Former Independent Counsel Ken Starr answers questions during a discussion held at the American Enterprise Institute September 18, 2018 in Washington, DC. A new book claims Starr was part of a "scorched-earth" campaign in defense of Jeffrey Epstein. Win McNamee/Getty Images.
Epstein's legal team also allegedly took aim at Marie VillafaƱa, the lead federal prosecutor on the case, accusing her of trying to benefit a friend of her boyfriend via the plea deal.
Starr faced criticism for his role as independent counsel, with some accusing him of pursuing a political agenda . Star was also part of former President Trump's defense team for his Senate impeachment trial in 2020, arguing on Trump's behalf before the senators. Trump was ultimately acquitted.
It is possible that ruling will face further appeal. Starr is best known for his role in investigations of former President Clinton. He was appointed independent counsel to investigate the Whitewater affair in 1994. Whitewater was a land deal involving the Clintons that was the subject of significant controversy at the time.
Her report identified 80 potential victims of Epstein's sex trafficking, some as young as 13-years-old. Brown's reporting led to a federal judge declaring the plea agreement illegal in 2019 ...
Acosta would go on to serve as Secretary of Labor under President Donald Trump. Under the terms of the deal, Epstein plead guilty to prostitution charges and served just 13 months in jail. During that prison term, he was allowed to work in his private office 12 hours a day, six days a week.
The Palm Beach Post reported on September 12, 2007 that Starr had been brought to Palm Beach, Florida by private jet to discuss Epstein's defense. In 2008, Epstein's attorneys negotiated a deal with Alex Acosta, who was then the top federal prosecutor in Miami.