DeSantis to approve releasing secret Jeffrey Epstein grand jury documents, challenges Biden to release federal files

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) declared that he would sign a bill into law that would release the secret grand jury material from the state's 2006 investigation into allegations of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual assaults of underage girls. DeSantis also challenged President Joe Biden to release the federal files relating to Epstein's alleged child sex crimes.

The bill, HB 117, was unanimously passed in the Florida Senate on Wednesday – six days after it passed with unanimous support in the House.

DeSantis proclaimed that he would sign the bill into law as soon as it hit the governor's desk.

"All files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activity should be made public," DeSantis said on Wednesday night. "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."

Once signed, HB 117 goes into effect on July 1.

DeSantis also challenged Biden to release the federal files regarding the investigation into Epstein and the child sex crimes allegations.

The Republican governor of Florida asked, "Why won’t Biden release the federal government’s Epstein files?"

Florida Politics said of the bill, "It amends Florida Statutes, Section 905.27 by expanding a 'furthering of justice' exception to grand jury secrecy to include 'furthering a public interest.'"

"But it comes with several conditions that Epstein’s case uniquely meets, including that the subject of the grand jury inquiry must be dead, the inquiry must have involved crimes or sexual activity with a minor, and that the testimony must have been previously disclosed under a court order," the outlet reported.

A court could limit what is shared with the public and could redact documents and testimony.

The bill's sponsor, Highland Beach Republican Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, still has questions regarding the Epstein case.

“Last year, two (of Epstein’s) victims committed suicide. Many other victims are suffering in my county and around the world,” Gossett-Seidman said last week. “Epstein could have been stopped right here in Florida. Instead, he was released to dehumanize girls for another 13 years. We need to know why.”

In 2005, police in Palm Beach began investigating Epstein over allegations of sexual assaults of minors after the parent of a 14-year-old reported child sex abuse accusations to law enforcement.

In a June 2016 deposition, a Palm Beach Police detective said he had spoken to approximately 30 females who had told him about "performing massage and work at Epstein's home." The detective noted that a majority of the females that he spoke to were under the age of 18.

Detective Joseph Recarey said, "Epstein would either attempt to fondle the girls or touch the girls inappropriately, and at which point he would masturbate. And when he was done, he would get up and go wash off while the girls would get dressed and go back downstairs and get paid."

Some of the minors said they were paid to recruit their friends to massage Epstein.

Epstein's lawyers secured a "sweetheart deal" for the alleged financier in 2008. He pleaded guilty to procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.

Epstein served just 13 months in a private prison wing and had extensive work release.

The Associated Press reported, "During that time, he was taken to his office, where he claimed to be running his financial consulting business and his foundation. By the time of his release, he was spending six days a week and 18 hours a day at his office. He was required to wear an ankle monitor and hire two deputies to oversee his whereabouts from the lobby, but they were not in his office with him."

In July 2019, Epstein was arrested at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, and he was charged with sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors for sex.

The grand jury indictment alleged that "dozens" of underage girls were transported to Epstein's homes for the purpose of engaging in sexual encounters.

In August 2019, Epstein committed suicide by hanging in his Manhattan federal jail cell while he awaited trial, according to the New York City’s chief medical examiner.

Earlier this month, Epstein's brother shared photographs of the convicted pedophile's body. Mark Epstein is questioning the narrative that his brother killed himself in prison.

Like Blaze News? Circumvent the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!