reopened the case and arrested Epstein in July 2019
- Acosta resigned as Labor Secretary within days of publication renewed attention during Epstein’s arrest
- ABC News’s 2015 killed Robach interview was exposed
Julie Brown
Brown subsequently authored a book expanding the investigation. She was nominated for multiple journalism awards. The series is studied as a model of survivor-centered investigative journalism.