Labor Secretary’s Past Failures to Address Sexual Assault of Minors Merit Re-examination

The following is a statement by Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC):

“In the wake of #MeToo, new attention is appropriately being paid to Alexander Acosta’s successful efforts in 2008 to ensure that billionaire Jeffrey Epstein received only a slap on the wrist despite extensive evidence that Epstein sexually abused and raped scores of young girls—mere children—over a period of years. Acosta’s reported role in short-circuiting federal investigation of this matter, crafting minimal legal consequences for Epstein, and keeping this sweetheart deal secret from the survivors merits reexamination—particularly given Acosta’s responsibility for enforcing protections against sexual harassment in the workplace and human trafficking as Secretary of Labor. In the past, the harm created by such conduct may have been minimized or overlooked, but that is not a justification for continuing to minimize or ignore these harms. Congress should promptly demand Secretary Acosta speak to this matter under oath to determine his fitness for his current position.”

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For immediate release: November 30, 2018
Contact: Maria Patrick ([email protected])