EFTA00190241.pdf

Memorandum Subject Date Memorandum seeking Travel AuthorizationJune 20, 2008 Operation Leap Year ToFrom Deputy Chief- Criminal DivisionAssistant U.S. Attorney Chief Northern Division I. INTRODUCTION This memorandum seeks travel authorization to travel to New York from June 19 to June 20, 2008, in connection with Operation Leap Year. II. THE PROPOSED TRAVEL AND ITS PURPOSE As you know, we plan to present a final indictment to the grand jury in approximately two weeks. Since our original planned indictment, we have learned about a series of victims in New York and the possible involvement of Epstein's two New York-based assistants, Lesley Groff and The inclusion of New York victims would be a great benefit to the indictment, and we would like to interview some key people in New York in order to include that evidence in the indictment. Accordingly, I propose to travel to New York on the afternoon of Thursday, June 19 to conduct interviews on Friday, June 20, 2008. a FBI Special Agents and also will be traveling, although they may stay Ion er. First, we would like to interview She has been identified by two victims as someone who recruited numerous others to Epstein's New York residence. We know that was going to Epstein's home when she was 14, and it is possible that she was going there as early as 13. This trip is contingent upon approval from the Justice Department of our immunity request for Yesterday I spoke with someone at the Witness Immunity Unit who stated that we should have the approval by early next week. fi In addition, a witness here in the Palm Beach area came forward recently to inform the FBI about a link between Epstein and the MC 2 Modeling Agency. The witness stated that Epstein and the head of MC 2 , Jean Luc Brunel, worked together to obtain fraudulent visas to bring potential models to the United States. The witness stated that Epstein selected some of the underage girls to come to the United States even though Brunel never intended to use them as models so that Epstein could engage in sexual activity with them. Brunel's name appears on several of the message pads recovered during the search of Epstein's home. Some of the messages describe young girls that he would like Epstein to meet (including a 16-year- old who would "teach Russian" to Epstein). The FBI previously tried to interview Brunel, but he refused to speak with them. The Palm Beach witness has told the FBI that a former MC 2 employee is willing to speak with the FBI about the fraud. Yesterday, the FBI in New York arrested two Bear Steams employees for securities fraud related to Bear Stearns hedge funds involved in the subprime loan crisis. Epstein has been reported as one of the creators of those hedge funds in financial news sources. The agents here are contacting the New York agents to determine if Epstein is a target/subject of the New York investigation and also to find out whether the two employees are cooperating and would be willing to speak with us. For the foregoing reasons, I recommend that the Office approve the costs of a hotel room and a flight for my travel to New York. F I a2Travel plans will not be made until the immunity is confirmed. EFTA00190241