Julie K. Brown

 Julie K. Brown: Using the power of journalism to give voices to those who need it most

The reporter who cracked the Epstein files

By: Ryann Armstrong 


I am the descendant of countless English teachers who preached to me the power of the written English language from the time that I was born. My background is why I sincerely appreciate the groundbreaking work that Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown has done. Brown had an extremely successful career before her time investigating Jeffery Epstein; however, the work she did in 2018 and the years prior truly changed the lives of women in America. 


Her work in investigative journalism thus far has led her to achievements in: 

  • Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list

  • Two George Polk Awards for Justice Reporting

  • National Press Club Journalism Institute’s 2019 Neil and Susan Sheehan award 

Brown quickly established herself as a serious journalist

In her early career, Brown started her career in journalism at the Philadelphia Daily News before beginning her journey at the Miami Herald. After joining the Herald, Brown investigated abuse in Florida prisons for four years. Her work in this field eventually led to a “federal civil rights investigation into sexual misconduct.” 


Brown gave a voice to those who had been silenced by Epstein 

In 2018, Brown and her team did the unthinkable when she reopened the sexual abuse cases against Jeffery Epstein. Her most well-known work was a series of print interviews “dubbed ‘Perversion of Justice,’ which identified about 80 victims, many of whom had been underage when allegedly abused by Epstein, a banker who hobnobbed in Hollywood and media circles with the likes of Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey, Donald Trump and Bill Gates.” Despite backlash and threats from Epstein and his social circle, Brown successfully influenced the reopening of the cases and was one of the significant factors contributing to Epstein’s rearrest and imprisonment. 


Brown continues to work tirelessly to achieve justice for powerless victims

After public attention over the cases began to decrease, Brown continued to fight for the victims who did not receive justice. In January 2024, Brown did an interview with NPR about the newest documents from the case that were released at the start of the new year. When reporters asked her why she thought the release of the documents was important even after Epstein died in 2019, Brown said, “I think to dismiss this because there's nothing salacious or criminal in it is short-sighted.” Brown believes there is still much work to be done with the Epstein cases and plans to continue her efforts. 


Brown has shown incredible strength and courage throughout her career as an investigative reporter. Her story and work inspire me to display the same attitude toward my work and personal life. She truly cares about the well-being of the victims she works with and uses compassion to drive her investigations. Just as Brown’s need to help people drives her work in journalism, I plan to use that same ideology as a lawyer. 

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Sources

Miami Herald wins December Sidney for exposing Alex Acosta’s sweetheart deal with multimillionaire sex offender. Hillman Foundation. (2018, December 12). https://hillmanfoundation.org/sidney-awards/miami-herald-wins-december-sidney-exposing-alex-acosta-sweetheart-deal

 Miami Herald wins December Sidney for exposing Alex Acosta’s sweetheart deal with multimillionaire sex offender. Hillman Foundation. (2018, December 12). https://hillmanfoundation.org/sidney-awards/miami-herald-wins-december-sidney-exposing-alex-acosta-sweetheart-deal

Hare, K. (2019, July 8). The Miami Herald’s investigation “pulls the sewer lid” off a 10-year-old story. Poynter. https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2019/the-miami-heralds-latest-investigation-pulls-the-sewer-lid-off-a-10-year-old-story/

 Person. (2020, September 23). Julie K. Brown is on the 2020 time 100 list. Time. https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2020/5888209/julie-k-brown/

Moos, J. (n.d.). National Press Club honors Julie K. Brown with investigative journalism award. National Press Club. https://www.press.org/national-press-club-honors-julie-k-brown-investigative-journalism-award

Brown, J. (n.d.). Jeffrey Epstein: About the sex trafficking case & accusations | ... Miami Herald . https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article220097825.html

Siegel, T. (2019, December 14). Julie K. Brown and the female collaborator who helped bring down Jeffrey Epstein. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/julie-k-brown-female-collaborator-who-helped-bring-down-jeffrey-epstein-1260488/

Chang, A., Shapiro, A., Summers, J., & Kelly, M. L. (n.d.). All things considered for January 4, 2024. NPR. https://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/2024/01/04/1222951911/all-things-considered-for-january-4-2024

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