Rene Alexander Acosta

Former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida (2005-2009) who negotiated and approved the controversial non-prosecution agreement with Jeffrey Epstein in 2007-2008.

Key Relationships

Mentioned In

• Document The Daily Beast - 2019 Vicky Ward Article - The Daily Beast article attributes the claim that Acosta was told Epstein "belonged to intelligence" to an anonymous ... Single Source
• Person Lesley Groff - Acosta's 2007 plea deal listed Groff as an "unindicted co-conspirator." Court Record
• Organization Miami Herald - Miami Herald investigation on November 28, 2018 detailed Acosta's role in the Epstein case. Credible Reporting
• Organization Miami Herald - The Miami Herald published an investigation on November 28, 2018 detailing Acosta's role in the Epstein case. Credible Reporting
• Person Jeffrey Sloman - Jeffrey Sloman authored a Miami Herald op-ed defending Alex Acosta's professionalism and integrity in handling the Ep... Credible Reporting
• Person Vicky Ward - Ward's article contained the anonymous claim that Acosta said Epstein belonged to intelligence Official Document
• Person Vicky Ward - An anonymous source quoted by Vicky Ward claimed Acosta said Epstein "belonged to intelligence" to justify the lenien... Single Source
• Organization U.S. Southern District of New York - The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Acosta on August 25, 2025 requesting his testimony regarding the Epstein file. Credible Reporting
• Person Jerry Nadler - Nadler and other Judiciary members requested a congressional briefing on Acosta's deal with Epstein Official Document
• Organization ABC News - ABC News reported on Acosta's testimony before the House Oversight Committee regarding the Epstein plea deal. Credible Reporting
• Organization The Washington Post - The Washington Post reported on Acosta being steered toward a lenient deal with Epstein. Credible Reporting
• Document Haaretz article (Nov 29, 2018) - The Trump official's role in helping the accused multi-millionaire is the subject of the Haaretz article Single Source
• Person Lefkowitz - Lefkowitz wrote to Acosta thanking him for his commitment to keep the plea deal confidential and not contact victims ... Official Document
• Person Lefkowitz - Acosta communicated with Lefkowitz, Epstein's attorney, during plea negotiations, including a breakfast meeting on Oc... Credible Reporting
• Person Whitney Webb - Webb's books about Epstein were inspired by the purported quote attributed to Acosta about Epstein belonging to intel... Single Source
• Organization DocumentCloud - A file document related to Acosta is hosted on the DocumentCloud platform Official Document
• Person Sarah Kellen - Acosta's 2007 plea deal listed Kellen as an "unindicted co-conspirator." Court Record
• Person Tucker Carlson - Carlson claimed Acosta confirmed the quote was true but couldn't recall who told him Epstein belonged to intelligence Single Source
• Document 2008 plea deal (non-prosecution agreement) - Acosta negotiated the 2008 plea deal that granted immunity to Epstein and co-conspirators. Court Record
• Financial Entity Integrity.gov - Acosta filed a financial disclosure report through the Integrity.gov system while serving in a federal government role Official Document

Employed By

• Person AUSA Sloman - AUSA Sloman copied U.S. Attorney Acosta on communications to defense counsel about victim notification Court Record
• Organization U.S. Southern District of New York - Acosta served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida from 2005-2009, during which time he approved the... Official Document
• Organization U.S. Southern District of New York - Acosta served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida from 2005-2009, overseeing the Epstein investigat... Court Record
• Organization Trump Administration - Alexander Acosta served as U.S. Secretary of Labor in the Trump administration, placing him among the top officials r... Credible Reporting
• Organization U.S. Secretary of Labor - Acosta served as 27th U.S. Secretary of Labor from 2017-2019 Multiple Sources
• Organization Newsmax - Acosta has served on Newsmax board of directors and as Audit Committee chair since March 2025 Single Source
• Organization Kirkland & Ellis - Acosta worked at Kirkland & Ellis law firm from 1995-2001 specializing in employment and labor issues Single Source
• Organization National Labor Relations Board - Acosta was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a member of the NLRB from December 2002 to August 2003. Credible Reporting
• Person Samuel Alito - Acosta served as a law clerk to Samuel Alito from 1994 to 1995 when Alito was a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals fo... Credible Reporting
• Person George W. Bush - Acosta was appointed by President George W. Bush to multiple positions including the National Labor Relations Board a... Official Document
• Organization Florida International University College of Law - Acosta served as dean of Florida International University College of Law. Credible Reporting
• Organization George Mason University School of Law - Acosta taught classes on employment law, disability-based discrimination law, and civil rights law at George Mason Un... Credible Reporting
• Organization U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida - Acosta served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida from 2005-2009, during which time he oversaw the ... Official Document
• Organization United States Attorney's Office - Southern District of Florida - Alexander Acosta served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida during the Epstein agreement Official Document
• Organization U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division - Acosta served as Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General (December 2001 to December 2002) and then Assistant Atto... Official Document
• Organization US Southern District of Florida - Acosta served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida from 2005 to 2009, during which time he negotiate... Court Record
• Organization US Department of Justice - Acosta was a U.S. Attorney working for the Department of Justice during the 2008 Epstein plea deal Official Document
• Organization United States Attorney's Office - Acosta served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Official Document
• Person Maria Villafaña - Acosta was the U.S. Attorney who employed and supervised Villafaña as AUSA Official Document
• Organization U.S. Department of Labor - Acosta served as U.S. Labor Secretary, a position from which he resigned due to controversy over the Epstein plea deal Credible Reporting

Represented By

• Person Lesley Groff - Groff was listed as unindicted co-conspirator in Acosta's 2007 plea deal Court Record
• Person Michael Reiter - Reiter contacted federal prosecutor Acosta after being dissatisfied with state prosecution of Epstein Credible Reporting
• Organization U.S. Southern District of New York - The House Oversight Committee conducted oversight hearings with Acosta regarding the Epstein plea deal Credible Reporting
• Person Lefkowitz - Lefkowitz, Epstein's attorney, wrote to Acosta thanking him for commitments made during their October 12 meeting in W... Credible Reporting
• Person Sarah Kellen - Acosta negotiated 2007 plea deal that listed Kellen as unindicted co-conspirator Court Record
• Person Kenneth Marra - Judge Marra ruled that Acosta's office violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act by not notifying victims of the Epstein... Court Record
• Document Epstein's 2008 Plea Deal - Acosta, as U.S. Attorney, oversaw and signed off on the controversial 2008 plea deal. Court Record
• Person Adriana Ross - Ross was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 2007 plea deal negotiated by Acosta. Court Record
• Document Non-prosecution agreement (Epstein) - Acosta approved and signed the federal non-prosecution agreement granting Epstein immunity from federal charges Official Document
• Document Federal Non-Prosecution Agreement (2007-08) - Acosta negotiated the Federal Non-Prosecution Agreement with Epstein as Florida Southern Attorney General Court Record
• Document Epstein plea deal (2008 non-prosecution agreement) - As U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida in 2008, Alexander Acosta negotiated and approved the controver... Official Document
• Organization Office of Government Ethics - The Office of Government Ethics issued an agency ethics official's opinion stating that Alexander Acosta was in compl... Official Document
• Person Paul G. Cassell - Cassell, representing Epstein's accusers, sought emails from Acosta's office and questioned why he wasn't told about ... Credible Reporting
• Document Non-Prosecution Agreement (2007) - Acosta negotiated the controversial 2007 non-prosecution agreement with Epstein. Court Record
• Document 2007 draft indictment - Acosta signed off on the plea deal that replaced the 2007 draft indictment. Court Record
• Document 2007 draft indictment - Acosta signed off on the plea deal that allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution instead of the 2007 draft indict... Official Document
• Document 2007 non-prosecution agreement - As U.S. Attorney, Acosta negotiated the controversial non-prosecution agreement with Epstein's legal team Court Record
• Organization Office of Professional Responsibility - The OPR conducted an internal review finding Acosta showed 'poor judgment' in the Epstein plea deal but found no evid... Official Document
• Document 2007 plea agreement - Acosta, as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, negotiated the controversial 2007 plea agreement with ... Official Document
• Document 2008 Plea Deal - Alexander Acosta, as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, negotiated the 2008 plea deal with Epstein Official Document

Connected To

• Person Lesley Groff - Groff was listed as 'unindicted co-conspirator' in the Acosta 2007 plea deal Court Record
• Event 2005 Palm Beach Police Investigation - Miami Herald investigation published November 28, 2018 detailed Acosta's role in Epstein case and collaboration betwe... Credible Reporting
• Person Michael Reiter - Reiter contacted federal prosecutor Alexander Acosta after being dissatisfied with the state prosecution outcome. Credible Reporting
• Person Barry Krischer - Krischer disputed Acosta's account, stating that Acosta brokered secret negotiations that excluded state prosecutors Official Document
• Person Barry Krischer - Acosta blamed Florida prosecutors and Krischer for being willing to let Epstein walk free, claims Krischer disputed Official Document
• Organization Miami Herald - The Miami Herald published an investigation detailing Acosta's role in the Epstein case and the collaboration with Ep... Credible Reporting
• Organization U.S. Southern District of New York - The House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to Acosta in August 2025 requesting his testimony about the Epstein f... Official Document
• Organization U.S. Southern District of New York - Acosta served as U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Florida from 2005-2009 Multiple Sources
• Person Lefkowitz - Lefkowitz, Epstein's attorney, wrote to Acosta thanking him for commitments made during their October 12 meeting and ... Official Document
• Person Lefkowitz - Acosta met with Epstein's attorney Lefkowitz in October 2007 and made commitments about keeping the plea deal confide... Credible Reporting
• Document Financial crimes investigation (Epstein) - Bloomberg News uncovered that Acosta's office discussed financial crimes with Epstein and stored related records in a... Credible Reporting
• Person Sarah Kellen - Kellen was listed as 'unindicted co-conspirator' in the Acosta 2007 plea deal Court Record
• Document 2008 plea deal (non-prosecution agreement) - Acosta negotiated the 2008 plea deal that granted immunity to Epstein and co-conspirators Court Record
• Person Kenneth Marra - Judge Marra ruled that Acosta's office violated the CVRA by not notifying victims of the plea deal. Court Record
• Person Kenneth Marra - Judge Marra ruled that Acosta's office violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act by keeping the Epstein deal secret from... Court Record
• Document Report on Acosta - Acosta made statements in a report denying claims about Epstein Official Document
• Person Jay Lefkowitz - Lefkowitz negotiated directly with Acosta regarding the confidentiality of Epstein's plea deal. Official Document
• Person Jay Lefkowitz - Acosta had an off-site meeting with Lefkowitz on October 12, during which commitments were made regarding keeping the... Official Document
• Document Non-prosecution agreement (Epstein) - Acosta approved the federal non-prosecution agreement as U.S. Attorney, which was later challenged in court for viola... Court Record
• Person Bradley Schlozman - Acosta allowed Schlozman to continue making hiring decisions and was criticized for insufficient supervision after Sc... Credible Reporting

Charged With

• Organization U.S. Southern District of New York - The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Acosta in August 2025 to testify about the Epstein investigation Official Document
• Person Kenneth Marra - Judge Marra ruled that keeping the Epstein non-prosecution agreement secret violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act. Court Record
• Person Paul G. Cassell - Cassell, attorney for Epstein's accusers, expressed shock at learning about an 11-month gap in Acosta's incoming emai... Credible Reporting
• Document Epstein "belonged to intelligence" claim - Acosta denied under oath and in testimony that he had any knowledge or was ever told that Epstein was an intelligence... Official Document
• Organization Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) - The OPR conducted an internal review released in November 2020 finding Acosta showed 'poor judgment' in the Epstein c... Official Document
• Organization Office of Professional Responsibility - The OPR review found that Acosta showed 'poor judgment' in granting the non-prosecution agreement and failing to noti... Official Document
• Person Virginia Giuffre (née Roberts) - In 2008, two of Epstein's victims filed a federal lawsuit (Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 v US) seeking to vacate Acosta... Court Record
• Person Judge Kenneth Marra - Judge Marra ruled that Acosta's decision to keep the Epstein deal secret violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act. Official Document
• Person Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 - Jane Doe #2 filed a lawsuit in 2008 with Jane Doe #1 seeking to vacate Acosta's non-prosecution agreement for violati... Official Document
• Document Epstein non-prosecution agreement - Acosta approved the federal non-prosecution agreement that granted Epstein immunity and halted the FBI investigation. Court Record
• Document Crime Victims' Rights Act (CVRA) - Acosta's handling of the Epstein deal was found to violate the CVRA by Judge Marra. Court Record

Testified In

• Organization U.S. Southern District of New York - The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Acosta on August 25, 2025 to testify in the Epstein case. Official Document
• Organization U.S. Southern District of New York - Acosta appeared before the committee to answer questions about his role in the Epstein plea deal Credible Reporting
• Person Kenneth Marra - Judge Marra ruled that Acosta's non-prosecution agreement violated the CVRA by failing to notify victims. Court Record
• Person Kenneth Marra - Judge Marra ruled in February 2019 that Acosta's non-prosecution agreement violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act by ... Court Record
• Organization US Department of Justice - Acosta was interviewed by federal investigators from the DOJ about Epstein's potential intelligence connections Court Record
• Organization DOJ investigation - Acosta was questioned by federal investigators from the DOJ about whether Epstein was an intelligence asset and testi... Court Record
• Organization US House Oversight Committee - Acosta appeared before the House Oversight Committee to testify about his role in negotiating Epstein's plea deal Official Document
• Organization House Education and Labor Committee - Acosta testified before the House Education and Labor Committee to defend his office's handling of Epstein case Credible Reporting
• Organization U.S. Congress - Congress was seeking to hear testimony from Acosta regarding his approval of the Epstein special deal Single Source
• Organization U.S. Congress - Congress considered seeking testimony from Acosta regarding his role in the Epstein plea deal but decided not to purs... Credible Reporting
• Person Virginia Giuffre (née Roberts) - Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government seeking to vacate Acosta's non-prosecution ag... Court Record
• Event DOJ Investigation into Epstein's 2008 Plea Deal - Acosta was questioned by DOJ investigators about Epstein's 2008 plea deal and denied knowledge of intelligence connec... Credible Reporting

Associated With

• Organization U.S. Southern District of New York - The House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to Acosta on August 25, 2025 requesting his testimony in the Epstein ... Official Document
• Organization U.S. Southern District of New York - The House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to Acosta on August 25, 2025, requesting his testimony in the Epstein... Official Document
• Organization Harvard Law School - Acosta received a Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1994. Official Document
• Person Lefkowitz - Epstein's attorney Lefkowitz corresponded with Acosta thanking him for commitments made during their October 12 meeti... Credible Reporting
• Person Lefkowitz - Acosta met with Lefkowitz, Epstein's attorney, in October 2007 and reportedly assured him the deal would be kept conf... Official Document
• Financial Entity UBS - Acosta's office prosecuted Swiss bank UBS for tax evasion, resulting in $780 million fine and disclosure of secret ac... Credible Reporting
• Person Jay Lefkowitz - Epstein's attorney Lefkowitz negotiated the plea deal with Acosta, meeting for breakfast in West Palm Beach. Credible Reporting
• Person Jay Lefkowitz - Acosta met with Lefkowitz to discuss finalizing a plea deal for Epstein. Credible Reporting
• Person Jack Abramoff - Acosta's office successfully prosecuted lobbyist Jack Abramoff during his tenure as U.S. Attorney. Credible Reporting
• Person José Padilla - Acosta's office prosecuted terrorism suspect José Padilla during his tenure as U.S. Attorney. Credible Reporting
• Person Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela - Acosta's office convicted Cali Cartel co-founder Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela for importing 200,000 kilos of cocaine, re... Credible Reporting
• Person Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela - Acosta's office convicted Cali Cartel co-founder Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela for importing 200,000 kilos of cocaine, ... Credible Reporting
• Person Eugene Scalia - Eugene Scalia replaced Acosta as U.S. Secretary of Labor after Acosta's resignation on July 19, 2019. Official Document
• Person Samuel Alito - Acosta served as a law clerk to Samuel Alito from 1994 to 1995 when Alito was a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals fo... Official Document
• Person Bradley Schlozman - While leading the Civil Rights Division, Acosta allowed his predecessor Bradley Schlozman to continue making hiring d... Official Document
• Person George W. Bush - President Bush appointed Acosta to multiple positions: National Labor Relations Board, Principal Deputy Assistant Att... Credible Reporting
• Organization George Mason University School of Law - Acosta taught classes on employment law, disability-based discrimination law, and civil rights law at George Mason Un... Single Source
• Organization The Harvard Crimson - Acosta received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Harvard College in 1990. Official Document
• Financial Entity U.S. Secretary of Labor - Acosta served as the 27th United States Secretary of Labor from 2017 to 2019. Official Document
• Organization Gulliver Schools - Acosta attended Gulliver Schools as a student and later served as a trustee and board chairman. Single Source

Part Of

• Event Epstein prosecution (2007-2008) - Acosta was responsible for prosecuting the case against Epstein as U.S. Attorney Court Record
• Event House Oversight Committee testimony subpoena (2025) - On August 25, 2025, the House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena requesting Acosta's testimony in the Epstein file... Official Document
• Document 2007 plea deal / Non-prosecution agreement - Acosta negotiated the controversial plea deal as U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Florida Court Record
• Document 2007 draft indictment - Acosta signed off on a deal that allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution instead of the 32-count indictment Official Document
• Document 2007 non-prosecution agreement - Acosta negotiated the controversial non-prosecution agreement on behalf of the government. Court Record
• Document 2007 non-prosecution agreement - Alex Acosta negotiated the 2007 non-prosecution agreement with Jeffrey Epstein Credible Reporting
• Document 2008 Plea Deal - Acosta negotiated the controversial plea agreement with Epstein Court Record
• Event Acosta Resignation - Acosta resigned from his position as Labor Secretary Credible Reporting
• Document Epstein non-prosecution agreement - Acosta approved and signed the controversial non-prosecution agreement with Epstein as U.S. Attorney. Court Record

Attended

• Event Acosta testimony (September 2025) - Acosta testified before House Oversight Committee on September 19, 2025, stating he did not recall discussions of fin... Single Source
• Person Jay Lefkowitz - Acosta met with Epstein lawyer Jay Lefkowitz at the West Palm Beach Marriott to discuss finalizing a plea deal Credible Reporting
• Location West Palm Beach Marriott - Acosta met with Lefkowitz at the Marriott to finalize the plea deal Credible Reporting
• Location West Palm Beach hotel - Acosta met with Epstein's attorney privately at a West Palm Beach hotel in October 2007 to discuss the plea agreement Credible Reporting

Owned

• Document Non-prosecution agreement (Epstein) - Acosta approved the federal non-prosecution agreement as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Official Document
• Document Non-prosecution agreement (Epstein case) - Acosta approved the non-prosecution agreement that granted Epstein immunity from federal criminal charges Official Document
• Financial Entity U.S. Bank Account #1 - Alexander Acosta disclosed ownership of a U.S. Bank Account valued between $1,001-$15,000 as part of his 2017 financi... Official Document
• Document Non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with Epstein - Acosta approved the non-prosecution agreement that granted Epstein immunity from federal charges Official Document
• Document Federal Non-Prosecution Agreement (Epstein) - Acosta approved the federal non-prosecution agreement with Epstein in 2008. Official Document
• Document Epstein non-prosecution agreement - Acosta approved the federal non-prosecution agreement for Epstein on September 24, 2007, which granted immunity from ... Official Document

Visited

• Location West Palm Beach Marriott on Okeechobee Road - Acosta met with Epstein's lawyer at the West Palm Beach Marriott to finalize the non-prosecution deal. Credible Reporting
• Location West Palm Beach Marriott - Acosta met with Epstein's lawyer at the West Palm Beach Marriott. Credible Reporting

Located At

• Organization U.S. Department of Labor - Acosta held a press conference at the Labor Department to defend his handling of the Epstein prosecution amid calls f... Credible Reporting
• Location Southern District of Florida - Acosta served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida when he approved the Epstein plea deal Official Document

Flew To

• Document Epstein non-prosecution agreement - Acosta approved the non-prosecution agreement that granted Epstein immunity from federal charges Court Record

Source Documents & Evidence

• 📖https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Epstein
• 📰https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizgFBVV95cUxQbGFvMFoyMGV3bGZ1RjJlOFdxMXF...
• 📖https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acosta
• 📄https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3514299-Acosta-Rene-Alexander-final278/
• 📰https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxPRzZyU1BsZkVFTWF3WkR2R1pNQW1...
• 📰https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1wFBVV95cUxQVHQ2VlJrRWV1X1FCOFBRRWV4Rjh...
• 📰https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifEFVX3lxTFBnY1g2QkROd1JzOWR2N0l3c1BKa2I...
• 📰https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiekFVX3lxTFB6Sy1mNEgtQk8zSHVkSERRaFVRaUR...
• 📰https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiywFBVV95cUxQcFZ6b1h0UW55UmtWUTI3VFJfRlM...
• 📖https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Giuffre