EFTA00108880.pdf

Precedence: ROUTINE Date: 11/18/2010 To: Miami Attn: PB-2/PBCRA From: New York C-20 Contact: Approved By: Drafted By: Case ID #: 72-MM-113327 (Pending) Title: ; OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE; Synopsis: To cover lead for the Miami Division regarding the interview of Robert Couturier in New York. Reference: 72-MM-113327 Serial 47 Enclosure(s): For the Miami Division, Palm Beach RA the following documents are enclosed: 1. One original and two copies of FD-302 reflecting interview with Robert Couturier on 11/16/2010. 2. One 1-A envelope containing notes regarding above listed interview. Details: On 11/16/2010 writer interviewed Robert Couturier at his design studio located at , New York, NY. In summary, Robert Couturier was contacted by Jeffrey Epstein to decorate his home in Manhattan and his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands. After meeting several times both in New York and at the residence in the USVI, Couturier decided not to work for Epstein. Couturier had several issues with this job. Although he drew several design plans and ideas for Epstein, Epstein was never satisfied. Furthermore, Couturier was not comfortable with Epstein as his plans included having Couturier decorate a room specifically for girls who would come over to visit Epstein and he wanted four beds in one room for multiple guests. Epstein also wanted to have the room well equipped with computers and Internet connectivity as Epstein explained to Couturier that "all these girls were on Facebook and MySpace all the time" and was trying to make them comfortable. Couturier was given $50,000.00 as a deposit but he never signed a contract with Epstein. Epstein then sued Couturier for this money as he refused Epstein's offer. In the end, in order to save the expense of a lengthy litigation process, Couturier settled with Epstein and returned $15,000.00 to Epstein. Couturier provided contact information for Epstein and some of his employees at the conclusion of the interview. He EFTA00108880 advised that if he ever ran across someone who had information on Epstein he would provide them with writer's contact numbers. Therefore, the New York Division considers this lead covered. Should any further assistance be needed, the Palm Beach RA can reach out to writer who is familiar with captioned investigation. EFTA00108881