An investigation into the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office handling of Jeffrey Epstein's work release will continue despite Epstein's death, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed Saturday.
Epstein, 66, was found dead Saturday morning in an apparent suicide in his jail cell in Manhattan. He was being held without bond while awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy.
An official with the FDLE told Contact 5 Saturday that the investigation into his work release was still open, and that "nothing changes for us."
WPTV's Contact 5 Investigators first reported that Epstein was allowed to visit his home at least nine times while out on work release in 2008 and 2009, against policy.
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After pleading guilty to solicitation of a minor in 2008, Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was allowed out on work release six days a week, for up to twelve hours a day. He was picked up from jail by a private driver in a limo for his work release.
When Contact 5 began investigating that work release, PBSO told WPTV not to "forget he had a GPS monitor," but Contact 5 found there were issues with the GPS monitor.
PBSO initially launched an internal investigation into the matter, just days after the Contact 5 reports aired.
FDLE launched an investigation into PBSO's handling of Epstein's work release on Aug. 6, after mounting pressure from officials.
SEE ALSO: Contact 5 uncovers 2007 policy that allowed sex offenders out on work release | Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody Questions Jeffrey Epstein work release
PBSO also recently announced it stopped the work release program, and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw asked the Criminal Justice Commission to review the agency's policies.
