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KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP
MEMORANDUM
CONFIDENTIAL
TO:
ADA Lisa Friel, Chief, Sex Crimes Unit
ADA Jennifer Gaffney, Deputy Chief, Sex Crimes Unit
ADA Patrick Egan, Sex Crimes Bureau and Trial Bureau 40
FROM
Jay P. Lefkowitz, P.C.
Sandra Lynn Musumeci
DATE
October 7, 2010
SUBJECT:
SORA Determination for Jeffrey E. Epstein, NYSID # OSI909,
Supreme Court Case # 30129-2010
Jeffrey Epstein is ;4 57-year old financial advisor and philanthropist who maintains his
primary residence in the U.S. Virgin Islands where he spends the majority of his time. He
spends -limited time at but-owns-a-vacation homes in Manhattan, New Mexico and Florida. In
connection with his vacation home in Manhattan, he —has -been advised that he -is required to
register as a sex offender in New York under SORA by virtue of a single conviction for a
prostitution-related offense, committed in Florida (wherehe-alse-ewris-a-vaeatien-heine)-dating
back to 2005.
On June 30, 2008, Mr. Epstein pleaded guilty in the Circuit Court for Palm Beach
County, Florida under an Information to the charge of Procuring a Person Under 18 for
Prostitution, in violation of Fla. Stat. § 796.03.1 Mr. Epstein, who has never before been
convicted of a crime, accepted responsibility for the offense alleged in the Information his
conduct -- which involved a consensual arrangement in which, at some unspecified times during
a fourteen month period alleged in the Information, he received massages and engaged in sexual
touching in exchange for money with A.D., a young woman over the age of consent under New
York law for all but two months of the fourteen month period during which this conduct is
alleged to have occurred Asut--just-under--1-8-fer--all-but-two-ef-the-fouFteen-inonths—when-the
effeues-eited-in-the-Inferfustien—allegedhi-essucced, - and agreed to a sentence which required
him to serve thirteen months in jail, followed by one year of community control in Florida.
Since his release from incarceration, Mr. Epstein previously registered as a sex offender
in Florida (the state of his offense) when he was a full-time resident of that state. More
importantly. Mr. Epstein is registered with the authorities of the U.S. Virgin Islands. where he
actually maintains his primary residence and spends the majority of his time. He has registered
Jeffrey Epstein concurrently pleaded guilty to an Indictment charging him with one count of Felony
Solicitation for Prostitution, Ha. Stat. § 796.07(2Xf), (4)(c). This charge does not involve any sexual contact with
underage women and is not a registerable offense under Florida or New York law. See Ha. Stat. § 943.0435; N.Y.
Correction Law § 168-a(2Xa).
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and keeps his registration current under that jurisdiction's Sexual Offender and Community
Protection Act.2 See 14 V.I.C. 1721 et seq.. Notably, the Virgin Islands -- which arguably has
the greatest incentive to keep a watchful eye on Mr. Epstein, since that is where he spends the
bulk of his time -- only requires Mr. Epstein to register with authorities once annually for the
next fifteen years. See 14 V.I.C. 1724(d), (e). Under the Virgin Island's registration scheme,
Mr. Epstein qualifies at the lowest level, and accordingly. he is registered as a "sex offender." as
opposed to a "habitual sexual offender" or "sex predator," which would trigger more onerous
reporting requirements. See Virgin Islands Sexual Offender/Sexual Predator Registration Form,
August 9. 2010 (Exhibit D):3 see also 14 V.I.C.
1722(b), 1724(d). Moreover, the Virgin
Islands explicitly mandates that should Mr. Epstein move out of the U.S. Virgin Islands, he must
register his new address with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Justice before leaving, and
must also register with his new state of residence within 10 days. See 14 V.I.C. e 1724(c). In
short, the U.S. Virgin Islands, as the jurisdiction with primary oversight of Jeffrey Epstein,
maintains firm supervision over Mr. Epstein's whereabouts. And in that jurisdiction's judgment,
Mr. Epstein does not pose sufficient risk of reoffense to merit a high level of monitoring.
In addition to his registration in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida. Mr. Epstein is also
registered in New Mexico, a State which specifically advised Mr. Epstein's counsel that Mr.
Epstein's registration is not required under New Mexico Law. Sinee-his-release-frem
where-he-hes-been-teld-that-registfatien-was-get-a-state-Fetiirement-in-his-easer(where-he-eives-a
vacation-property). Significantly, all of all-ec these jurisdictions, upon considering the offense
and conduct which triggered Mr. Epstein's duty to register, determined that Mr. Jeffrey-Epstein
posed a minimal risk to society, and accordingly imposed upon him their lowest reporting
obligations. (In fact, as stated above. -New Mexico determined that Mr. Epstein need not register
under that state's sex offender registration law at all.) The low-level risk determinations made
by these three separate jurisdictions are entirely appropriate, given the location of-Mr. Epstein's
primary residence in the United States Virgin Islands. his history and personal characteristics,
the circumstances of the offense which triggered the registration requirement, his acceptance of
responsibility, his successful completion of a jail sentence and subsequent supervision in Florida,
and the extraordinary improbability that he will ever re-offend in any state.
Mere-impeFtantlyr Mr-rEpstein-is-r-egistered-Ns4th-the-agtherities-ef-theWArgin
Islandsr vehefe-he-astuagy-maintains-his-pfimary-reskleneerNe-kas-Fegistered-and-keeps-bis
regictration current under that juriedietion's SeKual Offender and Community Protection Act.4
For the avoidance of doubt, the U.S. Virgin Islands is one of the principal territories of the United States
(along with Puerto Rice Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands), and accordingly is a "covered
jurisdiction" subject to and covered by the federal Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), 42
U.S.C.A. & 16901 et seq..
The attached registration form (Exhibit D), is Mr. Epstein's most recent registration form, filed on August
9.2010 when he returned to the U.S. Virgin Islands upon completing his period of community control in Florida.
Mr. Epstein first registered with Virgin Island authorities upon his release from incarceration.
2
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See-Mat-setyrNetably
r the-Virtifrislands--whielmeguably-has-the-greatest
ineentive-te-keep-a-watencal-eye-en-MfrEpmeinr sinee-that-is-wheFe-he-spends-the-halk-of--his
time—enirrequires-Mr-rEpatein-te-register-witli-ainhenties-anee-annually-fer-the-next-fifteen
yearsr See-14-a
der--the-V-irgin-Island=s-Fegisnation-sehemer MfrEpsiein
qualifies-ai-the-lewest4eyelr and-aseerdinglyr he-is-regiateced4S-asen-effender
s-eppiased-ie-a
"habitual sexual offender" or "sex predator," which would trigger more onerous reporting
requirements. Sec Virgin Hands Sexual Offender/Sexual Predator Registration Form, August-93
20-1-0-(-Exhibit-B-W-see-alse-1-4-3a40)=Mereeyerr
theNngin4alanas
explisidy-fnandates-that-sheold-Jefffey-Epstein-Eneye-out-ef-ine-144,44-014elandsr he-caust
nagister--his-Rew-addfess-wah-thWrtin-lslands-lDepar-tinen4-af-Jasiiee-befoFe4eavingr and
must-alse-register-with-his-new-stete-eiresinenee-within-1-0-nayarSee-121-1
-1-724(e)r le
short, the U.S. Virgin Islands, as the jurisdiction with primary oversight of Jeffrey Epstein,
maintains-finn-supetyisien-ever-MfrEpatein1/2 -Nyhereabauisr Ana-in-thet-jurisdietienss-judgrnenh
risk
New York has even less of a basis to adjudge Mr. Epstein as anything other than the
lowest level offender -- Level 1 under SORA -- than do the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida-end
the-134,-Virgin4alands. Whereas Mr. Epstein maintains his permanent residence in the Virgin
Islands and spends most of his time there, and Florida was the site of the offense which triggered
Mr. Epstein's reporting duty under that state's sex offender registration statute, Mr. Jeffrey
Epstein's duty to register under SORA in New York is based solely on the fact that he owns a
vacation home here. More significantly, as set forth in detail within this memorandum, the sole
offense which has triggered Mr. Epstein's duty to register under SORA in New York would have
been, at most, a misdemeanor if committed in New York instead of Florida. Furthermore, there
is compelling reason to believe that such an offense would not even be registerable under New
York law, given a lack of evidence about the specific age of the victim at the time of the relevant
conduct -- an issue that was immaterial under the relevant Florida statute but which is critical to
determining the applicability of SORA under New York law. Based on all of these factors, Mr.
Epstein's categorization under SORA-, if required to register at all, should -we believe should-be
be properly adjudged as no higher thant- Level 1.
Without minimizing the seriousness of the charges to which Mr. Jeffrey-Epstein pleaded
guilty in Florida, it must be noted that sole offense for which Mr. Epstein is required to register
in New York under SORA -- a June 30, 2008 plea in the Circuit Court for Palm Beach County,
Florida under an Information to the charge of Procuring a Person Under 18 for Prostitution, in
violation of Fla. Stat. & 796.03 -- would have constituted, at most, a misdemeanor if committed
in New York instead of Florida. Specifically, the nearest cognate crime under New York law
For (ho avoidenee-of doubt. the U.S. Virgin liuIond in one of the prineipel-4erritorioa of the-United States
calong-witli-Pliene-Rice—Goam—osawkerisan-Samea—anchthe-Isieftheco-K4ariarka4slands4—and-acooRtiogly-is-acovered
5—The-attashed-registrationawm-(Exhibit-D)—is-Mr-rEpstein4-most-ivrant-pegistration-ferm—fied-onaugus4
9-2040-witen-Ite-retttroed-te-the-irkFrsiirgin4slarrels-upoweentletiftt his-peried-ofeonitneftitli-eentral-in-Fler-ido,
MrrEpatein first registered with Virgin4slend-euthorities-upen-his-releese-froni-ineareeretion,
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between in-2004 and 2005 (the alleged time period time-of the offense at issue) was Patronizing
a Prostitute in the Third Degree, P.L.
§ 230.04, which only criminalized prostitution between
a "john" over twenty-one years of age and a prostitute less than seventeen years of age. See P.L.
§ 230.04, McKinney's Penal Law
sc 230.04 (2004).6
Perhaps more significantly, because of a critical distinction between the Florida statute to
which Mr. Epstein pleaded guilty and the New York cognate, it is not even clear that Mr. Epstein
committed an offense which is registerable under New York law. While the Florida law
criminalizes patronizing a prostitute who is under the age of eighteen (i.e. 16 and 17 years old),
the equivalent New York law only encompasses patronizing a prostitute who is under the age of
seventeen. Here, Mr. Epstein pleaded guilty to an Information that charged him with procuring
"A.D.." a woman under the age of 18 years, for prostitution during the period between on or
about August 1, 2004 and October 9, 2005 (which was the day before AD's 18th birthday). See
Palm Beach County Information. Case No. 08CF9381 (Exhibit G). Because the Florida
prosecutor had no need to determine whether there was probable cause -- let alone ne-1030-"clear
and convincing evidence" (the standard required to support a SORA adjudication) -- to believe
that any acts of prostitution occurred specifically when A.D. was sixteen, versus during the year
that she was seventeen (since such a distinction is irrelevant under Florida law), there is no
reliable basis to conclude that Mr. Epstein is even guilty of Patronizing a Prostitute in the Third
Degree, P.L. § 230.04, under New York law. For that matter, unless it can be proven by clear
and convincing evidence that that Mr. Epstein engaged in sexual conduct with A.D. in exchange
for money specifically during the time that she was 16. Mr. Epstein is not guilty of any
registerable offense under New York law, and indeed, by the terms of the SORA statute itself,
should not be required to register. See Correction Law § 168-a(2)(a)(i).7
Indeed, nothing about Mr. Jeffrey-Epstein's interactions with A.D. -- other than A.D.'s
age, which she concealed from him and has not been established to be under the age of consent
under New York law fis-this-eerreeal-YES--- even suggests any degree dangerousness. The
sole conviction which now triggers Mr. Epstein's duty to register in New York under SORA
stemmed from consensual conduct that ended nearly five years ago. when he received massages
and engaged in sexual touching in exchange for money with A.D., a young woman over the age
of consent under New York law for all but two of the fourteen months at issue and never clearly
specified in the Information. Mr. Epstein's interactions with A.D. did not involve assault or
violence of any sort, nor did Mr. Epstein ever force himself or any particular contact or activity
upon A.D.: At no time (whether before or during their interactions) did Epstein exercise any
supervisory or other position of authority over A.D., nor did she suffer from any mental
disability, incapacity, or physical helplessness. Instead, A.D. voluntarily came to visit Mr.
Penal Law section 230.04 was amended in 2007 to eliminate any particular age parameters, such that it now
states "A person is guilty of patronizing a prostitute in the third degree when he or she patronizes a prostitute"
P.L. §230.04.
Even under the broader scope of P.L. § 230.04 in effect today. Patronizing a Prostitute in the Third Degree
is only registerable under SORA where the woman patronized for prostitution is under the age of seventeen. See
Correction Law § 168-a(2)(a)(i) (stating that § 230.04 is a registerable offense "where the person patronized is in
fact less than seventeen years of age").
4
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Epstein at his Florida home on various occasions on her own accord for the purpose of
participating in what she apparently viewed as a lucrative business transaction. Given all of these
considerations, Mr. Epstein's behavior, while perhaps criminal and registerable under the laws of
Florida, just barely falls within the range of conduct viewed as sufficiently harmful to trigger
SORA registration requirements here in New York -- if indeed it even qualifies as registerable at
all. At most, Mr. Epstein was guilty of a misdemeanor under New York law, and accordingly
his registration obligations under SORA should reflect this relative lack of severity of his
offense.
I.
SORA Is Designed To Impose Reporting Requirements Upon Offenders In
Proportion To The Threat They Pose To The Public So That They May Be
Adequately Monitored
As you are well aware, New York's Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA), Correction
Law § 168 et at is intended to impose the most stringent reporting requirements on those sex
offenders most likely to reoffend and cause the most grave harm to society, while imposing less
restrictive (but still substantial) reporting obligations on those persons convicted of a qualifying
sex offense who pose less danger to the People of the State of New York. SORA is not intended
to be punitive, but rather, is a protective mechanism designed to shield the public from sexual
offenders by enabling law enforcement officials to monitor offenders in proportion to their
dangerousness and likelihood to reoffend. Accordingly, the three levels of reporting -- which
dictate the depth and frequency of an individual's reporting to law enforcement and the degree to
which such information may be disseminated to the public -- are based upon an assessment of the
offender's "danger to the community": Level 1 (risk of repeat offense is low), Level 2 (risk of
repeat offense is moderate), and Level 3 (risk of repeat offense is high). See Correction Law
§168-k(2), §168-1(I), (2), (3).
In crafting SORA, the Board clearly contemplated that offenders should be categorized
based on consideration of two separate, forward-looking factors: "risk of a repeat offense" and
"threat posed to the public safety." Correction Law § 168-1(5) (emphasis added). Indeed, the
Commentary to SORA's Risk Assessment Guidelines states this principle explicitly and provides
instructive elaboration:
As the Act makes clear, the threat posed by a sex offender depends
upon two factors: (i) the offender's likelihood of reoffense and (ii)
the harm that would be inflicted if he did reoffend. Some
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offenders repeatedly reoffend, but the harm they inflict, which not
insubstantial, is less grave. Others may pose a lesser likelihood of
recidivism, especially if properly supervised, but the harm would
be great if they were to reoffend... The guidelines seek to capture
both these elements -- the probability of reoffense and the harm
therefrom -- in determining an offender's risk level. It is important
to note that the risk level seeks to capture not only an offender's
risk of reoffense but also the harm posed by a particular offender
should he reoffend.
Sex Offender Registration Act: Risk Assessment Guidelines and Commentary, Commentary
(2006) at 2, ¶ 1. Reading between the lines, the Commentary makes clear that the SORA
Guidelines are intended to differentiate between relative risks posed by those who have
committed qualifying sexual offenses; designating a person as a Level 1 is not tantamount to
condoning that person's past misconduct, but merely is a recognition that the person poses a low
risk of committing future crimes, and any transgressions that such person might commit in the
future, however improbable, are unlikely to cause the same grave societal harm as, for example,
a sexually violent rapist.
In short, the Guidelines make clear that where a person poses a low risk of reoffense and
where the person's misconduct falls toward the less egregious side of the sexual offense
spectrum, the proper SORA adjudication is Level 1. As set forth further below, that is precisely
where Jeffrey Epstein belongs.
II.
Jeffrey Epstein Poses Little To No Threat Of Reoffending Or Causing Harm To The
Public Safety Of The People Of New York
A.
Risk of Reoffense
With respect to the first and primary factor in a SORA assessment, Jeffrey-Mr. Epstein
presents little to no risk of committing further sexual offenses -- particularly in New York.
Indeed, the reasoned opinion of a psychological expert who has worked with Mr. Epstein, the
measured judgments of law enforcement agencies who have supervised him, and the minimal
reporting requirements imposed by other jurisdictions exercising authority over him since his
conviction, particularly the jurisdiction of his primary residence all support the conclusion that
Jeffrey-Mr. Epstein has demonstrated himself to be a person worthy of trust and presenting little
to no threat of reoffense.
The resoluteness of Mr. Epstein's desire and commitment to lead a law abiding life is
echoed in the observations and opinion of the clinical psychologist who first evaluated Mr.
Epstein in May 2006. following his arrest for the instant offense. and who has worked with him
over the past several years. That doctor, Stephen R. Alexander, PSy.D., has praised Mr.
Epstein's cooperativeness, self-reflection, and receptiveness to treatment throughout their
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sessions. Drawing from his evaluation and interaction with Mr. Epstein in therapy, as well as his
own considerable experience as a forensic psychologist, Dr. Alexander opined:
Relying upon my 25 years of experience as a forensic psychologist
and the plethora of data gathered by me, I state with confidence
that Mr. Epstein poses no threat to himself or the community. It is
abundantly clear that he has learned his lesson and the probability
of his reoffending is negligible. Mr. Epstein poses no threat to
either himself or the general community, and he requires no
additional intervention or treatment for his no-risk/low-risk status
to be maintained into the future.
Letter of Stephen R. Alexander. Psy.D. to Jack Goldberger. Esq.. August 16. 2010 (Exhibit
Indeed this has proven to be correct, as Mr. Epstein has had no instances of criminal or sexual
misconduct whatsoever during the past five years, ever since the time that the Florida matter
began and Mr. Epstein was put on notice about the illegality of his conduct, despite its
consensual nature. His consistent and absolute compliance with the law for this five-year period
is compelling proof that Jeffrey Epstein poses little or no risk of recidivism.
In addition, First, the decisions made by numerous law enforcement agencies in Florida,
where Jeffrey-Mr. Epstein was convicted of the instant offense and served his sentence, as well
as the outcomes of those decisions, are instructive and lend strong support to the notion that
ref
Mr. Epstein poses little risk of reoffense. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office,
which had custody of Mr. Epstein during his thirteen months of incarceration, approved Mr.
Epstein for that Oeffice's work release program and permitted him to leave the jail and report to
work on a daily basis from October 2008 until his release in July 2009. See Letter of Deputy K.
Smith of August 12, 2010 (Exhibit A). While serving his year of community control, both the
Circuit Court in Palm Beach and Mr. Epstein's assigned probation officer granted Mr. Epstein's
requests for permission to travel briefly outside Florida for business purposes on numerous
occasions. See, e.g., Order of Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit for Palm Beach
County of December 18, 2009 (Exhibit B) (allowing Epstein to travel overnight on weekdays for
business pending 48-hour notice and approval of his probation officer). Mr. Epstein successfully
complied with the all of the restrictions imposed on him and completed his incarceration and
probation without incident.
Perhaps more significantly, Florida -- the Sstate where Jeffrey Epstein was actually
convicted of the prostitution offense that obligated him, when he was full—time resident of that
State. -to register as a sex offender under Florida law (and as a result of the Florida conviction, to
register under New York law) -- designated Mr. Epstein as the lower of two levels of sex
offender under that Sstate's sex offender registration act. See Letter of Jack A. Goldberger to
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, August 12, 2010 (Exhibit C); see also
Fla. Stat. § 775.21 (Florida sexual predator statute),
§ 943.0435 (Florida sexual offender
statute). Even more tellingly, Florida then imposed upon Mr. Epstein the most minimal of
reporting requirements-, to be followed if,; and only if, he returned as a full—time resident.
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Currently. if he stays more than five days at
he has been asked to call to notify the
Ssheriff's Oeffice-te-netify-them, nothing mu.. HeMr. Epstein has been told that he need not
register again unless he is actually present in Florida there-as a resident during the month of his
birth.under-that-sex-effender-designatieri- #le-ilf he moved back full time to Florida-, which he
is not intending to do, Mr. Epstein -would be -Hquiring-hierequired -to report to Florida
authorities only two times per year. _ See Letter of Jack A. Goldberger to New York State
Division of Criminal Justice Services, August 12, 2010 (Exhibit C).
SintilerlyMore importantly-, Jeffrey-Mr. Epstein is registered with the authorities of the
U.S. Virgin Islands, where he actually maintains his primary residence. —He has registered and
keeps his registration current his-registmties—under that jurisdiction's Sexual Offender and
Community Protection Act.8 See 14 V.I.C. § 1721 et seq.. Notably, the Virgin Islands -- which
arguably has the greatest incentive to keep a watchful eye on Mr. Epstein, since that is where he
spends the bulk of his time -- only requires Mr. Epstein to register with authorities once
annually for the next fifteen years. See 14 V.I.C. § 1724(d), (e). Under the Virgin Island's
registration scheme, Mr. Epstein qualifies at the lowest level, and accordingly, he is registered as
a "sex offender," as opposed to a "habitual sexual offender" or "sex predator," which would
trigger more onerous reporting requirements. See Virgin Islands Sexual Offender/Sexual
Predator Registration Form, August 9, 2010 (Exhibit D);9 see also 14 V.I.C. §§ 1722(b),
1724(d). Moreover, the Virgin Islands explicitly mandates that should Jeffrey Epstein move out
of the U.S. Virgin Islands, he must register his new address with the U.S. Virgin Islands 4,
Department of Justice before leaving, and must also register with his new state of residence
within 10 days. See 14 V.I.C. § 1724(c). In short, the U.S. Virgin Islands, as the jurisdiction
with primary oversight of Jeffrey Epstein, maintains firm supervision over Mr. Epstein's
whereabouts. And in that jurisdiction's judgment, Mr. Epstein does not pose sufficient risk of
reoffense to merit a high level of monitoring.
Notably, New Mexico (another Sstate where Mr. Epstein owns a vacation home) has
determined that it will not require Mr. Epstein to register at all under that Sstate's sexual
offender reporting statute, despite his Florida conviction and the conduct alleged in connection
therewith. See Letter of Regina Chacon, New Mexico Department of Public Safety to Jeffery E.
Epstein, August 19, 2010 (Exhibit E); see also NMSA 1978, § 29-11A-3(E). Notwithstanding
the Sstate's determination that he need not register, Mr. Epstein voluntarily chose to register with
New Mexico authorities in order to comply with federal requirements under the Sexual Offender
Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), 42 U.S.C.A. § 16901 et seq.: In New Mexico, as
well as all the other jurisdictions where he owns a residence or vacation home, Mr. Epstein has
For the avoidance of doubt, the U.S. Virgin Islands is one of the principal territories of the United States
(along with Puerto Rice, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands), and accordingly is a "covered
jurisdiction" subject to and covered by the federal Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), 42
U.S.C.A. § 16901 et seq..
9
The attached registration form (Exhibit D), is Mr. Epstein's most recent registration form, filed on August
9, 2010 when he returned to the U.S. Virgin Islands upon completing his period of community control in Florida.
Mr. Epstein first registered with Virgin Island authorities upon his release from incarceration.
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demonstrated a commitment to go beyond what is demanded of him to remain in full compliance
with the law.
Curiously, the reviewer from the Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders recommended
that Mr. Jeffrey-Epstein be designated a Level 3 offender, notwithstanding the absence of any
key factors that even remotely suggesting that he might pose a dangerous risk of reoffense or
significant harm to society. Upon closer inspection, the Case Summary accompanying the Board
recommendation reveals that the reviewer improperly considered and elaborated upon a host of
unsupported hearsay allegations from an 86-page police report that has been proven materially
false in numerous key respects and was largely discredited by prosecutors. This is patently
improper under SORA, as the Guidelines direct that only "reliable hearsay evidence" may be
considered and points should not be assessed for a factor "unless there is clear and convincing
evidence or the existence of that factor." See Correction Law §§ 168-d(3), 168-n(3); Sex
Offender Registration Act: Risk Assessment Guidelines and Commentary, Commentary (2006)
at 5, ¶ 7; In addition, the SORA Guidelines explicitly provide, "The fact that an offender was not
indicted for an offense may be strong evidence that the offense did not occur." Sex Offender
Registration Act: Risk Assessment Guidelines and Commentary, Commentary (2006) at 5, ¶ 7.
Here, the Board reviewer completely ignored the fact that Mr. Epstein was only
convicted of non-violent offenses related to consensual prostitution activity, and instead scored
Mr. Epstein for "forcible compulsion" by manufacturing a claim -- not even contained in the
police report -- of "forcible rape" of a "16-year-old victim." Significantly, the allegations of this
woman -- who was never able to state definitively in her discredited account to police that she
was under 18 at the time she had intercourse with Mr. Epstein, and who only agreed to speak
with detectives in an effort to curry favor with prosecutors after she was arrested for drug
possession -- were encompassed in the single charge of Felony Solicitation for Prostitution, Fla.
Stat. § 796.07(2)(0, (4)(c) -- an offense which is not registerable under Florida law. See Fla.
Stat. § 943.0435. Despite the dramatic characterization of these allegations by the Board
reviewer, no charge alleging scrape or sexual contact with a minor was ever prosecuted in
connection with this woman -- by the Board's only words, "strong evidence" that such an
offense did not occur. Sex Offender Registration Act: Risk Assessment Guidelines and
Commentary, Commentary (2006) at 5,117. Similarly, notwithstanding SORA's clear direction
about the quantum of evidence required to support scoring for a given risk assessment factor, the
reviewer scored Mr. Epstein for "prior criminal history" while at the same time acknowledging
the utter lack of "specific information" about an unexplained 1973 non-U.S., potentially non-
criminal offense. -Wtheffid-this-be-entitte47-1—The reviewer's willingness to assess Mr. Epstein
points based on speculation that falls far short of "clear and convincing evidence" is at best
improper, and at worst, suspect.
Perhaps more egregious than the reviewer's indifference to the legal standard of evidence
required to score an offender under SORA is the utter lack of rigor that the reviewer
demonstrated in analyzing the allegations against Mr. Epstein. The "lump it all together"
summary submitted in support of the reviewer's Level 3 recommendation makes no attempt to
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separate allegations conceming_potentially registerable offenses from alleged descriptions of
non-violent sexual activity among consenting adults. In fact, the vast majority of allegations
contained in the discredited police report involve women who were aged seventeen and above, or
women who were unable to specify their ages and/or the timing of certain activities in which
they claim to have willingly participated. Such allegations certainly are not a proper basis for
assessing Mr. Epstein's risk level and supposed danger to society for purposes of a SORA
determination. While case summaries prepared by the Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders
with the knowledge that they will be relied on by courts generally constitute "reliable hearsay" in
SORA hearings, the New York Court of Appeals has held that a Board case summary "may be
rejected when it is unduly speculative or its accuracy is undermined by other more compelling
evidence." People v. Mingo. 12 N.Y.3d 563, 573 (2009). Here, the case summary prepared by
the Board reviewer should be summarily rejected as unduly speculative, unreliable, and plainly
inaccurate. Indeed, the reviewer who completed Mr. Epstein's case summary betrayed an
improper bias against what the reviewer perceived to be Mr. Epstein's personal -- but legal --
sexual preferences for women between the ages of 17 and 20 by offering the inflammatory,
groundless, and thoroughly subjective contention that "Jeffrey Epstein used his wealth and
power" in such a way so that he could "take advantage of many teenage girls to satisfy his own
sexual perversions." See Case Summary at 2. Such skewed, conclusory personal opinion has no
place in a legal risk assessment instrument.
In short, the Level 3 recommendation of the Board in this case is legally and factually
uninsupportable and should be wholly disregarded. The Board's recommendation completely
distorts the record and does not reflect an accurate and reasoned evaluation of the actual risk
posed to the People of the State of New York by hfcreyMr. Epstein. Mr. Epstein hardly
represents the "worst of the worst" of sex offenders required to register, and for this reason
alone, the Board's recommendation should be rejected.
The-reselaterress-ef-Jeffrey-Epmein1/2 -elesife-and-cemmitment-te-learl-a-lay.Labieling-lice4
further-eeheetl-in-the-ebsemaiens-and-epinien-ef--the-elinieal-psyehelogistawhe-first-evaltrateel
MfrEpstein-in-May40067-follewingais-arrest-fec-the-inetan‘effeneer and-whe-kas-werked-with
him-evec-the-past-sevecal-yeaffirThat-deeterr StephenarAlexanderr P
Faised-Mft
Epstcin's cooperativeness, self reflection, and rcccptivencso to treatment threaghetttthek
sessiens,Drawing-frem-his-evaluatien-and-interaetien-with-MfrEpstein-in-thempyr as-wel4-as4is
own-sensidefahle-expecienee-as-a-fereesis-psyshelegistr DfrAlexander-epineth
Relying upon my 25 .
of experience an a f rensic p ehelegist
and the pletho... of data gathered b y me T state with confdence
that-MfrEpsteifrpeses-ne-threet-te-himself -0f-the-eemmunityr It-is
abundantly elear-that-he-hasieamedaifrleg5en-aad-the-prebability
of -his-reeffendin
egligibleMfrEpstein-peses-ne-threat-te
either--himself-of-the-geneFal-sommunityr and-he-requires-no
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atitii+iontil-interyention or treatinent-fer-his-ne-welettew-Ftek-Thetas
te-be-maintainetl-inte-the-futute,
etter-ef--Stephen-Rr Atettanflerr PerDrto-Jaelt-Goldberger-7 Esr2otugust-I-6720-1-0-(-Etthibit-F)7
II:Klee/dr this-ltes-preven-te-be-eeffeetr as-/V-PrEpstein-hes4tiffine-instanees-ofethififfabor-sernoi
miseenduet4vhatseeveduring-the-past-fiveyearsr e*er-4nee-the-time-that-the-Florida-raatter
began-Em€1441-rEpstein-vetts-put-en-netiee-about-the-illegality-efitis-eemittetr despite-its
eensectsual4mtur-er His-eensistent-and-abselitte-eentplianee-with-the4aw-fec-this-five-year--peried
is-eempekling-preef-that4effrey-Epetein-peses-littletne-risleof-reeklivient
Finally, Mr. Epstein has a remarkable personal history which further compels the
conclusion that he is unlikely to ever violate the law again. Discovering a love of math and
science as a young man, he worked his way up from being a college drop-out from a middle-
class Brooklyn neighborhood to become a highly successful financial advisor, as well as founder
and patron of Tthe C.O.U.Q Foundation Inc. and Enhanced Education, charitable organizations
which, among other things, fund numerous philanthropic entities, educational grants and
activities, as well as medical and advanced scientific research at top universities and academies
around the world. For well over 50 years, Mr. Epstein has lived, and will continue to live, as a
productive, philanthropic, and law-abiding member of society, not a recidivist criminal. Indeed,
Mr. Epstein's guilty pleas to the instant offenses in 2008, when he was 55 years old, mark the
first and only criminal convictions of Mr. Epstein's life. Mr. Epstein's willingness to
acknowledge his guilt and agree to leave the comforts of his home to serve thirteen months
behind bars, followed by a year of community supervision, is a testament to both his acceptance
of responsibility for his crimes and his motivation to learn from his mistakes. While he
admittedly lost his way, the harsh lessons of the past few years have, as observed by Dr.
Alexander, have helped Jeffrey Epstein refocus and recommit to directing his personal energies
to productive experiences to the fullest extent possible. Mr. Epstein is not in any way a typical
sex offender, and these personal strengths and attributes distinguish him as someone who is
extremely unlikely ever to commit another sexual offense.
Br
Degree-of-thttsm-te-Seeiety
Witheut-litiflifliirthig-the-setiousness-of-the-ellarges-te-whia-Jefftest-Eptiteitt-pleatle4
,uilty in Florida, it must be noted that sole offense for which Mr. Epstein is required to register
in-New-York-untler-SORA
a June-30;-2008-plea-in-the-Gireuit Court-fofrPalm Butch Courtly;
Florida under an Information to the charge of Procuring a Person Under IS for Prostitution, in
in-New-Yerk-insteati-ef-Refidar—Speeificallyrthe-neafest-eognate-eFime-under-New-YeFIE-law-in
2001 (the time of the offense at issue) was Patronizing a Prostitute in the Third Degree, P.L.
*-2-30,047 whieh-only criminttlized-prestifution-betwecn a lehur-over-t-wertiy-onetears-of-age
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and -a-prostitute-less-than-seventeen )cars-ePagc. Sec P.L. §-2-30.04A4e/Ciftney's Pcnal-Law
230.0i (2001),I°
Perhapsinere-sigitiftettittlyr beeittrie-eFa-erifieitl-distirtetion-between-the-Fleridit-seature-te
whieh-Mfr E-peteiri-pleeelerl-guitty-arki-the-Neve-Yerk-eegaater it-is-riet-even-elear-that-Mfr Epstein
committed an offense which is registerable under Ncw York law. While the Florida law
critninalistes-parronithig-a-prostitute-who-is-uridethe-itge-eleighteen-fiTerki-antl-1-7-years-e14
ihe-equivalent-New-Yer-Ic-lam“ehhfreheempasses-patrenizing-a-prestitute-whe-i-s-marieerke-age-of
seventeen=Herer MfrEpsiein-plethled-gtrilty- te-eti-kifermatien-thar-ehttrgedAtini-with-preeuring
; 6,71;
a-wenian-uader-the-age-ef--1-8-yeeffir for-prestitutien4ufing-the-perierl-between-en-Or
about August I, 2001 and October 9, 2005 (which was the day before AD's 18th birthday). See
Pahri-Reiteh-GettnPrhifermetienr Gase-Ner 08GF9-38-1-(-Erthibit-6)r Beeettse-the-Flethla
preseeuter-hakl-ne-neekl-te4etermine-whether-there-was-prehable-eause—ne-lesselear-and
eenvirteiftt evitleiteeethe-srenthiril-requireel-te-stippert-a-SePotiradjutheatien)---te-believe-thar
any-aets-ef-prestiturien-ec-eurreil-speeifieally-whenaa,..vas-serteerir ver-sus-cluriag-the-year-thar
she-was-iieventeen-(sinee-seh-a-Elistirietieri-is-irrelesant-warler--Plerifla4awkthere-is-RO-retiahle
basis-to eerielutle-thatailfrEpstein-is-even guiltyofParrenizirita-Prestirute-in-tlic Third Degree;
P.L. § 230.01, under Ncw York law. For that matter, unless it can be proven by clear and
eertvirteing-evitlenee-thatihrtEMfr Epskeiri-engtiged-in-sexual-eenclitet-with
eehange-for
meney-specWing-the-time-that-she-was-1-6r MfrEpstein-k-het-guilty-efantregititerable
eff-ense-under--Nev-Y-Ork-lav
l-iRdeedr by-the-terms-ef-the-S9R-A-srarote-itself-rsheuld-net-be
reeptired-to-register,See-Gerreetieri-Lew-§ 168-a(2-0)(#44
Indeed, nothing about Jeffrey Epstein's interactions with A.D.
other than A.D.'s age,
whieh-ste-eerteeitied-FremAtirri-fis-this-eerreee-h—guggests-elengereasftessr-The-sele-eertvierien
consensual conduct that ended nearly five years ago, when he received massages and engaged in
sexual-totiehirig-in-emehimge-fer-money-with-AvD., a-young-woman-ever-t-he-age-of-conseni-under
New York law for all but two of the fourteen months at issue in the Information. Mr. Epstein'r
interactions with A.D. did not involve assault or violence of any sort, nor did Mr. Epstein-ever
foree-himself-er-arry-paAieuler-eenteet-eaeti*ity-upen-ATD,At-rre-time-(whether-befere-of
fluFing-their-4citeraetieris-1-4id-Epstein-exerei-se-any-supepeisepy-er-ether-perritien-ef-autherity-ever
iiirD
ter-tlid-she-stiffer-freiri-any-mental-disabilityr ifietipaeityr Or-physieeMielplessriessAristeed;
ATDrvelufrtaFilfeame-teasifrit-Mfrapstein-at-his-Plefiek-heme-enamfietts-eseasiens-en-her-eyen
aeseml-fer-the-purpose-ef-participating4-what-she-apparern4y-vieweel-as-a4uerative-131:14ReerS
transaetienr Indeedr iwarklitieri-te-engeging-in-seyaia4-eenduet-fer-trierieyr ATDraekriewle4geri
10---Penal-Law-seetion-2-.30:04-was-.. amended-in-2007-to-elitninate-any-partieular-age-parametersr sueh-that-it-now
mates
srpokson-ia-gui4ty-offa4FORitting-a-prostitukz-iit-the4hird-degme-whon-he-or-the-patron4es-a-pr.ostitute:
V.L. §230.04.
1I—Even-under-the-broader-seopeof-P,L. § 2-3O44-in-etleet-today. Patronizing a Prostitute-in-the-Third-Degree
only rogictarabte under SORA whore the woman patronized for prostitutioni -un4er-the-age-e4-se' '
'mSee
Correction Law• § 168 a(2)(aXi)
dud
230.01 is a ret,ist:- le oftinse
faet-laso-than-seventeen-years-of-age:
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that-she-also-encouraged-other-women to engage iil prostitution-so-that-she-eould-also-earn
Cinder's fees for hersc1112
Given-all-of-these-eensiderittiertsr MfrEpstein2s-behavierr while-perhaps-erintiftitlimel
registeFahle-uader-the-laws-ef-F1efidarium-hafely-fails
ithin-the-fange-ef-c-enduet-viewed-as
:;ufficicntly harmful to trigger SORA registration requirements here in New York
if indeed it
quidifies-as-registereble-at-all,At-mestr Mr. Epstein was-guilty of a misdemeanor-under New
laek-ef-sevefitr of-his-effenseT
III.
Under The SORA Risk Assessment Instrument, Jeffrey Epstein Should Be
Adjudicated A Level 1 Offender.
A.
Based on the Relevant Facts Supported by Clear and Convincing Evidence,
Jeffrey Epstein Falls Squarely within Level 1
As set forth in the completed SORA Risk Assessment Instrument on the following two
pages, a proper calculation of Jeffrey Epstein's risk assessment under SORA, based upon the
credible evidence of registerable activity that can foreseeably be proven by clear and convincing
evidence13 and the offenses for which Mr. Epstein was convicted, places Mr. Epstein squarely
within the category of Level 1. This is a proper evaluation of the actual risk of reoffense and
threat to society posed by Mr. Epstein. And not surprisingly, it is entirely in line with the
evaluations of the other jurisdictions, particularly the U.S. Virgin Islands, the jurisdiction of his
primary residence, that have already considered Mr. Epstein's risk level under their own sex
offender reporting schemes.
For each of the calculations in the following table, a brief explanation of the scoring is
provided, making reference in Section I, Current Offense, to the relevant aspects of the offenses
included within the instant disposition. Because Mr. Epstein has no prior criminal convictions or
acts of sexual misconduct, and does not use (much less abuse) drugs or alcohol, he scores zero
with respect to Section II, Criminal History. Similarly, given his acceptance of responsibility for
his crimes, his successful completion of incarceration without incident and full compliance with
the terms of probation without incident, Mr. Epstein also scores zero for Section III, Post-
Offense Behavior. Finally, Mr. Epstein scores zero for Section IV, Release Environment, as he
is gainfully employed and lives and works in appropriate environments that do not provide him
she-engaged-M-this-prostimtiowreeruittnent-aetivity,
13
Of course, the assessment in the attached table reflects counsel's best preliminary judgment at this time, but
in no way should be deemed a concession as to certain facts and SORA calculations or a waiver of any arguments
that may be made to challenge a risk assessment, as counsel deems appropriate.
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with inappropriate access to minors. None of the overrides set forth in SORA apply to Jeffrey
Epstein.
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SORA Risk Assessment Instrument for Jeffrey Epstein
RISK FACTOR
VALUE
SCORE
EXPLANATION
I. CURRENT OFFENSE(S)
I. Use of Violence
0
There were no credible allegations of forcible
compulsion, physical injury, or dangerous weapon
made against Epstein under either of the Florida
charges for which Epstein was convicted.
Used forcible compulsion
+10
Inflicted physical injury
+15
Armed with dangerous
instrument
+30
2. Sexual Contact with Victim
10
Epstein scores 10 points for allegations that he
touched the body of A.D. during a massage while
Contact over clothing
+5
she was under the age of 17 (though even this is
Contact under clothing
+10
X
arguable. as the registerable offense and underlying
Sexual intercourse, criminal
sexual act ("deviate sexual
intercourse") or aggravated
sexual abuse
+25
evidence do not identify any acts of prostitution that
occurred specifically during the two months when
A.D. was 16. versus during the year that she was 17).
while-she-wee-still-16. There are no instances or
allegations of sexual intercourse, criminal sexual act
("deviate sexual intercourse") or aggravated sexual
abuse which would be registerable under New York
law within the-either of the offenses for which
Epstein was convicted.
3. Number of Victims
0
There is only one victim (i.e. woman under the age
of 17) alleged in connection with the registerable
crime for which Epstein was convicted.
Two
+20
Three or more
+30
4. Duration of Offense Conduct
with Victim
0
There is no credible evidence that Epstein engaged
in three or more acts of sexual contact with A.D.
over a period of at least two weeks during the time
when she was under 17, as the registerable offense
and underlying evidence do not distinguish between
events occurring when A.D. was 16 versus 17. See
Sex Offender Registration Act: Risk Assessment
Guidelines and Commentary, Commentary (2006) at
10, "Factor 4."
Continuing course of sexual
misconduct
+20
5. Age of Victim
20
Epstein scores 20 points for allegations that he
procured the prostitution services of A.D. when she
was under 17 (though even this is arguable, as the
registerable offense and underlying evidence do not
identify any acts of prostitution that occurred
specifically during the two months when A.D. was
16, versus during the year that she was 17).
11 through 16
+20
X
10 or less, 63 or more
+30
6. Other Victim Characteristics
0
There is no evidence that any of the women whom
Epstein procured for prostitution suffered from any
mental disability, incapacity, or physical
helplessness.
Victim suffered from mental
disability or incapacity or from
physical helplessness
+20
7. Relationship with Victim
20
Epstein scores 20 points for allegations that he did
not know AD prior to procuring prostitution services
Stranger or established for
+20
X
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purpose of victimizing or
professional relationship
from her when she was less than 17 .(again. this is
arguable. as the registerable offense and underlying
evidence do not identify any acts of prostitution that
occurred specifically during the two months when
A.D. was 16, versus during the car that she was 17)_
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II. CRIMINAL HISTORY
8. Age at First Act of Sexual
Misconduct
0
Not applicable.
20 or less
+10
9. Number and Nature of Prior
Crimes
0
Not applicable. There is no credible evidence that
Epstein has ever been convicted of a crime.
Prior history/no sex crimes or
felonies
+5
Prior history/non-violent felony
+15
Prior violent felony or
misdemeanor sex crime or
endangering welfare of a child
+30
10. Recency of Prior Offense
0
Not applicable.
Less than 3 years
+10
11. Drug or Alcohol Abuse
0
Not applicable. Epstein does not drink alcohol or
use drugs.
History of Abuse
+15
COLUMNS 1-11 SUBTOTAL
50
III. POST-OFFENSE BEHAVIOR
12. Acceptance of Responsibility
0
Epstein has fully accepted responsibility for his
conduct.
Not accepted responsibility
+10
Not accepted responsibility /
refused or expelled from
treatment
+15
13. Conduct While Confined /
Supervised
0
Epstein successfully completed his one-year period
of incarceration and one-year period of probation.
Unsatisfactory
+10
Unsatisfactory with sexual
misconduct
+20
IV. RELEASE ENVIRONMENT
14. Supervision
0
Epstein was released from jail with appropriate
supervision and participated in therapy with a
clinical psychologist.
Release with specialized
supervision
0
Release with supervision
+5
Release without supervision
+15
15. Living / Employment Situation
0
Epstein's living and employment situations are
appropriate, as he does not live or work with or
around minors.
Living or employment
inappropriate
+10
COLUMNS 12-15 SUBTOTAL
0
COLUMNS 1-11 SUBTOTAL
50
TOTAL RISK FACTOR SCORE
(add 2 subtotals)
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TOTAL RISK FACTOR SCORE
50
1
2
3
Level 1(
Level 2 (moderate)
+75
to
+105
Level 3 (high)
+110
to
+300
Of course, it bears noting that even should an alternative risk calculation be made under
the factors set forth by the SORA risk assessment instrument, resulting in a total above the Level
1 ceiling of 70 points, the SORA statute and Guidelines grant discretion to depart from the
calculation. In other words, regardless of the actual numerical calculation, the District Attorney
may ask the Court to exercise its discretion and appropriately designate Mr. Epstein a Level 1
offender to reflect the negligible risk of future harm that he poses to the community. As noted in
the Commentary to the Risk Assessment Guidelines:
The ability to depart is premised on a recognition that an objective
instrument, no matter how well designed, will not fully capture the
nuances of every case. Not to allow for departures would,
therefore deprive the Board or a court of the ability to exercise
sound judgment and to apply its expertise to the offender.
Sex Offender Registration Act: Risk Assessment Guidelines and Commentaiy, Commentary
(2006) at 4, ¶ 5; see also People v. Ferrer, 69 A.D.3d 513, 514 (1st Dept. 2010) (observing "the
risk level designated in the RAI is merely presumptive, and a court may depart from it as a
matter of discretion") (citing People v. Mingo, 12 N.Y.3d 563, 568 n.2 (2009); People v.
Johnson, 11 N.Y.3d 416, 418, 421 (2008)). As noted above, Jeffrey- Mr. Epstein presents a
negligible risk of reoffending, and indeed, justice demands that his SORA designation reflect
that fact.
B.
The Level 3 Calculation by the Board Is Not Supported by Facts or the Law
Cur-ieuslyr the-FEwiewer-frem-the-Beard-ef-ExamineFs-ef--Sex-Offenderreeemmended
that-Jeffrey-Epstein-be-designated-e-L-evel-3-effendefr netwithstanding-the-absenee-aany-key
faetecs-that-suggesting-that-he-might-pese-a-dangere
fisk-ef-Feeffentie-Or-signifleafit-kam-te
geeiety=l4pen-e4eser-inspeetienr the-C-ase-Sufamffr aeeempanying-the-Beard-reeetitmendatien
reyeals-that-the-Feviewer-impreper-treensidered-and-etabefated-upen-a-hest-ef--untiuppeFted
hearsarallegatiens-freFn-an-86-page-peliee-repeft-that-kas-been-pFeven-FnateFie*fatse-in
numerous key respects and was largely-discredited by prosecutors. This-is-patently-improper
under SORA, as the Guidelines direct that only "reliable hearsay evidence" may be considered
and-peints-S1441:144-FiShe-assessekl-fer-a-fantefunless-there-inaaFankl-nenvineingevielenee-Of
Registration Act: Risk Assessment Guidelines and Commentaiy, Commentary (2006) at 5,117;
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In-additiettr the-SORA Guidelines explicitly prov
"The-faet-that-an-efferttler-was-not-intlicted
for an offence may be strong evidence that the offense did not occur." Sex (Vender Registration
4e6.—M5k-Atswesstnetn-GtEidelittes-and-G9mtnentaryreetitinentety+20G6)-itt-57$47
Herer the-Board-reviewer-eompletety-ignered-the-faet-that-gpstein-was-enly-eenvieted-of
non-*ittlent-ogenses-retated-te-consettsual-prestitution-aeli
nd-insteatl-seeFedailfrEpstein
fo -r' foreible-compulsion=by-manufactuFing-a-claim—net even contained in-the-potiee-repeft
of "forcible rape" of a "16 year old victim." Significantly, the allegations of this woman
who
was-ftever-abte-te-stale-deftnitively-i.n-her-diseredited-aeeount-te.-poliee-thttEshe-wtts-under-H1-
the-finte-she-h&I-intereouFse-with-Epstein-and-whe-enty-agreed-te-spealowith-tleteetives-in-an
effek-te-ouppy-favor-with-preseoutos-afIer--she-yeas-afFested-for--dnag-posaession—were
eneempassed-in-the-single-charge-ef-Fektny-Solitittnien-fer--11Fostitutionr fle,Stains-796707(2)(1)7
(4)(c)
an offense which is not registerable under Florida law. See Fla. Stat. § 913.0135.
Despile-the-drematie-ehantetetitatiort-ef-these-attegatiens-brthe-Beard-reviewerr ne-eharge
alleging-of-rape-oesennal-eentaet-with-a-miner-was-ever-pfeseetned-in-eonneetien-with-this
weinan—by-the-Bear41Is-efily-wecds
tong-evidenee=that-suek-an-effense-did-not-aeeur,See
Offritder-Registrenion-74eitRisk-ktsew.rment-Guitielinentnd-Commenethyr eemfrientiwy-(-2006)
Similarly
feqnired-io-suppoti-seoeittg-fot-a-given-risk-assessntent-faeterr the-reviewer-seofed-Mfr Epstein
lot pFier-C-Itialifkal-historya-while-at-the-same-tinte-aeknowtedging-the-utter-laelt-ef 4peeifte
information" about an unexplained 1973 non U.S., potentially non criminal offense. IShould
this-be-ontitted-Wthe-reviewerls-willingness-te-assess-MfrEpstein-points-based-espeeulation
that-fetts-far-shoft-ofelear--and-con*ineing-e*klenee=is-at-best-intproperrand-at-werstr auspeet,
required-te-seere-an-offender--under-SOPooris-the-utter-daeloef-Figeethat-the-reviewer
demonstrated in analyzing the allegations against Epstein. The "lump it all together" summary
subittitted-in-support-of-the-reviewSs-Level-3-Feeeminentlatkm-makes-no-attempt-lo-separate
allegations-coneenting-petentially-Fegisterable-offenses-from-alleged-elesenptions-of-lieli-,4elent
diseredited-petiee-repo#4nvolve-wernen-whe-weFe-aged-se*enteen-and-abo*erer--weinen-whe
yieFe-unabte-te-speeify-their-ages-andieF414e-timing-of-eeFtain-acti*ities-in-whieh-they-elaint-te
have-willingly-partieipated,Such-allegatierts-certainly-ace-not a-proper-basis-for-assessing-Mr7
While-ease-santotafies-prepared-by-the-Beard-of-Faxaminets-of-Sex-Offenelefs-with-the4ntowledge
that-they-will-be-retied-en-by-eenr4s-geneFally-constinderetiable-hearsay=in-SOIWIteaFings7
the New York Court of Appeals has held that a Board case summary "may be rejected when it is
unduly speculative or its accuracy is undermined-by-other-more eompelling evidenee
ple-*
Mingo, 12 N.Y.3d 563, 573 (2009). Here, the case summary prepared by the Board reviewer
should4e-aumntapi4.frrejecAed-as-unduly-speentativer tanteliabter and-plantly-inaceurate,indeeth
the-reviewer-whe-eempleted-MfrEpsteinls-ease-summaff-betreyetl-an-intpfoper-bies-against-wkat
the reviewer perceived to be Mr. Epstein's personal
but legal
sexual preferences for women
between-the-ages-of 17 and-20 by-offering-the-inflantinateenr-eundlead-thomughly
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subjeetive-eentention-that-2Jeffrey-Epstein used his wealth
and l)OWr el. in sueh-a-way-se-that-he
could - take advantage of many teenage girls to satisfy his own sexual perversions." Sec Case
instftinient7
short, the Level 3 recommendation of the Board in this case is legally and factually
insupponttble-and-should-be-whelly-disregttr
e-Beardls-Feeentmendatien-eempletely
distorts the record and does not reflect an accurate and reasoned evaluation of the actual risk
posed-te-the-Peapletf-the-Statetf-New—Yer-k-brJeffrey-EpsteinMfr Epstein-hafdirrepresettts
Board's recommendation should be rejected.
IV.
A Designation Of Level I Under SORA Will More Than Adequately Protect The
People Of New York From Any Negligible Threat Posed By Jeffrey Epstein
To come full circle, the District Attorney's Office should take comfort that the intentions
of SORA will be fully realized by imposing on Mr. Jeffrey-Epstein a Level 1 designation for his
Florida convictions (recognizing that only one of those convictions required him to register in
Florida, and even that conviction arguably would not have triggered SORA if committed in New
York). The touchstone for assigning a proper SORA designation is whether the offender is prone
to reoffend, such that the offender can be appropriately monitored and that risk of reoffense be
contained. Here, an evaluation of the relevant factors of Mr. Jeffrey-Epstein's offenses, coupled
with information about his personal background and circumstances, should lead to the
inescapable conclusion that Jeffrey- Mr. Epstein is not the typical Level 2 or 3 sex offender that
the District Attorney's Office regularly encounters, nor is he the "wolf in sheep's clothing" who
poses a latent threat to the unwary citizens of New York or is likely to get lost in the system.
Rather, Mr. Epstein is an accomplished, mature, financially successful businessman who made
bad choices that will haunt him for the rest of his days. Moreover, Mr. Epstein is a person who
spends limited the-time at his New York vacation home and who is already being sufficiently
monitored by the authorities of the U.S. Virgin Islands (his home jurisdiction), Florida, and New
Mexico -- all by virtue of the fact that he owns property in those places.
Under New York law, as a Level 1 sex offender, Jeffrey Mr. Epstein will be required to
register his personal information with local New York law enforcement officials, and for a
period of twenty years, provide annual verification of his residence, make timely updates of any
change of address, and renew his photograph on file every three years. (At 57 years old, even as
a Level 1 offender, Mr. Epstein is likely to have to register with authorities in New York for
most if not all of his remaining years.) In addition, during the period of his registration, law
enforcement officials will be able to disseminate this personal information about Mr. Epstein as
they deem appropriate in their discretion. See Correction Law § 168-1(6)(a). Of course, this is
all in addition to the continued reporting requirements with which Mr. Epstein must comply --
and with which he has been responsibly complying -- in the U.S. Virgin Islands (the jurisdiction
of his primary residence where he spends the majority of his time), Florida, and New Mexico.
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In short, designating Jeffrey-Mr. Epstein with Level 1 SORA designation will provide the
People of New York with full and adequate protection against the virtually non-existent risk of
reoffense that Jeffrey Epstein poses, particularly given the limited sheri-amount of time that Mr.
Epstein spends in the city and in the state. To require him to comply with any more stringent
demands under SORA would needlessly duplicate -- and indeed, unnecessarily go well beyond --
the efforts of jurisdictions having much greater contact with and control over Jeffrer
.
Mr.
Epstein. In addition, designating Jeffrey Mr. Epstein as a Level 3 offender would require him to
return to New York to re-register every 90 days, even if he might not otherwise plan to be in the
state, thereby causing him actually to spend more time in New York than he ordinarily would.
Moreover, designating Jeffrey Mr. Epstein as anything other than a Level 1 offender would
squander the city and state's resources -- resources that could be more effectively used
monitoring dangerous, high-risk sex offenders who are in fact full-time New York residents -- to
contain a risk of reoffense that Mr. Epstein does not present.
Imposing the more severe reporting requirements of a higher sex offender risk
designation upon JeffrerMr. Epstein would not serve the ends of justice and the protective -- not
punitive -- goals which SORA is intended to promote. Accordingly, we respectfully ask you to
follow the lead of the other jurisdictions that have already evaluated Mr. Epstein's offenses --
and all adjudged him to be the lowest level of registrant -- by consenting to designate Jeffrey-Mr.
Epstein with the appropriate SORA classification of Level 1.
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