EFTA01651292.pdf

From: "M IE> To: ' ( ' I, Cc: ' › Subject: Re: FW: VI Daily News: AG says Epstein lawyers have agreed to revise victim compensation fund protocol Date: Wed, 03 Jun 2020 22:13:59 +0000 Importance: Normal Inline-Images: image002.jpg; pastedImagebase640.png and I have been very clear with victims' legal counsel and therapists that the case agent needs to ensure they are an identified victim before they are eligible for the 12 sessions and we've made it very clear to the therapists that the limit is 12. Program Manager FBI Victim Services Division =M. On Jun 3, 2020 5:50 PM, "IM, ( wrote: Yes they been told a maximum of 12 sessions. On Jun 3, 2020 5:47 PM, "I IMMIE> wrote: Ok, thanks for the clarification. We will just need to have clear parameters with the ones we pay for their counseling, that we can't pay for long term counseling. On Jun 3, 2020 5:37 PM, wrote: Hi - yes both. When I spoke to Brittany today she confirmed that it refers to that the FBI VSD can assist victims that are identified through the NYO Case agent. Once confirmed they will be assisted with Crime Victims Compensation for victims eligible in New York State; and a limited number of counseling financial assistance for those victims in Florida where crime victims compensation is not available. This is the same information that was given to them at both of the Victim Meetings back in October. But for this all victims must be confirmed through the case agent; because there are some applying for this fund that have not spoken to the FBI. Hope this clarifies. Let me know if you have any additional questions. EFTA01651292 On Jun 3, 2020 5:25 PM, "a> wrote: When it says counseling is available through us does that mean we will refer them to counseling or pay for it? I know we have paid for counseling for some of them but I just want to be clear what the expectation is. On Jun 3, 2020 5:12 PM, "ala> wrote: Thank you very much that helps!! MSW, LCSW FBI Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer A/UC Chief Child Victim Services Unit On Jun 3, 2020 5:10 PM,'ala> wrote: Hello Team, I apologize for the delay, but it took some time to hear back from one of the civil attorneys that has extensively been communicating. I'm also copying into this. Please note that also reached out SSA who sent a similar email to and myself a few days ago. has provided him with the same information below. I've highlighted the portion of text that is relevant what this means for FBI/VSD. The Estate of Jeffrey Epstein has created a Claims Fund Program to compensate the victims of Mr. Epstein. If a victim was abused by Mr. Epstein, she is eligible to participate in the Program. Victims are eligible to participate in the Program even if their claim is time-barred by the statute of limitations or if they previously entered into a settlement agreement with Jeffrey Epstein in the past, assuming other criteria is met. There is no cap or limitation on the amount of funds available to the Program to compensate all eligible victims. This Program is different from the lawsuits that have been filed or could be filed against the Estate. The Program is voluntary, which means that each victim has the right to chose whether or not to participate. If the victim has a claim that is not barred by the statute of limitations, she can choose to file a lawsuit and litigate her case rather than participate in the Program. She can also choose to participate in the Program and litigate her case in Court at the same time. The Program and the lawsuit are independent of one another. The Program is run by Program Administrator Jordy Feldman. Each victim who chooses to participate in the Program will submit her claim (comprised of the details of her abuse and proof of her damages). Ms. Feldman will then make a determination as to the monetary value of her claim. Each claim will be evaluated separately, meaning the dollar amounts awarded to compensate each victim will differ and are made irrespective of one another. Ms. Feldman will run the Program independently from the Estate. This means that the Estate will not be involved in determining the amount of compensation awarded to each claimant. Ms. Feldman will make those determinations on her own without input from the Estate. The Estate will be provided with the names of the victims who submit claims to the Program, but they will not have access to any evidence that each victim submits to support her claim. EFTA01651293 After Ms. Feldman has evaluated a claim, she will issue a letter to the victim or her attorney including the amount of compensation that the Program is willing to pay to compensate her. At that time, the victim can either accept the amount of money being offered to her and sign a release precluding her from continuing any litigation or taking any further action against the Estate, or she can reject the amount of money offered and, if she chooses and the remedy is legally available, proceed with/file a lawsuit. By way of brief relevant background, the Estate intended to have this Program approved by the Court in the USVI on February 4. Shortly prior to the hearing, the Virgin Islands Attorney General filed a lien against the Estate preventing the Program from beginning because she did not believe that the tenants of the Program were favorable to the victims. We worked together with both the Estate and the USVI AG over the past few months to improve the Program so that the AG would allow the Program to move forward. As you know, an agreement has been reached and the Program is moving forward. The only reference that was made to the FBI in the Agreement is that Jordy Feldman, as Program Administrator, will inform claimants that counseling is available to them through FBI Victim Services or other similar entities, as would be available to them whether or not a Program existed. The FBI has not been obligated to do anything outside of the normal course of business by way of the Agreement; your tremendous work on behalf of victims has only been highlighted. I know that the news articles are often times inaccurate and can be confusing. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like clarification on anything. r T T) EDWARDS 'Lot POTTINGER I1 C Brittany Henderson Trial Attorney 425 North Andrews Avenue, Suite 2 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 I www.epllc.com Program Manager FBI Victim Services Division From: Sent: Tuesday, June 2, 2020 7:30 AM To: Subject: Fwd: FW: VI Daily News: AG says Epstein lawyers have agreed to revise victim compensation fund protocol I asked and if they were aware of the provision built in for the FBI vicitm assistance piece and they are not aware of this. If anyone has knowledge as to the history of that being added in that would be helpful. Thanks, EFTA01651294  MSW, LCSW FBI Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer A/UC Chief Child Victim Services Unit On Jun 2, 2020 7:25 AM, "MM IMM> wrote: Hi all, Hope you are all well and having a good week. I know prior to leaving she was working with you on this case. So I apologize if I dropped the ball after she left, I didn't have it in my out brief to follow up on. has asked me if I was aware of the revision of the victim assistance compensation protocol and the role of VSD. Would you mind looping me in? Thank you for your help. Best, Forwarded messa e From: " Date: Jun I, 2020 5:38 PM Subject: Fwd: FW: VI Daily News: AG says Epstein lawyers have agreed to revise victim compensation fund protocol To: 'IMM ME> Cc: Are you aware of this through VSD? Thanks, Forwarded From: Date: Jun I, 2020 5:36 PM Subject: FW: VI Daily News: AG says Epstein lawyers have agreed to revise victim compensation fund protocol EFTA01651295 To: " Cc: Hey Can you provide me more details on the below and FBI's role in this settlement? Thanks From: Sent: Monday, June 1, 2020 8:04 AM To: H Subject: FW: VI Daily News: AG says Epstein lawyers have agreed to revise victim compensation fund protocol See below: access to FBI Victim Services is part of the settlement?? How does that work? AG says Epstein lawyers have agreed to revise victim compensation fund protocol • Jun 1, 2020 Attorneys for sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's estate and the Virgin Islands government have resolved disputes over a proposed victims' compensation fund, and V.I. Attorney General Denise George said she "will allow the release of a portion of estate funds for the victims so that the program may proceed." George issued the written statement Friday, saying that her office has reached an "agreement in principle" for a victim compensation program with the estate's and victims' attorneys. The estate proposed the fund in November as a way for Epstein's victims to receive compensation without having to go to court, after Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell on Aug. 10 while awaiting trial on new charges. In January, George filed a civil enforcement action under the territory's Criminally Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act against Epstein's estate and six of his companies, claiming that Epstein and his attorneys used the Economic Development Commission's tax benefit program to save millions of dollars that helped fund his criminal sex trafficking operation. As pan of that action, George placed liens on the more than $600 million estate that have restricted his attorneys from paying settlements to victims, and argued that the terms of the compensation fund are illegal and help protect others who conspired with Epstein to abuse dozens of women over the last two decades. V.I. Superior Court Judge Carolyn Hermon-Purcell has said she cannot move forward with probate until George and Epstein's attorneys resolved their differences, and George lifts the liens. George said in the statement Friday that she's now willing to do that, and "the Attorney General's Office, working closely with Epstein's victims and their counsel, have now reached an agreement upon the terms of the fund, which include a set of reforms that provide a process that will be more fair, credible, and victim-oriented." George said she's always supported the existence of such a fund, which "would allow victims to avoid the publicity and trauma of a trial and provide them, promptly, with a measure of justice and closure," according to the statement. "The victim compensation fund as it stands now, is a substantial improvement from the original victims' claim fund proposed by the estate." According to George, the victim compensation fund now includes: • Involvement of victim advocate Marci Hamilton, CEO of Child USA and the country's preeminent expert and advocate on child sexual abuse issues. This will help ensure that the decisions of the fund administrator are fully EFTA01651296 informed by and sensitive to the unique experiences and needs of survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse. • Dedicated funding to ensure that victims who have not yet come forward or who are not satisfied with the claims process or award can opt-out without sacrificing the chance of a judgment or recovery. • Protections to ensure that information shared by victims in the claims process is not provided to the estate and, potentially, used against the claimant or other victims. • Access to counseling and referral services through the FBI Victim Services program and Child USA. • Approval of the program's administrative budget by the Probate Court and monthly reporting to the Attorney General's Office and the Probate Court on the number and value of claim awards. "The attorney general opposed the estate's initial demand that, in order to obtain funds under the program, victims be required to sign broad releases to protect other individuals who sexually abused them. With that broad release in place, the Fund could not ensure a fundamentally fair and legally sufficient process for victims who choose to participate," according to the statement. "The parties now agree, and the program administrator has committed, that no information obtained solely through the program by the estate will be disclosed publicly or used by the estate in defending itself from any claim, regardless of forum." The estate "has agreed that there is no assertion that the attorney general's release of compensation program funds does not act as a waiver of any ability by the government to object to the program's administrative expenses, including those paid with these initial funds," according to the statement. "I continue to admire the tremendous bravery and strength of the women who have come forward to work with my office on this process," George said. "I'm hopeful the agreement will receive final approval, so these women are able to receive the help they need. My office will forcefully continue its work to hold accountable Epstein's criminal enterprise through the Government's CICO lawsuit and send a clear message that the USVI is not, and will not, be a safe haven for sex traffickers or sexual abuse." — Contact Suzanne Carlson a or envoi Gretchen C.F. Shappert U.S. Attorney for the Virgin Islands Office of the U.S. Attorney Ron De Lugo Federal Building 5500 Veterans Drive, Suite 260 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas VI 00802-6214 https://www.justice.gov/usao-vi EFTA01651297