The Florida Senate passed legislation to release documents pertaining to a 2006 grand jury that investigated allegations against Jeffrey Epstein that he sexually assaulted underage girls.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would sign the bill into the law.
“All files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activity should be made public. While the federal government continues to stonewall accountability, I’m glad the Legislature has taken action to release the grand jury material from the Florida state case. I will sign the bill into law,” DeSantis said.
All files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activity should be made public.
While the federal government continues to stonewall accountability, I’m glad the Legislature has taken action to release the grand jury material from the Florida state case.
I will sign the bill… https://t.co/3VjOMMt69a
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 21, 2024
According to CBS News, the bill would go into effect July 1st with the governor’s signature.
“Although a South Florida circuit judge might release the transcripts sooner as part of a lawsuit filed by the Palm Beach Post,” the outlet noted.
CBS News reports:
A circuit judge determined in 2021 that the court didn’t have the authority under state law to release the records. A state appeals court disagreed last year, citing a state law that says grand jury records can be made public if that is a “furtherance of justice.” The appeals court ordered the lower court to review, redact and release the material, but that hasn’t happened yet.
ADVERTISEMENTThe new bill adds that records can be released if subject of the grand jury inquiry is dead or the investigation is related to sexual activity with a minor.
Palm Beach County Court Clerk Joseph Abruzzo was technically a defendant in the Post’s lawsuit as his office holds the records, but he hasn’t fought the appeals court ruling and has previously indicated a desire to release the records in the interest of full transparency. Barry Krischer, who was the state attorney for Palm Beach County during Epstein’s grand jury inquiry, retired in 2009.
“This has been my goal from the beginning, to find a way for the grand jury records to be released so Jeffrey Epstein’s victims and our community can get the answers they deserve,” Abruzzo said.
“Two years ago, I said that the Florida Legislature was the best option for the grand jury records to be released. Thanks to the Florida Legislature’s actions today, I am proud to deliver on my promise that I would leave no stone unturned to have these records released for full transparency to the public,” he added
Florida’s Voice added:
Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, filed the legislation. It passed the floor unanimously, 37-0.
At the time, Epstein escaped with far less severe punishment relating to allegations regarding his solicitation of minors for sexual activity.
The Florida House of Representatives passed the bill last week unanimously. The House version was filed by Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, R-Highland Beach.
Gossett-Seidman has said that victims of Epstein deserve to know more about testimony against Epstein in the Florida case.
Abruzzo shared a press conference pertaining to the bill:
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