Several years ago, I wrote a column critical of Jeffrey Epstein getting a lenient deal in his original sentencing. I got angry replies, including someone in politics who informed me how ignorant I was, and that there was nothing wrong with such a mild sentence. It’s why I’ve been a little gun-shy about writing another column calling for more investigations of Epstein.

But I can’t. I’ve read details of the case and you can see these charges are too serious to ignore. Moreover, once the defendant took his life, all charges against him were dropped. Did these underage minors receive justice, or even treatment for the traumatic physical and mental abuse they received at the hands of some rich and powerful people?

John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in Georgia. He can be reached at jtures@lagrange.edu. His Twitter account is @JohnTures2.