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FBI VOL00009
EFTA00225044
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agreement or deferred prosecution in favor of state prosecution in the way that the Epstein case was handled. I believed that the fairest course was to consult with the victims before the execution of any agreement. The second significant departure from my regular practice was the victim notification procedure. Never before or since have I shared "drafts" of victim notifications with counsel for the defendants. The CVRA places the entire burden of complying with the Act on the government and the court and provides that I "person accused of the crime may not obtain any form of relief under this Chapter." 18 U.S.C. § 3771(d)(1) (2004). But, in this case, I was required to provide draft victim notification letters, rewrite them due to objections from defense counsel, and refrain from sending them altogether. My protestations appear in my emails, and were shared with the agents, my legal assistant, and my supervisors. With regard to FBI policies and practices, I understood that the FBI had its own victim notification procedures. I had previously worked with on other cases (and worked with her on other cases after the Epstein investigation). I did not know the details of what FBI included in its letters or when they were sent. I did not instruct FBI on what to send or when to send it. My general rule is to tell agencies to follow their regular procedures. I don't remember saying anything different in this case. I did not see any FBI letters in this case prior to collecting the FBI letters to Brad Edwards' clients in connection with the Jane Doe. United States litigation. I did not instruct the FBI to include the language about the case being under investigation and that they should be patient. 2. Identify all victims in this case to whom written or oral notifications were made, when and how each notification was made, and the contents of the notifications. Explain why notifications were made to some victims, and not to others, and who was responsible for those decisions. On the attached chart (Exhibit B-1), I listed all of the individuals identified as victims during the state investigation, the federal investigation, or after Epstein entered his state guilty plea, but who were brought to my attention by various attorneys. The chart lays out how and when each was contacted. Due to the passage of time, it is impossible for me to give exact dates and the exact content of each conversation. Also, there are some victims that I specifically remember meeting with. There are some that I know I did not meet with. There are others that I believe I met with, but I am not certain. I have qualified my answers on the chart accordingly. On August 4, 2006, I prepared 24 Victim Notification Letters for victims who had been identified during the state investigation. (Exhibit 12.) These were provided to Special Agent to hand-deliver to victims during interviews. I decided to prepare these letters and I decided on the content of those letters. On August 11, 2006, 18 amended letters were prepared. (Exhibit 13.) These letters clarified that the recipients were victims and/or witnesses, since we had not yet been able to confirm that they were minors during the time of their encounters with Epstein and we were still working to confirm federal jurisdiction. People who had already received the August 4, 2006 responsible officials remain obliged to ensure that all such delegated responsibilities are discharged. The Attorney General designates the following responsible officials: . . . For cases in which charges have been filed—the U.S. Attorney in whose district the prosecution is pending.")) Page 41 of 58 EFTA00225084
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letters did not receive August 11, 2006 letters. If an August 11, 2006 letter was prepared, I believe that meant that the agents had not yet made contact with the person and the agents discarded the August 4, 2006 letter. We included letters for witnesses who we knew were over the age of 18 to advise them to contact us if they felt they were being harassed because the agents had learned of potential harassment during the early set of interviews. I decided to prepare these letters after discussing the issue with Special Agent and I decided on the content of those letters. Although I do not have I clear recollection of this, I believe that I new letter was issued for Individual #4 because the agents had difficulty interviewing her and did not want to provide her with I letter that was several months old. On June 7, 2007, I simply printed the same letter with I new date and signed it. (Exhibit 30.) I do not believe that the August II, 2006 letter was ever provided to her. The same explanation applies for the June 7, 2007 letters for Individuals 9, 31, 38, and 43. (Exhibit 30.) Individuals 3 and 40 were not identified until several months into the federal investigation. Victim notification letters were prepared for them on June 7, 2007. Exhibit 30. I decided to prepare these letters after discussing the issue with Special Agent and I decided on the content of the letters. As discussed above, in July 2007 and September 2007, I raised in writing the need to confer with the victims regarding the proposed agreement with Epstein. I also raised the issue in internal conversations with supervisors, agents, and others. I was told that I could not discuss the matter with the victims. (See Exhibits 3 and 44.) After the Non-Prosecution Agreement was signed, I drafted I notification letter to inform the victims of the terms of the agreement and the date of the state court proceedings. After several delays, the state plea and sentencing date was set for December 9, 2007. On November 19, 2007, I prepared the draft notification that appears at Exhibit B-2 based upon my reading of the NPA and research I had conducted on state law. (See Exhibit B-7.) Several blanks appeared because we were still waiting for Epstein's counsel to confirm that Epstein would pay the fees of the attorney- representative selected by the Special Master. I second draft of the plea notification letter was prepared on November 27, 2007 at 7:11 p.m. for Jeff review. (Exhibit B-3.)36 On November 28, 2007 at 9:42 p.m. I third draft was prepared for Jeff review. (Exhibit B-4). This version was shared with counsel for Epstein. (Exhibits B-8). On November 29, 2007, Jay Lefkowitz, counsel for Epstein, objected to the victim notification letter in I letter to USA Acosta. (Exhibit B-9). USA Acosta asked Mr. Lefkowitz to discuss the matter with Jeff and me. (Exhibit B-10). On December 5, 2007, Kenneth Starr and Jay Lefkowitz wrote I letter to USA Acosta requesting an updated victim notification letter incorporating their objections. (Exhibit B-11). On December 6, 2007, Jeff sent I letter to Jay Lefkowitz, which attached another proposed victim notification letter. (Exhibit B-12). There was significant internal correspondence regarding my concerns that the Government needed to meet its obligation to inform the victims of the upcoming plea. (Exhibit B-13). After providing I final draft to the Miami office on December 7, 36 This document was converted from Word Perfect, which caused the formatting problems. Page 42 of 58 EFTA00225085
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2007, (Exhibit B-637), later that day, my legal assistant and I prepared 32 victim notification letters and envelopes to send. (Exhibit B-14). At 5:08 pm, I received an email from Jeff that said, "Hold the letter" (Exhibit B-54). On December 10, 2007, I contacted Jim Eisenberg, counsel for Individual # 28, who is Jane Doe #2 in the Jane Doe'. United States suit. As noted on the attached chart, Mr. Eisenberg was paid for by Mr. Epstein. I told Mr. Eisenberg that I was preparing victim notification letters and needed to know if he was still representing Individual #28. He said that he was and instructed me to send the letter to him. My continued designation of Individual #28 as I victim, based upon the statements of other witnesses and the documentary evidence collected by federal and state agents, was one of the main bases that Epstein's counsel used to support their allegations of prosecutorial misconduct with officials at the Department of Justice. (See Exhibit B-20.) Based upon those attacks, which relied upon the videotaped statement given by Individual #28, I was instructed by either Jeff or Alex Acosta, not to consider Individual #28 as I victim for purposes of the NPA because she was not someone whom the Office was prepare to include in an indictment. On December 7, 2007, Lilly sent I letter to Jeff finally providing the USAO with the date and time of the change of plea for Mr. Epstein. (Exhibit B-15). Based upon that information, on December 14, 2007, I prepared another version of the victim notification letter. (Exhibit B-1639. I provided I copy via email to Alex Acosta, Jeff and . (Exhibit B-17). On December 17, 2007, I sent an email to Jeff inquiring about the status of the case and informing him that the agents also were expressing their concerns about the delays in victim notifications. (Exhibit B-18). Over my objection, my request to send the victim notification letter was not approved, and on December 19, 2007, USA Acosta sent I letter to Lilly stating, "I understand that the defense objects to the victims being given notice of [the] time and place of Mr. Epstein's state court sentencing hearing. I have reviewed the proposed victim notification letter and the statute. ... We will defer to the discretion of the State Attorney to determine if he wishes to provide victims with notice of the state proceedings, although we will provide him with the information necessary to do so if he wishes." (Exhibit B-19.) Although I did not know it at the time, in preparing this response, I noticed that, in FAUSA June 3, 2008 letter to DAG Filip, he stated that the quoted language was proposed by USA Acosta "in consultation with DAAG ." (Exhibit B-123 at 7.) On December 21, 2007, attorney Jay Lefkowitz expounded on I new challenge — that Mr. Epstein had not been provided with I list of the victims and an opportunity to challenge the list prior to signing the NPA. I made clear verbally and in writing that I would not expose the victims to further harassment while Epstein was clearly trying to wheedle his way out of pleading guilty and going to prison. As I told Mr. Lefkowitz, I had devised I system to address this concern prior to the signing of the NPA; since Epstein's team of attorney's had not requested the right to see and challenge the list, I had not offered it. I few days later, Lefkowitz again wrote to the U.S. Attorney stating that he did not think our Office should provide any notifications; they should come only 37 This document was converted from Word Perfect, which caused the formatting problems. 38 This document was converted from Word Perfect, which caused the formatting problems. Page 43 of 58 EFTA00225086
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from the State Attorney's Office. Lefkowitz insisted on the right to review the letters. (Exhibit B-22).39 The matter was tabled while Epstein was allowed time to raise his federal jurisdiction, sufficiency, and prosecutorial misconduct challenges with CEOS, the DAAG, and the AAG. While everything was supposed to be "on hold" pending those reviews, I learned that Epstein was hying to contact some of the victims — victims who would have been represented if Epstein had performed his obligations under the terms of the NPA. I then worked to find pro bono counsel for those victims (Exhibit B-23). On May 15, 2008, CEOS, DAAG and AAG Fisher completed their review, finding that our case against Epstein was neither improper nor inappropriate (Exhibit B-24). By that time, I revised indictment package had already been reviewed and approved (Exhibits B-25 through B-28). Additional victims also had been identified through the continued investigation (Exhibits B-29 through B-31). On May 19, 2008, FAUSA wrote to counsel for Epstein giving Epstein two weeks to enter his guilty plea in state court in accordance with the terms of the NPA (Exhibit B-32). Rather than performing, Epstein sought continued review, again alleging prosecutorial misconduct and challenging both the sufficiency of the evidence and the federal interest in the case. At this point, Epstein sought review from Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip (Exhibit B- 33), and he hired Joe Whitley to join his defense team. I was informed that Epstein's deadline to enter his guilty plea would be extended again, and we continued preparinii indictment (Exhibits B-34 through B-37). So on May 27, 2008, who took place as Criminal Chief Jeff who had taken or USA Acosta due to his recusal from the Epstein matter, and I all had an email exchange agreeing that there would be no further negotiations and that the case would be indicted (Exhibit B-38). At the same time, the agents heard that Epstein was trying to strike I new deal with the State Attorney's Office — one that would require less jail time (Exhibit B-39) (discussed below). While the DAG completed his review, I was told that the grand jury presentation would be delayed again (Exhibit B-40). I was then tasked with drafting the USAO's letter to DAG Filip in response to Epstein's challenges. While the case was being investigating and prepared for indictment, I did not prepare or send any victim notification letters — there simply was nothing to update. I did not receive any victim calls during this time. I did receive communications from two attorneys. In March 2008, I received I letter from attorney Richard Willits, advising me that he represented Individual #3 and that he had filed suit on her behalf against Epstein in Palm Beach County Circuit Court (Exhibit B-41). I responded, acknowledging his representation (Exhibit B-42). On June 18, 2008, I received I call from attorney Brad Edwards, who told me that he represented Individual #43, who is also Jane Doe #1 in the Jane Doe.. United States lawsuit. Mr. Edwards expressed an interest in assisting with the case. We were still waiting to hear about whether we would be moving 39 On the State side, Lefkowitz has consistently taken the position that there were only two victims related to the state offenses. Thus, if only the State provided notifications, only two victims would receive notices of the hearing and Epstein would avoid I full sentencing hearing. Page 44 of 58 EFTA00225087
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forward to indictment. I invited him to send whatever information he could and expressed that time was of the essence (Exhibit B-43). Given the uncertainty of the situation — Epstein was still challenging our ability to prosecute him federally, pressing allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, and trying to negotiate better plea terms, while the agents, my supervisors, and I were all moving towards indictment — I did not feel comfortable sharing any information about the case. It also is my practice not to talk about status before the grand jury. For those reasons, and because I had never met Mr. Edwards, I listened more than I spoke. Early on June 23, 2008, FAUSA emailed Criminal Chief saying that, if the USAO received the go-ahead from the DAG's Office, I should immediately notify Epstein's attorneys that Epstein would only have until June 30th to comply with the September 24th agreement or be held in breach. Later that day, Mr. responded, cc'ing me, instructing me to send out that notification (Exhibit B-49). On June 23, 2008, DAG Filip completed his review, and Roth sent I letter to Attorneys Starr and Lefkowitz stating their finding that there was no abuse of discretion and no misconduct (Exhibit B-44). I immediately sent an email to Jay Lefkowitz in accordance with Mr. instructions (Ex. B-49). The following day, Roy Black and Jack Goldberger, as local counsel for Epstein, contacted me to wrap up the details of performing pursuant to the terms of the NPA (Exhibit B-45). On June 25 and 26, 2008, there were series of internal communications regarding victim notification letters and providing Epstein with I final list of victims (Exhibits B-46, B-47, B-48). I provided my draft victim notification letter to FAUSA and USA Acosta (Exhibits B-47, B-48).4° Since Mr. Acosta had agreed in December 2007 that we would not provide written notice of the state change of plea, the written victim notifications were prepared to be sent immediately following Epstein's guilty plea. The FBI was working on finalizing the victim list to disclose to Epstein (Exhibit B-50). I requested permission to make oral notifications to the victims regarding the upcoming change of plea, but the Office decided that victim notifications could only come from state investigator, and Jeff asked PBPD Chief to assist (Exhibit B-52). On Friday, June 27, 2008, we received notification that Epstein's change of plea and sentencing would occur the following Monday, June 30, 2008 (Exhibit B-51). I made two calls to try to spread the word about the state change of plea. Following up on FAUSA call from the previous day, I called Chief and asked him to notify the victims (Exhibit B-53). I also called Brad Edwards as counsel for Individuals 35 and 43,41 and strongly encouraged him and his clients to attend. He said that someone would try to be there. I had not been authorized by the Office to disclose the terms of the NPA, so I could not be more explicit in my conversation with him (Exhibit B-54). After the change of plea on June 30, 2008, I made calls to the attorneys whom I knew represented identified victims in civil suits to confirm that they wanted me to send their clients' victim notification letters to the attorneys (Exhibit B-55). Also, as directed by my Office, I 4° Exhibits B-47 and B-48 consist of emails with draft victim notification letters attached. Due to changes in word processing systems, some of the attachments, as well as other drafts, have formatting issues when they were printed. My original draft was prepared on 6/25/2008 at 3:57 pm. I revised it at 5:23 p.m. that same day. I received I revised version from USA Acosta and FAUSA at 6:00 p.m. on June 25'h. 41 Mr. Edwards also was representing Individual #28 at the time, but I did not know that. Page 45 of 58 EFTA00225088
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provided I draft of the proposed victim notification letter to counsel for Epstein (Exhibit B-56). I was concerned that Epstein and his counsel were again creating I potential problem. USA Acosta had taken the position that the final NPA consisted of three documents — the 9/24/2007 NPA, the 10/29/2007 Addendum, and the 12/19/07 letter from USA Acosta to Lilly . I prepared victim notifications (and, later, I Declaration in the Jane Doe litigation) based upon this understanding. When Epstein entered his guilty plea, Judge McSorley required him to file his federal Non-Prosecution Agreement with the Court since that formed part of the consideration for the state plea. I wanted to confirm that Epstein was taking I consistent position with the State Attorney's Office, Judge McSorley, and the USAO, so I asked for I copy of what was filed in the State Court. This led to multiple letters with counsel for Epstein before I could finalize the victim notification letters (Exhibits B-57 through B-65). On July 9, 2008, I finally sent the first two victim notification letters to two of Brad Edwards' clients, Individuals 35 and 43 (Exhibit B-66). Whenever I sent I victim notification letter, I redacted version of the letter also was sent to Jack Goldberger, counsel for Jeffrey Epstein. I was not authorized to send I victim notification letter to Individual # 28 or to include her on the list of persons provided to Epstein because she was not person that the Office was prepared to name in an indictment.42 On July 10, 2008, I sent victim notification letters to I number of other represented victims, Individuals 3, 8, 17, 25, 26, 37, and 44 (Exhibit B-67). The FBI also asked for some assistance of language to use in its own victim notifications (Exhibit B-68), and I was waiting for contact information for the unrepresented victims (Exhibit B-69). On July 21, 2008, I sent victim notification letters to I group of unrepresented victims, Individuals 1, 2, 4, 9, 13, 14, 21, 23, 30, 32, and 38 (Exhibit B-70). There were some unrepresented victims who did not receive notification letters on July 21, 2008 because the FBI had not been able to confirm mailing addresses by that time — Individuals 10, 11, 16, 18, 20, 24, 31, 33, 36, 39, 40, and 42. In August 2008, the issue of "which version of the NPA controls" finally came to I head. On August 5, 2008, in the context of I Notice of Breach, I pressed my Office to clarify the issue (Exhibit B-7I). The decision was made to require Epstein to elect either the 12/19/07 letter or not, but to make it clear in writing (Exhibits B-73 through B-82). On August 15, 2008, I wrote to Roy Black and Jay Lefkowitz confirming their position that the final agreement consisted only of the NPA and Addendum (Exhibit B-83). By discarding USA Acosta's December 2007 modification, the original terms providing for the attorney representative for the victims came back into effect, and the victim notification letters for the unrepresented victims were even more important. Mr. Lefkowitz responded on August 18, 2008 with "objections" in advance to the language of the victim notifications (Exhibit B-84). On August 21, 2008, I responded to Mr. Lefkowitz with draft victim notification letter corresponding to the language contained in the NPA and Addendum and noted the importance of promptly providin corrected information to the victims (Exhibit B- 85). The following day, Mr. Lefkowitz sent I letter with indeterminate objections to the letter (Exhibit B-86). I responded by pointing out that the language in the victim notification letter was taken verbatim from the NPA and Addendum (Exhibit B-87). On September 2, 2008, Mr. Lefkowitz finally confirmed that Mr. Goldberger would be the designated recipient for victim notifications and that Mr. Epstein would pay the attorney representative's fees (Exhibit B-88). I immediately started distributing victim notification letters. 42 That decision was made by USA Acosta and/or FAUSA I do not know which. Page 46 of 58 EFTA00225089
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On that date, Notification Letters were sent directly to Individuals I, 2, 4, 9, 10, 11,43 13, 14, 16, 20,44 21, 23, 24, 30, 31, 32,45 33, and 38, and via counsel to Individuals 3, 8, 17, 25, 26, 37, and 44 (Exhibit B-89). On September 3, 2008, Notification Letters were sent via counsel to Individuals 35 and 43, and via FBI Legal Attaches to Individuals 36 and 42 (Exhibit B-90). On September 12, 2008, I sent I Notification Letter to Individual 39 (Exhibit B-91). On September 15, 2008, I sent Notification Letters to Individuals 18 and 32 (Exhibit B-92). Soon thereafter, I received I letter from Jeffrey Herman, one of the civil attorneys who represented I number of victims, notifying me that he had complained to the Florida Bar that the Victim Notification Letters violated the Florida Bar rules against solicitation. He had filed complaints against myself and against Robert Josefsberg — the attorney-representative selected by the Special Master. On September 18, 2008, I wrote to the Florida Bar asking for an Ethics opinion (Exhibit B-93). I did not feel that I could send out any additional notifications until I received I response to that inquiry. The Florida Bar eventually issued I letter reviewing the relevant rules that (I) contacts with represented and unrepresented persons required by law are permitted and (b) business solicitation prohibitions are limited to those motivated by pecuniary gain. Thereafter, I issued notification letters to Individuals 20 and 40 on November 14, 2008 (Exhibit B-94). I only issued one other set of victim notifications: when I learned that Epstein had been allowed out on work release. While it technically was not required, I knew that the State Attorney's Office had not provided the notice, so I wanted to provide the victims with at least the option to take advantage of "exclusionary zones."46 On December 4, 2008, I drafted I work release notice, which was approved by my office (Exhibit B-95). The following day, I sent work release notices to attorneys for Individuals 1, 2, 3, 8, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 31, 32, 35, 35, 43, and 44 (Exhibit B-96). On December 8, 2008, I sent work release notices to attorneys for Individuals 7, 9, 17, and 37, and I sent notices directly to Individuals 11, 39, and 40 (Exhibit B-97). On December 9, 2008, I mailed work release notices directly to Individuals 4, 10, 16, 18, 23, 24, 30, 33, and 38 (Exhibit B-98). On December 11, 2008, I followed up with the attorneys about whether any of their clients wanted to take advantage of the "Exclusionary Zone" option in Epstein's GPS unit (Exhibit B-99). There was I bit of correspondence and telephone calls about this, but ultimately none of the victims elected to participate in this. On December 12, 2008, I send the work release notice to Individual #42 (Exhibit B-100). I am not aware of any other notices provided to victims in connection with this case. 43 The letter was returned on September 12, 2008, and Individual #11 was contacted by phone. She came to the office and picked up the letter in person on September 16, 2008. 44 The letter was returned on September 15, 2008. I new letter was sent on November 14, 2008 to I corrected address. 43 The letter was returned on September 11, 2008. I new letter was sent on September 15, 2008. At Individual #32's request, I copy was sent to her and with I copy to Jeffrey Herman, Esq. " "Exclusionary zones" can be rogrammed into I GPS tracking unit to send an alarm if I prisoner on work release enters into I prohibited area — e.g., I four-block radius of I victim's residence. Page 47 of 58 EFTA00225090
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3. Identify all individuals within the USAO and FBI who had • role in determining whether, when, how, and to which victims to provide victim notifications in the Epstein case and explain what decisions were made and the basis for them. Greater detail is provided in the answer to Item B-2, above, and the exhibits referenced therein. Normally the line is the person who handles deciding who should receive victim notifications. Prior to indictment, the line has responsibility for those notifications, in conjunction with the case agents. Post-indictment, I victim list is provided to the victim-witness coordinator who is supposed to issue letters (again, I do not know how automated that was in 2006- 2008). In this matter, I made the decision to make contact with victims early and I decided on the content of the introductory letters as well as the recipients of those letters. At the time of plea negotiations, Criminal Chief made the decision that he had the authority to vary from the general policy of conferring with victims before entering into I plea. I do not know the basis for that decision (see Exhibit 3). His email to me said that the decision was made with USA Acosta's concurrence. I do not know the veracity of that statement. I know that, even after Chief- left the USAO, as the plea negotiations continued, when I re-raised the issue of conferring with the victims after discussing it with CEOS Chief Drew (see Exhibit 44), the Office still did not confer. I do not know the basis for this decision. Regarding providing notifications of the date of the change of plea, I drafted several iterations of I notification letter and also asked to provide oral notifications. USA Acosta decided that the USAO should not provide any notifications of I state court proceeding. From the correspondence that he drafted, the basis for doing so was that it was I state proceeding, not I federal one, so the notice should come from the State Attorney's Office. With regard to the FBI, m understanding is that the victim specialist, in conjunction with , the case agent, had primary responsibility for making victim notifications and the content of those. I do not know if anyone else within the FBI played any role in those decisions, and, with regard to their standard victim notification letters, I do not believe that anyone from the USAO played any role. I know that the FBI deferred to the USAO, and to USA Acosta's decision not to confer with the victims in advance of signing the NPA. I also know that the FBI also deferred to USA Acosta's decision not to inform the victims of the state court plea. 4. Identify any effort made by the government to notify the victims, either in writing or through other means, that it intended to enter into I non- prosecution agreement with Mr. Epstein, or had entered into such an agreement. For all such efforts, identify the victims notified, when, and by whom. If some or all of the victims were not notified about the non- prosecution agreement, explain why and identify the individuals responsible for the decision. Greater detail is provided in the answer to Item B-2, above, and the exhibits referenced therein. In short, while I requested permission to confer with the victims in advance of entering into the NPA, that permission was denied. So no one notified the victims that the government intended to enter into I non-prosecution agreement. Immediately after the government entered into the NPA, I prepared notification letters, but the U.S. Attorney decided that these letters also should not be sent out. The case agents made oral notifications to two identified victims in October Page 48 of 58 EFTA00225091
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2007, but they became concerned that it appeared that Epstein was going to renege on the NPA. The agents suspected that, at trial, Epstein would allege that the agents had told the victims that they could get money from Epstein. So they decided to suspend the notifications until Epstein was indicted or his "challenges" to the NPA and the investigation were settled. 5. Explain why victims who received victim notification letters after the non- prosecution agreement was first signed in September 2007 were notified in the letters that the federal investigation of Jeffrey Epstein "is currently under investigation." Explain whether you, or other government personnel, considered whether the statement was accurate in light of the non-prosecution agreement; describe the process leading to the decision to so advise the victims; and describe any discussions among government personnel concerning the statement and its accuracy, occurring before or after it was made. The letters containing the quoted language were prepared by FBI victim-witness specialist and I was unaware of them until they were collected in connection with the Jane Doe United States litigation. I do not recall ever discussing the wording of the FBI's letters prior to their distribution. The decision to issue the letters and the wording of those letters were exclusively FBI decisions. Even though I was unaware of the language at the time, there is no doubt that from the perspective of the agents and myself the matter was, in fact, "currently under investigation." The NPA was signed on September 24, 2007. The letters that Judge Marra referred to in his order were dated January 10, 2008 and May 30, 2008. During the period that the letters were sent, Epstein was asserting that: (I) there was insufficient evidence to charge him with any offense; (b) there was no basis for federal prosecution and that federal prosecution violated the Petite policy; (c) I had engaged in prosecutorial misconduct during the investigation and resolution of the matter; (d) Jeff had engaged inprosecutorial misconduct during the investigation and resolution of the matter; (e) Special Agent had engaged in misconduct during the investigation of the matter; and (f) the NPA violated public policy because of its inclusion of the provision for § 2255 damages in lieu of mandatory restitution. Setting aside items (I) through (e), if the Department agreed with item (f) or if Epstein accepted USA Acosta's invitation to "unwind" the NPA and proceed to trial, we were faced with I target who had committed numerous identified crimes and had unlimited resources to flee the jurisdiction. The investigative team wanted to be prepared to arrest him as quickly as possible with the strongest criminal case at the ready. I also believed that either the U.S. Attorney or someone at DOJ would stop allowing Epstein to use the NPA as both I sword and I shield — attacking terms that Ken Starr had once thanked me for recommending while keeping the USAO from indicting Epstein. On December 12, 2007, Criminal Chief and I finalized I revised indictment package to present to the grand jury (Exhibit B-101). On Janua 7, 2008, I sent an email to my entire advisory chain — up to the U.S. Attorney — laying out I series of steps in furtherance of the investigation (Exhibit B-I02). Next, I secured the assignment of I CEOS attorney, as co-counsel, and she immediately traveled to West Palm Beach to participate in interviews to familiarize herself with the case and to re-connect with the victims them for potential trial testimony (Exhibits B-103, B-104). On January 14, 2008, Ms. and I went over charging and investigative strategy, as well as her next trip to West Palm Beach (Exhibit B- 105). I also asked the agents to compile the evidence so that it would be more manageable for Page 49 of 58 EFTA00225092
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Chief ongoing indictment review (Exhibit B-106). Ms. the agents, and I continued working on the best way to charge the case, and collecting evidence to corroborate witness statements (see Exhibit B-107). On January 31, 2008, another group of grand jury subpoenas was prepared and served (Exhibit B-108). On January 31 and February I, 2008, Ms. the agents and I re-interviewed I series of victims (Exhibit B-109). As you can see from Exhibit B-109, it wasn't simply the agents and I who thought that the investigation was ongoing, the supervisory chain (up to and including the U.S. Attorney and the Chief of CEOS) was aware that: (1) victim and witness interviews were occurring; (2) grand jury subpoenas were being issued; and (3) an indictment package was being revised and reviewed. In February 2008, I was focused on working with the agents and Ms. to finalize revised indictment package and having it reviewed and signed bail On February 20, 2008, I sent an email to USA Acosta, FAUSA Criminal Chief M, and others in the supervisory chain letting them know t at a prow the final indictment to my immediate supervisor the previous day (Exhibit B-111). I also informed Ms. M=Ithat I reserved time with the grand jury on March II, 2008 and asked her to attend on that date id.). On February 25, 2008, I conferred with my immediate supervisor and with one of our Litigation Counsel, who also was one of our Professional Responsibility Officers, about whether there was any reason to re-present the case to I different grand (Exhibit B-112). I provided the resul to FAUSA , Criminal Chief the West Palm Beach supervisors, and xhibit B-113). My supervisor completed her review the following day (see Exhibit B-114). Also on February 26, 2008, FAUSA informed me that he had told attorney Jay Lefkowitz that, if CEOS rejected Epstein's position, Epstein would be allowed "one week to abide by the terms and conditions of the September 24, 2007 Agreement" (Exhibit B-115). I wrote to FAUSA telling him that I could not understand why Epstein would be allowed to plead to the same terms in light of Epstein's false allegations and in light of the new evidence we had uncovered, including six confirmed additional victims and three potential new victims in New York (id.). I don't recall receiving any response. Despite that communication to Epstein's counsel, the Office continued towards indictment. On February 27 and 28, 2008, FAUSA , Criminal Chief = Civil Rights Chief Weinstein, and I communicated about the USAM requirement that DOJ's Civil Rights Section be consulted when violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1591 are included in an indictment (Exhibit B-116). I continued reviewing records received in response to grand jury subpoenas and the agents continued working towards identifying additional witnesses and victims (Exhibit B-117). The following day, I advised the same gentlemen about identifying another New York witness/potential victim and her upcoming planned interview and inquired about the status of CEOS' review (Exhibit B-118). In March 2008, there were several developments in the investigation. The case agent and I decided to present search warrants for memory cards that the Palm Beach Police Department had collected. They had been reviewed by the PBPD near the time they were collected and no images of child pornography had been seen, but I forensic examiner had recently opined that forensic examination might result in the recovery of deleted images. I advised that I new forensic examination would require search warrants, so they were prepared and executed (Exhibits B-1 I 9, B-I20). Page 50 of 58 EFTA00225093
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On March 5, 2008, I updated the Office supervisory chain and CEOS Chief on I number of case developments (Exhibit B-121). In that email, I noted that, if we were not going to proceed, we needed to be mindful of the state statute of limitations, to allow the PBPD to present charges to the Palm Beach State Attorney's Office (id.). I also reported on the status of indictment review and my plan to start presenting to the grand jury on March 18, 2008, so that the grand jury would have sufficient time to hear all of the evidence and reflect on it before voting on an indictment (id.). On March 14, 2008, the head of the West Palm Beach office completed his review of the indictment package and it was forwarded to Criminal Chief for final review and approval (Exhibits B-25, B-122). On March 18, 2008, I began my grand jury presentation (Exhibit B-26). The planned continued presentation to the grand jury was postponed while we awaited CEOS' review. I expressed my concerns about the impact on the ongoing investigation (Exhibit B-I24). In mid-May, 2008, CEOS completed its review, finding that federal prosecution of Epstein's conduct was factually and legally sound (Exhibit B-24). The agents and I immediately prepared to go back to the grand jury (Exhibit B-125). My supervisors also immediately prepared to review and finalize an indictment incorporating the results of the continued investigation (Exhibit B-38). The agents continued locating and interviewing more victims (see, e.g., Exhibit B-126). When DAG Filip agreed to consider Epstein's challenges, the planned grand jury presentation was canceled (Exhibit B-40). Even after that delay, the agents and I pressed on. In June 2008, even as I was assisting with the USAO's submissions to DAG Filip (Exhibits B-123, B-127, and B-128), the agents and I were working on additional grand jury subpoenas and obtaining 6001 immunity for I witness (Exhibit B-129). On June 17, 2008, I applied for, and received ermission to seek DOJ approval for 6001 immunity (Exhibit B-130). On June 24, designee granted the application (Exhibit B-131). I also received permission to travel to New York with the agents to conduct additional witness interviews (B-132). Time with the grand jury was scheduled and the supervisory chain was informed of those plans as well as the status of the application for 6001 immunity (Exhibit B-133). I also was corresponding with counsel for the witness about her travel for the grand jury appearance, which was scheduled for July 1, 2008 (Exhibit B-134). Even when the witness' attorney told me that Epstein would be pleading guilty on June 30, 2008, I would not release the witness (id.). I formally withdrew the subpoena on June 30, 2008, following Jeffrey Epstein's entry of his guilty plea in state court (Exhibit B-135). These activities took us up to the time of Jeffrey Epstein's June 30, 2008 guilty plea. From September 2007 until the end of June 2008, the agents and I: collected additional evidence; reviewed that evidence; interviewed new victims and witnesses; re-interviewed previously identified victims and witnesses; identified new crimes and charges; developed new charging strategies; drafted supplemental pros memos; revised the indictment package; and presented new evidence and testimony to the grand jury. Although I did not know that Victim-Witness Specialist letters contained the language that the Epstein case was "currently under investigation," from my perspective, that language was absolutely true and, despite being fully advised of our ongoing investigative activities, no one in my supervisory chain ever told me that the case was not under investigation. Page 51 of 58 EFTA00225094
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C. General 1. As to all of the foregoing matters, identify any disagreements or concerns expressed by government personnel as to these matters, the parties involved, how the disagreements were resolved, and any concerns you had about any such resolution and the individuals, if any, with whom you discussed your concerns. I raised I multitude of concerns during the investigation, negotiations, and enforcement periods. They ranged from the explicit — my July 2007 email exchange with = about his violations of the USAM, CVRA, and Ashcroft Memo (Exhibit 3) — to the subtle — repeated requests to just meet with the victims. Here is one especially poignant request from January 31, 2008: Hi Jeff and Alex - We just finished interviewing three of the girls. I wish you could have been there to see how much this has affected them. One girl broke down sobbing so that we had to stop the interview twice within 1 20 minute span. She regained her composure enough to continue 1 short time, but she said that she was having nightmares about Epstein coming after her and she started to break down again, so we stopped the interview. The second girl, who has 1 baby girl of her own, told us that she was very upset about the 18 month deal she had read about in the paper. She said that 18 months was nothing and that she had heard that the girls could get restitution, but she would rather not get any money and have Epstein spend 1 significant time in jail. The FBI's victim-witness coordinator attended and she has arranged for counseling for several of the girls. Please reach out to Alice to make her decision. These girls deserve so much better than they have received so far, and I hate feeling that there is nothing I can do to help them. We have four more girls coming in tomorrow. Can I persuade you to attend? (Exhibit C-1.) Many of the disagreements have been catalogued above, but I will try to collect them into general categories in chronological order. 1. b. I did not want to meet with counsel for Epstein (Lilly Ann and Gerald Lefcourt) prior to completi.n investigation. My co-counsel agreed with me. Our supervisor, M, overruled us. and I did not want to have subsequent meeting with another set of attorneys for Epstein, including Lilly = , Gerald Lefcourt, Alan Dershowitz, and Roy Black, that would also include Criminal Chief = Over my objections, Mr. also instructed me to provide defense counsel with list of the federal statutes that we had under consideration. Mr. asked me to provide all of my evidence to the defense and only withdrew that instruction when I reminded him that federal statutes Page 52 of 58 EFTA00225095
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protected child victims' identities. I told my supervisor, my concerns and that I thought I should ask to have the case reassigned, and she counseled against it (Exhibit C-4). c. Ms. a the agents, and I all tried to impress upon the others that, due to the nature of the crimes under investigation, time was of the essence — Epstein was accused of committing sexual offenses against dozens of minor girls. Our expert witness, as well as our own experience, led us to believe that Epstein would not cease his criminal behavior voluntarily. We also knew that Epstein was continuing to travel extensively using his private airplanes, and that he would have the ability to flee to I jurisdiction that did not extradite if he knew that charges were coming. At one point in May 2007, after the indictment had been reviewed on several levels, we knew wheraein would be and I asked to arrest him on I criminal complaint. Criminal Chief responded that he was "having trouble understanding — given how long this case has been pending — what the rush is." (Exhibit C-5). There was another instance I month or two later where we knew that Epstein was traveling to serve as I judge for I beauty contest and I again asked for permission to prepare I criminal complaint. Criminal Chief denial of the request was even more emphatic. d. In July 2007, Mr. and I exchanged strong words when he reported that he had engaged in plea negotiations without the input or knowledge of the agents, victims, or myself (Exhibit 3). My objections included: i. The failure to meet and consult with the victims, agents, and me before deciding what plea offer to extend. ii. Offering I plea to I state offense. There was never any explanation of why I federal investigation would be resolved with I state plea, and I understood that I state plea would remove all control over the plea and sentencing procedure. iii. Starting the negotiations at only 24 months' imprisonment, which was unreasonably low and not in keeping with any of the federal crimes under investigation.47 iv. Sending the message to defense counsel that plea negotiations would be handled by the executive division rather than the line prosecutor and the West Palm Beach supervisory team. e. From the beginning of the federal investigation, the agents and I had pushed to get the computer equipment that Epstein had removed from his home prior to the execution of the state search warrant. When Epstein's counsel had stated that Epstein wanted to "cooperate" with the federal investigation, we asked that they turn it over voluntarily; they never did. We sought it via grand jury subpoena and they moved to quash the subpoena. Every time the matter was set for I hearing, Epstein's counsel would ask the Office to agree 47 Mr. responsive email in July 2007, suggested that, in light of the statement by Ms. that 24 months' imprisonment was I "non-starter," we would be able to re-set plea negotiations at higher number, but that never happened. Page 53 of 58 EFTA00225096
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to "continue" the hearing pending our "plea negotiations." I repeatedly recommended moving forward on the computer equipment because it was obvious that they did not want to turn it over and the equipment likely contained hard evidence of travel, contact with victims, obstruction of justice, and possibly child pornography offenses. Instead, the Office continuously agreed to put off the hearing and even when Epstein's attorneys tried to use the existence of the pending motion to quash as I basis to stay some of the victims' civil suits. f. Once I was informed that I had to devise plea agreement with I sentencing cap of 24 months' imprisonment, I drafted I plea to conspiracy to violate 18 U.S.C. § 2422, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371 — one of the crimes that had been the subject of the investigation and that was included in the indictment. That crime was I felony with I five- year statutory maximum, and the guidelines would have exceeded the five-year max, so the plea agreement would have had to be I binding plea pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(c)(1)(C), which is what I drafted. I was informed by Mr. that USA Acosta did not want to do I (c)(1)(C) plea, so I had to find charges that would result in I two-year statutory maximum. This resulted in me having to research misdemeanors and find facts that would fit those misdemeanors. I thought it was totally inappropriate. Luckily, finally stepped in and told Lefkowitz that we would not agree to I misdemeanor charge unrelated to the crimes that we had investigated. Throughout the drafting of the NPA, every time Jay Lefkowitz and I reached an impasse, he and/or Ken Starr would appeal to , Jeff or Alex Acosta, making it impossible to hold I firm line or keep singular negotiating strategy. I tried to work from the Office's standard plea agreement language, but even after language was agreed to, it would be rewritten by Mr. Acosta. i. I strenuously objected to the reduction of the prison term from 24 months to 18 months. g. ii. I objected to the clear efforts at delay for no reason other than delay (for example, going back and forth from I federal plea to I state plea and back to I federal plea — all the while asking me to provide copious drafts). iii. At various points, it was apparent that Epstein was not engaging in good faith plea negotiations and I asked to terminate the negotiations and proceed to indictment. Every time, Mr. Acosta refused. For example, near the end of the negotiations, Mr. Lefkowitz tried to "slip in" I citation to I different state crime that did not require sex offender registration. When I brought this to Mr. Lefkowitz's attention, he admitted that, despite their explicit agreement that Mr. Epstein would plead guilty to I crime that required sex offender registration, they originally believed that the crimes listed in the NPA did not require registration. When they realized their error — and the Epstein would, indeed, have to register, they tried to replace the statute with I different one. This was the clearest example of bad faith amongst many, yet I was told that I had to continue working with Mr. Lefkowitz to finalize the agreement. USA Acosta told me that he did not want to punish Epstein for the bad behavior of his attorneys — even though Epstein clearly was directing every aspect of his defense. Page 54 of 58 EFTA00225097
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iv. I told FAUSA and USA Acosta that I did not want to sign the NPA because I did not think that it was "my" agreement. USA Acosta asked me to sign it. h. After the NPA was signed, USA Acosta continued to concede points that had already been decided. For example, he agreed to the preparation of the Addendum. He then made number of concessions regarding the letter to the Special Master, including I statement that we would not vouch for the veracity of the victims, despite the fact that these were victims that we intended to include in an indictment. These were all areas that were the subject of I signed, binding agreement. On October 5, 2007, and October 23, 2007, I against asked for permission to proceed to indictment (Exhibits C-6, C-7). i. After the Addendum was signed, USA Acosta wrote in the 12/19/2007 letter to Lilly that he had "considered defense counsel arguments regarding the Section 2255 portions of the Agreement. .. . During the course of negotiations [our] intent was reduced to writing in Paragraphs 7 and 8, which as I wrote previously, appear far from simple to understand." (Exhibit B-19). I raised concerns about undermining an Agreement entered into by our Office and giving away one of the protections that had been negotiated for the victims — representation by an attorney selected by the Special Master. I raised concerns about delays in entering Epstein's guilty plea and sentencing. These were portrayed as "professional courtesies" but it quickly became obvious that the NPA was signed with no intention of actual performance — it was simply I way for Epstein to buy time to avoid indictment and intimidate victims. k. I raised objections to the multiple "appeals" to DC and the delays that those entailed. USA Acosta explained that "every defendant" has the right to appeal to DC and raise federalism concerns. I explained that the objections should have been raised prior to signing the NPA, not after, and, if they were legitimate "policy questions," Epstein should agree that he would not use the time to harass and intimidate victims. I. As detailed above, after the NPA was signed, the agents and I repeatedly raised concerns about the Office's deference to the defense's objections to providing notification to the victims of the resolution of the investigation and the date and time of the Epstein's plea and sentencing. m. On February 26, 2008, I learned that, if CEOS conducted its review and concluded the federal prosecution of Epstein was appropriate, the Office was going to allow Epstein to plead guilty pursuant to the NPA with no additional terms or conditions, despite the fact that additional victims had been located during the ongoing investigation. I wrote to FAUSA and expressed my view that this was an unjust result (Exhibit B-115). I re-raised this objection every time the Office allowed Epstein another opportunity to maintain the benefits of the NPA even as he was attacking the NPA's legitimacy. n. On March 19, 2008, I informed the supervisory chain up to FAUSA of the toll that the delay was taking on the victims and the grand jury. In particular, one of the grand jurors had told another that he was concerned that we were going to "whitewash" the case and not charge it. Epstein was using the delay to harass the victims, and one of the victims tried to commit suicide. I wrote how the "FBI's victim-witness coordinator is doing her Page 55 of 58 EFTA00225098
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best to get counseling for all of our needy victims, but I just can't stress enough how important it is for these girls to have I resolution in this case. The `please be patient' answer is really wearing thin, especially when Epstein's group is still on the attack while we are forced to wait on the sidelines. Your guidance is needed." (Exhibit C-2) I followed up on March 19 and 22, 2008 to let everyone know that Epstein was subpoenaing victims and was using particularly aggressive means of service — having the Sheriff's Office serve the subpoenas at the places of work, calling them into the Dean's Office at their colleges, etc. I explained that Epstein was issuing these subpoenas in the context of the state criminal case — even thou il hese victims were not named victims in the state criminal case, and I asked FAUSA to try to have Epstein's attorneys stop this contact as it was inconsistent with Epstein's alleged interest in resolving the matter (Exhibit C-3). I do not believe that anyone contacted Epstein's attorneys about this. I worked to secure pro bono counsel for as many victims as possible so that Epstein would only be able to contact them through counsel (id.). My concerns about the victims' mental health were brought to the attention of management in emails and telephone calls throughout the entire period from 2006 through 2008 and probably into 2009. o. Even after Epstein enter his guilty plea and was sentenced, there were I number of material breaches. Every time I tried to enforce the agreement and enforce the Office's authority to proceed to indictment, the Office would accept Epstein's excuse that he received "bad advice" from his attorneys and then he would "cure" the breach. With regard to the work release, either Roy Black or Jay Lefkowitz informed me that USA Acosta had agreed, after the NPA was signed, that Epstein would be allowed to participate in work release like an other state prisoner — in direct contravention of discussions and communications that and I had with the defense. I was not allowed to invoke this as I breach. 2. Identify any occasion during which you were or felt pressured, intimidated, threatened, coerced, or in any other manner inappropriately influenced to take I position or action in the Epstein case with which you disagreed or which caused you concern, and the individuals, if any, with whom you discussed such concerns. Throughout this memo, I have listed I number of disagreements. In broad categories, I disagreed with: (1) meeting with defense counsel before the investigation was completed and disclosing to them our charging strategy; (2) members of the Executive Division engaging in plea and strategy discussions outside the presence of the prosecution team and encouraging defense counsel to avoid the prosecution team; (3) entering into pre-indictment plea negotiations; (4) agreeing to delay the litigation regarding Epstein's computer equipment while pursuing plea negotiations; (5) enterin into an agreement deferring federal prosecution; (6) entering into any agreement that required I sentence of only 18 months' (or even 24 months') imprisonment; (7) agreeing to I length of I sentence and then trying to find I charge with I statutory max to match; (8) reaching an agreement without conferring with the victims, the agents, or even the prosecution team; (9) refusing to hear from/meet with the victims even after meeting repeatedly with Epstein's representatives; (10) during the drafting of the NPA, allowing Epstein's attorneys to complain directinl,e First Assistant and U.S. Attorney when they were dissatisfied with answers from the line and West Palm Beach supervisors; (11) repeatedly overruling my efforts to hold Epstein to the original terms, including reducing the term of imprisonment from 24 months down to 18; (12) dismissing my repeated warnings that the attorneys were not negotiating in good faith Page 56 of 58 EFTA00225099
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and were delaying for strategic reasons; (13) repeatedly ceding our discretion to the defense, for example, agreeing that they could review and comment on victim notification letters and decide whether or not we could provide notice; (14) even after the NPA was signed, continuing to water it down, with the Addendum, the 12/19/07 Acosta letter, and then later offering Epstein the option of not having to provide the attorney-representative for the victims; (15) refusing to allow the agents and Ito notify the victims about the terms of the NPA and about the change of plea; (16) allowing Epstein to continue to enjoy the benefits of the NPA even after he failed to promptly perform its terms and filed specious delays in order to try to negotiate better terms or win I battle of attrition; (17) refusing to defend me from the false allegations of prosecutorial misconduct; (18) refusing to step in and protect the victims from harassment from Epstein's attorneys when Epstein was "appealing" to DC; and (19) allowing Epstein to repeatedly breach the NPA and then claim that he just got bad advice from his lawyers and "cure" the breaches. At various times during the investigation, negotiations, etc., I s u oke with number of people about ents with the Office, including m su • ervisor, m co- counsel pecial Agents and and DOJ Trial Attorneys On several occasions, I drafted emails about re-assigning the case because the Office's handling of the matter was so contrary to my methods. I shared at least one of these with Ms. (Exhibit C-4). She counseled against sending it. The agents asked me not to leave the case because they believed that, if I left, the case would simply disappear. I couldn't disagree with them. Criminal Chief response to my email in July 2007 was, in my mind, inappropriate and meant to intimidate. It is,ittiankly, unheard of, for I Criminal Chief to engage in plea negotiations without the line knowledge, much less blessing. And the offer that was made was inexplicable. To this day, I do not understand the NPA — 24 months/I 8 months - it is I completely random amount of time. Allowing I federal defendant to plead guilty to state charges also is conj./unheard of. No one has ever explained to me where the idea originated from. For Mr. to suggest that my judgment was questionable or that I was unable to handle "major" cases was obviously meant to "put me in my place." In my July 13, 2007 response to Mr. , I wrote: With respect to your questions regarding my judgment, I will simply say that disagreements about strategy and raising concerns about the forgotten voices of the victims in this case should not be classified as I lapse in judgment. This Office should seek to foster spirited debate about the law and the use of prosecutorial discretion. I know of other instances where disagreements about the a plication of the law to different defendants and defense attorneys has resulted in I call for the resignation of the who dared to challenge the Executive Office's conclusions. I find that very disheartening. However, my first and only concern in this case (and my other child exploitation cases) is the victims. If our personality differences threaten their access to justice, then please put someone on the case whom you trust more, and who will also protect their rights. After my response to Mr. I know that he spoke with who was Chief of Appeals at the time, about moving me to the Appellate Section. The results of the disagreements catalogued above were communicated to me (orally or via e-mail) as decisions of the Executive Division. They sometimes followed extensive debate. They Page 57 of 58 EFTA00225100
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sometimes followed no debate. I was sometimes heard on the issue; other times I knew nothing about it until I received the directive. There were times that I learned of communications between defense counsel and the Executive Division where concessions were made only after the decision was made. Many of these decisions were incorrect, in my opinion, but I did not believe that they were illegal. As I line M, I was dut bound to follow the directives of the U.S. Attorney, which I did. I do not know that following direct order from the Executive Division would qualify as coercion — even if it follows very strong objections. I felt strongly that we should have conferred with the victims before entering into the NPA and that we should have informed them of the change of plea and sentencing. I felt strongly that Epstein's attorneys were given unprecedented access to members of the Executive Division, and that the victims were given no access -- I could not even talk with them about plea negotiations or notify them about the plea hearing. At one point, my assistant and I had letters and envelopes ready to be stuffed and put through the franking machine and we received notice from Miami that they could not go out. While I felt that conferring was the right thing to do, as noted above, the AG Guidelines vest discretion in the U.S. Attorney, so I could not say that USA Acosta's decision was illegal. I also believed that, because the resolution of the federal case rested on Epstein's state guilty plea, the federal victims were entitled to notice of the state hearing. But I could not say that USA Acosta's decision that the CVRA was limited to notice of federal proceedings was illegal. I think that pressure was brought in more subtle ways. For example, I believe that one of the reasons why USA Acosta did not take an aggressive stance against the prosecutorial misconduct claims against me was because he disliked my insistence on pushing the case forward. After the NPA was signed, USA Acosta recommended that I transfer to the Civil Division. I agreed to meet with them and talk about their work. Despite USA Acosta's recommendation, I decided not to follow his recommendation, and I stayed in the criminal division. Please advise if further information is needed. Sincerely, sa Page 58 of 58 EFTA00225101
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