EFTA01733962.pdf

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4,2014 gbe SUS Epstein's accusem _press to reopen sex abuse ;ase MIAMI (AP) — Nearly a ligence. His foundation estab- decade ago. a wealthy U.S. lished a Harvard University financial guru came under program that uses mathe- FBI investigation, suspected matics to study evolutionary of sexually abusing dozens of biology, viruses and disease. underage girls at his Florida According to lawsuits filed mansion. Then, abruptly, the by some of his accusers, investigation was dropped Epstein relied on assistants to and Jeffrey Epstein pleaded recruit underage girls to give guilty to a single state charge him massages and perform of soliciting prostitution. He sex acts. They were usually served just over a year in Jail. paid about $200. Now, two women who say Some girls were notified they were among his victims about the investigation begin- have won a precedent-setting ning in 2006. But they appeals court ruling entitling weren't told about the nego- them to see all the documents tiations with federal prosecu- from, the plea bargain dis- tors for at least nine months. cussions between Epstein's despite a requirement in the high-powered lawyers and Crane Victims' Rights Act that federal prosecutors.. they be kept informed. The Their goal: use those files to Associated Pens two women sued for the files undo the agreement, reopen Jeffrey Epstein in custody in West Palm Beach, Fla. on July 30, 2008. and won. the investigation and subject Epstein was suspected nearly a decade ago of paying for sex with Federal prosecutors have Epstein to more charges. underage girls. The FBI abruptly dropped its investigation a few years begun turning over the docu- Lawyers for the women — ago, and Epstein pleaded guilty to a single state charge of soliciting pros- ments. who were 13 and 14 when the titution. He served 13 months in jail. Now, two women who say they were Epstein's attorney. Roy alleged assaults occurred — sexually abused as girls by Epstein are hoping a trove of new documents Black, the celebrity lawyer contend Epstein got special will get the case reopened. who is also representing treatment because of his Justin Bieber in his DUI and wealth and connections. His resisting-arrest case in Miami attorneys deny that. said in a 2011 letter defend- experts and lawyers involved Beach, declined to comment Epstein, 61. made hun- ing his office that more et- In the case. The law marked but has asked that the docu- dreds of millions of dollars dence came to light after the culmination of efforts ments be kept from public managing funds for rich Epstein made his deal. begun in the 1960a to give view, and so far they have clients. Shortly after his 2008 'Many victims have spoken crime victims more of a say. been. guilty plea, it came to light out, filing detailed statements "i hope that the case will In a May 23 court filing, that his lawyers had secretly in civil cases seeking dam- ultimately set an important Black said that there was no reached a non-prosecution ages. Physical evidence has precedent that federal prose- conspiracy between prosecu- agreement months earlier been discovered," Acosta cutors can't keep victims in tors and Epstein's team to with the U.S. Justice Depart- wrote. 'Had these additional the dark about the plea deals violate the victims' rights law ment that spared him a statements and evidence been that they reach," Cassell said. and that the non-prosecution potentially heavier punish- known, the outcome may Epstein served 13 months agreement contained many ment. have been different.' of an 18-month sentence on provisions Epstein strongly 'Our complaint alleges that. Epstein has settled lawsuits the prostitution charge, sold opposed, such as registering prodded by Epstein. the fed- for undisclosed amounts with his Palm Beach home in 2011 as a sex offender and agreeing eral prosecutors deliberately many of the women who say and now divides his time not to contest certain law- concealed the sweetheart plea they were underage when between a New York City suits. deal they made with him to they were patd for sex. home, a Caribbean island and Even If a judge invalidates avoid public criticism." said The case represents the first an apartment in Paris, accord- the plea deal. It will still be up Paul Cassell. a University of time a federal appeals court ing to court documents. He to federal prosecutors to Utah law professor who is has ruled that the Crime Vic- also has a large New Mexico decide what to do. representing the two women. Ums' Rights Act of 2004 guar- ranch. "The court can't force the The U.S. attorney's office in antees victims the right to be He donates huge sums each prosecutors to bring charges," Miami would not comment. informed about the details of year, particularly toward pro- said Matt Alexrod, a former But the U.S. attorney at the how a plea bargain was jects involving new medical federal prosecutor now in pri- time, R. Alexander Acosta. reached, according to legal treatments and artificial Intel- vate practice in Washington. EFTA_R1_00010923 EFTA01733962