TEHRAN (FNA)- US Labor Secretary Alex Acosta resigned, following public criticism over his previous role as a Florida State Attorney in handling the case of businessman Jeffrey Epstein, who was arrested last week over child trafficking charges.
During his tenure in the Florida Legal system, Acosta was part of a deal which saw Epstein serve only 13 months in a local jail for child sex crimes. Although he has sought to defend his role in the 12 years-old case in legal terms, the public backlash amid the arrest made his position untenable and, consequentially, he bowed out under pressure. As he departed, President Trump stated: "I'm with him."
Why is the Jeffrey Epstein scandal proving to be such a big deal? And why is it so damaging to anyone even loosely affiliated with it? The case might be described as "the tip of the iceberg" pertaining to broader and long set allegations of sexual crimes and misconduct throughout the rich, famous and connected in the US.
With Epstein's recent arrest, his well-known connections, and accusations about bribery and silencing witnesses have captured public anger deeply because people come to believe that this is just a part of a broader, deeper, and darker trend. The sentiment is clear: These predators may be weaponizing their wealth and connections to prevent and escape justice.
The fact that some within rich and high-profile circles in Washington are engaging in sinister activities is not new. For many years, such allegations have been the subject of popular conspiracy theories and murky rumors. But they have often failed to be taken seriously by the mainstream. However, at the turn of the 2010s, the public atmosphere changed dramatically, by events not in Washington, but across the sea in the United Kingdom as well.
In 2012, journalists uncovered allegations that former BBC television personality Jimmy Saville, who passed away the previous year, had in fact abused hundreds of minors over a period of 50 years. This earthquake of a revelation shined a new spotlight on abuse and corruption by elite figures.
This was followed by a string of high profile arrests and prosecutions, as well as numerous more allegations. It spread from Britain and captured the horror of the broader Western world. The aftershock sank people's trust in public individuals and British institutions.
No more was the conceptualisation of the rich, the famous, and the powerful engaging in sinister crimes a mere conspiracy theory, but a long set dark culture which had to be taken seriously.
By 2018, this sentiment finally broke through to the mainstream in the United States. The unleashing of the "#Metoo" movement saw a tidal wave of allegations poured upon famous people about sexual abuse of both women and minors. Age-old silences were broken, and several careers were destroyed, and legal cases pursued. The reasoning was all the same that certain individuals with influence used their position and wealth not only to engage in illegal activities but also to evade justice.
This again brings us to the case of Epstein. He is an investment banker who oversees a firm which manages the assets of billionaires. He has a net worth of over 500 million dollars. Such a background means he is very well-connected. This includes, with photographic evidence, ties with Donald Trump, as well as former Presidents such as Bill Clinton. In essence, Epstein is a keystone of what every day Americans may describe as "elite society".
As a result, the scandal surrounding him is creating burning distrust of "the establishment" from the grassroots. This is why there was no hope for Alex Acosta politically. Although nothing can be directly alleged or proven against the former Labor Secretary, Epstein's background, ties, and known usage of money in legal matters meant that even the slightest association with him is a political death sentence. Angered and severely disappointed, the public wants Acosta out, but not just him.
So although little can be alleged or proven beyond Epstein himself, one thing is for sure that ordinary Americans feel that this case is just the tip of the iceberg. Surely, beneath the surface of Political and elite life in the United States, a dark and pathological culture of abuse and corruption exists whereby certain individuals and politicians - even presidents - believe with their power, status, and assets, they can live above the law.
This is a case with real political wheels and momentum. It should not go away, as its ramifications are deeper, more insightful and more shocking than people even realise. Any doubters should ask Bill Clinton and Donald Trump.
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