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Opinion

Flick Fact: What's Epstein files' surprising Bloomington connection?

Question: Recent discussion of the Epstein case has revived references to the Mann Act, a federal law that relates to sex trafficking and crimes involving sexual exploitation. Do you know the congressman whose name is attached to that law?

Answer: James Robert Mann, a Republican congressman, attorney and eventual U.S. House minority leader who hailed from Bloomington. The federal law still bears his name.

bflick@pantagraph.com

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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 6:43 AM.

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