Billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein ending house arrest

PALM BEACH, Fla. - Palm Beach Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein officially becomes a free man today.

After one year on house arrest, Epstein's probation period comes to an end.

When Epstein pleaded guilty to two sex-related felonies in state court, federal prosecutors dropped their investigation into additional counts against him. He served 13 months of an 18 month jail sentence.

During those 13 months, Epstein was let out on work release six days a week for up to 16 hours a day.

Since he was placed on house arrest last July, he has taken several trips each month to his eight-story home in New York City, as well as trips to an island he owns in the Virgin Islands.

Critics feel Epstein was granted special privileges because of his money and status, but officials at the Florida Department of Corrections and his attorneys, say Epstein was treated just like other probationers.

The 57-year-old settled nearly 25 lawsuits he faced by young women who claimed they were lured into Epstein's Palm Beach mansion to give him sexually-charged massages in exchange for money.

But new, similar lawsuits have since been filed.