Recently released flight logs have mentioned a prominent news anchor once referred to as ‘the most trusted man in America.’
The documents, associated with Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender, are being released to the public over time.
These files feature several well-known names amid theories that Epstein maintained a ‘client list’ of wealthy and famous individuals he invited to his infamous Little St James island. However, those mentioned are not necessarily implicated in any misconduct.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has clarified that a ‘client list’ never existed, though records of his private jet flights do.
In the latest release by the House Oversight Committee on Friday (October 17), the renowned broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite appeared in the alleged flight list.
Cronkite, who passed away at 92 in 2009, had an illustrious career as the anchor for CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981.
He was regarded as the ‘most trusted man in America,’ covering critical historical events such as the moon landing, the Vietnam War, and the assassination of President Kennedy.
Cronkite was honored with several awards for his contributions to journalism, including an Emmy award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The flight records indicate that the then 90-year-old traveled from Newark, New Jersey, to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands on January 12, 2007.
Cronkite was listed as a passenger on the jet with eight others, including Epstein, who was likely hosting guests at his private islands near St. Thomas.
This latest revelation is part of a more comprehensive package, which also includes a detailed transcript of the committee’s interview with former US attorney Alex Acosta. Acosta had played a role in helping Epstein secure a plea deal in 2008.
The agreement allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges by serving 12 months in jail and pleading guilty to state charges.
He was also required to register as a sex offender and pay settlements to the victims.
During the committee testimony, Acosta justified his decision, citing numerous challenges that existed at the time of the case, which might have compromised a conviction.
“And so in part it was influenced by that, and in large part it was also influenced by the viability of the case,” Acosta explained.
“Every attorney that looked at the case, from the prosecuting attorney, again, through the entire chain, looked at the evidence, and there were evidentiary issues with the victims,” Acosta said.
“Many victims refused to testify. Many victims had changing stories. All of us understood why they had changing stories, but they did. And defense counsel would have – cross-examination would have been withering.”
He further elaborated that the deal was offered to Epstein out of concern that he might otherwise evade jail time entirely.
Acosta stated: “Our judgment in this case, based on the evidence known at the time, was that it was better to have a billionaire serve time in jail, register as a sex offender and pay his victims restitution than risk a trial with a reduced likelihood of success.”
“I supported that judgment then, and based on the state of the law as it then stood and the evidence known at that time, I would support that judgment again.”
Cronkite’s name appears in the collection of flight logs from the 1990s to 2019 alongside other notable figures such as Prince Andrew, former President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and Richard Branson.
President Donald Trump also appears in the logs on several occasions.
However, being mentioned in the files does not imply involvement in any wrongdoing.
According to the Daily Mail, Cronkite’s estate or archivists may be asked to review personal notes, calendars, or previous correspondence to determine a possible connection to the former financier.
Epstein was discovered dead in his cell in August 2019 at the age of 66.