📧 Communication

This document, likely from a House Oversight investigation, details a January 2011 hearing where Justice Ruth Pickholz designated Jeffrey Epstein a level three sex offender, rejecting arguments from ADA Gaffney who sought a lower designation. The judge expressed shock at the Manhattan DA's leniency, noting she had never seen prosecutors make such a 'downward argument' in such a troubling case. The document also notes that Epstein's subsequent appeal was denied, with the court affirming the designation based on reliable proof of criminal conduct.