This is an FBI investigation document from the Epstein Files collection (FBI VOL00009). Text has been machine-extracted from the original PDF file. Search more documents →
FBI VOL00009
EFTA00230494
277 pages
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 50 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/21/2011 Page 12 of 15 On October 9, 2008, victims' counsel wrote to government counsel, pointing out that this declaration appeared to be (albeit inadvertently) false in two important respects. First, the quoted provision was not actually in the non-prosecution agreement. And second, if it was discussed with Jane Doe #1, for example, then that would have created false impression. Victims' counsel asked for a clarification to be filed with the Court about these two points. See Exhibit "A." In response, on December 22, 2008, the government filed a supplemental declaration. Doc. #35. The corrective supplemental declaration addressed the first point, agreeing that the information was false. The supplemental declaration, however, did not address the second question of whether this false information had previously been discussed with the crime victims. Moreover, the supplemental declaration raised additional question about Epstein's role in the false information. The supplemental declaration states the Epstein's attorney's approved the transmission of false information to the victims on and about July 9, 2008. Doc. #35 at 2. But none of the underlying information regarding the approval of that false information is included in the supplemental declaration. Rather than have the government serving as the exclusive conduit for information to the Court about these subjects, it seem more consistent with the spirit of the ethical rules — and with the general obligations of disclosure discussed previously in this pleading — for the Government to make available to the victims all material and favorable information. For example, the Government could provide to the victim the underlying correspondence with Epstein's attorneys approving the transmission of this false information. This information will be highly relevant to the victims' position that the non-prosecution agreement should be set aside in view of violations 12 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000910 EFTA00230734
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-, • A- 7 Case 9.08-cv-80736-KAM Document 50 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/21/2011 Page 13 of 15 of the victims' rights. The Court should accordingly order production of this and other similar favorable evidence to the victims. CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE As recounted above, counsel for Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 have repeatedly requested that the U.S. Attorney's Office voluntarily stipulate to undisputed facts in this case and provide material information favorable to the victims case for more than two and a half years. The U.S. Attorney's Office, however, takes the position that the victims are not entitled to any such information. CONCLUSION For all the foregoing reasons, the Court should order the U.S. Attorney's Office to produce information favorable to the victims. A proposed order to that effect is attached. DATED: March 21.2011 Respectfully Submitted, s/ Bradley 3. Edwards Bradley J. Edwards FARMER, JAFFE, WEISSING, EDWARDS, FISTOS & LEHRMAN, P.L. 425 North Andrews Avenue, Suite 2 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 Telephone (954) 524-2820 Facsimile (954) 524-2822 Florida Bar No.: 542075 E-mail: bradigpathtojustice.com and 13 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000911 EFTA00230735
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rr.',7774— ralnraern rr — 7 v Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 50 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/21/2011 Page 14 of 15 Paul O. Cassell Pro Hac Vice Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah 332 S. 1400 E. Salt Lake City, UT 84112 Telephone: 801-585-5202 Facsimile: 801-585-6833 E-Mail: casselloRlaw.utah.edu Attorneys for Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 14 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000912 EFTA00230736
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 50 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/21/2011 Page 15 of 15 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE The foregoing document was served on March 21, 2011, on the following using the Court's CMIECF system: A. Marie Villafrula Assistant U.S. Attorney 500 S. Australian Ave., Suite 400 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 820-8711 Fax: (561) 820-8777 E-mail: ann.maric.c.villafanarbrusdoi.gov Attorney for the Government Joseph L. Ackerman, Jr. Joseph Ackerman, Jr. Fowler White Burnett PA 777 S. Plagler Drive, West Tower, Suite 901 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Criminal Defense Counsel for Jeffrey Epstein (courtesy copy of pleading via U.S. mail) 15 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000913 EFTA00230737
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r7nntr.if"'" • Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Docurnor450L1A w Eptyppeop FLSD Docket 03121/2011 Page 1 of 2 • aitadedataa% • AND ASSOCIATES October 9, 2008 Dexter Lee, AUSA United States Attorney's Office 99 N.E. 4th Street Miami, Florida 33132 Re: Jane Doe # and Jane Doe #2 United States of America Case No.: 08-80736-CIV-MARRA/JOHNSON Dear Mr. Lee: I am writing to call to your attention two potentially false statements that the Government made, albeit inadvertently, in a sworn declaration submitted to the Court in connection with the above-captioned case. I request that your office file a corrected declaration and accompanying explanation. The first statement is found at page 3 to 4 of the July 9th, 2008 declaration of Marie Villafafia. There a provision in a plea agreement with Mr. Jeffrey Epstein is recounted. As we understand the Government's current position in this case, it is that this provision is not in fact part of the plea agreement in this case. If our understanding is correct, then Ms. Villafafia has filed a false affidavit with the court, albeit inadvertently. We respectfidly request that she file a new affidavit that corrects this false information, along with all other information relevant to understanding how the false information came to be provided to the court — and to the victims in this case. This correction should, in my view, include more details about how Epstein and his attorneys approved a submission of false information to the victims as you stated on Page 5, n.2 in your October 8, 2008 filing "Respondent's Opposition to Victims' Motion to Unseal Non- Prosecution Agreement" — presumably knowing that litigation surrounding the victims' rights issues was on-going and that such false information might be ultimately presented to the court. Such information is highly relevant to what remedy the victims might ultimately choose to seek for violations of their rights in this case. The second statement may or may not be false, but may need some clarification. At page 4 of Ms. Villafafia declaration, she states that lila October 2007, shortly after the agreement was signed, four victims [including C.W.] were contacted and these provisions were discussed' (emphasis added). Similarly at page 5, the declaration states: "After C.W. had been notified of the terms of the agreement " (emphasis added). I write to inquire whether, in view of the fact that the provision noted above is not in fact (according to the Government's current view) part of the. plea, agreement, whether this was the.provision that the government. inaccuratelyi discussed with the victims. Put another way, I am wondering whether the Government will now stipulate that it, at most, discussed with the victims a provision in the plea agreement that never was actually part of the plea agreement. 2028 HARRISON STREST,SUITS 202, HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA 33020 01711011 984-414-8033/305-935-2011 FAXi 954-924-1530/305-935-4227 BRIMADRDWARDSLAW.0011 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000914 EFTA00230738
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 50-1 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/21/2011 Page 2 of 2 Dexter Lee, AUSA United States Attorney's Office October 9, 2008 Page Two I continue to be interested in working out a joint stipulation of proposed facts in this case with the Government. If you would like to proceed in that direction, please give me a call. If, however, the Government is not willing to work out a joint stipulation of facts, then 1 need to have the record be as clear as possible, and at a minimum would request that the Government correct the inaccurate information it has provided to the court and clarify precisely how such inaccurate information came to be made a part of the record and the extent to which Mr. Epstein, through his attorneys, was culpable. Sincerely, BE/sg Brad Edwards 2028 minnow 8TRXIT,8171T11 202, HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA 33020 OFFICE: 954-414-8033/305-935-2011 FARz 954 - 924 - 1530/305-955-4227 BRORADIDWARDSLAW.0O11 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000915 EFTA00230739
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 50-2 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/21/2011 Page 1 of 2 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA Case No. 0880736-Civ-Marra/Johnson JANE DOE #1 and JANE DOE #2 I UNITED STATES 'PROPOSED' ORDER GRANTING JANE DOE #1 AND JANE DOE #2'S MOTION FOR ORDER DIRECTING THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE NOT TO WITHHOLD RELEVANT EVIDENCE THIS CAUSE comes before the Court on Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2's Motion for Order Directing the U.S. Attorney's Office Not to Withhold Relevant Evidence, filed March 21, 2011. It is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the Motion is GRANTED. 1. The government shall reveal to the victims and permit inspection and copying of all information and material known to the government which may be "favorable" to the victims, see Brady' Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963) (discussing evidence "favorable" to defendants); United States Agurs, 427 U.S. 97 (1976) (same), on issue of possible violations of their rights under CVRA and remedy for such violations, including any impeachment information under Giglio i United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972). 2. The parties shall make every possible effort in good faith to stipulate to all facts or points of law the truth and existence of which is not contested and the early resolution of which will expedite the proceedings. 1 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000916 EFTA00230740
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 50-2 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/21/2011 Page 2 of 2 3. The parties shall make to each other the disclosures requited under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(aXI)(A). DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, this day of March, 2011. KENNETH A. MARRA United States District Judge 2 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000917 EFTA00230741
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 59 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/07/2011 Page 1 of 9 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA CASE NO. 08-80736-CIV-MARRA/JOHNSON JANE DOE #1 and JANE DOE #2, Petitioners, vs. UNITED STATES, Respondent. UNITED STATES' RESPONSE TO JANE DOE #1 AND JANE DOE #2'S MOTION FOR ORDER DIRECTING THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE NOT TO WITHHOLD RELEVANT EVIDENCE Respondent, United States of America, by and through its undersigned counsel, files its Response to Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2's Motion for Order Directing The U.S. Attorney's Office Not to Withhold Relevant Evidence, and states: L THE CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS ACT CREATES NO LEGAL DUTY UPON THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO PROVIDE RELEVANT EVIDENCE Petitioners maintain the U.S. Attorney's Office is "withholding" relevant evidence, which suggests there is a legal obligation to disclose such information to them. Petitioners contend the government has an obligation under 18 U.S.C. § 3771(c)(1) "to make their best efforts to see that crime victims are notified of, and accorded, the rights described in subsection (a)." Section 3771(cXl) is no authority to impose a duty upon the U.S. Attorney's Office to provide evidence to petitioners, or allow them a right of access to records maintained by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Petitioners do not point to any of the eight rights enumerated in section 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000918 EFTA00230742
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T" Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 59 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/07/2011 Page 2 of 9 3771(a) that provides a right to access to information in the government's possession, either in the context of the criminal case in which the requesting individual is a crime victim under section 3771(e), or in a motion for relief filed under section 3771(d)(3). Petitioners' attempt to engraft a right of access to government information to section 3771(cXI) should be rejected. In Pennsylvania'. Ritchie, 480 U.S. 39 (1987), the Supreme Court recognized that the Confrontation Clause grants a criminal defendant a trial right to cross- examine a witness. It hastened to add, Itthe ability to question adverse witnesses, however, does not include the power to require the pretrial disclosure of any and all information that might be useful in contradicting unfavorable testimony." Id. at 52(footnote omitted). In the same vein, the obligation of the government to use its best efforts "to see that crime victims are notified of, and accorded, the rights described in subsection (a)," does not include a duty to provide information supporting whatever claim a victim may wish to assert in a motion for relief under section 3771(d)(3). In United States'. Rubin, 558 F.Supp.2d 411 (ED.N.Y. 2008), an alleged victim of a stock swindle claimed the right to confer in section 3771(aX5) included a right to obtain information to base his views to express to the court. This argument was rejected by the district court, which noted that "rainy information-gathering aspect of the right to confer is necessarily circumscribed, in the first instance, by its relevance to a victim's right to participate in the federal criminal proceedings at hand and to do so within the bounds demarked by the CVRA." Id. at 425(citation omitted). The court found the CVRA no more requires disclosure of the pre- sentence report to meet its remedial goal of giving crime victims a voice in sentencing than it does disclosure of all discovery in a criminal case to promote the goal of giving victims a voice at 2 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000919 EFTA00230743
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 59 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/07/2011 Page 3 of 9 plea proceedings. 111, cititgi United States,. Inzrassia, 2005 WL 2875220 at •17 (B.D.N.Y. Sep. 7, 2005). The district court concluded, "[t]he CVRA, therefore, does not authorize an unbridled gallop to any and all information in the government's files." 558 F.Supp.2d at 425. Similarly, in United States I. Coxton, 598 F.Supp.2d 737 (W.D.N.C. 2009), several crime victims invoked the. CVRA in at attempt to obtain portions of the pit-sentence investigation report (PSR). The victims argued that the CVRA granted them the implicit right to access to the request portions of the PSR in order to prepare for sentencing. Id. at 739. The district court rejected the victims' argument. The court first noted the confidential nature of a PSR, Id at 738- 39, and then found that a victim's right to be reasonably heard at sentencing did not grant a right of access to the PSR. The court relied upon In re Brock, 262 Fed.Appx. 510 (4" Cir. 2008), which held that a victim's right to be heard does not afford access to a PSR, since the victim had been provided ample information concerning the applicable Sentencing Guidelines and other issues related to the defendants' sentencing. The district court in Coxton found that the victims in that case were present during trial and continued to enjoy access to the United States Attorney's Office. Id. at 740. The district court also rejected the victim's argument that their right to restitution granted a right of access to the PSR. Id. The Coxton court relied upon United States I. Sacane 2007 WL 951666 (D.Conn. Mar. 28, 2007), where the victim of a fraud sought access to the convicted defendant's financial status by invoking the CVRA. The Sacane court relied upon the caselaw finding a victim had no right to the defendant's PSR, and found that, "if the CVRA does not provide crime victims with a tight to disclosure of the presentence report, that a fortiori it would not provide crime victims with a right to obtain such disclosures directly from a defendant" 3 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000920 EFTA00230744
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Case 9 08-cv-80736-KAM Document 59 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/07/2011 Page 4 of 9 2007 WL 951666 at '1. Other attempts to engraft discovery rights onto the CVRA have also been rejected. In United States'. Moussaoui, 483 F.3d 220 (41h Cir. 2007), several victims in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks sought access to files and records provided by the government to defendant Moussaoui, in satisfaction of the government's criminal discovery obligations. The victims were plaintiffs in civil actions filed in the Southern District of New York, against private airlines, airports, and security services. Id. at 224. The victims sought non-public criminal discovery materials for use in their civil actions. In its opinion, the Fourth Circuit noted the victims had relied heavily upon the CVRA and the Air Transportation Safety and Stabilization Act (ATSSSA) in the district court, to support their claim of a right to access the criminal discovery information. Id. at 234. On appeal, however, the civil plaintiffs abandoned the argument that those two statutes provided the district court the authority to enter an order compelling the government to provide to the civil plaintiffs certain categories of information. The appellate court observed that, "[t]his was wise strategy, as nothing in those two statutes supports the district court's exercise of power." It As to the CVRA, the Fourth Circuit found "[t]he rights codified by the CVRA, however, are limited to the criminal justice process; the Act is therefore silent and unconcerned with victims' rights to file civil claims against their assailants." It at 234-35, In re Kenna 453 F.3d 1136, 1137 (9* Cir. 2006). There is no criminal justice process in the instant case since no criminal charges have been filed. Even if the criminal justice process has been initiated by the filing of charges, courts have rejected claims by victims that one or more of the rights in section 3771(a) create a right of access to information in the government's possession; Coxton (no right 4 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000921 EFTA00230745
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 59 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/07/2011 Page 5 of 9
to PSR); Kenna (same); and Sacane (no right to financial information from defendant). The
CVRA imposes no duty on the U.S. Attorney's Office to provide evidence to petitioners to assist
them in presenting their claims under the CVRA.
TT.
PETITIONERS HAVE NO DUE PROCESS RIGHTS UNDER THE CVRA
Petitioners also contend they have a right to due process under the CVRA, and liken their
situation to the rights enjoyed by criminal defendants. DE 50 at 5-9. This argument suffers
from a fundamental defect, the absence of any protected life, liberty, or property interest, which
would trigger the due process clause.
"The necessary first step in evaluating any procedural due process claim is determining
whether a constitutionally protected interest has been implicated." Tefel I. Reno, 180 F.3d 1286,
1299 (11th Cir. 1999), citing Economic Dev. Corp... Stierheirn, 782 F.2d 952, 954-55 (11th Cir.
1986)("In accessing a claim based on an alleged denial of procedural due process a court must
first decide whether the complaining party has been deprived of a constitutionally protected
liberty or property interest. Absent such a deprivation, there can be no denial of due process.").
Petitioners concede that "the victims in this case do not rely on a federal constitutional right to
due process." DE 50 at 6(emphasis in original).
However, they contend that section 3771(aX8), which provides that a crime victim should
be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy, creates a statutory
right. Petitioners argue that Congress intended to provide a substantive due process right to
crime victims. DE 50 at 6. This argument is plainly incorrect. There is no life, liberty, or
property interest implicated in the CVRA, and courts are hesitant to find that a substantive due
process right has been created.
See Collins
City of Harker FIeights. Texas, 503 U.S. 115,
5
08-80736-CV-MARRA
000922
EFTA00230746
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 59 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/07/2011 Page 6 of 9 125 (1992X"As a general matter, the Court has always been reluctant to expand the concept of substantive due process because guideposts for responsible decisionmaldng in this uncharted area are scarce and open ended. (citation omitted). The doctrine of judicial self-restraint requires us to exercise the utmost care whenever we are asked to break new ground in this field."). This judicial reluctance would be particularly well-founded in the instant case, where petitioners are maintaining that Congress's use of the amorphous terms "fairness" and "respect for the victim's dignity and privacy" have created a substantive due process right. Similarly unavailing is petitioners' reliance upon Brady'. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), and other criminal law cases finding a due process obligation on the government's part to disclose exculpatory and impeachment information. Petitioners are charged with no crime, and they are in no jeopardy of losing their liberty. Consequently, the government has no due process obligation to provide information to petitioners. PETITIONERS HAVE NO RIGHT TO DISCOVERY UNDER THE FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Petitioners argue they arc entitled to discovery under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, but they point to no particular rule, or case, which provides that such a discovery rights exists. Instead, petitioners seize upon the government's assertion that the right to confer under section 3771(aX5) only applied to the criminal case, not to a civil action filed to attempt to enforce rights under the CVRA. Petitioners filed their motion for relief under section 3771(d)(3). Such motions for relief are filed in the district court "in which a defendant is being prosecuted for the crime," or "if no prosecution is underway, in the district court in which the crime occurred." If a motion under • 6 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000923 EFTA00230747
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.5-%%*.ev.r...— ---1 •.nnevAn 9 Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 59 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/07/2011 Page 7 of 9 section 3371(d)(3) is filed in the district court in which the defendant is being prosecuted, the motion is being entertained as part of the criminal case, not a civil action. In the instant case, petitioners filed their motion under the second provision. Presumably, because there was no criminal case, the Clerk's Office assigned the motion a civil case number. Congress created a procedure by which a putative victim could seek relief for alleged violations of CVRA rights, If a section 3771(d)(3) motion were filed in an existing criminal case, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure would not apply, since it is not a civil case. Under petitioners' theory, because of the happenstance that no criminal case was pending, and the Clerk's Office assigned the motion a civil case number, they are entitled to full discovery under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Petitioner's theory is illogical because there is no basis for believing that Congress intended individuals seeking relief under section 3771(d)(3) to enjoy widely differing procedural rights, depending on whether there was a criminal case pending. If a putative victim filing a motion in an existing criminal case would be entitled to no discovery under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, then none should exist where there is no existing criminal case. IV. THE GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS' DUTY OF CANDOR DOES NOT CREATE A RIGHT OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION Petitioners argue that, because the government's attorneys owe a duty of candor to the Court, they are entitled to have access to government records in order to ensure the government attorneys are honoring their ethical obligations. DE 50 at 11-13. The government's attorneys arc well-aware of their obligations of candor to the Court. If the Court believes any attorney in the instant case has breached that ethical duty, it has the 7 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000924 EFTA00230748
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 59 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/07/2011 Page 8 of authority to take remedial action to factually determine whether the duty has been breached. However, the mere existence of an attorney's duty of candor to a court does not a right of access to information in the opposing party, to ensure the ethical duty is being met. CONCLUSION Petitioners' motion for order directing the U.S. Attorney's Office not to withhold relevant evidence should be denied. Respectfully submitted, WIFREDO A. FERRER UNITED STATES ATTORNEY By: s/ Dexter A. Lcc DEXTER A. LEE Assistant U.S. Attorney Fla. Bar No. 0936693 99 N.E. 4* Street Miami, Florida 33132 (305) 961-9320 Fax: (305) 530-7139 E-mail: dexter.lee(ausdoLgov Attorney for Respondent CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that on April 7, 2011, I electronically filed the foregoing document with the Clerk of the Court using CM/ECF. s/ Dexter A. Lee DEXTER A. LEE Assistant U.S. Attorney 8 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000925 EFTA00230749
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1 P" Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 59 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/0712011 Page 9 of 9 SERVICE LIST lane Does 1 and 2 United States, Case No. 08-80736-C1V-MARRA/JOHNSON United States District Court, Southern District of Florida Bradley J. Edwards, Esq., Farmer, Jaffe, Weissing, Edwards, Fistos & Lehrman, P.L. 425 North Andrews Avenue, Suite 2 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 (954) 524-2820 Fax: (954) 524-2822 E-mail: bradaroatbtoiustice.com Paul G. Cassell S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah 332 S. 1400 E. Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 (801) 585-5202 Fax: (801) 585-6833 E-mail: casselpfilaw.utah.edu Attorneys for Jane Doe # 1 and Jane Doe # 2 9 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000926 EFTA00230750
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Case 9:08•cv-80736-KAM Document 51 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/21/2011 Page 1 of 10 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA Case No. 08-80736-Civ-Marra/Johnson JANE DOE #1 and JANDE DOE #2 I UNITED STATES JANE DOE #1 AND JANE DOE #2'S MOTION TO USE CORRESPONDENCE TO PROVE VIOLATIONS OF THE CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHT ACT AND TO HAVE THEIR UNREDACTED PLEADINGS UNSEALED COME NOW Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 (also referred to as "the victims"), by and through undersigned counsel, to move this Court to allow use of correspondence between the U.S. Attorney's Office and counsel for Jeffrey Epstein to prove violations of the Crime Victims' Rights Act. Because this Court has already ruled that the correspondence is not privileged — and because it is highly relevant to the victims' case — the motion should be granted. The victims' unredacted pleading quoting the correspondence should also be unsealed, particularly in light of the intense, international public interest in Epstein's controversial plea deal. BACKGROUND As the Court is aware, beginning 2008, Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 pursued civil litigation against Jeffrey Epstein for sexually abusing them. During the course of that litigation, in June 2001, they obtained correspondence between the U.S. Attorney's Office and Jeffrey Epstein's legal counsel. Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 ultimately settled their civil suits in July 2010. During the settlement discussions, they informed Epstein's legal counsel that they would 1 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000927 EFTA00230751
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er7/0 ------- - Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 51 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/21/2011 Page 2 of 10 be using the correspondence in this CVRA action. Epstein requested advance notice of such filing. Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 saw no basis for any objection to their using the materials, but agreed to give advance notice to Epstein so that he could make whatever arguments he wished. Accordingly, as part of their settlement, the victims agreed with Epstein that they would file under seal the correspondence so that Epstein would have an opportunity to object if he so desired: Counsel for [Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2] have received, as part of discovery in this lawsuit, certain correspondence between Epstein's agents and federal prosecutors. [Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2] may desire to use this correspondence to prove a violation of [their] right to notice by the government and to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect during criminal investigations and prosecutions under the Crime Victims' Rights Act (CVRA), 18 U.S.C. section 3771, and to seek remedies for any violation that [they] may prove. The parties agree that Epstein will receive at least seven days advance notice, in writing, of intent to so use the correspondence in any CVRA case . . . [Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2] agree to . . . file the documents .. . under seal until a judge has ruled on any objection that Epstein may file." On August 26, 2010, Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 provided the specified advance notice to Epstein of their intent to use the correspondence. The notice specifically covered this CVRA action: [AJs you know, there is currently pending before Judge Man a case filed under the Crime Victims' Rights Act (CVRA), 18 U.S.C. § 3771, in which two victims of sexual assault by [you] allege they were deprived of their rights under the Act. For example, the victims allege that there were deprived of notice of pending plea bargain arrangements and an opportunity to be heard as well as the right to meaningfully confer with prosecutors. The correspondence provided to us is compelling evidence in support of their claims, as it demonstrates that federal prosecutors were conducting plea discussions with Epstein months before they alerted the victims to any possible plea bargain. The correspondence also demonstrates a willful plan to- Itetkp the viotims—in_the_cladc. about the plea discussions. In light of these facts, we intend to make use of this correspondence in the [CVRA] . . .lawsuit[] 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000928 EFTA00230752
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 51 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/21/2011 Page 3 of 10 Letter from Bradley J. Edwards to Robert D. Critton, Jr., Case No. 9:08-CV-80893, Doc. #214 (attachment 2). On September 2, 2010, Epstein filed a motion for a protective order, seeking to bar disclosure of the U.S. Attorney's correspondence in both a pending state court case and the CVRA case. Case No. 9:08-CV-80893, Doc. #214. On September 13, 2010, Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2's responded, explaining that Epstein had already litigated — and lost — the claim that the information was somehow protected. They also explained that Epstein could not object to use of the information in the CVRA ease unless he intervened in the CVRA case. Doc. #217. One day later, on September 14, 2010, the Court (Magistrate Judge Johnson) denied the motion for a protective order. Doc. #218. The Court explained that "[t]he Court agrees with [Jane Doe] . . . that if [Epstein] believes he has a valid basis for preventing disclosure of the subject documents in the subject state court proceeding, he should file a motion to that effect in the appropriate state court." On September 28, 2010, Epstein filed an appeal of the Magistrate Judge's order. Epstein argued that because the Magistrate Judge had ruled so rapidly, he had been precluded from filing a reply brief. On October 7, 2010, Jane Does' legal counsel filed a response (Doc. #221), explaining that no basis existed for barring use of the documents and that, in any event, Epstein needed to intervene in the CVRA case if he was going to have standing to object to use of the documents there. 3 08-80736-CV-MARRA 000929 EFTA00230753