EFTA00179082¶
U.S. Department of Justice¶
United States Attorney¶
Southern District of Florida¶
R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA¶
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY¶
99 N.E. 4 Street¶
Miami, FL 33132¶
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Telephone
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Facsimile
August 3, 2007¶
VIA FACSIMILE¶
Lilly Ann Sanchez, Esq.¶
Fowler White Burnett¶
1395 Brickell Ave Fl 14¶
Miami Florida 33131-3300¶
Re: Jeffrey Epstein¶
Dear Lilly:¶
Thank you for your letter of August 2 $ ^{nd} $ regarding your proposal on how to resolve the Epstein matter.¶
As we explained at our meeting on July 31, 2007, the Office believes that the federal interest will not be vindicated in the absence of a two-year term of state imprisonment for Mr. Epstein. That offer was not meant as a starting point for negotiations, it is the minimum term of imprisonment that will obviate the need for federal prosecution. The Office has never agreed that a state prison sentence is not appropriate for Mr. Epstein. Rather we simply stated that if Mr. Epstein preferred to serve his sentence in a federal penetentiary, we would be willing to explore a federal conviction that may allow that in lieu of any state resolution. Further, as I made clear in our follow up telephone conversation after the meeting, a plea to two federal misdemeanors was never extended or meant as an offer.¶
We also would reiterate that the agreement to Section 2255 liability applies to all of the minor girls identified during the federal investigation, not just the 12 that form the basis of an initial planned charging instrument.¶
As you know, the ability to engage in flexible plea negotiations is dramatically changed upon the return of an indictment. Once an indictment is returned, the Office does not intend to file a Superseding Information containing a lesser charge or to dismiss the case in favor of state prosecution.¶
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LILLY ANN SANCHEZ, ESQ. AUGUST 3, 2007 PAGE 2¶
Please let us know your client’s decision by no later than August 17. I have conferred with U.S. Attorney Acosta who has asked me to communicate that the two-year term of incarceration is a non-negotiable minimum to vindicate a federal interest, and, at this time, he is not inclined to meet with counsel for Mr. Epstein.¶
Sincerely,¶
R. Alexander Acosta United States Attorney¶