Extraction Summary

13
People
8
Organizations
6
Locations
4
Events
3
Relationships
6
Quotes

Document Information

Type: Legal pleading (defendant's consolidated rule 4 review and appeal)
File Size: 2.39 MB
Summary

This document is an appeal by Defendant Jeffrey Epstein against a Magistrate's Order compelling him to produce discovery materials, including correspondence with prosecutors, tax returns, and passport/travel records. Epstein argues that producing these documents violates his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination because he still faces a real threat of federal prosecution outside the Southern District of Florida, despite his Non-Prosecution Agreement (NPA). The filing also details privacy concerns for third parties (alleged victims), claims attorney work-product privilege over files selected by his defense counsel, and argues that his offer to stipulate to a high net worth renders the production of his tax returns unnecessary.

People (13)

Name Role Context
Jeffrey Epstein Defendant
Asserting Fifth Amendment privileges against self-incrimination regarding discovery requests for tax returns, passpor...
Jane Doe No. 2 Plaintiff
Plaintiff in Case No. 08-CIV-80119-MARRA/JOHNSON.
Jane Does 2-8 Plaintiffs
Plaintiffs in related civil cases.
Michael J. Pike Attorney
Counsel for Defendant Jeffrey Epstein, signer of the document.
Robert D. Critton, Jr. Attorney
Counsel for Defendant Jeffrey Epstein.
Jack Goldberger Attorney
Epstein's criminal lawyer who selected information from the State Attorney's file, creating work-product.
Brad Edwards Attorney
Counsel for Plaintiffs, mentioned in deposition excerpts regarding possession of police files.
Spencer Kuvin Attorney
Counsel for Plaintiffs, mentioned in deposition excerpts.
Scott Rothstein Attorney
Accused of racketeering and litigation abuses against Epstein.
Detective Recarey Law Enforcement
Palm Beach Police Department detective whose deposition is cited.
Judge Colbath Judge
State judge who ordered the list of alleged victims attached to the NPA remain private.
Michael Fisten Investigator
Former RRA employee, now working for Edwards' firm, allegedly acted as a broker staging meetings.
A.H. Victim
Referenced in deposition as a victim Epstein pled guilty to interacting with.

Organizations (8)

Name Type Context
United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
Court where the case is filed.
USAO (United States Attorney's Office)
Southern District of Florida federal prosecutors who entered into the NPA with Epstein.
Palm Beach State Attorney's Office
State prosecutors involved in the plea agreement.
Palm Beach Police Department
Investigating agency; files are subject of discovery dispute.
FBI
Investigating agency; joint investigation with USAO mentioned.
IRS
Internal Revenue Service; mentioned regarding tax return confidentiality.
CBP (Customs and Border Patrol)
Mentioned regarding passport records and travel manifests.
Rothstein, Rosenfeldt, and Adler, P.A. (RRA)
Law firm accused of racketeering and fraud against Epstein.

Timeline (4 events)

2010-02-17
Deposition of Jeffrey Epstein where Mr. Edwards questions him about the Palm Beach Police Department incident report.
Unknown
2010-03-15
Deposition of 'AR' where grand jury target letters and messages were discussed.
Unknown
2010-03-19
Deposition of Detective Recarey regarding surveillance reports and chain of custody.
Unknown
2010-04-12
Date of signature/service of the document.
West Palm Beach, FL

Locations (6)

Location Context
Location of Epstein's mansion/home.
Specific address in Palm Beach mentioned in context of 'trash pulls'.
Location of Epstein's principal home.
Location where Epstein owns a residence.
Location where Epstein owns a residence.
Epstein's private island in St. Thomas.

Relationships (3)

Jeffrey Epstein Attorney-Client Jack Goldberger
Described as 'Epstein's criminal lawyer' who reviewed State Attorney files.
Brad Edwards Employer-Employee Michael Fisten
Fisten is described as 'formerly an employee of RRA and now an employee/independent contractor of Mr. Edwards' firm'.
Scott Rothstein Adversarial Jeffrey Epstein
Document claims Rothstein engaged in racketeering and litigation abuses against Epstein.

Key Quotes (6)

"The danger Epstein faces by being forced to testify in this case is substantial and real, and not merely trifling or imaginary."
Source
017-12.pdf
Quote #1
"Epstein cannot select, authenticate, and produce documents relevant to this lawsuit and I must accept this advice or risk losing my Sixth Amendment right to effective representation."
Source
017-12.pdf
Quote #2
"The lynchpin for the exercise of federal criminal jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. 2422(b) is the use of 'any facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce'."
Source
017-12.pdf
Quote #3
"Epstein entered into a Non-Prosecution Agreement ('NPA') with the USAO for the Federal Southern District of Florida."
Source
017-12.pdf
Quote #4
"Plaintiffs also allege that Epstein 'sexually assaulted' them, and that Epstein 'maintains his principal home in New York and also owns residences in New Mexico, St. Thomas and Palm Beach, FL.'"
Source
017-12.pdf
Quote #5
"Epstein's Fifth Amendment privilege does not extend to his passport because its existence is known to the government or is a 'foregone conclusion.'"
Source
017-12.pdf
Quote #6

Full Extracted Text

Complete text extracted from the document (88,066 characters)

Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 1 of 37 Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 1 of 37
JANE DOE NO. 2,
Plaintiff,
VS,
JEFFREY EPSTEIN,
Defendant.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
CASE NO.: 08-CIV-80119-MARRA/JOHNSON
I --------------
Related cases:
08-80232, 08-08380, 08-80381, 08-80994,
08-80993, 08-80811, 08-80893, 09-80469,
09-80591,09-80656,09-80802,09-81092
I --------------
DEFENDANT'S, CONSOLIDATED RULE 4 REVIEW AND APPEAL OF PORTIONS
OF THE MAGISTRATE'S ORDERS DATED FEBRUARY 4, 2010 (DE 462), (DE 480)
AND APRIL 1, 2010 (DE 513), WITH INCORPORATED OBJECTIONS AND
MEMORANDUM OF LAW
Defendant, Jeffrey Epstein (hereinafter "Epstein"), by and through his undersigned
attorneys, hereby files his Consolidated Rule 4 Review and Appeal of Portions of the
Magistrate's Orders (DE 462), (DE 480) and (DE 513) pursuant to Rule 60, Fed.R.Civ.P. Rule 4,
Rule 4(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 53(e). In support, Epstein states:
I. Introdnction
The Fifth Amendment serves as a guarantee against testimonial compulsion and provides,
in relevant part, that "[n]o person ... shall be compelled in any Criminal Case to be a witness
against himself." (DE 242, p.5); see also Edwin v. Price, 778 F.2d 668, 669 (11th Cir. 1985)
(citing Lefkowitz v. Turley. 414 U.S. 70, 77 (1973)). The privilege is accorded liberal
construction in favor of the right and extends not only to answers that would support a criminal
conviction, but extends also to those answers which would furnish a link in the chain of evidence
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 2 of 37 Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 2 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 2
needed to prosecute the claimant for a crime. See Hoffman v. United States, 341 U.S. 479,486
(1951 ). Information is protected by the privilege not only if it would support a criminal
conviction, but also in those instances where "the responses would merely 'provide a lead or
clue' to evidence having a tendency to incriminate." See United States v. Neff, 315 F.2d 1235,
1239 (9th Cir.), cert denied, 447 U.S. 925 (1980); Blau v. United States, 340 U.S. 159 (1950);
SEC v Leach, 156 F.Supp.2d 491, 494 (E.D. PA. 2001). Add new case from my e-mail of
yesterday: (Court in Englebrick v Worthington Industries Inc 670 F Supp2d 1048 (CD Cal,
2009) rejected motion to compel 111 helpful language:
"A valid assertion of the privilege does not reqmre an imminent criminal prosecution or
investigation: 'The right to assert one's privilege against self-incrimination does not depend upon
the likelihood, but upon the possibility of prosecution' cite omitted ... a possibility of prosecution
exists where the witness has not received a grant of immunity, the statute of limitations has not
run, double jeopardy does not apply, and there are no other concrete indications that criminal
prosecution is barred. See also Belmonte v Lawson, 750 F. Supp. 735, 739 (E.D. Va.
1990)("Courts should avoid engaging in crystal ball forecasts about what a prosecutor may or
may not do ... ).
Significantly, these cases have been consolidated for discovery. Therefore, consistent
rulings must apply. In making those rulings, this Court must continue to recognize that the
allegations in the related cases cannot be forgotten. (11.g., see DE 242, 293). Production of
information in one case could provide a link in the chain of evidence used to prosecute Epstein
for a crime or provide an indirect link to incriminating evidence in another case and in another
jurisdiction. Id. and infra.
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 3 of 37 Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 3 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 3
Moreover, in addition to the testimonial privilege discussed herein, the Fifth Amendment
includes an act of production which encompasses circumstances highly relevant to certain of
the discovery requests at issue where the act of producing documents in response to a subpoena
or production request has a compelled testimonial aspect in that it would constitute an implied
admission as to the defendant's possession or control of the requested documents, as to their
authenticity, and as to the defendant's selection of them as meeting the requests for production.
See United States v. Hubbell, 530 U.S. 27, 35-36 (2000). Thus, where the existence or location
of the requested documents are unknown, or where production would "implicitly authenticate"
the requested documents, the act of producing responsive documents is considered testimonial
and is protected by the Fifth Amendment. See In re Grand Jury Subpoena, 1 F.3d 87, 93 (2nd
Cir. 1993); Rudy-Glanzer v. Glanzer, 232 F.3d 1258, 1263 (9th Cir. 2000)(the "privilege" against
self-incrimination does not depend upon the likelihood, but upon the possibility of prosecution
and also covers those circumstances where the disclosures would not be directly incriminating,
but could provide an indirect link to incriminating evidence).
In addition, several of the requests outlined below implicate Federal Rules of Evidence
408, 410 and 502, and the confidentiality protections intrinsic to federal tax returns that would be
unavailable under 26 U.S.C. 6103 even ifa subpoena is served upon the IRS. Furthermore,
II. Procedural Background
Epstein filed his Motions for Reconsideration or, Alternatively, Rule 4 Appeal, at DE 477
and 488. However, this court entered an order (DE 513) allowing for Consolidated Rule 4
Appeals relative to the above docket entries.
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 4 of 37 Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 4 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 4
(a) Jane Doe
Plaintiff, Jane Doe's Motion to Compel is filed at DE (194). Defendant's Response in
Opposition is filed at DE (339), and the arguments set forth therein are incorporated herein by
reference as if completely set forth herein as each apply to request numbers I 0, 12 and 13.
(b) Jane Does 2-8
Plaintiffs, Jane Doe 2-8s' Motion to Compel is filed at DE (333). Defendant's Response
in Opposition is filed at DE (390) and the arguments set forth therein are incorporated herein by
reference as if completely set forth herein as each apply to request number I of Plaintiffs First
request to produce Net Worth Discovery.
The Request for Production and the responses thereto are attached as Composite
Exhibits "A" and "B".
III. The Requests For Production, Argument And Memorandum Of Law
a. Jane Doe - Requests Numbers 7, 9 and 10
Request No. 7: All discovery information obtained by you or your
attorneys as a result of the exchange of discovery in the State criminal case
against you or the Federal investigation against you.
Request No. 9: Any documents or other evidentiary materials provided to
local, state, or federal law enforcement investigators or local, state or federal
prosecutors investigating your sexual activities with minors.
Request No. 10: All correspondence between you and your attorneys and
state or federal law enforcement or prosecutors (includes, but not limited to,
letters to and from the State Attorney's office or any agents thereof).
Response to Request Numbers 7, 9 and 10: Defendant is asserting specific
legal objections to the production request as well as his U.S. constitutional
privileges. I intend to produce all relevant documents regarding this lawsuit,
however, my attorneys have counseled me that at the present time I cannot select,
authenticate, and produce documents relevant to this lawsuit and I must accept
this advice or risk losing my Sixth Amendment right to effective representation.
Accordingly, I assert my federal constitutional rights under the Fifth, Sixth, and
Fourteenth Amendments as guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 5 of 37 Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 5 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 5
Drawing an adverse inference nnder these circumstances would nnconstitutionally
burden my exercise of my constitutional rights, would be unreasonable, and
would therefore violate the Constitution. In addition to and without waiving his
constitutional privileges, the information sought is privileged and confidential,
and inadmissible pursuant to the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement,
Fed. Rule of Evidence 410 and 408, and §90.410, Fla. Stat. Further, the request
may include information subject to work product or an attorney-client privilege.
It appears there is now a direct conflict with what Jane Doe requests (see M·, DE 354, p.
3 ). In short, Plaintiff is fast and loose in her argument regarding what she seeks (i.e., she states in
no uncertain terms (DE 354, p.3) that she seeks information that the Federal government gave to
Epstein. However, in her Reply to the Response in Opposition, she now seeks everything that the
government gave to Epstein's lawyers and what his lawyers gave to the Federal government (i.e.,
the full breadth of the requests). The far broader ambit of the requests implicates whether the
Plaintiff is seeking just the commnnications provided by USAO to Epstein's counsel or all
Epstein's counsel's commnnications with, M·, the USAO, the State Attorneys' Office or any
other local, state or Federal law enforcement. If Jane Doe seeks "all" commnnications, it deeply
implicates the work product of Epstein's lawyers. If Plaintiff seeks just the commnnication
provided by the USAO or the State Attorney, it deeply implicates the work product of the USAO
and the State Attorney negotiating and communicating with Epstein's counsel which include, but
are not limited to, information that resulted in a plea and information that did NOT result in a
plea and information that may have resulted in the entering of the Non-Prosecution Agreement
("NPA"). Either way, the requests deeply implicate the protections and policies ofFRE 408,410
and 502 as more fully set forth infra.
Before this limitation was made by Plaintiff, Epstein argued in his response in opposition
(DE 339, p.7-8) that these requests are the same type requests the court found subject to the Fifth
Amendment. With the limitation made by Plaintiff and her counsel in the Reply, the court ruled
"[t]hat the earlier requests referenced by Epstein were significantly broader than the narrow
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 6 of 37 Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 6 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CVS0 I 19
Page No. 6
requests at issue here, including for example, a request for all documents 'relating to' the federal
non-prosecution agreement, and all documents 'relating to' either the federal or state criminal
investigations. These requests would have required Epstein to pick and choose which documents
were responsive and in this way force Epstein to use to effectively make 'use of the content his
mind,' an action that would undeniably implicate the Fifth Amendment." (DE 462, p.9) Clearly
the instant requests are exactly the same type of broad requests this court has already ruled upon.
Had the Plaintiff not limited the scope of the requests in her Reply (DE 354, p.3), the court
would not have labeled these requests as "narrow" because these requests now seek all
information related to the federal non-prosecution agreement and all documents relating to either
the federal or state criminal investigations, which clearly require Epstein to effectively make use
of the content his mind to determine what is and what is not responsive to these broad requests.
As a result of the limitation made by Plaintiff in her Reply (DE 354) and as a result of
this court's Order (DE 462), Epstein responded - "[a]s to Request Number 7, Epstein and his
attorneys do not have any "discovery information" provided to them by the federal government
and [a]s to Request Number 9, Epstein has not been given any evidentiary materials or
evidentiary documents by the federal government." (DE 477) Certainly, these responses were
not intended to "gild the lily" as Plaintiff contends nor are they misleading. Despite what the
interrogatory sought, Plaintff chose to limit same in her Reply to only what the Federal
Government gave Epstein, and that is exactly how the Magistrate interpreted same. The
responses were made based upon Plaintiffs limitation in what she sought from Epstein and
because this court entered an Order based upon that limitation. Had the limitation not been
made, neither this court nor Epstein would have been misled down this primrose path.
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 7 of 37 Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 7 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 7
Nonetheless, Plaintiff now seeks to obtain the full breadth of information sought under
request numbers 7, 9 and 10. However, that argument shall meet a short death in that Plaintiff
herself limited the scope of the requests in her Reply and failed to timely file her own Rule 4
Appeal after the court entered its order at DE 462, which adopted Plaintiff 's limited scope of the
requests (which Plaintiff now wishes to change). See S.D. Fla., Rule 4(a)(l), Mag. J. 2009. If
the court made a mistake in adopting the limited scope of the requests (which it did not), Plaintiff
should have timely appealed, which she did not. As such, Plaintiff's requested relief in this
regard should be denied.
Next, the Magistrate's order as to Request No.: 10 must be reversed because it contravenes
critical public policy of encouraging resolution of criminal prosecutions without trial and the
concomitant understanding that defendants will be considerably more likely to engage in full and
frank discussions with the government if they need not fear that statements they or their counsel
make to government prosecutors will be used against them to their detriment. The policies
behind FRE 408,410 and 502 provide this court with a basis for sustaining Epstein's objections
to Request No.: 10. For instance, the critical importance of plea bargaining to the criminal
justice system has long been recognized. "[W]hatever might be the situation in an ideal world,
the fact is that the guilty plea and the often concomitant plea bargain are important components
of this country's criminal justice system. Properly administered, they can benefit all concerned."
Bordenkircher v. Hayes, 434 U.S. 357, 361-62 (1978), quoting Blackledge v. Allison, 431 U.S.
63, 71 (1977). To encourage defendants to participate in the plea negotiation process, rules have
developed to prohibit admission into evidence against the defendant of any and all statements he
or his counsel acting on his behalf makes to government prosecutors during the plea negotiation
process. This confidentiality protection is embodied in both Fed. R. Evid. 410 and Fed. R. Crim.
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 8 of 37 Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 8 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 8
P. 1 l(f). While these rules by their express terms refer only to admissibility of evidence, the
purposes and policies underlying these rules is instructive in this context, in which a civil
plaintiff seeks discovery of documents falling within the scope of these two rules.
Rule 410 was created to promote active plea negotiations and plea bargains, which our
Supreme Court has acknowledged are "important components of this country's criminal
justice system." ... Our Court of Appeals has held that "in order for plea bargaining to
work effectively and fairly, a defendant must be free to negotiate without fear that this
statements will later be used against him." ... Indeed, absent the protection of Rule 410,
"the possibility of self-incrimination would discourage defendants from being completely
candid and open during plea negotiations."
S.E.C. v. Johnson, 534 F.Supp.2d 63, 66-67 (D.D.C. 2008), quoting United States v. Davis, 617
F.2d 677, 683 (D.C.Cir. 1980). See, Q,g., United States v. Mezzanatto, 513 U.S. 196, 205, 207
(1995)(purpose of the rules is to encourage plea bargaining, and rules "creat[e], in effect, a
privilege of the defendant," quoting 2 J. Weinstein & M. Berger, Weinstein's Evidence if410[05]
at 410-43 (1994)); United States v. Barrow, 400 F.3d 109, 116 (2d Cir. 2005)("The underlying
purpose of Rule 410 is to promote plea negotiations by permitting defendants to talk to
prosecutors without sacrificing their ability to defend themselves if no disposition agreement is
reached"); Fed. R. Crim. P. 11, Advisory Committee Notes, 1979 Amendment ("the purpose of
Fed. R. Ev. 410 and Fed. R. Crim. P. 1 l(e)(6) [now Rule 1 l(f)] is to promote the unrestrained
candor which produces effective plea discussions"). 1
Additional illustration of the high degree of confidentially accorded settlement
negotiations is found in Fed. R. Evid. 408, which precludes the introduction into evidence
2 FRE 410(4) is particularly directed to communications in matters which, like Epstein's, did not result in a plea of
guilty to any federal charge. Fla. Stat. §90.410 provides parallel protections in state criminal matters. Epstein pied
guilty to Fla. Stat. 796.07(2)(!), Unlawful to Solicit, Induce, Entice, or Procure Another to Commit Prostitution,
Lewdness or Assignation, and Fla. Stat. 796.03, Procuring Person Under Age of 18 For Prostitution. Therefore, in
the event this court orders production of said correspondence, then it must first hold an in camera inspection to
determine what, if any, documents are related to the foregoing pleas and what documents are not. Along those same
lines, an in camera inspection must be had in an effort to redact any information that may violate third-party privacy
rights or information that would implicate Epstein's Fifth Amendment rights. See infra.
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 9 of 37 Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 9 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 9
communications made during settlement negotiations. The purposes underlying Rule 408 are
essentially the same as those underlying Fed. R. Crim, P. 11 (f) and 410: "to encourage non litigious solutions to disputes." Reichenbach v. Smith, 528 F.2d 1072, 1074 (11th Cir. 1976).
See, Lls·, Stockman v. Oakcrest Dental Center, P.C., 480 F.3d 791, 805 (6th Cir. 2007)("the
purpose underlying Rule 408 ... is the promotion of the public policy favoring the compromise
and settlement of disputes that would otherwise be discouraged with the admission of such
evidence"); Bankcard America, Inc. v. Universal Bancard Systems, Inc., 203 F.3d 477, 483 (7th
Cir. 2000)("Because settlement talks might be chilled if such discussions could later be used as
admissions of liability at trial, the rule's purpose is to encourage settlements"); In re A.H. Robins
Co., Inc., 197 B.R. 568, 572 (E.D.Va. 1994)("Rule 408 aims to foster settlement discussions in
an individual lawsuit, and therefore insulates the particular parties to a settlement discussion
from possible adverse consequences of their frank and open statements"). So crucial is this
policy of confidentiality to the functioning of our federal court system that some courts have held
that communications falling within the parameters of Rule 408 are covered by a settlement
privilege which insulates them not just from admission into evidence but from discovery as well.
See, Lls-, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. v. Chiles Power Supply, Inc., 332 F.3d 976, 979-983 (6th
Cir. 2003).
Given the powerful and long-standing policy of according confidentiality to settlement
negotiations in both the civil and criminal context, civil plaintiffs should, at a minimum, be
required to demonstrate real and concrete need for the material. They should not be permitted to
rummage through such sensitive documents based on nothing more than a vague and contentless
statement that the materials are "likely to lead to the discovery of other admissible evidence."
Motion to Compel at 12 n.3, which is all that plaintiff offers as to Request No. 10. This is
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 10 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 10 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 10
particularly so given the reality that parties often take positions or offer potential compromise
solutions during plea negotiations which are inconsistent with the litigation strategy they will
pursue if the case goes to trial. As one court has explained in the civil context:
There exists a strong public interest in favor of secrecy of matters discussed by parties
during settlement negotiations .... The ability to negotiate and settle a case without trial
fosters a more efficient, more cost-effective, and significantly less burdened judicial
system. . . . Parties must be able to abandon their adversarial tendencies to some degree.
They must be able to make hypothetical concessions, offer creative quid pro quos, and
generally make statements that would otherwise belie their litigation efforts.
Goodyear Tire, 332 F.3d at 980. The same is no less true in the plea negotiation context
particularly where a central component of the discussions and negotiations between counsel for
Epstein and counsel for the USAO was to reach an agreement on conditions relating to I 8 USC
2255 including certain waivers and other obligations of Epstein's NP A. The plaintiffs have
contended that such provisions relating to 2255 are civil in nature, thus squarely implicating FRE
408 protections. The free availability in discovery to civil plaintiffs of communications made
during the plea negotiation process has profound potential to chill frank and open
communications during that process so crucial to the functioning of the criminal justice system in
any criminal case which has potential to become a civil or regulatory matter as well. Such
defendants will be loath to be fully forthcoming during plea discussions or communications and
indeed, if the potential civil or regulatory consequences are sufficiently severe, may decline to
enter into plea negotiations at all, if they must fear that their communications will be made
available to civil plaintiffs in discovery, thus entirely defeating both the purpose and spirit of
Rules 410 and ll(f).
In addition, the communications made during the plea negotiation process contain fact
and opinion attorney work product of both Mr. Epstein's attorneys and government attorneys.
Particularly given the strong public policy in favor of confidentiality of plea/settlement
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 11 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 11 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 11
negotiations, the disclosure of such information should be treated as falling within the selective
waiver provisions of Fed. R. Evid. 502 and not be treated as an open-ended waiver of the
attorney-client and work product privileges, and, if the discovery order is upheld as to request 10
a request for an order pursuant to FRE 502(d) mandating that the communications that led to the
execution of a Non-Prosecution Agreement and communications regarding its implementation
should be, to the extent they involve fact or opinion work product, not disclosed to third parties
in civil litigation outside the criminal proceedings to which they relate. FRE 502(D) provides: " .
. . a Federal court may order that the privilege or protection is not waived by disclosure
connected with the litigation pending before the court - -in which event disclosure is also not a
waiver in any other Federal or State proceeding."
The correspondence in question contained what would constitute paradigm opinion work
product with the single caveat that the opinions of each counsel, Epstein's and the United States
Attorney's were exchanged with each other pursuant to the overall expectation that they were
safeguarded from disclosure by the policies of confidentiality that protect communications
during settlement and plea negotiations. The requested communications include the views of
Epstein's counsel in the criminal case regarding why a federal prosecution was inappropriate,
why the federal statutes did not fit the alleged offense conduct, why certain of the alleged victims
were not credible. It also includes Epstein's counsel's views on the limits and inapplicability of
certain elements of 18 U.S.C. §2255, one of the principal causes of action in the Jane Doe cases.
This opinion work-product should not be disclosed when it was incorporated into heartland plea
negotiations that are accorded protection under the federal rules of evidence. It is the disclosure
of such legal opinions - and not just their admissibility that should be protected from a civil
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 12 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 12 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 12
discovery request that lacked any statement as to why this information was even necessary to the
fair litigation of the civil cases.
Concomitantly, to the extent that the request is now limited to communications from the
Govermnent to Epstein, see DE 54, pgs 3 and 8, the narrowed request implicates the same
concerns for the opinions, the work product, and the expectation of privacy of the United States
Attorney or Assistant United States Attorney who authored the many letters received by counsel
for Epstein. As such, to the extent that the Court is considering affirming any part of the
Magistrate-Judge's opinion allowing request 10 that would result in the required disclosure of
communications from the Govermnent counsel to Epstein, that notice be provided to the United
States Attorney so they may intervene to protect their opinion work product, assert their rights to
confidentiality under FRE 408 and 410, and assert where appropriate their interests in grand jury
secrecy and in the privacy rights of their witness who in at least one document are identified.
The defendant requests that if the Court were considering allowing the disclosure of any portion
of the communications sent by Epstein to the Govermnent which are within the original request
for production but apparently not plaintiffs latest filing, DE 354, pg 3, the Court first consider
permitting the defendant to provide a privilege log that would identify specific portions of the
correspondence that contains the opinion work product of counsel for Epstein and permitting
leave to seek an order under FRE 502( d) that would protect such communications from
disclosure to third parties such as requested in this matter.
If the USAO cannot be compelled to release its investigation(s) and related work-product
directly due to the protections of Fed. R. Crim. Pro. 6, Epstein cannot be compelled to disclose
same in violation of his constitutional rights? He cannot. Rules 408, and 410 all counsel
strongly against the discoverability of such documents. The court is requested to reverse the
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 13 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 13 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 13
Magistrate-Judge's order as to paragraph 10. Alternatively, the Court is requested to permit a
privilege log that would be filed by Epstein's counsel - and if they so desire the Government -
particularizing the prejudice to their work product and to the values otherwise protected by FRE
408 and 410 on a document by document basis.
Epstein also continues to maintain that the requested correspondence is protected under
the Fifth Amendment, as it could furnish a link in the chain of evidence needed to prosecute him
for a crime or provide the federal government with information that provides a lead or clue to
evidence having a tendency to incriminate Epstein. See infra; Hoffman v. United States, 341
U.S. at 486; United States v. Neff, 315 F.2d at 1239; Blau v. United States, 340 U.S. at 159; and
SEC v Leach, 156 F.Supp.2d at 494.
As this court has recognized, the threat of criminal prosecution is real and present as
Epstein remains under the scrutiny of the USAO, which is explained and/or acknowledged in the
Court's Orders (DE 242, p.4 and 462, p.2). As this Court knows, Epstein entered into a Non Prosecution Agreement ("NPA") with the USAO for the Federal Southern District of Florida .
However, the NPA does not provide Epstein with any protection from criminal investigation or
prosecution other than in the Southern District of Florida. As the court has acknowledged in its
orders ( e.g., DE 462), complaints in these related matters allege that Epstein both resided in and
allegedly engaged in illegal sexual conduct in districts outside the Southern District of Florida,
and that he allegedly lured economically disadvantaged girls to homes other than in Palm Beach.
Thus, the fact that there exists a NP A does not mean that Epstein is free from a reasonable fear of
future criminal prosecution. In fact, this court acknowledged that "[t]he danger Epstein faces by
being forced to testify in this case is substantial and real, and not merely trifling or imaginary as
required." (DE 242, p. 10).
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 14 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 14 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 14
As such, in the event Epstein is required to produce information provided to him by the
federal government - or provided by Epstein to the Government - that information could provide
a link in the chain of evidence needed to prosecute Epstein of a crime outside the protections of
the NP A. Given the nature of the allegations, to wit, a scheme and plan of sexual misconduct,
this court should find it entirely reasonable for Epstein to assert his Fifth Amendment privilege
as to request Number I 0, especially since it is broad enough to encompass information that could
violate Epstein's Fifth Amendment Privileges. Hubbell, supra. In responding to the request,
Epstein would be compelled admit that such documents exist, admit that the documents were in
his possession or control, and further admit that the documents produced were authentic. In
other words, the very act of production of the category of documents requested would implicitly
communicate "statements of fact." as well as authenticate the letters as genuine examples of
communications that include disclosures made by Epstein's attorney i.e., his agent on his behalf,
see Hubbell, supra; Hoffman, supra.
The defendant requests that the Court order that the documents in question are protected by
FRE 408 and 410, that if not they should be subject to a "selective waiver" order under FRE
502( d) given their inclusion of attorney opinion and fact work product that was only disclosed in
reasonable expectation they would be solely used to further plea and settlement discussions. o
the extent this court orders production of any of the requested materials, the information should
first be produced in camera to determine what portions of the materials should be redacted to
protect the attorneys' mental impressions and to assist the Court in making further
determinations as to what information , should be protected by Federal Rules 408, 410, and 502.
See supra. Again, as set forth in the Reply attached hereto as Exhibit "B", the USAO and the
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 15 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 15 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CVS0 119
Page No. 15
Palm Beach State Attorneys' Office should be put on notice that their underlying files are being
requested by and through backdoor methods.
(b) Plaintiffs' Attorneys Already Have Much Of The Information They Seek
Pursuant To This Improper Motion Practice And Have No Demonstrable Need For More
Several depositions have occurred over the last 4 weeks wherein it appears Mr. Edwards
already has the information he seeks responsive to these requests, which is likely the reason Mr.
Edwards has not filed any affidavits supporting the specious arguments set forth in Plaintiffs
Motions. As such, there is no substance or factual representations made by Plaintiff to support
her argument. Plaintiff is wasting attorney time and judicial resources in her effort to obtain
what she already has in her possession. For example, at a deposition of Mr. Epstein on February
17, 2010, the following exchange occurred:
Mr. Edwards: The 87-page Palm Beach Police Department
incident report where there are numerous underage females
describing their interaction with Mr. Epstein at his house. I'm
specifically reading from page 41 related to A.H., who was one of
the victims he pled guilty to.
Mr. Pike: Is that the same document that you're seeking
production of, in this same exact case?
Mr. Edwards: I don't know what you're talking about.
This is something from the state attorneys' file.
It is clear from Mr. Edwards's response above (attached as Exhibit "C") that he has the
information from the Palm Beach Police Department and the information from the State
Attorneys' file. This begs the question - if plaintiff already has the information she seeks, why
is Plaintiff wasting valuable attorney time and judicial resources to obtain what is already in
hand? See also Exhibits "D-1" and "D-2" and "E," a copy of the 89-page incident report
marked as an Exhibit by Plaintiffs counsel at Detective Recarey's deposition as well as certain
message pads Plaintiff claims was pulled from the residence at 358 Brillo Way.
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 16 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 16 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 16
Moreover, at the deposition of AR on March 15, 2010, the following exchange occurred:
Mr. Edwards: Well, at some point in time what's been marked as
defense Exhibit "1", you received a grand jury investigation target
letter, correct?
***
Mr. Edwards: There's another message from 9/11/05 saying "I
got a car for," and then the name is blotted out. The State
Attorneys' Office blotted the names of minors out sometimes in
their file ....
***
Once again, Mr. Edwards' s response above ( attached as Exhibit "F") establishes that he
has the information from both the Palm Beach Police Department and the State Attorneys' file.
In fact, as argued infra, Mr. Edwards has certain information from the Palm Beach Police
Department, which resulted from various alleged "trash pulls" from a residence on Palm Beach
(e.g., certain notepads).
Finally, at the deposition of Detective Recarey of the Palm Beach Police Department, on
March 19, 2010, the following exchange occurred:
Mr. Kuvin: Okay. And what were the dates of the surveillance?
Witness: [Referencing his Report] It appears she met with
members of the B.S.F. unit, Burglary Strike Force ....
***
Mr. Kuvin: [Referencing the Report] Ifwe go down to page 40 in
your report, first let me back up ....
Mr. Kuvin: Okay. So the chain of custody which we have marked
as Exhibit 5 shows that all the evidence you had in this case was
given to the FBI. . . . See Exhibit "G".
***
The undersigned was at Detective Recarey's deposition. Mr. Kuvin and Mr. Edwards
had copies of various reports and also had copies of various message pads claimed to be "pulled"
from Epstein's trash by the Palm Beach Police Department. See infra. It is clear from the
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 17 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 17 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 17
deposition that opposing counsel has the information from the Palm Beach Police Department
and the State Attorneys' file. See also, infta for additional argument.
(i) Work-Product Palm Beach State Attorneys' File
Next, as to any information obtained from the State Attorney at any phase (request
numbers 801 ), the State Attorney has not provided anything to Epstein or his attorneys. While
the State Attorneys' file was made available for inspection, Jack Goldberger, Epstein's criminal
lawyer, went over to the State Attorneys' Office and hand selected information from the file for
copying, including certain witness interviews. See Exhibit "H" Affidavit of Jack Goldberger.
Accordingly, the information hand selected by Mr. Goldberger falls under the work-product
doctrine as production of same would reveal Mr. Goldberger's mental impressions, thought
processes and strategy relative to the defense of Epstein. Smith v. Florida Power & Light
Company, 632 So.2d 696, 698 (Fla. 3rd DCA 1994)(even if individual documents are not work product, "the selection process itself represents defense counsel's mental impressions and legal
opinions as to how the evidence in the documents relates to the issues and the defenses in the
litigation"). Id. The information simply falls under the "highly protected category of opinion
work-product." Id; see also Fla.R.Civ.Pro. 1.280.
Also, Counsel for Jane Does 2-8 in the Federal companion cases apparently obtained a
copy of the file retained by the Palm Beach State Attorneys' Office. It is reasonably believed
that all Plaintiffs' attorneys in this action have extensive materials from the State Attorney and
the Palm Beach Police Department pursuant to various public records requests. Certainly, Mr.
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 18 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 18 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 18
Edwards is able make such public records requests or can subpoena the requested information,
neither of which would implicate the work product privilege as outlined above.
Here, the standard is a showing of a need to obtain the information, and the inability to
obtain the substantial equivalent without undue hardship. Metric Engineering, Inc. v. Small, 861
So. 2d 1248, 1250 (Fla. 1st DCA 2003)(To show 'need,' a party must present testimony or
evidence demonstrating the material requested is critical to the theory of the requestor's case, or
to some significant aspect of the case); Ashemimry v. Ba Nafa, 847 So.2d 603 (Fla. 5th DCA
2003). In addition, Florida Rule of Civil Procedure l.280(b)(3), does allow discovery of fact
work product where the requesting party can show need and the inability to obtain the substantial
equivalent by other means without undue hardship. Vesta Fire Ins. Corp. v. Figueroa, 821 So.2d
1233, 1234 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002)(the showing of need and undue hardship necessary to overcome
the work product immunity must include specific explanations and reasons). Again, Mr.
Edwards fails to submit any affidavit or any other document meeting the above criteria.
Additionally, this court should consider placing the Palm Beach State Attorney and the
USAO on Notice that their investigative files are being requested. Since Plaintiff seeks
information given by federal government and the state attorney to Epstein, including
correspondence, Epstein reincorporates the arguments set out in his initial Rule 4 Appeal as that
information is within the penumbra of the protections of Federal Rules of Evidence 408 and 410.
Moreover, despite Plaintiffs contention, Federal Rule of Evidence 410 is applicable because
negotiations did not end with a federal plea. Furthermore, Federal Rule of Evidence 408 is
applicable given that 18 U.S.C. 2255 is quasi-civil remedy. Clearly, the information sought by
Plaintiff has no evidentiary value - given that Plaintiffs have the raw materials and police reports
and affidavits resulting from state investigation. Accordingly, there is a chance that the Palm
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 19 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 19 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 19
Beach State Attorney and the USAO may not want to disclose their files for one reason or
another.
(ii) Third Party Privacy Rights And Judge Jeffrey's Colbath's Order
The Magistrate's Order does not consider the privacy rights of other alleged victims. As
this Court knows, attached to the NP A is a list which delineates alleged victims. Once the NP A
was made public, Judge Colbath, with the agreement of the Palm Beach Post, Brad Edwards,
Esq. and Spencer Kuvin, Esq. agreed that the "list" would remain private. As such, Request for
Production Numbers 7, 9 and 10 seeks information that may violate others third-party privacy
rights in that certain names may be mentioned in correspondence, including those on the "list."
As noted in Eisenstadt v. Baird, 405 U.S. 438,454, 92 S.Ct. 1029, 1038, at fn. 10 (1972):
In Stanley, 394 U.S., at 564, 89 S.Ct., at 1247, the Court stated:'(A)lso
fundamental is the right to be free, except in very limited circumstances, from
unwanted governmental intrusions into one's privacy." The makers of our
Constitution undertook to secure conditions favorable to the pursuit of happiness.
They recognized the significance of man's spiritual nature, of his feelings and of
his intellect. They knew that only a part of the pain, pleasure and satisfactions of
life are to be found in material things. They sought to protect Americans in their
beliefs, their thoughts, their emotions, and their sensations. They conferred, as
against the Government, the right to be let alone-the most comprehensive of rights
and the right most valued by civilized man.' [Citations omitted].
The fundamental right of privacy is not only guaranteed under by the Fourteenth
Amendment of the United States Constitution, but also under the Constitution of the State of
Florida, Art. I, Sect. 23. As summarized by the Florida Supreme Court in Shaktman v. State, 553
So.2d 148, 150-51 (Fla. 1989):
The right of privacy, assured to Florida's citizens, demands that individuals be
free from uninvited observation of or interference in those aspects of their lives
which fall within the ambit of this zone of privacy unless the intrusion is
warranted by the necessity of a compelling state interest. In an opinion which
predated the adoption of section 23, the First District aptly characterized the
nature of this right.
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 20 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 20 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 20
A fundamental aspect of personhood's integrity is the power to control what we
shall reveal about our intimate selves, to whom, and for what purpose.
Bryon, Harless, Schaffer, Reid & Assocs., Inc. v. State ex rel, Schellenberg, 360
So.2d 83, 92 (Fla. 1st DCA 1978), quashed and remanded on other grounds, 379
So.2d 633 (Fla.1980). Because this power is exercised in varying degrees by
differing individuals, the parameters of an individual's privacy can be dictated
only by that individual. The central concern is the inviolability of one's own
thought, person, and personal action. The inviolability of that right assures its
preeminence over "majoritarian sentiment" and thus cannot be universally defined
by consensus.
(Emphasis added).
Clearly, the nature of the question would require Epstein to produce information that may
identify third parties (including alleged victims), which would necessarily thwart such
individuals' rights to assert their constitutional right of privacy as guaranteed under the United
States and Florida Constitutions. See generally Eisenstadt v. Baird, supra at 454-455 (the right
encompasses privacy in one's sexual matters and is not limited to the marital relationship). The
Magistrate's Order did not address this issue.
Federal law provides crime victims with rights similar to those afforded by the Florida
constitution which includes, but is not limited to, "the right to reasonable, accurate, and timely
notice of any pubic court . . .proceeding involving the crime. . . . ," "the right not to be excluded
from any public court proceeding. . . . ," and "the right to be heard." 15 Fla. Jur.2d Crim.Proc.
§1839; Fla. Stat. 960.0021. Based upon the foregoing, any alleged victim that may be identified
in any of the requested information must first be notified, which means that this court must, at
the very least, conduct an in camera inspection of any and all information to determine which
alleged victim must be placed on notice that their identity may be revealed or redact their names
in camera. See also Fla. Stat. §794.03, §794.024 and §794.026. The right to privacy
encompasses at least two different kinds of interests, the individual interests of disclosing
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 21 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 21 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 21
personal matters and the interest in independence in making certain kinds of important decisions.
Favalora v. Sidaway. 966 So.2d 895 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008).
Accordingly, based on the facts and circumstances of this case, and under applicable law,
Defendant's assertion of the protections afforded under the 5th, 6th, and 14th Amendments of the
United States Constitution are required to be upheld. In addition, this Court must address the
privacy rights of others as outlined above.
Request No. 12:
present.
c. Jane Doe - Request Numbers 12 and 13
Personal tax returns for all years from 2002 through the
Request No. 13: A photocopy of your passport, including any supplemental
pages reflecting travel to locations outside the 50 United States between 2002 and
2008, including any documents or records regarding plane tickets, hotel receipts,
or transportation arrangements.
Response to Request Numbers : Defendant is asserting specific legal objections
to the production request as well as his U.S. constitutional privileges. I intend to
produce all relevant documents regarding this lawsuit, however, my attorneys
have counseled me that at the present time I cannot select, authenticate, and
produce documents relevant to this lawsuit without waiving my Fifth Amendment
constitutional rights and I must accept this advice or risk losing my Sixth
Amendment right to effective representation. Accordingly, I assert my federal
constitutional rights under the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments as
guaranteed by the United States Constitution. Drawing an adverse inference
under these circumstances wonld unconstitutionally burden my exercise of my
constitutional rights, would be unreasonable, and would therefore violate the
Constitution; overly broad.
As set forth in more detail in DE 282 and 283, which were provided to the court in
camera and which the court considered in other Rule 4 Appeals, Epstein cannot provide
answers/responses to questions relating to his financial history and condition without waiving his
Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments. Asking for Epstein's personal tax returns is financial
in nature and it is confidential, proprietary and seeks information much of which is neither
relevant to the subject matter of the pending action nor does it appear to be reasonably calculated
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 22 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 22 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 22
to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. Importantly, the Magistrate did not make a
ruling on relevancy as to the personal tax returns, and the Plaintiff has not met the burden of
establishing a "compelling need" for the tax returns.
Producing the specified information, in full, would result in testimonial disclosures that
would communicate statements of fact and would require Epstein to produce the returns and
thereby "stipulate" to their genuiness, their existence, his control of the records, and their
authenticity as his executed tax returns even though his possession of such records are by no
means a foregone conclusion. Again, the information sought relates to potential federal claims
violations. See DE 282 and 283, in camera, which the court permitted sua sponte. Production
would therefore constitute a testimonial admission of the genuineness, the existence, and
Epstein's control of such records, and thus presents a real and substantial danger of self incrimination in this case, in other related cases and as well in areas that could result in criminal
prosecution. See generally Hoffman v United States, 341 U.S. at 486; United States v. Hubbell,
530 U.S. at 36 and United States v. Apfelbaum, 445 U.S. at 128.
The Court's order seems to hone in on the "required records" exception for the
proposition that, as a matter of law, Epstein's personal tax returns must be produced because
they are allegedly a mandatory part of a civil regulatory scheme and have assumed some public
aspect. (DE 462, p.12) However, "required records" are ordinarily records collected by highly
regulated business (e.g., physicians) wherein the records themselves have assumed public aspects
which render them analogous to public documents. See In re Dr. John Doe, 97 F.R.D. 640, 641-
643 (S.D.N.Y. 1982). Usually, these documents are known to more than the filer and the agency
in which the document(s) were filed (i.e., known to other persons of the general public). Id.
Even though the IRS may have certain returns, they remain confidential under 26 U.S.C. §6103
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 23 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 23 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 23
from any disclosures and are therefore different than a regulated/public record that can be
accessed by the public. In Trudeau v. New York State Consumer Protection Bd., 237 F.R.D. 325
(N.D.N.Y. 2006), the court maintained that "[r]outine discovery of tax returns is not the rule but
rather the exception." Id. at 331. The Court went on to note that [f]or nearly the past thirty-five
years, tax returns have been considered 'confidential,' pursuant to 26 U.S.C. §6103." Id. Because
of the principle of confidentiality, it further noted, "courts in the Second Circuit have found
personal financial information to be presumptively confidential or cloaked with a qualified
immunity," and must, therefore, "balance the countervailing policies of liberal discovery set
forth in the Federal Rules of Civil procedure against maintaining the confidentiality of such
documents." Id.
To achieve that balance, courts in the Second Circuit have developed a "more stringent"
standard than that set forth in the rules. To order disclosure of tax returns, a court must find that
"the requested tax information is relevant to the subject matter of the action" and that "there is a
compelling need for this information because the information contained therein is not otherwise
readily available." Id. The Magistrate's Order makes no such finding in the instant matter. In
fact, the burden of showing compelling need is on the party seeking discovery, but once a
compelling need has been found, the party whose tax return information has been requested has
the burden to "provide alternative sources for this sensitive information. Id. If the requested
information is available from alternate sources, disclosure should not be compelled. Potential
alternate sources to which the court pointed were gathering the information through deposition or
disclosure in an affidavit by the requested party of net worth, wealth, and income. Id. at 331-32.
See Barton v. Cascade Regional Blood Services, 2007 WL 2288035 (W.D.Wash. 2007)("Tax
returns are confidential communications between the taxpayer and the government [ citing
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 24 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 24 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 24
§6103] and although not privileged from discovery there is a recognized policy against
unnecessary public disclosure ..... The Court finds no compelling need which overcomes this
recognized policy"). Courts have broadly construed these provisions to embody a general
federal policy against indiscriminate disclosure of tax returns from any source. Federal Sav. &
Loan Ins. Corp. v. Krueger, 55 F.R.D. 514-15 (N.D. Ill. 1972)("it is the opinion of this court that
[§6103] reflect[s] a valid public policy against disclosure of income tax returns. This policy is
grounded in the interest of the government in full disclosure of all the taxpayer's income which
thereby maximizes revenue. To indiscriminately compel a taxpayer to disclose this information
merely because he has become a party to a lawsuit would undermine this policy"); see also
Premium Service Corp. v. Sperry & Hutchinson Co., 511 F.2d 225, 229 (9th Cir. 1975)(would
have been appropriate for district court to quash subpoena for tax returns based on the "primacy"
of the "public policy against unnecessary disclosure [ of tax returns] arises from the need, if tax
laws are to function properly, to encourage taxpayers to file complete and accurate returns").
In Pendlebury v. Starbucks Coffee Co., 2005 WL 2105024 at *2 (S.D. Fla. 2005), the
court agreed that "[i]ncome tax returns are highly sensitive documents" and that courts should be
reluctant to order disclosure during discovery. Citing, Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of Am. v.
Energy Gathering, Inc., 2 F.3d 1397, 1411 (5th Cir. 1993); DeMasi v. Weiss, Inc., 669 F.2d 114,
119-20 (3d Cir. 1982)(noting existence of public policy against disclosure of tax returns);
Premium Serv. Corp. v. Sperry & Hutchinson Co., 511 F.2d 225,229 (9th Cir. 1975). The court
in Pendle bury agreed that parties seeking the production of tax returns must demonstrate (1)
relevance of the tax returns to the subject matter of the dispute and (2) a compelling need for the
tax returns exists because the information contained therein is not otherwise available. Id. at *2;
see also Dunkin Donuts, Inc. v. Mary's Donuts, Inc., 2001 WL 34079319 (S.D. Fla. 2001);
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 25 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 25 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 25
Cooper v. Hallgarten & Co., 34 F.R.D. 482, 483-84 (S.D.N.Y. 1964). Thus, before the Court can
order production of the requested returns in this matter, the Plaintiff must satisfy the "relevance"
and "compelling need" standards. The Magistrate's Order fails to address the "relevancy"
standard and Plaintiff fails to provide same with supporting argument and case law, and the
Plaintiff fails to delineate any "compelling need" or availability of net worth from other sources
(e.g., a stipulation as to net worth, which is certainly an alternative means). To the extent that
the Court determines that the tax returns are relevant and that there is a compelling need for at
least their disclosure of Epstein's wealth for punitive damage purposes, Epstein through his
attorneys, as per the discussion at the status conference on May 7, 2010, agreed to a confidential
stipulation that his net worth is in excess of nine figures. Such a stipulation more than satisfies
any necessity for the disclosure of the tax returns or any additional net worth information. See
e.g., Myers v. Central Florida Investments, Inc., 592 F.3d 1201 (I I
th Cir. 2010)(reasoning that a
compensatory award of $103,622.09 and a punitive damage award of $506,847.78 for 5 years of
sexual harassment and sexual touching was reasonable). Unfortunately, the parties were unable
to reach a agreement.
Myers clearly demonstrates that Epstein's offer to agree to a net worth in excess of
$50,000,00 is reasonable in light of the allegations made by Jane Doe as compared to the
allegations in Myers. Moreover, allowing such discovery at this juncture goes against the grain
and the law in that Plaintiff has not made a reasonable showing establishing that she will recover
on her claims or that if she did such a compensatory damage recovery could possible implicate
punitive damages in excess of Epstein's offer to stipulate.. Ward v. Estaleiro Itaiai S/A. 541
F.Supp.2d 1344. 1357 (S.D. Fla. 2008)(The court caunot apply Rule 26 and allow Plaintiff to
obtain discovery she seeks without any prior showing of a reasonable basis for recovery). See
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 26 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 26 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 26
also Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(b)(l) and Fla. Stat. 768.72; Gallina v. Commerce And Industry, Ins., 2008
WL 3895918 (S.D. Fla. 2009)(unless liability for punitive damages is established at trial, the
discovery sought is not relevant).
In Gallina, the court held that in light of the proprietary of the financial worth information
sought, and the statutory protections against discovery of such information, it was recommended
that the court defer financial discovery until it is deemed necessary and that production of such
financial information not occur until the ". . . final pretrial conference ... or when it becomes
apparent that punitive damages can be awarded." Id. at *5. Since bifurcation is required in the
instant matter, W.R. Grace & Company v. Waters, 638 So.2d 502 (Fla. 1994), it is reasonable
and consistent with the applicable law, that any tax returns not be produced until such time as it
becomes apparent at the first stage of the trial that punitive damages will be an issue.
To the extent this court orders production of tax returns and to the extent Epstein's
personal tax returns contain such information, same should be redacted and subject to heightened
confidentiality order pursuant to the court's previous orders. However, this can only be done
subsequent to an in camera hearing wherein this court can make a ruling on relevancy,
production, redaction and confidentiality; but only after the Plaintiff shows a compelling need.
In addition, for the reasons outlined herein including, but not limited to, the discovery abuses and
bad faith litigation tactics that Epstein has been the subject of at the hands of Scott Rothstein and
his-co-conspirators, any tax returns must be redacted to preserve confidently and to prevent
further abuses. See supra.
Further, Epstein's complicated business transactions have no relevancy to this lawsuit
and, therefore, evidence of same should not be produced. The Fifth Amendment is a safe harbor
for all citizens, including those who are innocent of any underlying offense. This request, if
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 27 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 27 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 27
answered, may result in compelled production and/or testimonial communications from Epstein
regarding his financial status and history and would require him to waive his right to decline to
respond to other inquiries related to the same subject matter. Responding to this and other
related inquiries would have the potential to provide a link in a chain of information and/or leads
to other evidence or witnesses that would have the specific risk of furthering an investigation
against him and therefore are protected from compulsion by Epstein's constitutional privilege.
Accordingly, any compelled testimony that provides a "lead or clue to a source of
evidence of such [a] crime" is protected by Fifth Amendment. SEC v Leach, 156 F.Supp.2d at
494. Questions seeking "testimony" regarding names of witnesses, leads to phone or travel
records, or financial records that would provide leads to tax or money laundering or unlicensed
money transmittal investigations are protected. See also Hoffman v United States, 341 U.S. 479,
486 (195l)("the right against self-incrimination may be invoked if the answer would furnish a
link in the chain of evidence needed to prosecute for a crime").
Based upon the above admissions, it is clear that Plaintiff now seeks information that
may provide a link in the chain of evidence used to prosecute Epstein including, but not limited
to the significant fact that target letters and subpoenas were issued relating to certain financial
offenses. See M·, DEs 282 and 283 submitted in camera and U.S. v. Zolin, 491 U.S. 554
( 1989)( disclosing materials to the district court does not have the legal effect of terminating a
privilege thereby allowing parties to disclose documents in camera and make that in camera
request - which request is made in the instant Rule 4 Appeal for which Defendant is awaiting the
court's response). As a result, DEs 282 and 283 (in camera) and other related Orders must be
analyzed to reach the correct legal conclusion. The court must be cognizant of the allegations in
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 28 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 28 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 28
the related cases regarding sexual misconduct with and abuse, exploitation, and sexual battery of
alleged minors. For example:
In this and the other civil actions, the Plaintiffs reference federal and state
criminal statutes in an attempt to allege claims ranging from sexual battery to
intentional infliction of emotional distress, to a violation of 18 U.S.C. 2422,
Chapter 117 - "Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity and Related Crimes," to
a cause of action pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §2255 - which creates a civil remedy for
personal injuries where a plaintiff can show a violation of specified criminal
statutes. Most importantly, the lynchpin for the exercise of federal criminal
jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. 2422(b) is the use of "any facility or means of
interstate or foreign commerce". Thus, facially, an essential condition of any
allegation of this statutory offense is the use of a facility of interstate commerce
during which use there was persuasion, inducement, enticing, or coercing of an
underage person to engage in prostitution or sexual activity. As more fully
discussed, infra, contested request numbers 12 asks that Epstein to make a
testimonial disclosure of information regarding the availability to him of such
interstate facilities (e.g., the tax returns could list assets such as planes) and thus
would constitute a link in the chain of evidence that could potentially expose him
to the hazards of self-incrimination as to 18 U.S.C. 2423(b) violations. Likewise,
other Jane Does have contended that they are entitled to 18 U.S.C. 2255 damages
based on Epstein's violation of 18 U.S.C. 2423(b) a separate federal criminal
statute that prohibits "a person who travels in interstate commerce or travels into
the United States ... for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual activity". As more
fully discussed, infra, contested request number 13, by seeking testimonial
disclosures regarding Epstein's passport and dates Epstein traveled to and from
the State of Florida, would constitute a link in the chain of evidence that could
potentially expose him to the hazards of self-incrimination as to 18 U.S.C.
2423(b) violations.
Both 18 U.S.C. 2422(b) and 18 U.S.C. 2423(b) were amongst the target offenses
of a joint FBI-United States Attorney investigation further demonstrating the
extent to which Epstein's refusal to respond to each request is, as required, based
on a specific apprehension of a compelled disclosure providing a link in the chain
of evidence adverse to him as required by Hoffman v United States, 341 US 479,
486 (1951). Epstein, in fact, can den; the occurrence of the assaults alleged and
still maintain the safe harbor of the 5 Amendment.2 See Ohio v. Reiner, 532 U.S.
17(1991).
2 See DeLisi v. Bankers Ins. Company. 436 So.2d 1099 (Fla. 4th DCA 1983); Malloy v. Hogan, 84 S.Ct. 1489, 1495
(1964)(the Fifth Amendment's Self-Incrimination Clause applies to the states through the Due Process Clause of the
Fourteenth Amendment - "[i]t would be incongruous to have different standards determine the validity of a claim of
privilege based on the same feared prosecution, depending on whether the claim was asserted in state or federal
court."); 5 Fed.Prac. & Proc. Civ. 3d § 1280 Effect of Failure to Deny- Privilege Against Self-Incrimination
(" ... court must treat the defendant's claim of privilege as equivalent to a specific denial."). See also 24 Fla.Jur.2d
Evidence §592. Defendants in civil actions. - " ... a civil defendant who raises an affirmative defense is not
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 29 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 29 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 29
Plaintiffs also allege that Epstein had a plan and scheme (which) reflected a
particular pattern and method" in the alleged recruiting of girl's to come to
Epstein's Palm Beach mansion and give him "massages" in exchange for money.
Plaintiffs also allege that Epstein "sexually assaulted" them, and that Epstein
"maintains his principal home in New York and also owns residences in New
Mexico, St. Thomas and Palm Beach, FL." They further allege "Upon
information and belief, Jeffrey Epstein carried out his scheme and assaulted girls
in Florida, New York and on his private island, known as Little St. James, in St.
Thomas." The nature of the allegations are serious, and state clearly that the
alleged assaults occurred in Florida, New York and in St. Thomas. See e.g.,
Second Amended Complaints of Jane Does 2-8. and DE 485, p.18.
As this Court knows, Epstein entered into a Non-Prosecution Agreement ("NPA")
with United States Attorney's Office for the Federal Southern District of Florida.
The terms and conditions of the NP A also entailed Epstein entering into a Plea
Agreement with the State Attorney's Office, Palm Beach County, State of Florida.
By its terms, the NPA took effect on June 30, 2008. As well, pursuant to the
NP A, any criminal prosecution against Epstein is deferred as long as the terms
and conditions of tl1e NPA are fulfilled by Epstein. The federal grand jury
investigation against Epstein is held in abeyance i.e. it is not concluded with
finality until the NPA expires by its terms in late 2010 and as long as the USAO
determines that Epstein has complied with those terms and conditions. The threat
of criminal prosecution against Epstein by fue USAO continues presently and
through late 2010. The USAO possesses the right to declare that the agreement
has been breached, give Epstein's counsel notice, and attempt to move forward
with the prosecution. Moreover, fue NP A does not provide Epstein with any
protection from criminal investigation or prosecution in any federal district other
than the Southern District of Florida. The Second Amended Complaints and
Plaintiff Response at DE 485, p.18 include averments that Epstein both resided in
and engaged in illegal sexual conduct in districts outside the Southern District of
Florida. In other words, the fact that there exists a NP A does not mean that
Epstein is free from future criminal prosecution, which the Magistrate Judge's
Order also acknowledged. (DE 242, p.4) In fact, the Order acknowledged that
"[t]he danger Epstein faces by being forced to testify in fuis case is substantial and
real, and not merely trifling or imaginary as required." (DE 242, p. 10). For the
reasons set forth in Epstein's Rule 4 Appeal and herein, that same ruling should
be reached relative to Request Numbers 12 and 13 given the close nexus between
the information requested and the pivotal jurisdictional requisites of 18 U.S.C.
2423(b)(the requirement of interstate travel i.e. travel from one of Epstein's out of
state residences to Florida or from Florida to one of such residences.
precluded from asserting the privilege [against self-incrimination], because affirmative defenses do not constitute
the kind of voluntary application for affirmative relief' which would prevent a plaintiff bringing a claim seeking
affirmative relief from asserting the privilege.
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 30 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 30 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CVS0 119
Page No. 30
Accordingly, it is clear that Plaintiff and her counsel seek this information not to further
their civil case, but to gain information to aid in the future prosecution of Epstein in direct
violation of his Fifth Amendment rights. In fact, the Mermelstein and Horowitz firm was quoted
in the Palm Beach Post stating, among other things, that the book sold to undercover agents
could open the door to future prosecution of Epstein. As such, Plaintiffs' counsels' intention is
clear - to use the civil discovery process to attempt to further prosecute Epstein. See
http://jessicaarbour.blogspot.com/2010/03/horowitz-discusses-possibility-of.html. Moreover,
Mr. Edwards himself admitted at his own deposition to repeated disclosures to a variety of media
outlets including, but not limited to, the NY Post and Vanity Fair. Accordingly, Epstein's 5
th
Amendment rights in this regard should be sustained.
Furthermore, as set forth in a Civil Complaint attached hereto as Exhibit "I" attorney
Scott Rothstein aided by other lawyers and employees at the firm of Rothstein, Rosenfeldt, and
Adler, P.A., deliberately engaged in a pattern of racketeering that involved a staggering series of
gravely serious obstructions of justice, actionable frauds, and the orchestration and conducting of
egregious civil litigation abuses that resulted in profoundly serious injury to Jeffrey Epstein,
including substantial attorneys' fees and costs. In short, Rothstein and his co-conspirators forged
Federal court orders and opinions and, among other things, staged a series of depositions that
were unrelated to any principled litigation purpose but instead designed to discover extraneous
private information about Epstein or his personal and business associates (including well-known
public figures) in order to defraud investors and support extortionate demands for payment from
Epstein. The misconduct featured the filing of legal motions and the pursuit of a civil litigation
strategy that was unrelated to the merits or value of their clients' cases and, instead, had as its
improper purpose the furthering of Rothstein's misrepresentations and deceit to third-party
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 31 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 31 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 31
investors. As a result, Epstein was subject to abusive investigatory tactics, unprincipled media
attacks, and unsupportable legal filings and discovery abuses. Since Plaintiffs counsel is
formerly of RRA and due to the fact that certain information may contain the names of third parties, that information (should this court order production of same after an in camera
inspection) must be redacted to secure the names of unsuspecting third-parties. Moreover,
Michael Fisten (formerly an employee of RRA and now an employee/independent contractor of
Mr. Edwards' firm) acted, upon information and belief, as a broker or middleman who staged
regular meetings during which false statements were made about the number of cases/clients that
existed or RRA had against Epstein. For this reason alone, such information should be redacted
in order to protect those unsuspecting third parties.
(i) Request Number 13
As to Request Number 13, Defendant provided this court with sufficient argument at DE
282 and DE 283 detailing why the production of information showing Epstein's whereabouts
could provide a link in the chain of evidence regarding: (a) Epstein's air travel within the United
States and Foreign Territories; (b) Epstein's communications with others relating to or referring
to females coming into the United States from other countries; and (c) Epstein's personal
calendars and schedules. Given that the essential proof of an allegation of 18 U.S.C. 2423(b)
would include travel records, schedules regarding trips and locations, flight records, calendars,
and transportation arrangements, the court found that Epstein had made a more particularized
showing because producing such information "could reveal the availability to him and/or use by
him of interstate facilities and thus would constitute a link in the chain of evidence that could
potentially expose [Epstein] to the dangers of self incrimination." (DE 293, p.6) See infra,
regarding private aircraft.
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 32 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 32 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 32
The Magistrate's Order (DE 462) provides that Epstein's Fifth Amendment privilege
does not extend to his passport because its existence is known to the government or is a
"foregone conclusion." Id. at p. 11. First, the magistrate's order presupposes that Epstein has all
his passports from 2002 up through to the current date and that the government has an exact copy
of same. Second, the Order presupposes that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol ("CPB") keeps a
record and/or has maintained records of Epstein's travel and whereabouts from 2002 up through
to the current date. Third, assuming Epstein traveled internationally, the Order presupposes that
the CPB has records of all of Epstein's destinations and that other countries have shared that
information with the CBP. In short, the order would require Epstein to produce documents that
he may or may not have 8 years of passport information thus requiring him to "admit" to the
genuiness and possession of the documents produced.
For instance, CBP now offers "Global Entry" to enter the United States by kiosk.
However, it is unclear whether the Global Entry kiosk records and copies the pages of a
traveler's destinations outside of the United States, or does it simply record exit from and entry
back into the United States?3 Moreover, it is unclear whether CBP maintains the Sample
Customs Declaration Form for any period of time, which form sets out (i.e., if filled out) the
countries visited by a traveler. 4 This Court cannot Compel Epstein to produce information in
violation of his Fifth Amendment by simply stating that Epstein's passport is "known to the
government" or is a "forgone conclusion." In fact, from the websites listed herein, any CBP
documents or forms filled out by a traveler take on a complete different form when compared to
an original passport, which is initially issued with blank pages. This Court would be hard 3 See M·, http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted traveler/global entry/ 4 See !2,g., http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/sample declaration form.xml
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 33 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 33 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 33
pressed to find that the CBP has an exact copy of every page of every traveler's passport.
Obviously, this would create more document management than CBP anticipates on its website.
Moreover, pursuant to 19 C.F .R. § 122.2, pilots of private aircraft are required to
electronically transmit passenger and crew manifest information for all flights arriving into
and/or departing out of the United States. As this court knows, Mr. Edwards has conducted
extensive discovery, has questioned individuals as to whether Epstein owns private aircraft and
has obtained certain flight manifests. Arguably, if such a procedure were followed in Epstein's
case pursuant to 19 C.F.R. §122.2, then Epstein's passport would arguably take on a
substantially different form when compared to the information maintained by the CBP (i.e.,
information that was electronically transferred). Under that circumstance, CBP would not have
an exact copy of Epstein's passports. Accordingly, the assumptions made in the Magistrate's
Order have serious Fifth Amendment implications in that the exact information sought is not
"known to the government" and is not a "forgone conclusion" in that the government is not
likely to have an exact copy of Epstein's passports.
Again, Plaintiffs request for Epstein's passport "reflecting travel to locations outside the
50 United States between 2002 and 2008, is no different from the requests this Court has already
ruled upon and sustained Epstein's Fifth Amendment privilege in response thereto. (DE 292).
In summary, this court reasoned that:
"[i)n this and the other civil actions, Plaintiffs allege that Epstein violated certain
federal and state criminal statutes in an attempt to make claims against Epstein
ranging from sexual battery to intentional infliction of emotional distress. The
lynchpin for the exercise of federal criminal jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C.
§2422(b ), which figures in some of the complaints filed, is 'the use of ru1y facility
or means of interstate or foreign commerce' and the analogous essential element
of 18 U.S.C. §2423(b), which also figures in some of the Complaints, is 'travel[s)
in interstate commerce or travels into the United States or ... travels in foreign
commerce.' Accordingly, requiring Epstein to provide responses ... would in
essence be compelling him to provide assertions of fact, thereby admitting that
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 34 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 34 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 34
such documents existed and further admitting that the documents 111 his
possession or control were authentic.
As such, if you believe Plaintiffs footnote 4 at (DE 210), responding to this request
could very well implicate Epstein's Fifth Amendment privilege. The allegations of Epstein's use
of interstate commerce and travel and any compelled production is clearly a violation of
Epstein's Fifth Amendment rights.5 Based upon the arguments set forth in DE 283 (which is
incorporated herein), this Court sustained Epstein's Fifth Amendment Privilege. That same
ruling should apply here. (DE 293). If not, this court may be requiring Epstein to produce a log
of his travels, which this Court already sustained under the Fifth Amendment.
Plaintiff must also show that the requested information is relevant to the disputed issues of
the underlying action. See Young Circle Garage, LLC. v. Koppel, 916 So. 2d 22 (Fla. 4th DCA
2005); see also Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States v. Daisy Worldwide, Inc.,
702 So. 2d 263 (Fla. 3d DCA 1997). Plaintiff has failed to meet this burden and, in doing so, has
also failed to show any substantial need for the documents.
IV. Jane Does 2-8 - Request Number 1
As to Request number one of Jane Doe 2-8s' request for production, it provides:
Request No. 1: All Federal and State income tax returns, including all W-2
forms, 1099 forms and schedules, for tax years 2003-2008.
Accordingly, for the same reasons expressed herein relative to Jane Doe's request for tax
records, same should be denied. Epstein adopts and reincorporates the arguments set out above
and the relief requested herein relative to Jane Doe's request for tax returns as if same was fully
set forth in this section.
Wherefore, Epstein respectfully requests that this Court issue and order:
5 Once again, a ruling on these issues cannot be made in a vacuum. This court must, as it has done in the past,
consider the other related cases and the allegations made therein when considering whether a response to a particular
discovery requests would implicate Epstein's Fifth Amendment rights. See DEs 242, 283 and 462.
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 35 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 35 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 35
a. granting the relief requested above as to Jane Doe and Jane Does 2-8;
b. finding that the danger Epstein faces by being forced to testify in these
cases relative to the above requests is substantial and real, and not merely trifling or
imaginary;
c. sustaining Epstein's Fifth Amendment Privilege as it relates to the above
requests and denying Plaintiffs' Motions in that regard;
d. reversing the Magistrate's Order (DE 462,480 and 513) relative to
Request Numbers 7, 9, 10, 12 and 13 (Jane Doe) and Request Number 1 (Jane Does 2-8) and
entering an amended order sustaining Epstein's objections to the Magistrate's Order as to those
specific requests and not requiring him to produce information relative to same;
e. sustaining Epstein's arguments as stated above and ordering that FRE
Sections 408, 410 and 502 provide substantive reasoning to sustain Epstein's arguments
relative to requests numbers 7, 9 and 10 including, but not limited to, the entering of an
order as provided for under FRE 502( d), denying the requests as irrelevant and as barred
by Fed. R. Evid. 408 and 410 and issuing a selective waiver order under Fed. R. Evid.
502( d) thereby applying the selective waiver provision of Rule 502( d) to the information
exchanged between Epstein's attorneys, the USAO and the State Attorney during the
criminal stage of said proceedings. Alternatively, and only to the extent this court orders
production of any information, this court should put the USAO and the State Attorney on
notice before any disclosure to give each entity an opportunity to raise objections to
protect their work-product and attorney-mental impressions and to allow Epstein and the
USAO the opportunity to submit objections and a privilege log outlining why the content
of the documents sought have no relevance and should be barred from production under
Fed. R. Evid. 408, 410 and 502( d). This should occur only after an in camera hearing,
after this court determines what portions of the requested documents should be redacted
as privileged and only after this court ensures that each and every document produced is
the subject of a heightened-confidentiality order where disclosure will result in the
disclosing party being held in contempt of court;
f. likewise, if this court rules that any of the information requested herein
should be produced (e.g., Requests Numbers 12 and 13 (tax returns and passport - Jane
Doe) and Request Number 1 (tax returns-Jane Doe 2-8)), it shall only do so after an in
camera hearing allowing the documents to be reviewed and placed on a privilege log
outlining why the content of those documents have no relevance and establishing why the
danger of disclosure is more prejudicial than probative, and after this court determines
what portions of the requested documents should be redacted as privileged including, but
not limited to, what portions of the tax returns should be redacted due to the
confidentiality interests relative to detailed information and financial tax data which was
provided to the IRS within the context of the protections of26 U.S.C. 6103. Again, the
foregoing should only occur after this court ensures that each and every document
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 36 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 36 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 36
produced is the subject of a heightened-confidentiality order where disclosure will result
in the disclosing party being held in contempt of court;
g. accepting the offered stipulation of net worth as identified above in lieu of
any net worth discovery being produced; and
h. for such other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.
Respe
Certificate of Service
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true copy of the foregoing was electronically filed with the
Clerk of the Court using CM/ECF. I also certify that the foregoing document is being served this
day on all counsel of record identified on the following Service List in the manner specified by
CM/ECF on thislZ day of April, 2010.
Respectfully submitted,
By I.Jlf,tE ROBERT '.cR.rfTON, JR., ESQ.
Florida Bar No. 224162
rcrit@bclclaw.com
MICHAEL J. PIKE, ESQ.
Florida Bar #617296
mpike@bclclaw.com
BURMAN, CRITTON, LUTTIER & COLEMAN
515 N. Flagler Drive, Suite 400
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561/842-2820 Phone
561/515-3148 Fax
( Counsel for Defendant Jeffrey Epstein)
Certificate of Service
Jane Doe No. 2 v. Jeffrey Epstein
Case No. 08-CV-80119-MARRA/JOHNSON
Case 9:10-cv-81111-WPD Document 17-12 Entered on FLSD Docket 11/11/2010 Page 37 of
37
Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 545 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/12/2010 Page 37 of 37
Doe v. Epstein 08-CV80119
Page No. 37
Stuart S. Mermelstein, Esq.
Adam D. Horowitz, Esq.
Mermelstein & Horowitz, P.A.
18205 Biscayne Boulevard
Suite 2218
Miami, FL 33160
305-931-2200
Fax: 305-931-0877
ssm@sexabuseattorney.com
ahorowitz(alsexabuseattorney.com
Counsel for Plaintiffs
In related Cases Nos. 08-80069, 08-801 J9, 08-
80232, 08-8038~ 08-80381, 08-80993, 08-
80994
Jack Alan Goldberger, Esq.
Atterbury Goldberger & Weiss, P.A.
250 Australian A venue South
Suite 1400
West Palm Beach, FL 33401-5012
561-659-8300
Fax: 561-835-8691
jagesq(i:llbeilsouth.net
Counsel for £?.efendant Jeffrey Estein
Farmer, Jaffe, Weissing, Edwards, Fistos &
Lehrman,PL
425 N. Andrews Avenue
Suite 2
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-524-2820
Fax: 954-524-2822
brad(alpathtoiustice.com
Counsel for Plaintiff in Related Case No. 08-
80893, ., t
Paul G. Cassell, Esq.
Pro Hae Vice
332 South 1400 E, Room 101
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
801-585-5202
801-585-6833 Fax
cassel.lp@law.utah.edu
Co-counsel for Plaintiff Jane Doe
Isidro M. Garcia, Esq.
Garcia Law Firm, P.A.
224 Datura Street, Suite 900
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-832-7732
561-832-7137 F
isidrogarcia@bellsouth.net
Counselfor·Plaintiff in Related Case No. 08- , 80469 •
Robert C. Josefsberg, Esq.
Katherine W. Ezell, Esq.
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
25 West Flagler Street, Suite 800
Miami, FL 33130
305 358-2800
Fax: 305 358-2382
riosefaberg@podhurst.com
kezell@podhurst.com
Counsel for Plaintiffs in Related Case

Discussion 0

Sign in to join the discussion

No comments yet

Be the first to share your thoughts on this epstein document