Asked whether he owes the victims an apology. Acosta dodges question, seems to blame the female "career prosecutor." Says he addressed victim notification in some document.
Keeps throwing the career prosecutor under bus
Now he's called on a fourth male journalist. I cannot hear the question.
3/
Acosta says he does not believe he violated the APA standards by negotiating
4/
He says, "Based on the evidence, there was value to getting a guilty plea."
He did not say he had regrets
5/
"At the time. . . and I provided a timeline. . . this was the view of the office. There is a value to a short guilty plea."
Blames state attorney who would have let him walk, he claims.
6/
7/
8
Says the office was not open at 7.
She tried to follow up a second time, but he cut her off and called on another man
9/
Acosta ignores question and says he followed departmental policy.
10/
11/
12/
"Today's world does not allow some of the victim shaming that would have taken place at trial." REALLY? What planet is he on.
He does not answer her question
13/
14/
"The victims of which we were aware were part of this." Said the victims in southern district of FL could proceed civilly.
15/
"We stepped in, in this case and stopped a bad state plea."
This guy is so ARROGANT.
16/
17/
18/
Said he won't discuss convo. with pres
Message to victims is that "they should come forward" then these cases can be brough
19/
Another journalist says, "you still haven't offered an apology."
20/
Talking about the "men and women of my office."
Acosta is the boss from hell. He never, ever, ever, ever is taking ownership. The buck stops with him. Shameful.
21/
Acosta says, "I can't comment."
22/
Acosta mentions letter that lays out who had been involved. He is NOT answering the question.
But did say he invited someone from main justice . . .said Epstein's attorneys went to DC
23/
24/
Acosta said the victims were victims
25/
"Outrage over 13 months and getting to leave jail is entirely appropriate."
Acosta acts like that was out of his control
26/
I won't attempt a translation as it won't be good enough
27/
He won't answer.
Said he was focused on putting him in jail.
Says there was evidence victims said would get money if he was convicted. Said that made them look bad
28/
29/
Keeps pointing to state of Florida. Said he had no control. "I don't consider the victims prostitutes. . . These were not just women victims, they were children victims."
30/
He said "I'm glad to see that it's happened" -- that NY feds are bringing charges.
31/
He said he cannot address that reporting directly.
32/
"If at some point the President decides" he doesn't want him
"We are hear because we are part of an administration that's creating jobs . . and focused on the forgotten man and woman."
33/
"I can't begin to fathom what the victims have been through."
Says, "their response is highly justified but at the same time I think it's important to stand up for the prosecutors in my office."
34/
35/
Conference over.
36/36