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
EFTA00723218
77 pages
Pages 61–77
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in
ase No. 502008CA031i1XXXXMB AB
Epstein's Objections to
Request and Motion for Protective Order
Page 6 of 22
Accordingly, the undersigned would agree with Epstein ... that the fact there exists a
Non-Prosecution Agreement does not mean that Epstein is free from future criminal
prosecution, and that in fact, 'the threat of prosecution is real, substantial and present.'"
See August 4, 2009 Order on Plaintiffs Motion to Compel Answers to Interrogatories
and Production of Documents at 4 (attached as Exhibit B) and September 9, 2009
Omnibus Order at 2 (attached as Exhibit C).
15.
Permitting
attorneys, photographers, videographers and various
others to scour Epstein's residence and photograph and videotape its contents runs
afoul of the limits set forth in the Fourth Amendment. Indeed, nothing would prevent
counsel, or anyone on its photography or videography production teams, or any of
the various "others," from sharing/providing their photographs and/or videotapes with
the United States Attorney's Office ("USAO").
16.
Moreover, it is certainly possible that someone in the 'cast of thousands"
requests to be present at the inspection could be a Government informant.
17.
Even if the Court entered a protective order limiting the persons entitled to
view the photographs/video, it would likely be ineffective against a subpoena from the
USAO or a Federal Grand Jury.
18.
Thus, the USAO would potentially be provided with a rare glimpse into
Epstein home, which it could not otherwise obtain absent a warrant based on probable
cause particularly describing the place to be searched. Under these circumstances, the
EFTA00723278
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V. EoStein Case No. 502008CA03;11,2pXXMB AB Epstein's Objections to =Request and Motion for Protective Order Page 7 of 22 USAO could circumvent the warrant and probable cause requirements by relying on counsel and photography/videography team to perform the search for them. 19. Assuming arguendo that a court order permitting a civil party rather than a law enforcement officer is not strictly subject to the Fourth Amendment, as certain cases have held, the policies, principles, and overriding purpose of the Amendment — to provide and protect the citizen's expectation of privacy, particularly in a "man's castle" (i.e. his residence) — should provide the context for the Court's determination of the reasonableness of the request for what at its essence is a court ordered search and seizure. 20. For this reason and the reasons set forth herein, the Court should deny Request and preclude any inspection of Epstein's property. Ill. The Inspection Could Violate Epstein's Fifth Amendment Rights Against Self — Incrimination 21. The Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination "permits a person not to answer official questions put to him in any other proceeding, civil or criminal, formal or informal, where the answers might incriminate him in future proceedings." See Edwin v. Price, 778 F.2d 668, 669 (11th Cir. 1985) (citing Lefkowitz v. Turley, 414 U.S. 70, 77 (1973)). The privilege is accorded liberal construction in favor of the right and extends not only to answers that would support a criminal conviction, but extends also to those answers which would furnish a link in the chain of evidence needed to prosecute the claimant for a crime. See Hoffman v. United States, 341 U.S. 479, 486 (1951). Information is protected by the privilege not only if it would support a criminal EFTA00723279
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R iidaggin e No. 502008CA0371IXXXM8 AB Epstein's Objections to Request and Motion for Protective Order Page 8 of 22 conviction, but also in those instances where "the responses would merely 'provide a lead or clue' to evidence having a tendency to incriminate.' See United States v. Neff, 315 F.2d 1235, 1239 (9th Cir.), cent denied 447 U.S. 925 (1980). 22. Moreover, the act of production itself may implicitly communicate statement and, for this reason, the Fifth Amendment privilege also encompasses the circumstances where the act of producing documents in response to a subpoena or production request has a compelled testimonial aspect. See United States v. Hubbell, 530 U.S. 27, 35-36 (2000). Thus, where the existence or location of the requested documents are unknown, or where production would "implicitly authenticate" the requested documents, the act of producing responsive documents is considered testimonial and is protected by the Fifth Amendment. See In re Grand Jury Subpoena, 1 F.3d 87, 93 (2nd Cir. 1993). 23. In the instant case, ■ requests, for example, to inspect the massage table. See Exhibit A. Any compelled 'production" by Epstein of "the massage table" for the inspection would violate his Fifth Amendment rights in that he is implicitly being asked to authenticate it. To the extent counsel requests Epstein to identify the room where the alleged acts occurred, such also violates the Fifth Amendment for the same reason. 24. Photographing and videotaping the massage table and the room where the acts allegedly occurred could potentially provide a 'lead or clue' to evidence having a tendency to incriminate but more important, any expectation that Epstein would, as a EFTA00723280
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v. Epstein Case No. 502008CA037=XXXXMB AB Epstein's Objections to'. Request and Motion for Protective Order Page 9 of 22 result of the motion or any court order, be required to facilitate the inspection by identifying the residence, any part of the residence, any object, or to be ordered to do anything other than to passively acquiesce to a court order would threaten to invade his privilege against being required to produce and/or testify. 25. In Jane Doe No. 2 v. Epstein, Case No. 0B-CIV-80119 MARRA/JOHNSON, the Court sustained Epstein's Fifth Amendment objections to interrogatories: asking Epstein to identify all employees who performed work inside his Palm Beach residence and all other employees who came to the residence (Interrogatory Nos. 1 — 2), asking Epstein to identify any who gave or were asked to give him. massages (Interrogatories Nos. 3 - 6), requesting information regarding the identity of persons who provided transportation services (Interrogatory No. 9), seeking a list of Epstein's employees' telephone numbers (Interrogatory No. 12), asking Epstein to indentify any persons or witnesses who have knowledge or are in possession of physical evidence pertaining to the events in question (Interrogatories Nos. 13, 14 and 17), seeking information related to alleged sexual abuse or misconduct on a minor (Interrogatory No. 15), and seeking the facts on upon which Epstein relies to support pleading denials and affirmative defenses (Interrogatory No. 16). See August 4, 2009 Order on Plaintiffs Motion to Compel Answers to Interrogatories and Production of Documents. 26. If the Fifth Amendment protects Epstein from disclosing the identity of any person who has knowledge or are in possession of physical evidence (i.e. photographs, EFTA00723281
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B,B. v, Eosteiq Case No. 502008CA03 XMB AB Epstein's Objections to Request and Motion for Protective Order Page 10 of 22 videos, written statements, etc.) pertaining the events in question (Interrogatory Nos. 13, 14 and 17 supra), it follows that Epstein's production of the massage table and massage room to be photographed and videotaped would also violate his Fifth Amendment rights. Stated differently, if Epstein can properly invoke his Fifth Amendment right to not identify a person who may have a photograph of, for example, the massage table, how can Epstein be required to produce the massage table for ■ to inspect, photograph and videotape? 27. To the extent requests Epstein produce the massage table or authenticate anything in his residence (i.e. the massage room, the kitchen where alleged conversations occurred, etc.), Epstein invokes his rights under the Fifth Amendment. IV. The Court Should Prohibit an Inspection of Epstein's Residence as Epstein's Home is Irrelevant and Not Reasonable Calculated to Lead to the Discovery of Admissible Evidence 28. Rule 1.350(a)(3), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, provides: Any party may request any other party to permit entry upon designated land or other property in the possession or control of the party upon whom the request is served for the purpose of inspection and measuring, surveying, photographing, testing, or sampling the property or any designated object or operation on it within the scope of rule 1.280(b). (Emphasis added). 29. Rule 1.280(b), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, provides in pertinent part, "[p]arties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, that is relevant to EFTA00723282
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s v. Epstein Case No. 502008CA03 XXXXMB AB Epstein's Objections to Request and Motion for ProtectWe Order Page 11 of 22 the subject matter of the pending action, whether it relates to the claim or defense of the party seeking discovery or the claim or defense of any other party...." (Emphasis added). 30. "Relevant evidence is evidence tending to prove or disprove a material fact." See Fla. Stat. §90.401. 31. In the instant case, there are no allegations in complaint that would be proven or disproven by evidence obtained from the inspection, and the inspection will not lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. 32. ■ asserts causes of action for negligence, coercion into prostitution, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. See Second Am. Compl. The only allegations in 11-page, 4-count complaint regarding Epstein's residence are: a. Epstein had a residence located at 358 El Brillo Way. Id. ¶4; b. Epstein plans to reside permanently at 358 El Brillo Way. Id. ¶5; c. II was brought to Epstein's residence and was left alone in a room at Epstein's "mansion." Id. ¶9; d. Epstein has a "lavish home." Id. ¶11; e. The alleged acts took place at Epstein's residence. Id. ¶14; and f. Epstein used his house for the purpose of lewdness or prostitution. Id. ¶20D.; EFTA00723283
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IL v. Epstein No. 502008CA037319XXXXMB AB Epstein's Objections to IIERequest end Motion for Protective Order Page 12 of 22 33. What relevant evidence (i.e. tending to prove or disprove a material fact) will be obtained from inspecting Epstein's back yard, the attic, the garage, the cabinets, drawers, storage closets or any other area of the house? The answer is simple: none. 34. Moreover, the room where the alleged acts occurred and massage table were not instrumentalities of the claims alleged in the complaint. The massage table has absolutely no relevance to claims, save for the fact that the massage table itself existed. Nothing about the massage table's dimensions, construction or appearance proves or disproves any material facts. The same rationale applies to the massage room. There are no allegations that put the massage room at issue such that a video or photograph will provide relevant evidence or lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. 35. This is not a case where ■ fell off the massage table and broke her leg. Nor is this a case where ■ slipped and fell in the massage room because of a defect in the floor. Both of those scenarios might provide some justification for an inspection of the massage table and massage room, respectively, because the inspection could lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. See Welzel v. Bernstein, 233 F.R.D. 185, 186 (D.C. 2005) (noting that in cases in which a site inspection has been allowed, the rationale has been because the specific location relates to the cause of action). 36. Nevertheless, the house has been remodeled and thus its appearance is substantially different than when the alleged acts occurred. EFTA00723284
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faLfain Case No. 502008CA037=XXXMB AB Epstein's Objections to =Request and Motion for Protective Order Page 13 of 22 37. The following cases addressing entry onto land for inspection illustrate the circumstances under which an inspection may or may not be appropriate: a. Strasser v. Yalamanchi, 669 So. 2d 1142 (Fla. 4th DCA 1996) involved a dispute between former plastic surgeon partners related to compensation. Plaintiff requested to inspect defendant's computer for billing and collection information. The court permitted limited access to defendant's computer systems only to search for financial information that had allegedly been deleted. Id. at 1145; b. Hauser v. Volusia County Dept. of Corrections, 872 So. 2d 987 (Fla. 1st DCA 2004) (permitting defendant to inspect plaintiffs' residences to collect air samples and observe ventilation systems where plaintiffs claimed they were injured due to exposure to toxic mold at their place of employment); c. Menke v. Broward County School Bd., 916 So. 2d 8 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005) (denying unfettered access to defendant's computers in case involving disciplinary proceedings brought against teacher for exchanging sexually explicit emails with students); d. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. v. Cooey 359 So. 2d 1200 (Fla. 1st DCA 1978) (quashing order permitting inspection of tire plant because plaintiff did not demonstrate that tires made at the plant were substantially similar to the tire involved in the subject accident, EFTA00723285
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V. Epstein ase No. 50200BCA037319XXXXIMB AS Epstein's Objections to MRequest and Motion for Protective Order Page 14 of 22 noting that plaintiff presented no evidence to support the need for an inspection); e. Murphy v. Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. , 2008 WL 3926715 (N.D. Fla. 2008) (denying request to inspect defendants tire plant since the tire at issue was no longer manufactured at the plant and since the plant had been changed and did not reflect the manufacturing conditions that existed when the subject tire was made; the court noted that the current condition of the plant was "only marginally relevant-at best."); and f. Marcort v. Goodwill Industries- Manasota, Inc., 220 F.R.D. 377 (M.D. Fla. 2003) (involving alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, plaintiff requested a wholesale inspection of defendant's property for ADA compliance. The court limited inspection of defendant's premises to "the specific barriers to access Plaintiffs alleged in their complaint."). 38. The instant case is unlike Yalamachi, where plaintiff sought to inspect defendant's computers for financial information directly relevant to his breach of contract claim; and it is unlike Hauser where the plaintiffs put the quality of the air in their homes at issue by suing their employer for exposure to toxic mold. EFTA00723286
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It. v. Epstein Case No. 502008CAOILUMOCXMB AB Epstein's Objections tW Request and Motion for Protective Order Page 15 of 22 39. This case is more analogous to Murphy and Gooey, where the court prohibited inspection because the plaintiffs could not demonstrate the how the inspection would be relevant to their respective cases. 40. Moreover, federal courts have recognized that "entry upon a party's premises may entail greater burdens and risks than mere production of documents" and "the degree to which the proposed inspection will aid in the search for truth must be balanced against the burdens and dangers created by inspection." See Belcher v. Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., 588 F.2d 904, 908 (4th Cir. 1978) (also known as "The Belcher Test"). 41. An inquiry into when to compel an inspection goes beyond mere relevance and must balance the need presented by the moving party against the burdens and dangers created by the inspection. See Johnson v. Mundy Industrial Contractors. Inc., 2002 WL 31464984 *3 (E.D .N.C. 2002) (quotations omitted). 42. As noted by professors Wright & Miller: [lit is clear that the right to discovery is a qualified right that does not extend to making unnecessary and unwarranted excursions onto the property of another under the guise of supportable litigative need. Public policy supports reasonable and necessary demands for information in the hands of the adversary, in order that the case may be well and truly tried. But any such invasion of a person's property rights must, in the language of our Supreme Court, 'be judged with care .... Properly to balance these competing interests is a delicate and difficult task.' See Wright & Miller, Federal Practice & Procedure, §2040 at 286-87 (1970 ed.) (Emphasis added). EFTA00723287
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v. Epstein Case No. 502008CA037319XXXXIM AB Epstein's Objections to BB's Request end Motion for Protective Order Page 16 of 22 43. Moreover, an inspection of Epstein's residence would violate his constitutional right to privacy. See Fla. Const., Art I. §23. The constitutional right of privacy in the Florida Constitution is broader than the protection provided in the United States Constitution. See Berkeley v. Eisen, 699 So. 2d 789, 790 (Fla. 4th DCA 1997), citing Rasmussen v. South Fla. Blood. Serv., Inc. 500 So. 2d 533, 536 (Fla. 1987). Orders compelling discovery constitute state action that may impinge on the constitutional right of privacy. See Berkeley, 699 So. 2d at 790. The court must balance the competing interests, privacy versus the need for discovery, that would be served by granting or denying discovery. Id. at 791. 44. The fact ■ wants to photograph and videotape the residence amplifies the invasion of privacy. 45. Again, the Fourth Amendment is implicated. The physical entry of the home is the chief evil against which the Fourth Amendment is directed and a principal protection against unnecessary intrusions into private dwellings is the warrant requirement imposed by the Fourth Amendment. See Welsh v. Wisconsin, 466 U.S. 740 (1984). 46. As set forth herein, Epstein's residence is, at best, only marginally relevant to the instant case. On the other hand, the right of privacy in one's home is sacred. 47. For the foregoing reasons, the Court should deny Request and enter a protective order, pursuant to Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.280(c), prohibiting such discovery as it is EFTA00723288
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R v. Epstein e No. 502008CA03.1XXXXMB AB Epstein's Objections to Request and Motion for Protective Order Page 17 of 22 harassing, not relevant or reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence and violates Epstein's constitutional right to privacy. V. Alternatively, if the Court Permits Inspection, it Should be Strictly Limited 48. If the Court finds the home inspection will somehow yield relevant evidence and outweighs Epstein's right of privacy, the inspection should be limited to the following: a. One photographer, accompanied by one attorney; b. To take five (5) still photographs (no video) of the room in which the alleged acts occurred', c. To be supervised by Epstein's security guard and his attorney; d. To be completed in 30 minutes or less; and e. Ill be required to produce copies of all photographs to Epstein's counsel. 49. Request to inspect the "entire property" for four hours with an entourage of attorneys, videographers, photographers, and their respective teams and "various others to assist in the process" is grossly overbroad. There are no allegations placing, for example, the back yard at issue. In only alleges that certain acts took place in a particular room. Thus, the inspection should be limited to said room. 50. Just as the Government, constrained by the Fourth Amendment, would first have to obtain a warrant based on probable cause, and the warrant would have to 1 For the reasons s loyees in Section III., supra, neither Epstein nor his counsel nor any of his will identify or show counsel or photographers the room where the alleged acts occurred. should erg have no problem providing her counsel with sufficient information to identify the room. EFTA00723289
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B.B. v. Epstein Case No. 502008CA03 XXXXMB AB Epstein's Objections to Request and Motion for Protective Order Page 18 of 22 particularly describe the thing to be seized and the place to be searched (see Dalia v. U.S. 441 U.S. 238 (1979)), so should this Court require s to justify her Request (i.e. show probable cause). That is, SI should be required to demonstrate to the Court the relevant evidence she intends to discover and where said evidence is reasonably believed to be. If, and only if, ■ presents sufficient evidence to justify the inspection, the Court's order should particularly describe the place to be searched based on the evidence put forth by (i.e. the room in which the alleged acts occurred). 51. In addition, having teams of photographers, videographers, attorneys and "others" present at a four-hour inspection is unduly burdensome for Epstein to endure in his own home. It is also harassing. 52. Moreover, such a scenario is ripe for misconduct. With a large group of people trouncing around Epstein's house, it is not beyond the bounds of reasonable possibility that something would be stolen or broken. And given the amount of publicity surrounding this case and its contentious nature, it would not be difficult for a member of the "photography team," for example, to sneak off and photograph irrelevant portions of the home and either publish or sell the photos. 53. In Wetzel v. Bernstein, plaintiff brought an action against her former employer alleging discrimination and retaliation. 233 F.R.D. 185. Plaintiff asserted the office configuration exacerbated her mistreatment by defendant. The court noted that plaintiff could argue she suffered heightened emotional distress because other employees were aware of how she was being treated by virtue of the glass walls in her EFTA00723290
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v, Epstein Case No. 502008CA03 XXXXMB AB Epstein's Objections to Request and Motion for Protective Order Page 19 of 22 office. Id. at 187. In permitting the inspection, the court limited it to one-hour and to the suite of offices at issue. 54. While has not and cannot demonstrate a need for inspection like the plaintiff in Welzel (i.e. that the configuration of the office itself exacerbated her emotional distress), if the Court permits an inspection of Epstein's residence, it should enter a protective order limiting the scope to the room in which the alleged acts occurred and limiting the time to one half hour. See Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.280(c) (permitting the court to limit the scope of discovery). 55. Additionally, any photographs should be subject to a confidentiality order. The photographs should be strictly limited for use in this litigation, not shown to anyone except counsel and experts, and returned to Epstein after the conclusion of this litigation. Any expert permitted to view the photographs should be required to sign an assurance providing that he or she agrees to abide by the terms of a confidentiality order. Due to the substantial due process and privacy concerns articulated herein, the Court should further order that a violation of the confidentiality order be punishable by contempt of court. attorneys have not been shy about contacting the press. VI. Any Inspection Should Occur After Deposition and Just Prior to Trial 56. If the Court permits an inspection, it should take place shortly before trial, but after■ has been deposed to avoid any attempt by her to tailor her testimony to the information obtained from the inspection. The integrity of memory will be compromised if she is permitted to view images from inside the residence. An analogy EFTA00723291
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v. Epstein Case No. 502008CA0 XXXXMB AB Epstein's Objections to Request and Motion for Protective Order Page 20 of 22 can be made to cases involving impermissibly suggestive showups.2 See e.g. Neil v. Biggers, 409 U.S. 188 (1972). In Neil, the United States Supreme Court, addressing suggestive showups, noted that "the primary evil to be avoided is a very substantial likelihood of irreparable misidentification." Id. at 198. (Internal quotations omitted). It went on to state that suggestive confrontations are disapproved because they increase the likelihood of misidentification, which would violate a defendant's due process rights. Id. 57. Just like a victim's propensity to misidentify a criminal suspect in a suggestive showup, there is a strong likelihood that El will tailor her recollection and testimony to the photographs/video taken at the inspection. There would be no way to test whether her testimony was a result of independent recollection of the alleged events or from viewing the photographs. This would, of course, violate Epstein's due process rights. 58. On the other hand, will not be prejudiced by postponing the inspection until after her deposition. 59. Ergo, if the Court permits to inspect Epstein's residence, Epstein requests the inspection be conducted after deposition and just prior to trial. WHEREFORE, Defendant, JEFFREY EPSTEIN, respectfully requests the Court sustain his objections to E.W.'s Request for Entry Upon Land, enter a protective order precluding entry on Epstein's property or, in the alternative, enter a protective order Z A „showup" is a pretrial identification procedure in which a suspect is confronted with a witness to or the victim of a crime. Unlike a lineup, a showup is a one-on-one confrontation. See Black's Law Dictionary (8th ed. 2004). EFTA00723292
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1.3 .,EaLeti Case No. 502008CA0UIWYJO(XMB AB Epstein's Objections t Request and Motion (or Protective Order Page 21 of 22 limiting the inspection as follows: (a) one photographer, accompanied by one attorney; (b) to take five (5) still photographs (no video) of the room in which the alleged acts occurred; (c) to be supervised by Epstein's security guard and Epstein's attorney; (d) to be completed in 30 minutes or less; (e) to occur after le deposition; and (f) any photographs be subject to a confidentiality order proscribing dissemination to anyone except counsel and experts, a violation of which would be punishable by contempt of court, and to grant any additional relief the Court deems just and proper. Certificate of Service I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true copy of the foregoing was sent by fax and U.S. Mail to the following addressees on this 14th day of September, 2009: Theodore J. Leopold, Esq. Spencer T. Kuvin, Esq. Leo Jack Goldberger, Esq. ss, P.A. Fax: Co-counsel for Defendant Jeffrey Epstein BURMAN, CRITTON, LUTTIER & COLEMAN, LLP 303 Banyan Blvd., Suite 400 FL 33401 By: F Robert . Critton, Jr. Florid ar #224162 Michael J. Pike Florida Bar #617296 EFTA00723293
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v, Epstein Case No. 502008CA0 XXXXMB AB Epstein's Objections to.. Request and Motion for Protective Order Page 22 of 22 (Counsel for Defendant Jeffrey Epstein) EFTA00723294
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