Lanny Davis, most recently known for representing former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, is going to bat for former President Bill Clinton. His move comes in the wake of indictments against famed billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who was arrested Saturday on sex trafficking-related charges.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are expected to formally announce charges against Epstein around 11 a.m. ET. According to reports, he is being indicted on two counts of sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking.
However, some speculate that Democrats have been hesitant to grab on to the story due to the connections between Epstein and left-wing fan favorites, like Bill Clinton.
“It’s not all that hard to figure out why Democrats have treaded lightly,” the Washington Examiner’s Jay Caruso tweeted.
“There’s this pretty famous Democrat who flew on the ‘Lolita Express’ 26 times with Epstein,” he added, a direct reference to Clinton’s mysterious trips on Epstein’s private jet which occurred primarily 2002–2005. According to reports, Clinton would sometimes go without Secret Service detail on these alleged “sexcapades.”
Davis quickly jumped to Clinton’s defense.
“Classic fact-free innuendo. Back to McCarthy era. But worse,” he tweeted.
Classic fact-free innuendo. Back to McCarthy era. But worse.
— Lanny Davis (@LannyDavis) July 7, 2019
“What innuendo, Lanny? I said Democrats are treading lightly because of Bill Clinton’s friendship with Epstein,” Caruso tweeted. “And if Roll Call was wrong about the number of plane rides, let us all know.”
What innuendo, Lanny? I said Democrats are treading lightly because of Bill Clinton’s friendship with Epstein. And if Roll Call was wrong about the number of plane rides, let us all know. https://t.co/igZi2qbhdB
— Jay CaRINO (@JayCaruso) July 7, 2019
“No facts of any wrongdoing by Pres Clinton,” Davis responded in part.
Jay – respectfully – Innuendo is defined as no facts but suggesting wrongdoing. That is what you have done. No facts of any wrongdoing by Pres Clinton. Is that not correct? And who is responsible for .@whpresscorps Twitter account retweeting such pure innuendo?
— Lanny Davis (@LannyDavis) July 7, 2019
Lanny, that's not what I was doing. Jamil Smith was wondering why Democrats haven't pushed on Acosta. My suggestion was the Democrats don't want the political fallout of Clinton's association with Epstein front and center. Also, @whpresscorps is a parody account.
— Jay CaRINO (@JayCaruso) July 7, 2019
Thanks for heads up on parody account,Jay. We just disagree that anyone should appropriately suggest wrongdoing or fear it because of the number of airplane flights. My focus has always been on the insidious use of pure fact-free innuendo by otherwise good journalists.
— Lanny Davis (@LannyDavis) July 7, 2019
However, it is not pure conjecture. Clinton had an established relationship with Epstein, and details of that relationship emerged via the 2014 civil lawsuit filed in Florida against Epstein, in which the registered sex offender was accused of forcing “a teenage girl to have sexual relations with several men.”
The Smoking Gun reported in 2015 that Epstein’s phone book had 21 different numbers for Clinton. Additionally, “several” of Epstein’s victims “floated the possibility of subpoenaing Clinton.”
The Smoking Gun reported:
As part of a civil suit filed against Epstein by several of his victims, lawyers for the women floated the possibility of subpoenaing Clinton since he “might well be a source of relevant information” about Epstein’s activities.
While Clinton was never deposed, lawyers obtained Epstein’s computerized phone directory, which included “e-mail addresses for Clinton along with 21 phone numbers for him, including those for his assistant (Doug Band),” according to a court filing.
Following the news of Epstein’s arrest, Christine Pelosi, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s daughter, warned that it is “quite likely” that some of their “faves” could be implicated.
“This Epstein case is horrific and the young women deserve justice,” she warned Saturday.
“It is quite likely that some of our faves are implicated but we must follow the facts and let the chips fall where they may – whether on Republicans or Democrats,” she added. “#WeSaidEnough #MeToo.”
This Epstein case is horrific and the young women deserve justice. It is quite likely that some of our faves are implicated but we must follow the facts and let the chips fall where they may – whether on Republicans or Democrats. #WeSaidEnough #MeToo https://t.co/2mvskwQwW1
— Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) July 7, 2019
David Boies, an attorney who represents two of Epstein’s accusers, gave a statement to the Daily Beast following the news of the billionaire’s arrest.
“It’s been a long time coming—it’s been too long coming,” he said. “It is an important step towards getting justice for the many victims of Mr. Epstein’s sex trafficking enterprise.”
“We hope that prosecutors will not stop with Mr. Epstein because there were many other people who participated with him and made the sex trafficking possible,” he added.
The charges will be formally announced around 11 a.m. ET.
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