EFTA00173195.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED//LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION Significant Case Notification Date: 06/28/2019 Case Title / No. / Sec: Jeffrey Epstein/31E-NY-3027571/VCS Field Division: New York Case Opened On: 12/06/2018 CID POC: VC SSA Field POC: SSA Executive Summary On 12/06/2018, FBI NY initiated a case after Southern District of New York (SDNY) contacted FBI NY regarding several victims that had been sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein in the mid 2000's. Epstein invited minors into his residences, one of which was located in Manhattan, New York (NY) and paid them to provide massages to him which turned sexual in nature. Afterwards, Epstein paid the minors $200 and up. Epstein wanted the minors to bring other minors to massage him. Epstein would also have an assistant in New York set up appointments for minors to go to Epstein's other residences outside of New York. Recent Developments • On 7/2/2019, SDNY has tentatively planned to charge Epstein under a sealed indictment on two counts of 18 USC 1591, Sex Trafficking of Children and Conspiracy to engage in Human Trafficking. • In conjunction with the arrest of Epstein, a lis pendens will be filed on Epstein's Manhattan residence (reportedly the largest private residence in Manhattan) as the initial step toward seizure. Background • In 2005, the West Palm Beach Police Department, and then FBI Miami, initiated an investigation of Epstein after parents of a victim reported to law enforcement that Epstein had sexually abused their daughter from 2002-2005. Those investigations spanned approximately two years and included, among other things, interviews with approximately 3S victims, a search warrant executed on Epstein's Florida (FL) residence, and detailed analysis of various phone and flight records. • The investigation involved numerous underage females, who attended local high schools, who were recruited for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with Epstein. At the conclusion of the sexual activity, the minors were paid sums of money ranging from $200 -$1,000. In addition to Palm Beach, FL Epstein maintained residences in New York, U.S Virgin Islands, and New Mexico. • In 2007, after attorneys representing Epstein met with Alex Acosta, United States Attorney (USA) for the Southern District of Florida (SDFL), Epstein and his co-conspirators were offered a non-prosecution agreement which required Epstein to plead guilty in FL state court to soliciting prostitution, which he did in 2008. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail, was permitted to serve his sentence in a facility where he was released during the day to work, and was released from his sentence after serving approximately 13 months. • This non-prosecution agreement garnered significant media attention as former USA Alex Acosta is currently serving as Secretary of Labor and his role in the non-prosecution agreement with Epstein was raised during his US Senate confirmation hearing. Approval — Initial Below SSA: MI VC: ■ UNCLASSIFIED//LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE EFTA00173195 UNCLASSIFIED//LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE • In 2018, SDNY received approval from the Deputy Attorney General (DAG) to move forward with a possible prosecution out of NY. • Epstein has had significant connections to New York City (NYC) for many years. In addition to his residence, Epstein's professional career has been centered in part in NY. He was an investor in a modeling agency based in NYC, and during the relevant period spent significant time at his NYC mansion. As described by at least one individual, who was victimized and recruited dozens of other minor victims in NYC, Epstein reportedly victimized dozens of girls in NY, in addition to the dozens of girls he victimized in FL. Epstein knew that the minor victim was under the age of 18, and he knew the other girls she was bringing were under 18. In particular, the minor victim recalls having truthfully told Epstein she was 14 years old, and recalls Epstein being upset if she brought him girls who looked like they were 18 or older. • Agents and SDNY AUSAs have traveled to FL on multiple occasions to interview victims. The identified victims' ages ranged from approximately 14 to 17, with the majority having been approximately 15 or 16 when they were recruited to perform sex acts for and with Epstein. In addition to the sex acts, victims would have to perform massages on Epstein nude or partially nude. Victims were paid approximately $200 to $300 each time they went to Epstein's residence. • Victims in NY and FL usually were contacted via telephone by individuals who worked for Epstein to arrange his "massages." In NY, one of those individuals was ==; in FL, the primary contact for the girls was Additionally, and in order to maintain a steady stream of underage girls to perform sexual acts, Epstein and his co- conspirators also coerced others, including some of his victims, to recruit other minor girls to engage in "massages" and sexual conduct with Epstein. The recruiters were paid by Epstein and co-conspirators for bringing additional minor girls to Epstein's properties for those purposes. Upcoming Weeks / Investigative Plan / Strategy • The NYO is coordinating a robust plan to interview a significant number of co-conspirators and victims in the hours/days following the arrest of Epstein. • Efforts are ongoing toward the seizure of Epstein's residences in Manhattan and Palm Beach, FL (collectively valued at approximately $100M). • SDNY and FBI NY will coordinate a press conference during which a tip line will be announced to encourage other victims to report their encounters with Epstein. • FBI NY will coordinate with VSD regarding victim interviews. Approval — Initial Below SSA: MI UC: ■ UNCLASSIFIED//LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE EFTA00173196