Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation) sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday calling for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s handling of sex predator Jeffrey Epstein’s work release. The letter reads:
Governor DeSantis:
The allegations related to serial sex predator Jeffrey Epstein assaulting young girls while serving on work release under the jurisdiction of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) are alarming. If true, this shows yet another breakdown of the system’s dealing with this pedophilic abuser. We are calling for accountability on all fronts and to that end, I am formally requesting for you to direct the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to investigate this matter.
When an atrocity occurs in our State and there is a breakdown involving law enforcement, I believe it is appropriate for FDLE to step in and investigate. FDLE investigated the Broward County Sheriff’s Office response to the massacre at Stoneman Douglas, and I believe an investigation into PBSO’s handling of Epstein while on work release is also necessary and proper. If Epstein was able to abuse young girls while under supervised work release, we need to understand very clearly when and how these egregious lapses and abuses occurred so they cannot be repeated.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact me directly. I thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.
Respectfully,
Senator Lauren Book
Senate District 32
About State Senator Lauren Book
Lauren Book represents Broward County, District 32 in the Florida State Senate. After surviving childhood sexual abuse, Book went on to become an internationally-recognized child safety expert and child advocate. She championed the addition of victims’ rights language to the Florida Constitution, which Florida voters overwhelmingly voted to adopt last year. Book sponsored SB 540, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis late last month, to crack down on human trafficking by curbing demand, increasing training requirements for hospitality and massage industries, and providing support services for survivors.
