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Proceedings June 10, 2009¶
Page 1 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA CRIMINAL DIVISION CASE NOs.: 2006-CF9454 AXX and 2008-CF9381 AXX STATE OF FLORIDA, Plaintiff, JEFFREY EPSTEIN, Defendant. PROCEEDINGS HELD BEFORE THE HONORABLE JEFFREY J. COLBATH JUNE 10, 2009 11:09 A.M. - 11:25 A.M. PALM BEACH COUNTY COURTHOUSE WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA Reported by Louanne Rawls Notary Public, State of Florida West Palm Beach Office #100578¶
48693174-c473-4acb-8135-5bal 3015(02¶
Proceedings June 10, 2009¶
| 1 1 THE COURT: Last name is spelled? APPEARANCES: On behalf of the Defendant 2 2 MR. EDWARDS: Edwards. E-D-W-A-R-D-S. JACK ALAN GOLDBERGER, ESQUIRE 3 THE COURT: Okay. 3 Atterbury, Goldberger, et al. MR. OOLDBERGER: For the other side, Your Honor. 4 250 Australian Ave. South, Suite 1400 5 Jack Goldbaga along with Robert Critton on behalf of West Palm Beach, FL 33401 4 5 6 Jeffity Epstein. On behalf of the Defendant 7 THE COURT: It is the Post's and E.W.'s Motion to 6 ROBERT CRITTON, JR., ESQUIRE 8 Intervene for the purpose of unsealing records? Burman, Critton, et al. 9 MR. BERGER: Yes, sir. 7 515 N. Flagler Drive, Ste. 400 10 111E COURT: Here's what I think I know, and I tell West Palm Beach, FL 33401.4349 11 you this so that you can fill in the gaps of what you {mow 8 9 On behalf of Third Patty E.W. 12 that I don't know and suggest what you think 1 ought to 10 WILLIAM J. BERGER, ESQUIRE 13 do. It appears to me that there was some agreement — an 11 BRADLEY J. EDWARDS, ESQUIRE 14 agreement that was sealed and then an addendum or 12 Rothstein Rosenfeld Adler 15 amendment to the agreement that was sealed as to documents 13 401 E. Las Olas Blvd., Suite 1650 16 14 in the Court's files under seal and it appears as though Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394 15 17 the punitive interveners want to unseal those and take a 16 On behalf of Third Party, The Post 18 peak at than. I don't see where any of the proper 17 DEANNA SHULLMAN, ESQUIRE 19 procedures to seal the documents was ever followed to 18 Thomas, LoCiero & Bralow, PL 20 begin with. I don't know but it's not jumping out at me 19 101 N.E. 3rd Avenue 21 20 when I reviewed the file. So, Pm thinking that it might Suite 1500 21 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1181 22 be appropriate and the burden might be on the moving 22 23 party, being the State and Mr. Epstein, to give them the 23 24 opportunity to jump through the hur — hoops to seal the 24 25 documents if they are entitled to have them sealed, then 25 Page 3 Page 5 1 PROCEEDINGS 1 NI grant that request. If they're not entitled to seal 2 2 then I'll order it as documents unsealed. But that's kind 3 3 of procedurally where I think the case is. I will allow BE IT REMEMBERED that the following proceedings were had 4 and testimony adduced before the Honorable Jeffrey Col bath, at Mr. Berger and Ms. Shulhnan to argue if they wish to, 4 5 5 the Palm Beach County Courthouse, West Palm Bach, Florida otherwise I will go over to Mr. Goldberger and Mr. Critton 6 6 beginning at the hour of I I:08 a.m. on June 10,2009. with to perhaps talk about what they think about my suggestion. 7 7 appearances as herein noted to-wit Mr. Berger? 8 8 MR. BERGER: I — Ed like to hear what they say. THE COURT: State vs. Epstein. Let me have for the 9 9 record, announce everybodys appearanee. THE COURT: Ms. Shullinan? 10 10 MR. BERGER: Your Honor. William J. Berger and MS. SHULLMAN: Agreed. 11 11 THE COURT: Mr. Goldberger? Bradley Edwards for non-party E.W. 12 12 MS. SHULLMAN: Your Honor, Deanna Shullmun of MR. GOLDBERGER: Your Honor — 13 13 Thomas, LoCicro & Bralow for non-party The Palm Beach THE COURT: I mean, it looks like theyjag handed 14 14 up an Agreed Order to sign. Post. 15 15 T71E COURT: Let me slow down a little bit. On behalf MR. GOLDBERGER: Well, if the Court — I know the 16 16 of The Post is? Court is trying to short circuit here and the idea in 17 17 MS. SHULLMAN: Deanna Shulman. theory is not horrible, ifs not terrible, ifs actually 18 18 THE COURT: S-H-U-L — not so bad. But let me alert the Court to a couple of 19 29 issues. First of all, this is not something that came up MS. SHULLMAN: 20 20 ahead of time where we were moving to close a hearing or THE COURT: Ms. Shullman, good morning. Mr. Berger, good morning, And Mr. Barr, your client is E — 21 21 file documents under seal and the Rules of Judicial 22 22 MR. BERGER: E.W yes. Administration makes an important distinction between 23 THE COURT: Anybody else has? 23 things that are done in advance and things that come up 24 MR. EDWARDS: Brad Edwards on behalf of E.W. as 2 4 during a hearing and the fact that maybe it goes to the 25 2 5 Rule talk about situations that arise during the course well, Judge. Thanks. | Page 2 | Pane 4 |
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| 1 | of a hearing, that the Rules would not apply to that. | 1 | a hearing and do the balancing test where you look at |
| 2 | Secondly, E.W.'s Motion to Intervene is brought under a | 2 | whether there is some compelling government interest and |
| 3 | Rule that does not apply her-once she brought it under a | 3 | that's going to require an evidentiary hearing. So I have |
| .1 | Rule that applies to noncriminal cases Having said that | 4 | no great objection to filing the Request for Closure and |
| 5 | I know the Court's des re to get to the issues here and I | 5 | then have a hearing in front of the Court |
| 0 | just need to alert the Court to one other matter because I | 6 | THE COURT: Well, let's do — Pm thinking out loud. |
| 7 | think it's really important. The Plaintiffs, E.W., has | 7 | I'm not ruling. I will give you all a chance to argue |
| 8 | this agreement already. They have this agreement Counsel | 8 | further, but this is what I'm thinking I will do, grant |
| 9 | will tell you they have this agreement. There have been | 9 | the Motion to Intervene. It gives standing to E.W. It |
| 10 | two hearings in front of Judge Marra who has the Federal | 10 | gives standing to The Post to contest the fact that these |
| 11 | cases here. They moved to unseal the non-prosecution | 11 | were sealed. And then I will shift the burden back on the |
| 12 | agreement in front of Judge Marra He entered an initial | 12 | State and Defendant, Mr. Epstein, to petition the Court to |
| 13 | Order, a very, very well reasoned Order which I have a | 13 | seal these documents. Until such time that I rule on that |
| 14 | copy for the Court. | 14 | I will leave than under seal because they might have been |
| 15 | THE COURT: Oh, thanks. | 15 | correctly sealed but the procedure wasn't followed. |
| 16 | MR. GOLDBERGER: He entered a very, very well | 16 | Theres got to be notice. You've got to comply with the |
| 17 | reasoned Order weighing the interest of the Plaintiffs to | 17 | Administrative Order 2.303. You've got to comply with the |
| 18 | have access to the non-prosecution agreement with the | 18 | Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420(d). I think even |
| 19 | confidentiality that the parties intended to be part of | 19 | though that's a civil — it addresses a civil matter this |
| 20 | this agreement And what he did, he said they can have | 20 | is, you know, in the nature of a civil procedure. So, III |
| 21 | this agreement They can review it all they want If they | 21 | do that. And thank you for these Orders. So. where do we |
| 22 | want to review it with somebody else, they need to give | 22 | go from here? I'm thinking out loud, not ruling. Mr. |
| 23 | them a copy of this Order dud it is not to be disclosed | 23 | Berger? |
| 24 | to anyone else. Subsequent to that — so that's the Rule | 24 | MR. BERGER: Judge, with all due respect I |
| 25 | that's in place right now. Subsequent to that the | 25 | completely disagree with counsel's characterization of |
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| 1 | Plaintiffs went back and said we want to disseminate this | 1 | those two Orders. I don't know if he handed up both to |
| 2 | Order. We want to disseminate this agreement to other | 2 | you? |
| 3 | parties and Judge Mann entered a second Order denying | 3 | THE COURT: I do. |
| 4 | that request and said, no. My Order is in place but if you | 4 | MR. BERGER: They simply do not say what he tells |
| 5 | have some compelling memo why you want this agreement to | 5 | you they say. |
| 6 | be disseminated to others, file a motion and come back to | 6 | THE COURT: I'll read than — |
| 7 | me. | 7 | MR. BERGER: All right |
| 8 | THE COURT: This is as a result of some civil | 8 | THE COURT: — and I'll allow you to make that |
| 9 | litigation pending in the Federal Courthouse? | 9 | argument — |
| 10 | MR. GOLDBERGER: Yes. | 10 | MR. BERGER: And — and — |
| 11 | THE COURT: As opposed to any criminal prosecution | 11 | THE COURT: — at the time of the Renewed Motion to |
| 12 | going on? | 12 | Seal. |
| 13 | MR. GOLDBERGER: It is civil proceedings that arc | 13 | MR. BERGER: All right And, also, I don't think the |
| 14 | going on in Federal Court. But in the interest of comedy, | 14 | Court —1 think the Court needs to deal with this |
| 15 | Your Honor, the Court has rated on the confidentiality | 15 | immediately, expeditiously. This is a matter that the |
| 16 | agreement and has put assail reasoned procedure into | 16 | Supreme Court has placed incredible scrutiny over. And the |
| 17 | place. If the parties want that agreement unsealed where | 17 | Rule that we are traveling under — were not only |
| 18 | they need to go is go back to Federal Court and Judge | 18 | traveling under a Rule of Judicial Administration that |
| 19 | Marra invited them to do so. | 19 | applies to criminal and civil cases, we're applying to an |
| 20 | THE COURT: That may be as it pertains to E.W., but | 20 | Administrative Order of this Court that was in place when |
| 21 | what about The Post? | 21 | the sealing was done and that superseded the sealing. |
| 22 | MR. GOLDBERGER: I think — and I think I know where | 22 | THE COURT: I — |
| 23 24 | the Court is going on this. If The Post's position is the public has right to acre — access to this then there is a | 23 24 | MR. BERGER: I'm just saying. I respectfully request that the Court not delay this one minute. |
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Proceedings June 10, 2009¶
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| 1 | MR. BERGER: Pardon me? | 1 | proems and let's get this back on my docket as quickly as |
| 2 | THE COURT: You've got the agreements anyway. You've | 2 | possible and give them until Friday to file their notice |
| 3 | got what's under sett | 3 | and ten days after that we have an evidentiary hearing. I |
| 4 | MR. BERGER: Judge, we cannot do anything with them. | 4 | go through the prams then. What bad thing is going to |
| 5 | THE COURT: Take that up with Judge Man | 5 | happen by waiting these extra twelve to fifteen days? |
| 6 | MR. BERGER: No, sir. That is not what the Order | 6 | MS. SHULLMAN: The bad thing that's going to happen, |
| 7 | says. May I quote Judge Marra. "If a specific tangible | 7 | Your Honor, is that the status quo in Florida is thin the |
| 8 | need arises in a civil case the relief should be sought in | 8 | constitutional right of access is openness. |
| 9 | that case." In other words, the civil cases which are in | 9 | THE COURT: Right. |
| 10 | front of Judge Hafek is one forum that Judge Main said | 10 | MS. SHULLMAN: You know, certainly if Your Mau a |
| 11 | go to it Judge Marra did not say that this Cowl does not | 11 | inclined to postpone this hearing I would ask that it be |
| 12 | have jurisdiction to unseal its own sealed records or to | 12 | done expeditiously as you suggest |
| 13 | vacate its own Order sealing. And any characterization is | 13 | THE COURT: Yeah. |
| 14 | — is false. | 14 | MS. SHULLMAN: You know, Friday and then ten d it • |
| 15 | THE COURT: rE take a look at it and I'll draw | 15 | thereafter, it just delays access for another two weeks |
| 16 | from it what It says — what I think it says. I appreciate | 16 | and it Infringes on ow rights. |
| 17 | your zealous representation of your client. Please, it | 17 | TEE COURT: I agree. Mr. Berger, I will let you |
| 18 | appears as though you're yelling at me. | 18 | answer that same question. |
| 19 | MS. SHULLMAN: Your Honor? | 19 | MR. BERGER: I dont think — |
| 20 | THE COURT: Ms. Shullman? | 20 | illE COURT: Anything specific rather than — |
| 21 | MR. BERGER: Judge, this happens to be a very | 21 | MR. BERGER: Yes. |
| 22 | serious matter and every day of delay delays our | 22 | THE COURT: You know, anything closed that the |
| 23 | discovery. | 23 | people are allowed to look at is a transgression and any |
| 24 | THE COURT: Ms. Skillman? | 24 | transgression is bad. but anything unique beyond that? |
| 25 | MS. SHULLMAN: Your Honor, if I may be heard on the | 25 | MR. BERGER: Your Honor — Your Honor, I do not |
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| 1 | believe that this Court has the jurisdiction to revisit | ||
| 2 | issue as wet As a representative of the public's right | 1 2 | |
| 3 | of access — THE COURT: Right. | 3 | the propriety of the sealing of these records and give the Defendant or the State, for that matter, a second bite at |
| 4 | MS. SHULLMAN: — here essentially, I would agree | 4 | the apple. If the records are sealed improperly, which the |
| 5 | with Mr. Berger that we need an immediate hearing on this | 5 | Court has said on its face that appears to have occurred, |
| 6 | issue. That's what we're here to do today. I think I heard | 6 | I do not believe that this Cotut has jurisdiction to allow |
| 7 | Your Honor say that he's not clear that the procedures | 7 | them a second bite at the apple to go through with the |
| 8 | were applied. My review of the record does not reveal that | 8 | notice requirements. They should have done that in front |
| 9 | the procedures were complied with. My review is similar to | 9 | of Judge Pool llo a year ago and they did not do it. The |
| 10 | Your Hanoi's. It looks like sort of everybody approached | 10 | Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 simply does not give |
| 11 | the bench and Judge Pucillo said let's take it under seal. | 11 | this Court the right to reactivate the procedure that you |
| 12 | If Mr. Epstein's counsel is not prepared to go forward | 12 | outlined. |
| 13 | today and meet his burden, then I would ask that this | 13 | THE COURT: Okay. |
| 14 | Court seta hearing as soon as practical because the right | 14 | MR. BERGER: Thank you. |
| 15 | solution here should be to unseal the records and then, | 15 | THE COURT: Anything further, Mr. Goldbager or \II |
| 16 | you know- | 16 | Craton? |
| 17 | THE COURT: I've gotcha | 17 | MR. GOLDBERGER: Just note, Your Honor, as far as |
| 18 | MS. SHULLMAN: — and they have to make a motion. | 18 | the timing of this and we want to do this expeditiously, |
| 19 | THE COURT: Well what house is on fire? I mean, | 19 | of course, this sealing occurred not last week, not two |
| 20 | what is the —1 think what they have to do is they've got | 20 | weeks ago, not four months ago but eleven and one half |
| 21 | to give ten days notice pursuant to the Rule — the | 21 | months ago. The Post reported this last July. So, I |
| 22 | Administrative Order, Rules of Judicial Administration, to | 22 | understand the right for the pubic to have access and we |
| 23 | go through that process. What — what prejudice is there? | 23 | want to do this as quickly as possible but there is no |
| 24 25 | What house is burning down if I say okay. State and defense, go ahead and expeditiously move through the | 24 25 | fire here. There is no house burning. THE COURT: Then I'll go ahead and enter an Order .1 |
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| I've indicated, that is that I'll grant the Intervener's | 1 | CERTIFICATE | |
| 2 | Motion to Intervene. You have standing. I will order that | 2 | |
| 3 | the State and/or the defense by noon Friday file a Notice | 3 | |
| 4 | of— comply with the Administrative Order 2.303 and the | 4 | UANNE RAWLS, certify that I was authorized to |
| 5 | Judicial Rule — the Rule of Judicial Administration | 5 | ly report the foregoing proceedings and that the |
| 6 | 2.420, paragraph d, that outlines the procedures to seal | 6 | tfue and complete record of my notes. trtf#ript inaj |
| 7 | files in these types of cases and then we'll get a hearing | 7 | |
| 8 | scheduled for argument on whether or not they will be | 8 | ,, |
| 9 | sealed. Until that time they will remain sealed because | 9 | gafith 19ett June, 2009. daY |
| 10 | Judge Pucillo signed off on the Order and I'm not inclined | 10 | |
| 11 | to disturb that until I find more about the merits of the | 11 | WL 578 |
| 12 | movanfs position. | 12 | % 14/9 |
| 13 | MR. GOLDBERGER: Thank you. | 13 | er |
| 14 | THE COURT: Anybody want to reduce any of that mess | 14 | 1: 63' |
| 15 | to a written Order? | 15 | kfrIp ocy |
| 16 | MR. EDWARDS: I'd like to Your Honor. I'd like to | 16 | |
| 17 | know if you're going to give in a hearing date today. | 17 | 61:24/ |
| 18 | THE COURT: Ill deal with that. Yeah. Let me give | 18 | <9 I§ C4 |
| 19 | you some time. How much time do you think it's going to | 19 | 00 , O I- ts |
| 20 | take? I don't think I'm going to have any surprises. How | 20 | oli to Ofr st |
| 23. | much time do you think we need? A half hour? | 21 | O,‹ Z eir |
| 22 | MR. EDWARDS: Not more. Ed say an hour at the | 22 | |
| 23 | longest. | 23 | |
| 24 | THE COURT: I'm not taking evidence or anything like | 24 | |
| 25 | that In the meantime, do you agree it would be prudent | 25 | `ar.le |
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| 1 | for me to take a look and see what the content of these | ||
| things are so I can be articulate on what their know | |||
| about? I didn't do that for today's hearing? | |||
| MR. GOLDBEItGER: The defense — | |||
| MIL EDWARDS: The non-prosecution agreement? | |||
| 6 | THE COURT: Right. Whatever is under seal. Whatever | ||
| 7 | it is that's under seal Ill take a look stirs° that I | ||
| 8 | can at least have a feel for apparently what you all know | ||
| 9 | and I don't. | ||
| 10 | MR. GOLDBERGER; The defense has no objection. | ||
| 11 | THE COURT: Okay. FR go ahead and read those two | ||
| 12 | sealed documents and I'll see you back hut, assuming that | ||
| 13 | Mr. Goldberger and Mr. Canon get that done between now | ||
| 14 | and Friday. Ten days from this Friday is the 22nd. How | ||
| 15 | about we do this on the 25th at 130? | ||
| 16 | MR. GOLDBERGER: One moment, Your Honor. That's fine | ||
| 17 | with me. | ||
| 18 | MR. BEItGER: Thank you. | ||
| 19 | THE COURT: All right. Great. Thank you so much. | ||
| 20 21 | NIL GOLDBERGER: Thank you, Judge. | ||
| (PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED) | |||
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