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
EFTA00230786
1131 pages
Page 461 / 1131
• 29 1 basis with what they have been given money 2 Lo—d-u 3 THE COURT: Who are some recent 4 grantees? 5 THE DEFENDANT: Harvard University. 6 There is a full program of Evolutionary 7 Dynamics, Neuro Science Institute of 8 California, the Physics Institute, MIT. 9 THE COURT: Do you ever have occasion 10 to deal with anyone under the age of 11 eighteen? 12 THE DEFENDANT: Not very often. It 13 is, if someone is in college -- sorry. 14 THE COURT: Right, that's why I'm 15 asking the question. 16 THE DEFENDANT: Most of the people I 17 fund are all usually professors. 18 THE COURT: Thank you. You 19 understand that you can't have contact with 20 anyone if --.this organization, do they 21 ever have any involvement with high 22 schools? 23 THE DEFENDANT: No, ma'am. 24 THE COURT: Students or teachers? 25 THE DEFENDANT: No, ma'am. PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231246
Page 462 / 1131
30 1 THE COURT: Okay. 2 MS. BELOHLAVEK: Those are 3 duplicates, you will see those are the same 4 5 6 as the ones on the previous page, however, it was reproduced. THE COURT: The next condition, you 7 shall maintain a driving log. You shall 8 not drive a motor vehicle while alone without prior approval of your supervising 10 officer. 11 If there was sexual contact, you 12 shall submit to at probationer's or 13 community controllee's expense an HIV test 14 with results to be released to the victims, 15 victim's parent or guardian -- will be 16 victims, plural. Has that been done? 17 MR. GOLDBERGER: Not yet. 18 THE COURT: Do we have a time frame 19 on that? I would think ASAP might be good 20 on something like that. 21 MS. BELOHLAVEK: I believe they can 22 actually do that at the jail. 23 THE COURT; At his expense? 24 MS. BELOHLAVEK: Yes. 25 THE COURT: I would request that that PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231247
Page 463 / 1131
31 1 be done within 48 hours? You shall not obtain or use a post 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 office box without prior approval of the supervising officer. Okay. Are all those conditions you two have agreed to? MS. BELOHLAVEK: Yes, Your Honor. MR. GOLDBERGER: With the court's amendments, yes. THE COURT: Mr. Epstein, do you understand? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma'am. THE COURT: I need the defendant to sign number D where I had an s added to victim, and G, we struck out the otherwise 16 indicated language. Otherwise, it is as 17 you agreed. 18 Mr. Epstein, do you understand 19 this is a somewhat complicated terms of the 20 plea that you've agreed to? 21 THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma'am 22 THE COURT: Do you have any questions 23 about the terms of the plea? 24 THE DEFENDANT: No. 25 THE COURT; Can I ask the State why PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231248
Page 464 / 1131
32 1 you choose -- or defense and the State 2 to her, wfly—TiThave monChrin CNT—Paam 3 Beach County jail followed by six months? 4 Why not just send him to DOC? 5 MR. GOLDBERGER: It was the agreement 6 of the parties, Your Honor. We just 7 decided that was the best way to accomplish 8 what needed to be done here and the parties 9 agreed that that sentence satisfied 10 everyone's requirements. 11 THE COURT: The taxpayers of Palm 12 Beach County is going to pay 18 months to 13 house this guy instead of DOC? 14 MS. BELOHLAVEK: Right. 15 THE COURT: You understand we're 16 losing positions left and right in county 17 government because we haven't got enough 18 money but you want -- okay. 19 His requirement to register there 20 is many, many -- there is nine pages 21 outlining the sexual offender's reauirement 22 to register with the department and 23 penalty, have you read all those, 24 Mr. Epstein? 25 THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma'am. PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231249
Page 465 / 1131
33 1 THE COURT: Do you understand you 2 will be required to register and this will 3 4 S 6 7 9 be an ongoing life long obligation? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma'am. THE COURT: And this registration occurs when? MS. BELOHLAVEK: Within 48-hours of release. THE COURT: ■ when he gets out of 10 the Palm Beach County jail, he needs to 11 register? Okay. And the department -- who 12 is going to provide him with the form? 13 MR. GOLDBERGER: He actually \_) 14 registers out at the Sheriff's Office, Your 15 Honor, we can do it out there. 16 THE COURT: Okay. It has been 17 brought to my attention that FDLE is the 18 one who is statutorily required to handle. 19 these registrations but some of our 20 municipal jurisdictions have taken it upon 21 themselves to impose additional 22 requirements, y'all understand that? 23 24 25 MS. BELOHLAVEK: Correct. MR. GOLDBERGER: Right. THE COURT: What you are telling him PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231250
Page 466 / 1131
34 1 he has to do is the official State of 2 Florida reg stYrtir 3 MS. BELOHLAVEK: Correct. 4 THE COURT: Mr. Epstein, I need to 5 make sure you understand that that's what's 6 required by this plea. Anyone on 7 probation, community control is required to 8 live and abide by the laws. if a 9 jurisdiction you choose to reside in should' 10 have some additional municipal requirements 11 you will be required in order to comply 12 with the law of living there, just like you 13 can't get a parking ticket or speeding 14 ticket, to comply with those regulations 15 but I want to make sure you understand 16 because I have seen some defendants who 17 have been confused about this. If. you 18 don't, for example, if the Town of Palm 19 Beach has you register that does not take 20 care of your requirement. Your requirement 21 to register with FDLE through the Sheriff's 22 office is separate, distinct and must be 23 done on their form according to their 24 schedule. 25 THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma'am. PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231251
Page 467 / 1131
35 1 THE COURT: And if my experience the 2 ITNE—tew months 3.75—al any value, they are 3 very serious about enforcing this. They 4 will be tracking you for the rest of your 5 life. Do not move. Do not go -- I don't 6 care when you are done with community 7 control, they need to know exactly where 8 you are and if you go anywhere without 9 10 11 registering, they will find and you will be locked up. THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma'am. 12 THE COURT: Okay. Any questions 13 about that? 14 THE DEFENDANT: No, ma'am. 15 THE COURT: Did you read the plea in 16 the circuit court form that describes all 17 the rights you are giving up by entering 18 this plea? 19 THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma'am. 20 THE COURT: I'think I asked you 21 before, can you read? 22 THE DEFENDANT: Yes. 23 THE COURT: Are you under the 24 influence of alcohol, drugs or medication 25 today? PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231252
Page 468 / 1131
36 1 THE DEFENDANT: No, ma'am. 2 THE —CDURT7--NUMMIly -TWKing any 3 4 5 6 7 prescribed medication? THE DEFENDANT: Only for cholesterol. THE COURT: Does that interfere with your mental ability? THE DEFENDANT: No. 8 THE COURT: Do you understand you 9 have an attorney, you have a right to trial 10 by jury, there is not going to be a jury 11 trial. There won't be witnesses called. 12 That your attorney and you would have a 13 right to confront and cross examine, do you 14 understand you have a right to call 15 witnesses of your own and the court would 16 issue subpoenas to compel their attendance 17 just like any other witness called by the 18 State, that you have the right. -- absolute 19 right to remain silent and that you would 20 not have to say or do anything at the trial 21 if there were a trial, do you understand 22 those rights? 23 THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma'am. 24 THE COURT: Do you understand if you 25 are not a United States citizen your plea PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231253
Page 469 / 1131
37 1 could subject you to deportation pursuant flaws and regu aeions governing CUSS` 3 4 Naturalization Service and this court has 5 no jurisdiction or authority in such 6 matters, do you understand that? 7 THE DEFENDANT: Yes. 8 THE COURT: Has anybody threatened 9 you, coerced you or promised you anything 10 other than the terms of this plea to get 11 you to enter this plea? 12 THE DEFENDANT: No. 13 THE COURT: Do you understand this is 14 a plea in criminal court? 15 THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma'am. 16 THE COURT: This has -- in criminal 17 court in Palm Beach County, State of 18 Florida. I have absolutely nothing to do 19 with any civil matters or matters in any 20 other jurisdiction, do you understand that? 21 THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma'am. 22 THE COURT: Is this plea in any way United States Immigration and 23 tied to any promises or representations by 24 any civil attorneys or other jurisdictions? 25 MR. GOLDBERGER: May we come sidebar PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231254
Page 470 / 1131
38 1 on that, Your Honor? 3 THE COURT: IL i's--gokng—ta—b recorded. 4 MR. GOLDBERGER: That's fine. 5 THE COURT: Defendant needs to 6 approach as well. 7 (Whereupon, there was a conference at 8 the bench.) 9 MR. GOLDBERGER: The reason why I 10 asked to come sidebar, there is a 11 nonprosecution agreement with the United 12 States Attorney's office that triggers as a 13 result of this plea agreement. In other AY-N1 14 words, they have signed off and said they 15 will not prosecute Mr. Epstein in the 16 Southern District of Florida for any 17 offense upon his successful taking of this 18 plea today. That is a confidential 19 document that the parties have agreed to. 20 Just in an abundance of caution, / wanted 21 to tell the court. 22 THE COURT: I understand, that would 23 also be invalidated should he violate his 24 community control? 25 MR. GOLDBERGER: Absolutely. That PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231255
Page 471 / 1131
39 1 nonprosecution agreement -- ) firszronnvErr.---Th—erareann that 3 out. 4 THE COURT: Mr. Epstein needs to come 5 closer. 6 7 8 yr. Epstein, your attorney has told me that in addition to everything, we talked about another Inducement, shall we 9 say, to your taking this plea is that the 10 U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of 11 the State of Florida, federal prosecutor, 12 has agreed to a nonprosecution agreement 13 with you, meaning that if you successfully 14 complete probation and do everything you're 15 supposed to, they have, have agreed not to 16 prosecute you federally, did you understand 17 that? 18 THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma'am. 19 THE COURT: And I would view that as 20 a significant inducement in accepting this 21 plea. 22 MS. BELOHLAVEK: They are actually in 23 court here today, also. 24 THE COURT: Okay. 25 MR. GOLDBERGER: And the plea PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231256
Page 472 / 1131
40 1 agreement very carefully spelled out if 2 there- was-a breach- thwt- won₹d viplatt 3 agreement, II we are well aware of it. 4 THE COURT: Okay. I would request 5 that a sealed copy of that Mr. Epstein 6 has signed that document? 7 MR. GOLDBERGER: Yes, I would.like to 8 seal the copy. 9 THE COURT: I want a sealed copy of 10 that filed in this case. That is the only 11 other condition of the agreement that is 12 influencing this defendant to make this 13 decision? 14 MR. GOLDBERGER: Absolutely. I think 15 that's the right idea. 16 (Return to open court.) 17 THE COURT: Mr. Epstein, is there 18 anything else? 19 THE DEFENDANT: No, ma'am. 20 THE COURT: Because I don't take 21 these pleas unless they are freely and 22 voluntarily made. 23 THE DEFENDANT: I understand that. 24 THE COURT: I also don't want 25 somebody or anybody coming back a year, PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231257
Page 473 / 1131
41 1 2 3 two years from now saying, oh no, no; they beat me over rers—Azat or if there is anything else that is influencing you to 4 make this decision, then I need to know 5 about it. 6 THE DEFENDANT: I understand that. 7 MR. GOLDBERGER: Thank you. 8 THE DEFENDANT: Thank you very much, 9 Your Honor. 10 (Return to open court.) 11 THE COURT: All right, Mr. Epstein, 12 any questions about the rights you are 13 giving up by entering this plea? 14 THE DEFENDANT: No ma'am. 15 THE COURT: State, please give me a 16 factual basis. 17 MS. BELOHLAVEK: In 069454 CF AMB, 18 between August 1, 2004 and October 31, 19 2005, the defendant in Palm Beach County 20 did solicit or procure someone to commit 21 prosecution on three or more occasions. 22 And in 08 CF 9381 CF AMB between 23 August 1, 2004 and October 9, 2005, the 24 defendant did procure a minor under the age 25 of 18 to commit prostitution in Palm Beach PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231258
Page 474 / 1131
42 1 County also. 2 THE—tUURTT--I —Tind a sufficient 3 factual basis to support the pleas. 4 Are all of the victims in both of 5 these cases in agreement with the terms of 6 this plea? 7 MS. BELOHLAVEK: I have spoken to 8 several myself and I have spoken to 9 10 13. counsel, through counsel as to the other victim, and I believe, yes. THE COURT: And with regard to the 12 victims under age eighteen, is that 13 • victim's parents or guardian in agreement 14 with the plea? 15 MS. BELOHLAVEK: That victim is not 16 under age 18 any more and that's why we 17 spoke with her counsel. 18 THE COURT: And she is in agreement 19 with the plea? 20 MS. BELOHLAVEK: Yes. 21 THE COURT: And community control 22 will be given information concerning how to 23 contact these victims? 24 MS. BELOHLAVEK: Yes. 25 THE COURT: Confidentially. That PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231259
Page 475 / 1131
43 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 information will not be related to the crefendanC—MC —WlETrUZ€ZI excrff-gr761-7 —fdY purposes of verifying compliance with this agreement? MS. BELOHLAVEK: Yes. THE COURT: Is there anything else from anybody else before I accept this plea? 9 MR. GOLDBERGER: No, Your Honor. 10 THE COURT: Mr. Goldberger, if it is 11 your desire, you may enter your client's 12 plea. 13 MR. GOLDBERGER: Thank you, Your 14 Honor, at this time we would withdraw our 15 previously entered pleas of not guilty, 16 enter pleas of guilty pursuant to 17 negotiations with the State. 18 THE COURT: Mr. Epstein, I am going 19 to accept those pleas on your behalf. I 20 find you are intelligent, alert, you 21 understand what is going on here and the 22 consequence of entering this plea, you are 23 doing it freely and voluntarily. 24 Pursuant to the plea, I am waiving 25 a PSI, I will sentence you at this time PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231260
Page 476 / 1131
44 1 pursuant to it. I will adjudicate you 12— gufrE7- 51— feliniy sorfol-t—ation of 3 prostitution, a third degree felony, case 4 number 06 CF 00945A -- 454 AMB, and 5 procuring a person under 18 for 6 prostitution, a second degree felony 08 CF 7 009381AMB. 8 With respect to the solicitation 9 of prosecution, I will sentence you to 10 twelve months in the Palm Beach County 11 detention facility with credit for the one 12 day served. 13 With respect to 08 CF 009381, 14 will sentence you to six months in the Palm 15 Beach County detention facility, with 16 credit for the one day served. That six 17 month sentence is to be served consecutive 18 to the twelve month sentence. 19 Following the six month sentence 20 you will be placed on 12 months of 21 community control. That will be on both 22 cases, I assume, to run concurrently, 23 correct? 24 MS. BELOHLAVEK: Only on the 08 case. 25 THE COURT: Only on the second degree PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231261
Page 477 / 1131
45 1 felony? 2 ----MS. ffELUHLAVEK: Correct, the one 3 that designates him a sexual offender. 4 THE COURT: Okay. II only on case 5 number 08 CF 009381AMB will you be on one 6 year community control which would then 7 invoke a potential penalty of fifteen years 8 were you to violate. 9 The special conditions are that 10 you are to have no unsupervised contact 11 with minors and the supervising adult must 12 be approved by the Department of 13 Corrections. You are to be designated a 14 sexual offender pursuant to Florida Statute 15 943.0435 and you must abide by all 16 requirements of that statute which I have 17 read and we have discussed. 18 You will remain confined to your 19 residence except one half hour before and 20 after your approved employment, community 21 service work or other activities approved 22 by your probation officer. You will 23 maintain an hourly accounting of all your 24 activity on a daily log which you submit to 25 the supervising officer upon request. PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231262
Page 478 / 1131
46 4. 1 1) 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 You will be residing at 358 El Weach, Ftarkda-11480. Should you desire to move or go to a different location upon release from custody, you will get preapproval of that location from the Department of Corrections. You will have to contact your community control officer a minimum of once a week, it can be more often at their discretion and you are to work at the Florida Science Foundation at 250 Australian Avenue in West Palm Beach, Florida. You will submit to a mandatory curfew of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. You shall not live within a thousand feet of a school, day care center, park, playground or other place where 18 children congregate. You shall not have 19 any contact with the victims, directly or 20 indirectly including through a third person 21 unless approved by victim's therapist and 22 the sentencing court. 23 You shall not work for pay or as a 24 volunteer at any school, day care center 25 park, play ground, other place where PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231263
Page 479 / 1131
47 1 children may congregate. You shall not 2 v±ewTawn—ar possess—a-ny—obmteare 3 pornographic or sexually stimulating or 4 visual, auditory material including 5 telephone, electronic media, computer 6 programs, computer services that are 7 relevant to deviant behavior. 8 You shall submit two specimens of 9 blood to Florida Department of Law 10 11 12 Enforcement to be registered with the DNA data bank. You shall submit to a warrantless search by the probation officer 13 or community control officer of your 14 person, residence or vehicle. 15 You shall maintain a driving log. 16 You shall not drive a motor vehicle while 17 alone without prior approval of the 18 supervising officer. 19 You shall submit to, at 20 probationer or community control expense a 21 HIV test, the result of which is to be 22 released to the victims or victim's parent f I 23 or guardian. That has to be done within 48 24 hours. 25 You shall not obtain or a use post PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231264
Page 480 / 1131
C. 5 15 1 office box without the prior approval of 2 the—sugeivd-simg—cffrcer. 48 3 MS. BELOHLAVEK: You forgot one that 4 you may not possess, own or view sexually 5 stimulating -- I don't believe you read 6 that outloud just now. 7 THE COURT: Yes, I did. 8 MS. BELOHLAVEK: I'm .sorry, I didn't 9 hear it. I just wanted to make sure. 10 THE COURT: And the warrantless 11 search by the community control officer of 12 the person, residence or vehicle -- 13 understand the person, residence or vehicle \_) 14 includes anything you might possess like 15 computer, a cell phone and whatever other 16 elaborate devices there are to communicate 17 electronically these days, okay. Good 18 luck. 19 MR. GOLDBERGER: Thank you. 20 MS. BELOHLAVEK: Thank you. 21 THE COURT: Is there a judgment? 22 MR. GOLDBERGER: Yes, there should. be 23 judgments. 24 THE COURT: Was there a condition of 25 community control that he pay or is he PHYLLIS A. DAMES, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER EFTA00231265