Billionaire accused of abuse complicates Trump

WASHINGTON – The leaders of the North American Democratic Party yesterday called for the resignation of the Labor Party's Labor Secretary

Donald Trump,

after learning that he had been involved in a secret deal ten years ago with Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire financier

accused of badual abuse of minors.

The secretary of the labor portfolio, Alexander Acosta, 50, was federal prosecutor in Florida when his office sealed the controversial pact with Jeffrey Epstein.

The 66-year-old financier was charged on Monday by the New York District Attorney's Office for trafficking in minors for badual purposes and conspiracy to badually smuggle minors for at least four years between 2002 and 2005.

Epstein, owner of many properties and high profile contacts, including Trump himself, Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew of England, had already been convicted for similar crimes 10 years ago in Florida, but could escape a criminal charge. by an agreement with the office that integrated Acosta.

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chuck Schumer, minority leader in the Senate, called for Acosta's resignation.

"As a US attorney, he signed an inconceivable agreement with Jeffrey Epstein, who kept the brave and young victims secret, preventing them from seeking justice," Pelosi said on Twitter.

"I knew that [el presidente Trump] when he appointed him cabinet member, "he added.

"Epstein should have been behind bars years ago, but unfortunately, the Secretary of Labor, Alex Acosta, gave him a loving agreement," said Schumer.

Trump told the press yesterday that Acosta was an "excellent secretary of labor".

"We will have to look at this very carefully, but they have been talking for a long time," he added.

Trump defined Epstein as a "magnificent man" in 2002, but put him in perspective after the charges. "I do not think I've talked to him for 15 years," he said.

Acosta wrote on Twitter about the new accusation against Epstein: "With the evidence available more than ten years ago, federal prosecutors insisted that Epstein go to jail, register as a bad offender and let the world know that he is a badual predator ". .

"Now that new evidence and additional evidence is available, the New York Attorney's Office offers an important opportunity to bring them further to justice," he added.

The plea agreement was kept secret from the victims of Epstein until their sentence. The covenant forced the billionaire to plead guilty to an accusation of prostitution of a minor and to serving a 13-month sentence in a county jail.

Epstein pleaded not guilty Monday in New York for indictment charges for which he faces up to 45 years in prison. A bail hearing was scheduled for tomorrow.

According to prosecutors, Epstein badually exploited dozens of 14-year-old girls on their properties in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, between 2002 and 2005.

AFP and AP agencies