Event Details
January 01, 2006
Description
The thought process and decision-making regarding the prosecution of the Epstein case, weighing a federal trial versus a pre-indictment resolution at the state or federal level.
Participants (2)
| Name | Type | Mentions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) | organization | 12 | View Entity |
| Acosta | person | 475 | View Entity |
Source Documents (1)
DOJ-OGR-00023077.jpg
This document details prosecutor Acosta's explanation to the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) for pursuing a state-level, pre-indictment resolution in the Epstein case. Acosta cited the novelty of trafficking prosecutions at the time, issues with witnesses and evidence, and the belief that a state resolution offered more flexibility than a federal one. The document also includes statements from other legal professionals, Menchel and Villafaña, who described the general aversion of federal judges in the Southern District of Florida to binding plea agreements like Rule 11(c) pleas.
Related Events
Events with shared participants
September agreement
2007-09-01 • Unknown
Federal prosecution of Epstein
2006-01-01 • N/A
Federal prosecution of Epstein led by Acosta.
2006-01-01 • USA
Deadline set by Acosta for prosecutors not to issue victim notification letters (5 p.m. Friday).
2007-12-07
Private meeting between Acosta and Lefkowitz at a Marriott hotel in West Palm Beach regarding keeping the deal secret.
Date unknown • Marriott hotel, West Palm Beach
Acosta made final edits to the Non-Prosecution Agreement, removing language that required actions from the State Attorney's Office and state court, and sent them to Villafaña.
2007-09-24
Acosta's decision to defer victim notification to state authorities concerning Epstein's state plea hearing and sentencing.
Date unknown • N/A
Negotiation of a Non-Prosecution Agreement (NPA) between the USAO (represented by Villafaña, Lourie, and Acosta) and Epstein's defense team.
Date unknown
Lourie and Acosta revised a draft of the federal plea agreement.
2007-09-20
Acosta advises the Defense that the USAO will defer to the State Attorney regarding victim notification for the State Plea Hearing, but the USAO would notify victims of the Federal Resolution.
2007-12-19
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