is that six days a week, for up to ch day, Epstein is allowed to leave • a designated driver in a car ear- any one of three places: his lawyer lowntown West Palm Beach, the e foundation that he's established, y. t he wears, it could be argued that with two of his own jets parked .ternational Airport, Epstein might week save one, he's allowed to go to e, or simply to go home. e of Epstein go to the house on El he question. the house? ave encountered Nadia Marcinkova, ) Way at the time. He may also have 202 met a suave short-haired gentleman who spoke with a distinct French accent. That would be Jean-Luc Brunel. For the duration of Jeffrey Epstein's stay—or half stay—in the Stockade, Brunel's taken up residence in the house on El Brill° Way. 203 F1 fraudster named Arnold Pr had been commuted by Bill left office. Sheriff Bradshaw wants conjugal. But even US attorney Aca agreement with the governm( ment was highly irregular. "Epstein appears to have while in jail," Acosta would eral public. "Although the tei are a matter appropriately lei eral authorities, without doi while in state custody underrr And, of course, Epstein's: by taxpayers. CHAPTER 54 Jeffrey Epstein: June 30, 2008—July 21, 2009 ccording to Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, the treatment Jeffrey Epstein received in the Stockade was not preferential. By some measures, he isn't wrong. In 2010, millionaire polo mogul John Goodman killed a young man while driving drunk. He was convicted but was allowed to spend two years under house arrest while his appeal was being tried. Like Epstein, Goodman was allowed visitors. But Goodman's visitor list was nothing like Jeffrey Epstein's. Nadia Marcinkova is said to have visited Epstein in jail more than seventy times. Epstein's assistant Sarah Kellen also visited Epstein in the Stockade. A Russian mixed martial artist named Igor "Houdini" Zinoviev was another visitor, as was a disbarred lawyer and financial 204 FILTHY RICH CHAPTER 54 !008-July 21, 2009 c Bradshaw, the treatment Jeffrey Stockade was not preferential. By 't wrong. o mogul John Goodman killed a Irunk. He was convicted but was inder house arrest while his appeal vas allowed visitors. But Goodman's effrey Epstein's. I to have visited Epstein in jail more Kellen also visited Epstein in the ii artist named Igor "Houdini" Zino - was a disbarred lawyer and financial 204 fraudster named Arnold Prosperi, whose own prison sentence had been commuted by Bill Clinton on the day before Clinton left office. Sheriff Bradshaw wants to be clear: none of these visits was conjugal. But even US attorney Acosta, who negotiated Epstein's unusual agreement with the government, would say that Epstein's arrange- ment was highly irregular. "Epstein appears to have received highly unusual treatment while in jail," Acosta would say in a letter addressed to the gen- eral public. "Although the terms of confinement in a state prison are a matter appropriately left to the state of Florida and not fed- eral authorities, without doubt, the treatment that he received while in state custody undermined the purpose of a jail sentence." And, of course, Epstein's stay at the Stockade was subsidized by taxpayers. 205 Fi CHAPTER 55 R. Alexander Acosta's letter to the general public, March 20, 2011 To whom it may concern: I served as U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida from 2005 through 2009. Over the past weeks, I have read much regarding Mr. Jeffrey Epstein. Some appears true, some appears distorted. I thought it appropriate to provide some background, with two caveats: (i) under Justice Depart- ment guidelines, I cannot discuss privileged internal com- munications among department attorneys and (ii) I no longer have access to the original documents, and as the matter is now nearly 4 years old, the precision of memory is reduced. The Epstein matter was originally presented to the Palm Beach County State Attorney. Palm Beach Police alleged that Epstein unlawfully hired underage high 206 school females to provic massages. Police sought resulted in a term of im reports, however, in 200( to concerns regarding th( to charge Epstein only assault with no intent tc would have resulted in register as a sexual offet underage victims. Local police were di! ney's conclusions, and res Federal authorities recei engaged in additional invt the quality of the evidenc( at trial. With a federal considerations. First, a requires that the crime be an interstate nexus. Seco] charged by the state, the fe extent, to back-stop state is no miscarriage of justice erally that which has alre level. After considering the q additional considerations, the state charge was insufi the prosecutors and age Mr. Epstein's attorney, Rc:, best known for his suc CHAPTER 55 er to the general public, T the Southern District of Florida Dver the past weeks, I have read ey Epstein. Some appears true, thought it appropriate to provide D caveats: (i) under Justice Depart- discuss privileged internal com- ment attorneys and (ii) I no longer I. documents, and as the matter is precision of memory is reduced. was originally presented to the te Attorney. Palm Beach Police Ilawfully hired underage high 206 FILTHY RICH school females to provide him sexually lewd and erotic massages. Police sought felony charges that would have resulted in a term of imprisonment. According to press reports, however, in 2006 the State Attorney, in part due to concerns regarding the quality of the evidence, agreed to charge Epstein only with one count of aggravated assault with no intent to commit a felony. That charge would have resulted in no jail time, no requirement to register as a sexual offender and no restitution for the underage victims. Local police were dissatisfied with the State Attor- ney's conclusions, and requested a federal investigation. Federal authorities received the State's evidence and engaged in additional investigation. Prosecutors weighed the quality of the evidence and the likelihood for success at trial. With a federal case, there were two additional considerations. First, a federal criminal prosecution requires that the crime be more than local; it must have an interstate nexus. Second, as the matter was initially charged by the state, the federal responsibility is, to some extent, to back-stop state authorities to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice, and not to also prosecute fed- erally that which has already been charged at the state level. After considering the quality of the evidence and the additional considerations, prosecutors concluded that the state charge was insufficient. In early summer 2007, the prosecutors and agents in this case met with Mr. Epstein's attorney, Roy Black. Mr. Black is perhaps best known for his successful defense of William 207 JAMES PATTERSON Fij Kennedy Smith. The prosecutors presented Epstein a choice: plead to more serious state felony charges (that would result in 2 years' imprisonment, registration as a sexual offender, and restitution for the victims) or else prepare for a federal felony trial. What followed was a year-long assault on the prose- cution and the prosecutors. I use the word assault inten- tionally, as the defense in this case was more aggressive than any which I, or the prosecutors in my office, had previously encountered. Mr. Epstein hired an army of legal superstars: Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz, for- mer Judge and then Pepperdine Law Dean Kenneth Starr, former Deputy Assistant to the President and then Kirk- land & Ellis Partner Jay Lefkowitz, and several others, including prosecutors who had formerly worked in the U.S. Attorney's Office and in the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Justice Department. Defense attorneys next requested a meeting with me to challenge the prosecution and the terms previously presented by the prosecutors in their meeting with Mr. Black. The prosecution team and I met with defense counsel in Fall 2007, and I reaffirmed the office's position: two years, registration and restitution, or trial. Over the next several months, the defense team pre- sented argument after argument claiming that felony criminal proceedings against Epstein were unsupported by the evidence and lacked a basis in law, and that the office's insistence on jail-time was motivated by a zeal to overcharge a man merely because he is wealthy. They bolstered their arguments with legal opinions from 208 well-known legal expert team warned me that th€ good man to serve time • book if we continued tc office systematically con! ment, and when we di appealed to Washington. The defense strategy Defense counsel investiga their families, looking for provide a basis for disqual ecutor is an effective (thi eliminating the individua and thus most qualified to lihood for success. Defensi least two prosecutors. I rejected, these arguments. Despite the army of au the terms first presented meeting. On June 30, 2008 appeal to Washington D.( guilty in state court. He NiNq onment, register as a sexua restitution to the victims. Some may feel that the I tougher. Evidence that has encourage that view. Man; out, filing detailed statemen ages. Physical evidence has these additional statements 2, ATTERSON FILTHY RICH ecutors presented Epstein a )us state felony charges (that prisonment, registration as a ation for the victims) or else trial. ..ar-long assault on the prose- . I use the word assault inten- this case was more aggressive prosecutors in my office, had 4r. Epstein hired an army of 'rofessor Alan Dershowitz, for- -dine Law Dean Kenneth Starr, 3 the President and then Kirk- _efkowitz, and several others, o had formerly worked in the in the Child Exploitation and Justice Department. Defense t meeting with me to challenge terms previously presented by meeting with Mr. Black. The let with defense counsel in Fall he office's position: two years, n, or trial. months, the defense team pre- Lrgument claiming that felony tinst Epstein were unsupported ced a basis in law, and that the time was motivated by a zeal to ly because he is wealthy. They nts with legal opinions from 208 well-known legal experts. One member of the defense team warned me that the office's excess zeal in forcing a good man to serve time in jail might be the subject of a book if we continued to proceed with the matter. My office systematically considered and rejected each argu- ment, and when we did, my office's decisions were appealed to Washington. As to the warning, I ignored it. The defense strategy was not limited to legal issues. Defense counsel investigated individual prosecutors and their families, looking for personal peccadilloes that may provide a basis for disqualification. Disqualifying a pros- ecutor is an effective (though rarely used) strategy, as eliminating the individuals most familiar with the facts and thus most qualified to take a case to trial harms like- lihood for success. Defense counsel tried to disqualify at least two prosecutors. I carefully reviewed, and then rejected, these arguments. Despite the army of attorneys, the office held firm to the terms first presented to Mr. Black in the original meeting. On June 30, 2008, after yet another last minute appeal to Washington D.C. was rejected, Epstein pled guilty in state court. He was to serve 18 months impris- onment, register as a sexual offender for life, and provide restitution to the victims. Some may feel that the prosecution should have been tougher. Evidence that has come to light since 2007 may encourage that view. Many victims have since spoken out, filing detailed statements in civil cases seeking dam- ages. Physical evidence has since been discovered. Had these additional statements and evidence been known, 209 JAMES PATTERSON the outcome may have been different. But they were not known to us at the time. A prosecution decision must be based on admissible facts known at the time. In cases of this type, those are unusually difficult because victims are frightened and often decline to testify or if they do speak, they give con- tradictory statements. Our judgment in this case, based on the evidence known at the time, was that it was better to have a billionaire serve time in jail, register as a sex offender, and pay his victims restitution than risk a trial with a reduced likelihood of success. I supported that judgment then, and based on the state law as it then stood and the evidence known at the time, I would support that judgment again. Epstein's treatment, while in state custody, likewise may encourage the view that the office should have been tougher. Although the terms of confinement in a state prison are a matter appropriately left to the State of Flor- ida, and not federal authorities, without doubt, the treat- ment that he received while in state custody undermined the purpose of a jail sentence. Some may also believe that the prosecution should have been tougher in retaliation for the defense's tactics. The defense, arguably, often failed to negotiate in good faith. They would obtain concessions as part of a negotia- tion and agree to proceed, only to change their minds, and appeal the office's position to Washington. The inves- tigations into the family lives of individual prosecutors were, in my opinion, uncalled for, as were the accusations of bias and/or misconduct against individual prosecutors. 210 F: At times, some prosecut trial, and at times I felt t right in the first meetin spective of defense tacti tional right to a defense right should not be puni: sel's exercise of their ri Washington D.C. Proseci frustration and anger wi their judgment. After the plea, I reca One was from the FBI Sp( to offer congratulations. meetings regarding this c of the defense, and he cat holding firm against the 1 itz, Lefkowitz and Starr. received calls or commun itz, Lefkowitz and Starr. I als previously, from my Kirkland & Ellis in the m peace. I agreed to talk an Epstein pled guilty, as I tt tors battle defense attorne have tried, yet I confess ti: fully in this case. The bottom line is this: served time in jail and is ni He has been required to pa) restitution clearly cannot c 'ATTERSON n different. But they were not must be based on admissible 1 cases of this type, those are e victims are frightened and they do speak, they give con- • judgment in this case, based :he time, was that it was better time in jail, register as a sex ms restitution than risk a trial I of success. I supported that on the state law as it then stood : the time, I would support that Idle in state custody, likewise hat the office should have been rms of confinement in a state priately left to the State of Flor- rities, without doubt, the treat- le in state custody undermined nce. ve that the prosecution should Iliation for the defense's tactics. ['ten failed to negotiate in good concessions as part of a negotia- :d, only to change their minds, sition to Washington. The inves- lives of individual prosecutors ailed for, as were the accusations :t against individual prosecutors. 210 FILTHY RICH At times, some prosecutors felt that we should just go to trial, and at times I felt that frustration myself. What was right in the first meeting, however, remained right irre- spective of defense tactics. Individuals have a constitu- tional right to a defense. The aggressive exercise of that right should not be punished, nor should a defense coun- sel's exercise of their right to appeal a U.S Attorney to Washington D.C. Prosecutors must be careful not to allow frustration and anger with defense counsel to influence their judgment. After the plea, I recall receiving several phone calls. One was from the FBI Special Agent-In-Charge. He called to offer congratulations. He had been at many of the meetings regarding this case. He was aware of the tactics of the defense, and he called to praise our prosecutors for holding firm against the likes of Messrs. Black, Dershow- itz, Lefkowitz and Starr. It was a proud moment. I also received calls or communications from Messrs. Dershow- itz, Lefkowitz and Starr. I had known all three individu- als previously, from my time in law school and at Kirkland & Ellis in the mid 90s. They all sought to make peace. I agreed to talk and meet with each of them after Epstein pled guilty, as I think it important that prosecu- tors battle defense attorneys in a case and then move on. I have tried, yet I confess that this has been difficult to do fully in this case. The bottom line is this: Mr. Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire, served time in jail and is now a registered sexual offender. He has been required to pay his victims restitution, though restitution clearly cannot compensate for the crime. And 2/1 JAMES PATTERSON we know much more today about his crimes because vic- tims have come forward to speak out. Some may disagree with prosecutorial judgments made in this case, but those individuals are not the ones who at the time reviewed the evidence available for trial and assessed the likelihood of success. • Respectfully, R. Alexander Acosta Former U.S. Attorney Southern District of Florida PATTERSON 7 about his crimes because vic- speak out. Some may disagree lents made in this case, but ,t the ones who at the time ilable for trial and assessed the PA i T • Respectfully, R. Alexander Acosta Former U.S. Attorney Southern District of Florida 212 ftermath CHAPTER 56 Jeffrey Epstein: July 2009 Jeffrey Epstein walks out of the Stockade on July 21, 2009, having served less than thirteen months of his eighteen-month sentence. One of the concessions his lawyers have gotten while working out his plea-deal guarantees is that the media not be alerted to the time and day of his departure. But from now on, Epstein, who is fifty-six, will carry the mark of a level 3 sex offender—level 1 being the lowest, and level 3 indicating the highest possible risk of a future criminal act of a sexual nature. Wherever he goes, he will be forced to reg- ister as such. Every ninety days, Epstein will have to check in with the authorities. Every year, the New York City Police Department will take his mug shot. And for a full year, Epstein will be under house arrest in Palm Beach. This last prohibition doesn't stop him from flying, with court 215 JAMES PATTERSON approval, on his own planes to New York and to Little Saint Jeff's, where the locals have taken to referring to Epstein's 727 as the Lolita Express. There are other restrictions, of course, that Epstein is sup- posed to abide by. He has to provide the state of Florida with a list of all the motor vehicles, boats, and airplanes he owns. The full list includes two Escalades, six Suburbans, two Ford F-150s, two Harley-Davidsons, a Land Rover, a Hummer H2, a thirty- four-foot JVC boat, and a thirty-five-foot Donzi powerboat. Three of his five planes turn out to be registered to a com- pany called Air Ghislaine, Inc. As a registered sex offender, Epstein is legally obliged to undergo psychiatric treatment. This is a restriction he'll get around by having his own psychologist submit a report to law enforcement officers. Epstein is also prohibited from accessing pornography on the Internet and using social networking for sexual purposes. For Jeffrey Epstein, there will be no Bangbros, Tinder, or Swingles. com. There will be lawsuits. Six weeks before probation ends, he settles with seven women who sue him in civil court. But Epstein can easily afford the set- tlement payments. He won't be going back to jail, and in regard to further prosecution for any criminal actions, his troubles are behind him. Not everyone who's spent time in his company will be so lucky. 216 Alfredo Rodriguez: Aug E pstein's houseman, Al prison sentence. In a sworn statem maid, Lupita, who had comi up after Epstein's "massage5 lic, had cried as she describe Rodriguez was fired by I after seeing a strange car— g As it turned out, the ca masseuses. On his way out of the hc of Epstein's papers, which he by Chief Reiter's investigator. For years, Rodriguez tries manager. No one wanted tc IATTERSON New York and to Little Saint Jeff's, referring to Epstein's 727 as the s, of course, that Epstein is sup- rovide the state of Florida with a oats, and airplanes he owns. The , six Suburbans, two Ford F-150s, 1 Rover, a Hummer H2, a thirty- -five-foot Donzi powerboat. rn out to be registered to a corn- ler, Epstein is legally obliged to it. This is a restriction he'll get ychologist submit a report to law from accessing pornography on .etworking for sexual purposes. will be no Bangbros, Tinder, or ends, he settles with seven women it Epstein can easily afford the set- e going back to jail, and in regard • criminal actions, his troubles are time in his company will be 216 CHAPTER 57 Alfredo Rodriguez: August 2009 Epstein's houseman, Alfredo Rodriguez, also ends up with a prison sentence. In a sworn statement, Rodriguez talks about Epstein's maid, Lupita, who had complained to him about having to clean up after Epstein's "massages." Lupita, who was a devout Catho- lic, had cried as she described the stained towel and sex toys. Rodriguez was fired by Epstein, he says, when he called 911 after seeing a strange car—a "beater" —in Epstein's driveway. As it turned out, the car had belonged to one of Epstein's masseuses. On his way out of the house on El Brillo Way, he took some of Epstein's papers, which he failed to produce when questioned by Chief Reiter's investigators. For years, Rodriguez tried and failed to find work as a house nager. No one wanted to hire someone who'd worked for 217 JAMES PATTERSON Jeffrey Epstein. Finally, desperately, he tried to sell the informa- tion he'd stolen. The papers named underage girls and the places where Epstein had taken them. The list included locations in Califor- nia, Paris, New Mexico, New York, and Michigan. The papers also included the names, addresses, and phone numbers of famous individuals—Henry Kissinger, Mick Jagger, Dustin Hoff- man, Ralph Fiennes, David Koch, Ted Kennedy, Donald Trump, Bill Richardson, Bill Clinton, and former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak among them. This was intriguing, if not at all damning. Epstein made a habit of collecting such information for future use. But informa- tion pertaining to the girls would have bolstered the state's case against Jeffrey Epstein, and by withholding it from the Palm Beach PD and the FBI, Rodriguez had committed a crime. In his defense, Rodriguez would say that the papers were an "insurance policy." Without them, he believed, Epstein would have made him "disappear." But now Rodriguez needed the money. And so a few weeks after Epstein's release from the Stockade, he approached a lawyer who was representing some of Epstein's masseuses. He had the "holy grail," he insisted. A• golden nugget." The names of hun- dreds of girls, he said, who had been abused by Epstein. The lawyer told Rodriguez in no uncertain terms that he was obliged to turn whatever he had over to the authorities. By demanding money for the information, Rodriguez was commit- ting another crime. According to a sworn statement by Christina Pryor, a special. agent with the FBI, Rodriguez "persisted that he would only turn over the information in his possession in exchange for $50,000." 218 Fr u. Two months later, on Octobe. who insisted once more on bi lawyer told him that an associ What the lawyer knew one the associate in question was. the FBI. A few days later, on I' guez and sets up a meeting, wl "During the meeting, Roc book and several sheets of lega ten notes," Special Agent Pryo continues: Rodriguez explained that he his former employer's resid 2004 to 2005 and that the ho working for his former emp detail the information within ant information to the UCE. I; he had previously lied to the. about the $50,000, took posse counting it. Rodriguez was then detai. Proceedings, Title 18, U.S. Co tioned. After Miranda warning Rodriguez waived his rights a those rights. Rodriguez admiti and book in his possession an to local law enforcement or th 21 ?ATTERSON FILTHY RICH .ately, he tried to sell the informa- rage girls and the places where list included locations in Califor- York, and Michigan. The papers 'dresses, and phone numbers of :issinger, Mick Jagger, Dustin Hoff- Dch, Ted Kennedy, Donald Trump, and former Israeli prime minister )t at all damning. Epstein made a nation for future use. But informa- Duld have bolstered the state's case by withholding it from the Palm ;uez had committed a crime. would say that the papers were an them, he believed, Epstein would ed the money. And so a few weeks i.e Stockade, he approached a lawyer of Epstein's masseuses. He had the golden nugget." The names of hun- ad been abused by Epstein. !z in no uncertain terms that he was le had over to the authorities. By iformation, Rodriguez was commit itement by Christina Pryor, a special tz "persisted that he would only air, . .; 0 .ossession in exchange for $50,000." ...,. .) 218 * * * Two months later, on October 28, the lawyer called Rodriguez, who insisted once more on being paid for the information. The lawyer told him that an associate would be in touch. What the lawyer knew and Rodriguez did not know was that the associate in question was an undercover employee (UCE) of the FBI. A few days later, on November 2, the UCE calls Rodri- guez and sets up a meeting, which takes place the following day. "During the meeting, Rodriguez produced a small bound book and several sheets of legal pad paper containing handwrit- ten notes," Special Agent Pryor would say in her statement. She continues: Rodriguez explained that he had taken the bound book from his former employer's residence while employed there in 2004 to 2005 and that the book had been created by persons working for his former employer. Rodriguez discussed in detail the information within the book and identified import- ant information to the UCE. In addition, Rodriguez admitted he had previously lied to the FBI. Rodriguez asked the UCE about the $50,000, took possession of the money, and began counting it. Rodriguez was then detained for Obstruction of Official Proceedings, Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1512(c), and ques- tioned. After Miranda warnings were administered by agents, Rodriguez waived his rights and signed a written waiver of those rights. Rodriguez admitted that he had the documents and book in his possession and had never turned them over to local law enforcement or the FBI. In addition, Rodriguez 219 JAMES PATTERSON advised he had witnessed nude girls whom he believed were underage at the pool area of his former employer's home, knew that his former employer was engaging in sexual con- tact with underage girls, and had viewed pornographic images of underage girls on computers in his employer's home. Rodriguez was then released from custody for further investigation. The items that Rodriguez had attempted to sell to the UCE for $50,000.00 were reviewed by an agent familiar with the underlying criminal investigation. As Rodriguez had described, the items contained information material to the underlying investigation that would have been extremely use- ful in investigatang] and prosecuting the case, including the names and contact information of material witnesses and additional victims. Had those items been produced in response to the inquiries of the state law enforcement officers or the FBI Special Agents, their contents would have been presented to the federal grand jury. Following his release, Alfredo Rodriguez was arrested again. He appeared in court on June 18, 2010, facing charges of cor- ruptly concealing records and documents. Dressed in a blue jumpsuit and shackles, he apologized for his crimes and asked the court to be merciful. He received a sentence of eighteen months. It was the same punishment that Jeffrey Epstein had gotten for his crimes. But unlike Epstein, Alfredo Rodriguez served his time in a federal prison and did not ask for, or receive, permis- sion to go on work release. 220 Prince Andrew: 2011 p rince Andrew also fares imprisonment. The two men are old I Ghislaine Maxwell introduced] time in the 1990s. In 2000, Eps Castle to celebrate the queen's E flew to Sandringham, the quee) a party Prince Andrew threw for The prince had also visited Palm Beach as well as in New Roberts made in her 2015 decla asked her to give the prince Iv; back with the details. According to the Guardian, tied together at Windsor Castle, 2;