DOJ-OGR-00024920.jpg

Page 443 STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 19-183 WHEREAS, in 2008, Jeffrey Epstein pled guilty to procuring a person under 18 for prostitution and felony solicitation of prostitution in Palm Beach County, following state and federal investigations, and was later placed on work release; and WHEREAS, the State Attorney Office for Palm Beach County handled the case related to the state investigation concerning Jeffrey Epstein; and WHEREAS, the Sheriff for Palm Beach County oversaw the work release of Jeffrey Epstein; and WHEREAS, the Sheriff for Palm Beach County has initiated a criminal investigation concerning Jeffrey Epstein and has requested of me that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement now assume that investigation; and WHEREAS, the Department of Law Enforcement may initiate a preliminary inquiry beyond the work release of Jeffrey Epstein and into other irregularities surrounding the prior state investigation and the ultimate plea agreement; and WHEREAS, the Honorable BRUCE H. COLTON, State Attorney for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, has agreed to accept an executive assignment for any proceedings that arise from the Department of Law Enforcement investigation and inquiry in this matter; and WHEREAS, for good and sufficient reason, the Governor has determined it is in the best interests of the State of Florida and of the ends of justice that the Honorable BRUCE H. DOJ-OGR- 00024920