Between 1996 and 2005, the FBI continued to receive reports of sexual abuse, trafficking and human rights violations, yet failed to act, the women say. In 2002, Epstein was given secret service clearance for travel to Africa, where he travelled with former President Bill Clinton — according to testimony by former Epstein pilot Larry Visoski — and several “very young women.”
During that time, Epstein repeatedly initiated passports and visas for his victims for such international travel but skirted the required background checks, a red flag the FBI failed to investigate, the women said.
It’s truly disheartening to hear how long these warnings went unheeded. The allegations highlight a severe lack of accountability and oversight that should concern us all. It’s essential that institutions we rely on for safety are held to higher standards, especially when vulnerable individuals are at risk. The courage of these victims in stepping forward cannot be overstated, and their actions could lead to vital changes in how reports like these are handled in the future. Accountability and transparency in law enforcement are crucial for preventing such egregious oversights and ensuring justice is served.