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3. Epstein's arrest and subsequent employment
In 2005. Epstein's conduct became the subject of an investigation by the Palm Beach
Police Department, and then the FBI, after the parents of a victim reported to law enforcement that
Epstein had abused their daughter. Those investigations ultimately spanned approximately two
years and included, among other things. interviews with approximately 35 victims, nearly all of
whom were based in Florida. I describes learning that the police were
investigating Epstein's sexual abuse of minors in the initial stages of the investigation.
admits that Epstein subsequently directed her to speak with certain victims and ask them to contact
Epstein's investigators, as well as to convey the message that Epstein would financially provide
for individuals who "helped" him. also admits that she understood this as an effort to have
the girls not cooperate with, and cones information from, law enforcement.
has described that Epstein initially denied to her the allegations against him,
before ultimate y admitting that at least one of the girls who came to the Florida mansion and with
whom he engaged in sexual activity for money was a minor. She recalls that he minimized his
conduct by describing it as involving a very limited number of girls, particularly as compared to
the large number of women who were young but technically of age, and also claimed he was being
"blackmailed" and that the accusations were, in effect, a shakedown. This is consistent with what
Epstein also told Groff and at the time, and Groff was similarly told by Darren Indyke,
an attorney for Epstein, that Epstein was being blackmailed.;
Following Epstein's brief period of incarceration, continued her employment as
his assistant until marrying her current husband_. She as recounted that she still believed
it was effectively impossible to leave him, and to find other employment or friendships, given her
lack of family or network outside of Epstein's circle—and that once she found a person who was
actually supportive (her current husband), she separated from Epstein. Additionally.
recounted observing that others around Epstein continued their associations with him, inc.
significant figures in academia, finance, and social circles. conveys that her continued
association with Epstein was influenced by, among other things, manipulation of her and her
continuing desire to please him and to gain his approval despite his mistreatment of her the fact
that many other notable and respected individuals in finance, politics, and academia continued to
associate with Epstein despite knowing about his convictions and seeing his interactions with
young women and girls: and her concern about finding other employment, having never even
graduated from high school and having no transferable skills. When married her current
husband , Epstein gave them S100.000 as a wedding gift: received no additional
payments our pstein between then and 2018, when he gave her 250.000. as further discussed
below.
describes that she now deeply regrets
remaining with Epstein, and that her decision to do so at t e time was significantly influenced by
Epstein's manipulation.
We discuss in detail below the issue of knowledge at the time. In brief. has
denied specifically knowing that any of theinom she scheduled for massages weregirage.
and in particular that she did not pay attention to or focus on the ages of the girls.
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