EFTA00190520 Villafana, Ann Marie C. (USAFLS)
From:Villafana, Ann Marie C.(USAFLS)<AVillafana@usa.doj.gov>
Sent:Tuesday, July 08, 2008 5:43 PM
To:Lee, Dexter(USAFLS); Acosta, Alex(USAFLS); Sloman, Jeff(USAFLS)
Subject:FW: Epstein: Victim Notification Letter
Attachments:Victim Notification Ltr.pdf
Alex, Dexter, and Jeff – in my draft declaration I reference the original victim notification letter that was objected to by the defense. Here it is as it was sent to Jay Lefkowitz on November 28, 2007. Thanks.
From:Villafana, Ann Marie C. (USAFLS)
Sent:Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:47 PM
To:Jay Lefkowitz
Cc:Sloman, Jeff (USAFLS); Acosta, Alex (USAFLS)
Subject:Epstein: Victim Notification Letter
Dear Jay: Jeff asked that I forward the victim notification letter to you. It is attached. Thank you. <> A. Marie Villafaña Assistant U.S. Attorney 500 S. Australian Ave, Suite 400 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Phone 561 209-1047 Fax 561 820-8777 39 EFTA00190521 U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney Southern District of Florida
500 South Australian Ave., Suite 400
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561)820-8711
Facsimile: (561)820-8777
November 29, 2007
DELIVERY BY HAND
Miss
Re: Crime Victims’ Rights – Notification of Resolution of Epstein Investigation Dear Miss ___: Several months ago, I provided you with a letter notifying you of your rights as a victim pursuant to the Justice for All Act of 2004 and other federal legislation, including: (1) The right to be reasonably protected from the accused. (2) The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused. (3) The right not to be excluded from any public court proceeding, unless the court determines that your testimony may be materially altered if you are present for other portions of a proceeding. (4) The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, or sentencing. (5) The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the United States in the case. (6) The right to full and timely restitution as prov (7) The right to proceedings free from unreasonab' (8) The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim’s dignity and privacy. I am writing to inform you that the federal investigation of Jeffrey Epstein has been completed, and Mr. Epstein and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have reached an agreement containing the following terms. First, Mr. Epstein agrees that he will plead guilty to two state offenses, including the offense of soliciting minors to engage in prostitution, which will require him to register as a sexual predator for the remainder of his life. EFTA00190522
MISS
NOVEMBER 29,2007
PAGE 2
Second, Mr. Epstein has agreed to make a binding recommendation of 18 months’ imprisonment to the state court judge who sentences him. Mr. Epstein will serve that sentence of imprisonment at the Palm Beach County Jail. Third, Mr. Epstein has agreed that he will not contest jurisdiction or liability if you elect to seek damages from him because the United States has identified you as a minor victim of certain federal offenses, including travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution with minors and the use of facilities of interstate commerce to induce minors to engage in prostitution. To assist you in making such a claim, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has asked an independent Special Master to select attorneys to represent you. Those attorneys are Aaron Podhurst and Robert (“Bob”) Josefsberg with the law firm of Podhurst Orseck, P.A. They can be reached at (305) 358-2800. I anticipate that someone from their law firm will be contacting you shortly. I must also advise you that you are not obligated to use these attorneys. In fact, you have the absolute right to select your own attorney, so you can decide not to speak with Mssrs. Podhurst/Josefsberg at all, or you can speak with them and decide at any time to use a different attorney. If you do decide to seek damages from Mr. Epstein and you decide to use Messrs. Podhurst/Josefsberg as your attorneys, Mr. Epstein will be responsible for paying attorney’s fees incurred during the time spent trying to negotiate a settlement. If you are unable to reach a settlement with Mr. Epstein, you and Mr. Josefsberg can discuss how best to proceed. As I mentioned above, as part of the resolution of the federal investigation, Mr. Epstein has agreed to plead guilty to state charges. Mr. Epstein’s change of plea and sentencing will occur on December 14,2007,at ___ a.m.,before Judge Sandra K. McSorley,in Courtroom 11F at the Palm Beach County Courthouse,205 North Dixie Highway,West Palm Beach,Florida. Pursuant to Florida Statutes Sections 960.001(1)(k)and 921.143(1),you are entitled to be present and to make a statement under oath. If you choose,you can submit a written statement under oath,which will be filed by the State Attorney’s Office on your behalf. If you elect to prepare a written statement, it should address the following: the facts of the case and the extent of any harm, including social, psychological, or physical harm, financial losses, loss of earnings directly or indirectly resulting from the crime for which the defendant is being sentenced, and any matter relevant to an appropriate disposition and sentence. Fl. Stat. 921.143(2). You also entitled to notification when Mr. Epstein is released from imprisonment at the end of his prison term and/or if he is allowed to participate in a work release program. To receive such notification, please provide the State Attorney’s Office with the following information: 1. Your name 2. Your address 3. Your home, work, and/or cell phone numbers EFTA00190523 MISS NOVEMBER 29, 2007 PAGE 3 4. Your e-mail address 5. A notation of whether you would like to participate in the “VINE system,” which provides automated notification calls any time an inmate is moved. (To use this system, your calls must go to you directly, not through a switchboard.) Thank you for all of your help during the course of the investigation. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or Special Agent Nesbitt Kuyrkendall at (561) 822-5946. Sincerely, R. Alexander Acosta United States Attorney By: A. Marie Villafaña Assistant United States Attorney cc: Special Agent Nesbitt Kuyrkendall, F.B.I. Ms. Clearetha Wright, Victim-Witness Coordinator, U.S. Attorney’s Office