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1.05 MB
Extraction Summary
9
People
2
Organizations
0
Locations
4
Events
3
Relationships
13
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
Legal document
File Size:
1.05 MB
Summary
This document is part of a legal filing detailing an Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigation into prosecutor Menchel's handling of the Epstein case. The investigation focuses on whether Menchel's prior dating relationship with defense counsel Sanchez in 2003 created a conflict of interest or improperly influenced a plea deal offered years later. The document outlines Menchel's and his supervisor Acosta's conflicting and corroborating statements regarding the decision-making process for the plea, and concludes it would have been prudent for Menchel to disclose the relationship to his supervisors.
People (9)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Menchel | Former USAO employee |
Central figure in an OPR investigation regarding his past relationship with Sanchez and his handling of the Epstein c...
|
| Sanchez | Defense counsel |
Former USAO employee who had a past social/dating relationship with Menchel and was defense counsel in the Epstein case.
|
| Acosta | Supervisor at USAO |
Identified as the decision-maker for the two-year plea term. Menchel claimed Acosta had full knowledge of his discuss...
|
| Villafaña |
Provided statements to OPR and had an email exchange with Menchel in July 2007. Recalled Menchel's statement about a ...
|
|
| Sloman |
Provided statements to OPR and was unaware of Menchel's prior relationship with Sanchez in 2007.
|
|
| Lourie |
Mentioned in a footnote as telling OPR he was unaware in 2007 that Menchel had previously dated Sanchez.
|
|
| Epstein | Subject of investigation |
The subject of the investigation and case being discussed.
|
| USAO’s Professional Responsibility Officer | Professional Responsibility Officer |
An unnamed individual questioned by OPR about Menchel's obligation to disclose his dating relationship.
|
| Alex |
First name for Acosta, used in a quote recalled by Villafaña.
|
Timeline (4 events)
Relationships (3)
The document states they had a social relationship in 2003 that included a 'handful of dates'. After Sanchez left the USAO, their contact was at office events and she attended his wedding. Their past relationship is the focus of an OPR investigation into potential impartiality issues in the Epstein case, where Menchel was a prosecutor and Sanchez was defense counsel.
Acosta was Menchel's superior. Menchel claimed his discussions with defense counsel were with Acosta's 'full knowledge,' while Acosta corroborated this in principle but did not recall a specific conversation, creating ambiguity about the level of direct oversight.
Key Quotes (13)
"a handful of dates over a period of two to three weeks. We decided that . . . this was probably best not to pursue, and we mutually agreed to not do that."Source
— Menchel
(Describing his 2003 social relationship with Sanchez to OPR.)
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Quote #1
"close"Source
— Menchel
(Describing his relationship with Sanchez at the USAO.)
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Quote #2
"hung out"Source
— Menchel
(Describing his relationship with Sanchez at the USAO.)
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Quote #3
"changed dramatically"Source
— Menchel
(Describing how his relationship with Sanchez changed after she left the USAO for private practice.)
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Quote #4
"most likely"Source
— Menchel
(Describing his contact with Sanchez at office events and his wedding after she left the USAO.)
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Quote #5
"[T]hat was three and a half years [prior] for a very brief period of time, and I don’t think I gave it a moment’s thought."Source
— Menchel
(Commenting on the time elapsed between his dating Sanchez and his involvement in the Epstein investigation.)
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Quote #6
"[n]ot at all"Source
— Menchel
(Responding to OPR's question about whether his relationship with Sanchez affected his handling of the Epstein case.)
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Quote #7
"[l]t was a non-starter"Source
— Menchel
(In an email, describing the defense's reaction to the initial plea overture.)
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Quote #8
"full knowledge."Source
— Menchel
(In an email to Villafaña, stating that his discussion with Sanchez was made with Acosta's full knowledge.)
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Quote #9
"without having discussed it with me."Source
— Acosta
(Telling OPR he was certain Menchel would not have discussed the potential resolution with defense counsel without his approval.)
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Quote #10
"how long the relationship was and how compromised the individual felt he might appear to be,"Source
— USAO’s Professional Responsibility Officer
(Explaining the factors that would determine if Menchel had an obligation to inform supervisors of his dating relationship.)
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Quote #11
"[g]iven the sensitivity of the [Epstein] matter, [my advice] would probably have been to tell him to step back and let somebody else take it over."Source
— USAO’s Professional Responsibility Officer
(Stating what his advice to Menchel would have been regarding his involvement in the Epstein case, given his past relationship with Sanchez.)
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Quote #12
"Alex has decided to offer a two year state deal."Source
— Menchel
(A statement recalled by Villafaña from a meeting on July 26, 2007.)
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Quote #13
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