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THE PALM BEACH POST • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2008¶
Girl in sex-abuse suit alleges harassment¶
The defendant she accuses is a part-time Palm Beach resident.¶
By LARRY KELLER¶
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer¶
WEST PALM BEACH — A lawyer representing one of two girls who recently sued part-time Palm Beach resident Jeffrey Epstein in federal court, claiming sexual assault, has asked a judge to stop Epstein and his attorneys from “continuous and systematic harassment.”¶
The girl, identified in court documents as “Jane Doe,” 17, says a process server showed up at her place of employment on Feb. 1 to serve a subpoena for her deposition, originally scheduled for Feb. 6, even though her attorney had told Epstein’s attorney twice that he would accept the subpoena on her behalf. Also, Jane Doe’s attorney said he and Epstein’s lawyer already had agreed to reschedule the deposition for another date.¶
The girl’s mother, who lives near Atlanta, also was served. About the same time, another man came to Jane Doe’s workplace and said he was a lawyer who needed to contact her, the motion filed by West Palm Beach lawyer Ted Leopold alleges.¶
“It can only be concluded that Epstein and/or his counsel are purposefully attempting to harass Jane Doe and her mother,” Leopold said in his motion.¶
Epstein attorney Jack Goldberger filed a written response saying there was no harassment, only a simple, routine serving of a subpoena.¶
It’s not the first time one of Jane Doe’s parents has complained of harassment¶
by the Epstein camp. Her father said in 2006 that private investigators aggressively followed his car, photographed his home and chased off visitors after his daughter accused Epstein.¶
Jane Doe contends that when she was 14, she was recruited to go to Epstein’s mansion to give him a message. She says he engaged in sexual conduct with her at that time.¶
Epstein is a wealthy Manhattan money manager who was indicted by a Palm Beach County grand jury in July 2006 on a single count of felony solicitation of prostitution. Police investigated him for 11 months, concluding that he engaged in sexual activity with several underage girls whom he paid to give him massages at his waterfront home. Epstein has maintained he did not know the girls were minors.¶
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to be choosy¶
BRUCE P. BENNETT/Staff Photographer¶
neighborhood. Conditions late Wednesday afternoon prompted a tornado warning in south county. Storms could be on the horizon again today.¶
Another suit alleges sex during massage¶
By LARRY KELLER¶
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer¶
WEST PALM BEACH¶
— Another woman filed a federal lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein on Wednesday, alleging that he turned a massage she gave him at his Palm Beach mansion into a sexual episode when she was 16 years old.¶
Identified as “Jane Doe No. 3,” she is seeking more than $50 million, the same as two other “Jane Does” who filed similar lawsuits in the past six weeks. All three suits were filed by Miami lawyer Jeffrey Herman.¶
Herman subsequently withdrew the first Jane Doe’s lawsuit because of squabbling by her parents over the litigation. The girl may refile the suit after she turns 18 in May and can make her own decisions, Herman said.¶
Other alleged victims also have contacted him, Herman said. “I do anticipate more cases,” he said.¶
In the latest litigation, Jane Doe No. 3 alleges that she was recruited by a former college student, to give Epstein a massage for money at his waterfront home late in 2004 or early in 2005.¶
The lawsuit alleges that, while on the massage table, Epstein sexually touched Jane Doe No. 3, then masturbated. She is suing on grounds of sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress.¶
“She felt intimidated. She felt scared,” Herman said. Jane Doe No. 3 made only the one visit to Epstein’s home, he said.¶
“It’s just another copycat lawsuit filed by the same lawyer who appears less interested in the truth than in grandstanding with these press conferences,” said Jack Goldberger, one of Epstein’s attorneys. “We now have sworn testimony that girls lied about their age to Jeffrey Epstein, and they were careful in being convincing that they were over the age of 18.”¶
Herman said instructed Jane Doe No. 3, “When he asks how old you are, tell him 18 or 19 years old.” But he said it doesn’t matter. “They were underage girls,” Herman said. “They were sexually assaulted.”¶
In addition to the civil lawsuits, Epstein was indicted on a single count of felony solicitation of prostitution in July 2006 after a lengthy Palm Beach Police Department investigation into his activities with underage girls at his home. A resolution has been delayed continually. The case is on Monday’s court docket but is expected to be rescheduled once again.¶
“One of the reasons (Jane Doe No. 3) came forward is she is tired of waiting for justice,” Herman said.¶
Anti-Semitic incidents drop for second year¶
But an audit shows a worrisome continued use of swastikas.¶
By KEVIN DEUTSCH¶
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer¶
part of our society.Ӧ
It marked the second straight year Florida’s numbers have declined and the third consecutive decline nationally. Florida ranks fourth in anti-Semitic incidents, behind New York, New Jersey and California.¶
The anti-Semitic incli-¶