@Stan
I second that! please follow this story. Looks like there are dozens of people involved
in Epstein's crimes, politicians, attorneys, madams, schedulers, pilots, actors, royal family,
Saudi princes, butlers, you name it. This was a HUGE child prostitution and child trafficking business
and so MANY people are involved in it, up to their necks.
5
This is the tip of the iceberg. Looks like pizzagate and pedowood "conspiracy theories" were knocking on the right door.
4
"“He’s a scary person to have walking the streets,” said Courtney Wild"
He has not been convicted of the latest charges against him, therefore he is presumed innocent. As such, he has every right to be walking the streets unless there is evidence that he plans to abscond before trial.
This is the flip side of the movement, correct in my opinion, to eliminate cash bail. Until and unless a person is convicted, jailing any individual, black or white, rich or poor is unjustified. Mr. Epstein has no record of failing to appear in any of his past trials, therefore he should be let out OR after surrendering all passports, visas and travel documents.
3
@michaelscody
How would you know whether he had surrendered all the relevant documents?
1
DO NOT LET THIS STORY FADE. Stay the course. Keep the narrative going, Do not be distracted. All the dirty, rotten scoundrels need to be exposed and prosecuted.
16
I must live in some 'Alice in Wonderland' world. Epstein's chief co-conspirators, those all given immunity as part of the dirty Acosta deal, women that allegedly procured hundreds of minors and engaged in sexual assaults with Epstein for years, are all walking free and are: 1) A NYC socialite that give TED talks about the oceans, and mingled at Chelsea Clinton's wedding 2) wife of a NASCAR driver that lives in a $3 million Miami Beach high rise and 3) a popular social media influencer and co-pilot of Epstein's Gulfstream jets.
What is wrong with this picture? When will justice really come for their victims?
13
@GMoog. - No you're wrong.
The Florida Child Prostitution Division says there are no statute of limitations
on child prostitution and trafficking crimes.
4
Epstein's chief co-conspirators, those all given immunity as part of the Acosta deal, women that allegedly procured hundreds of minors and engaged in sexual assaults with Epstein for years, are all walking free and are- first, a NYC socialite that give TED talks about the oceans, second, wife of a NASCAR driver that lives in a $3 million Miami Beach high rise and third, a popular social media influencer and co-pilot of Epstein's Gulfstream jets.
What is wrong with this picture? When will justice really come for their victims?
5
Putting aside Epstein's guilt or innocence what I find most egregious is the relentless news media convicting him before a trial. The jury pool is being poisoned by the media onslaught.
The US Attorney holds a news conference trying the defendant and we have not yet gotten off first base. They continue to release information which again poisons the jury pool. Madoff ripped off people to the tune of over a billions dollars and he was allowed bail under strict conditions. Does someone lose the right to bail because he has too much money???? The judges argument falls flat on its face using that fact as a basis to deny bail. We don't know the truth yet-so let's allow this to play out on a level playing field. A man is innocent until proven guilty. It is the job the government to prove Epstein's guilt in a court of law not in the newspapers.
3
Epstein displays the curious self-destructiveness of so many sex addicts, who keep incriminating evidence against themselves as if there were no search warrants or surprise arrests.
All part of the denial, I suppose.
Throw the book at him. No need to ponder this for very long.
10
“It’s not like he’s an out of control rapist.” Actually, yes he is. That’s the whole point.
24
Epstein is a bad man but I thank him for revealing to Americans how corrupt our justice system really is.
9
The swamp is doing just fine under Trumps regime.
9
He deserves to sit in jail, not in that $77 million mansion, until he's tried.
13
Uncovering Epstein's real relationship with Les Wexner is the ticket to unraveling this whole sordid affair. An unstable, college dropout who was partners with a convicted Ponzi schemer is not the ideal choice to manage a billionaire's money. And yet, Wexner made Epstein rich for that very reason; supposedly managing his money. This whole Epstein-Wexner story falls apart under the barest of scrutiny. Getting the real story will break this case wide open.
21
Someone who's been doing excellent reporting on this for quite some time and was onto the Wexner connection years ago, is Derrick Brose of The Conscious Resistance channel on YouTube. He's an investigative journalist in the true sense of the term. The information he brought out yesterday about the very interesting backgrounds of the men who assisted in the writing of Patterson's book on Epstein is not to be missed!!
5
@MJG I agree, and think that there's more than a bit of a Bernie Madoff-esque element to this story...
2
House arrest in a 56 million home?
4
My favorite part so far is the handfuls of diamonds.
8
I hope we find out who else was in those pictures. No doubt he kept compromising material on many prominent individuals
3
@Nelson Muntz
Exactly right!
@Linda Susan - your comment is spot on!
1
@J House. Epstein has already been found tampering with witnesses very recently when he was caught
wiring one witness $150,000 and another $250,000 to silence them. Sound like someone familiar?
8
Thank you for this fine reporting - and please keep on this. The media need to dig deeper regarding the fake passport that had him registered under a fake name as a citizen of Saudi Arabia. Something seems WAY off there - could there be some sort of connection between Epstein, the Saudi royal family, and Individual-1?
40
Not a citizen of Saudi Arabia (he couldn’t be) - a resident. It was not a Saudi passport, according to reports.
1
@Louis Smith
In the '80s, computerized immigration and border control systems were more primitive and Saudi Arabia could have been a near-random choice of a country lacking detailed controls. It could have been a fake passport acquired by a wide variety of means, including your basic New York City forgery market.
That it was a Saudi passport doesn't necessarily imply any Saudi connection or intelligence work. More than likely, he wanted a way to travel incognito, perhaps as a fugitive but it could also have been in the service of money laundering.
4
Just to remind everyone, he was a close friend of Trump, Clinton, Ailes, MBS, Dershowitz and many other hosts of Fox News.
His expired passport was Saudi Arabian. It does not mean that he does not have an “active passport” from that country, notorious for human trafficking and the Trump administration’s best friend.
41
I would like to understand why the New York Times uses rather gentle language such as “lewd photographs of underage girls” and sex abuse rather than terms such as “child pornography” and “child rape” when describing the hobbies and activities of the powerful and influential Mr. Epstein.
72
The wheels of justice turn slowly but that a judge would say others awaiting trial do not have Epstein 's resources and must stay in jail as a counter argument to defense's bail request sends a glimmer of hope out into the world. The message that the law is unfairly applied is seeping into the subconscious of our culture. Voices are being heard even if change is slow and halting. The people can be heard when they stand together, believe in the cause, support the media and understand the human condition.
18
No bail, just jail.
The fake passport should tell the judge to keep him behind bars.
35
Think about this case and what the defendant has done so deviously to many young, innocent girls: One of his lawyers, Mr. Weinberg said, "It's not like he's an out of control rapist or something..."
No, in this case we have an allegedly very wealthy older man who plans his sexual activity to use young girls for his pleasure. No, it's not an impulse, it's a planned seduction, a premeditated crime. It's Malice aforethought. If his daughter or son were such a victim, perhaps Mr. Weinberg would think differently
Something terrible has happened to all of us when we dismiss this type of depravity so cavalierly. The swamp is wide and dark and deep.
42
I bet Trump has a similar safe with the same contents if he loses the 2020 election.
19
He is presumed innocent, but forget the constitution so long as the facts are severe enough to aggravate the public.
6
He was presumed innocent before his non-prosecution deal, after which there was no doubt that he was guilty. The only question is who was behind the flagrantly lenient penalty imposed.
43
Well, Acosta, if he's telling the truth, says it's "Intelligence." The question is, the Intelligence agencies of which country.
4
@ Chas Zimmerman, when was the last time you advocated so energetically for a poor person in the same position? Really, I’d like to know. Call me skeptical.
5
There's only one reason to have a fake passport....and we all know what that is, don't we?!
44
@Kathy Garland
Didn't want to wait on line?
6
@Kathy Garland I don’t know what that is, please enlighten me.
2
@Kathy Garland
Of course. But how about the unused fake passports that are still hidden in his go bag someplace? He’ll pull a Roman Polanski.
16
Is the judge waiting to see if the payoff clears his offshore account. The refusal of bail is a no brainer. Epstein is a flight risk as well as a public menace. Do we need another Mark rich episode?
17
@San Ta
He has to write a legal justification for denying bail that will stand up to appeal, which Epstein is sure to do.
13
That’s right! A lot of money could pile up in three days. The world is spinning out of control.
1
A man with Epstein's money will always be given many chances -- chances to reinvent himself, to pardon himself, to (falsely) exonerate himself. Far beyond what any ordinary member of society could expect, he will, in all of his privilege, expect to be understood and "humored for his eccentricities." This is the law of the land, in a world of white male privilege -- and it has been so for the last century or two.
Any judge, even one who is limited in both education and imagination, knows perfectly well that Epstein is an ordinary criminal. Only those judges who cannot see beyond the dollar sign will be amenable to the absurd arguments of his lawyers. In no way is Epstein a "generous" man. He is, like so many cowards, a cruel man, and a sociopath. He should not ever again walk free upon this earth. The damage he has done is immense and inexcusable.
26
I know that the two cases are not related, but every time I see an article about Epstein I can’t help but think of the massive scandal around sexual abuse in US Women’s gymnastics. The worst part of that case wasn’t the monster at the center but the legion of enablers surrounding Nasser, protecting him so they could all profit off of the exploitation of young girls. Now it appears we have another creep who passes himself off as some sort of genius billionaire at the center of another network of enablers who don’t seem to mind a touch of slime if they can bask in the scent of big money. A group that was willing to look past his little peccadilloes as long as they could ride in his jet, stay at his estates or indulge his love for an Ivy he didn’t even attend. Though I seriously doubt such loathsome leeches can be shamed, it’s always worth a try.
31
If a judge grants this man bail then I will have completely lost faith in our criminal justice system.
38
The court record (including the Palm Beach Police report) shows that there is more than enough evidence to charge his 'co-conspirators with sex trafficking crimes. This is the small group of women that assisted Epstein in his criminal acts for over a decade, and were given immunity in the Acosta deal. One of them is a NYC socialite and daughter of a British media tycoon. Incredibly, none of them have been arrested since Epstein was detained over a week ago.
Why?
23
@J House
Which "court record" is that? The one that's been sealed, and that you have never seen? Also, what you are overlooking is the fact that all of the FL sex crimes from the old case are too old to prosecute; the statute of limitations has expired. That's why he is now charged only with trafficking, which has no statute of limitations.
7
It isn't sealed...Epstein has been sued already dozens of times, and there is sworn testimony from dozens of victims. The Palm Beach Police report is public record, and is on line. There is enough evidence in there to put either you or me away for life, for what Mr. Epstein is accused of...but not Mr. Epstein, apparently..we will see.
4
I'd be shocked if the judge does anything except deny him bail.
7
Reading all these comments I’ve got the image of all of us storming Dr. Frankenstein’s castle with our pitchforks, pounding on the castle door, screaming for revenge. I like that. We’re a community again.
18
The best way to unite people is to have a common enemy.
1
“He didn’t re-engage in this activity,” one of his lawyers, Martin G. Weinberg, told the judge on Monday, adding, “It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.”
This is laughable. Does anyone on this earth that has read about this indictment and case believe that? Is it possible there is more to this story than is being reported? What is the link to Saudi Arabia and the fake passport? Did he provide girls to the kingdom? What other countries and individuals are involved? Is this a global operation? And what happend to the little girls that didn't cooperate with the sexual assault and rape? Are there girls that have gone missing? been murdered? We will likely never know the full truth.
24
Epstein's lawyers will be pulling all the stops that the Florida federal non prosecution deal covers the offenses before that deal. And it seems that that deal had several layers of approval in Washington.
So what offenses since the Florida deal does SDNY have evidence on?
Yes, there's the photos in the safe that may or may not be determined as child porn. But if the SDNY indictment is a rehash of the Florida case, Epstein's lawyers will be arguing to suppress the photos.
That SDNY is actively asking for other victims to come forward indicates that SDNY needs evidence of new offenses to nail Epstein.
Of course if Epstein is out on bail, any victim will have to balance the potential or realised generosity of a few hundred thousand or so against the prospect of several days of cross examination by expert lawyers.
4
If you read the court record, there are dozens, if not hundreds of victims, many who allege they were sexually assaulted 50-100 times over a period of years, when they were minors. Many more than the two girls implicated in the original charges have already provided testimony. If he goes to trial and loses, he will never see the light of day again.
He has every reason to flee, if given bail.
16
Does he have tax returns?
How did he earn his $500 million?
Who is in his little black book of blackmail?
I hope Jeffrey Toobin is seeing his next book in this tawdry mess of crime, creepy men, money and politics.
9
Can someone please ask Mr. Wexner why he decided to disassociate himself from Jeffrey Epstein a dozen or so years ago? Donald Trump should answer that same question. "You lie down with dogs, you get fleas"!
22
@Kathy Garland It’s my guess that Epstein stole a lot of money from them (the New York Mansion in Wexner’s case), and they couldn’t do a thing about it, because Epstein has incriminating photos......
5
1. Have cash (diamonds and fake passport), will travel.
2. Have lawyers who lie (instead of argue what facts mean).
3. Have target county, Saudi Arabia. Refuge of murderous dictators (Idi Amin) ruled by a killer dictator where women of all ages are property without rights.
4. Have the “goods” on some well connected people.
5. “Your Honor, give me my own private jail on 71st and I’m good to go. Sorry, and I’ll be a good boy. Honest.”
14
Sorry, Marty - it is like he’s an out of control rapist.
28
"Piles of cash and diamonds" can be explained away and even justified to some degree.
But an "expired passport from a foreign country which had Mr. Epstein’s photo but a fake name and said he lived in Saudi Arabia"?
Yeah, good luck with that one Jiffy Jeff.
32
“He didn’t re-engage in this activity,” one of his lawyers, Martin G. Weinberg, told the judge on Monday, adding, “It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.” Sez who other than his paid attorney?
15
Don't worry, DJT will be a character reference for the sexual predator.
17
Really, what is there to consider???
We know protecting serial child sex offender about there rights?
Please Judge, don't give him another chance to manipulate the justice system.
Think one second what you doing to the victims. One second
8
So did OJ!
The deviant elite,this guy is into a lot more criminality than you can imagine.
14
OMG, this is an entire season of Law and Order...
14
There are a few things to keep in mind:
Do you notice how Alan Dershowitz, who admits to receiving a massage at one of Epstein's homes, uses the term "woman" when describing a child that was raped? But Dershowitz doesn't stop there. He refers to these children as "prostitutes".
It is VERY disturbing that this judge has not made a decision on bail at this point. Perhaps the fix is in. The criminals and their lawyers will play the "long ball", just like Harvey Weinstein. Delay, bribe, pressure, whatever it takes to make the case go away.
Epstein, Clinton, Dershowitz, Prince Andrew will delay until 2020 hoping for a different administration.
12
Lock him up in general population!
No bail for this child molesting rapist pedophile friend of Bill Clinton and Donald Trump!
11
A Saudi passport to a Saudi prison.
2
I do not understand why Judge Berman needs so much time to make a decision about granting bail or not. Would this happen if one were poor or a minority?
25
@Claire
It gives him time to assemble a well thought out bullet proof legal case in defense of denying him bail. And also an opportunity to make it absolutely scathing in its tenor.
26
How much of that cash belongs to well-known friends of Epstein?
6
Releasing Epstein on bail may afford him the opportunity to hide assets that would otherwise be confiscated in criminal and civil matters should he be found guilty, destroy or remove criminal evidence he may have at one of his other known residences that have not yet been searched by the FBI/NYPD joint task force (there are four that the government knows about, but there could be others), conspire with a 3rd party to hide or destroy evidence, or make plans to permanently flee, given his liquidity (it is reported 'piles of cash and diamonds' were found in the search of his Manhattan residence).
It would be insanity for a judge to allow Epstein all of these options.
20
Last I heard having a fake passport wasn't legal and his lawyers' argument that he has been law abiding since his first conviction is not true. No bail.
29
Former Israeli PM and candidate Ehud Barak has admitted Epstein has been a friend and business partner. Epstein is eligible for the 'Law of Return' to Israel (which would grant him citizenship, automatically), and there is no guarantee he would be extradited back to the U.S. (although there would be enormous pressure to do so). He has also traveled to Russia frequently over the past two decades, and they have no extradition agreement with the U.S.
He has both the means and the motive to flee.
45
Bail is only to secure one's return for trial.
WE ARE INNOCENT UNTIL TRIED AND PROVED GUILTY
Conviction in the press is un-AMERICAN.
Even taking all his money to hold until he returns for trial is better than punishing by imprisonment if he is then found not guilty. How would you repair that?
6
@mike People attempt to flee justice and accountability for their crimes all the time. The court needs to assess if this very wealthy, potential repeat offender is a flight risk. If he is, he should be held in custody until his trial.
58
@mike
The same way you ‘repair’ it for the ‘little people’ who aren’t multi millionaires....they have to suck it up, often , unlike Epstein, with no flight risk and no prior convictions.
39
@mike
How do you repair it for those unable to afford bail?
How do you repair it for those who are middle class, have roots in other countries, no ties here, and are likewise found to be a flight risk?
The fact that he is up for trial is because there is enough evidence that he may well be guilty that he does lose some rights. Innocent until proven guilty doesn't stop you from having to appear in court, being detained by police for questioning, being kept in jail until your bail hearing, and being kept locked up for longer if you are a flight risk.
29
What is there to think about? Why wait until Thursday to rule? This pedophile shouldn't get out on bail. What they found should be enough to keep him there until trial.
42
Won't the wannabe lawyers, accountants, and criminal masterminds ever find something useful to do with their lives?
11
No Bail! No "house arrest"!
Epstein is a clear flight risk - a billionaire with assets stashed all over the world, and every incentive to take off if he ever gets out of jail, knowing he will lose his case and spend the rest of his life in prison.
NO BAIL!
22
Bail, are we kidding? What on earth would qualify as a reason this pedophile should be granted anything other than a place where he belongs - jail. This man's gall and hubris is beyond belief and his request is an egregious insult to those who he so blithely victimized.
17
Time to pay the Piper Jeffrey. As Whitey, Bernie,( amd soon Harvey) found out luck sometimes will take you only so far.
14
One of Epstein's attorneys said he "didn’t re-engage in this activity...it’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.”
Um, he serially raped young girls. "Serially" being the key word here which is another definition of "out-of-control". Nice try, enabler.
27
@Sara G.
This is called "assuming the conclusion." To this day, he has never been charged with, let alone convicted of, raping anyone.
2
@Sara G. What’s evidence do you have that he “serially raped girls?”
2
.............. Mr. Dershowitz is (very) strangely, quiet on this..............speaks volumes?
26
@Tony
He was interviewed on WNYC today. I had to turn it off, because of heebie-jeebies.
10
What more does Judge Brennan need? People are denied bail for way more minor crimes. Judge Brennan...friends with Epstein? Does he have dirt on you too?
6
It’s Judge Berman.
1
The US has been molested by tax cutters, reduced to penury with trillions in unpaid debt.
5
I'm sorry, I know it's probably not appropriate to question a judge, but OMG!!!! Why, exactly, will it take until Thursday for Judge Berman to make a decision on bail? Waiting for the funds to clear? The travesty of justice continues.
13
@Julie it may be that he won’t find the briefcase until Wednesday evening?
The article mentions his 13 months in jail; it does not mention, and very much should mention, that he spent six days a week working from home/the office. It isn't 'partisan writing' to point this out, it's the responsible thing to do.
18
It bothers me that the judge couldn’t make an on the spot decision to deny bail.
20
The cash and phony passports speak for themselves. Extreme flight risk and put away for a reason. What is really of value here are the contents of the CD-ROMS and other photos. This is just the beginning
21
The rapid deteriorating morality in a country that touts religion can be observed on social media. Epstein is a byproduct. Trump is a byproduct. Bill Clinton was the precursor.
11
America never had morals Bill.
9
“It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.”
What is the legal standard for "out of control?" I thought we were responsible for all our crimes, the more heinous of which are punished more severely.
13
Well there is that rumor that he belongs to intelligence. The question is whose. Along with a fake Saudi passport he sure has a lot of money.
8
Not a Saudi passport. A foreign passport which lists him as a Saudi resident. The country is not specified.
7
How about running an updated photo of Epstein? Methinks he doesn't look so good now. Re: Sal Shuss comment: I agree. This is so absurd I burst out laughing when I read it. Are these people really lawyers?
6
Epstein can also be prosecuted under New York state laws. I hope the New York attorney general is prepared to take this case and prosecute, knowing that the culpability of president Trump is highly likely to be obscured in this federal case by his personal attorney, the US Attorney General Barr.
11
Why were so many DOJ officials lining up to condone Epstein's earlier highly irregular, exceptionally light, sentence? Is/was he an asset? What is going on here?
18
Price of brand new Gulfstream G-650 corporate jet (after you have surrendered your existing jets),$70 million.
Price of expertly crafted counterfeit US passport , $ 1 million.
Price of a bribe of a head of state in a cooperating small corrupt nation to secure permanent residency, $200 million.
Success in avoiding justice for your abhorrent crimes,
Priceless.
31
@LibertyLover
It wasn't a U.S. passport. It is not even clear whether it was a counterfeit passport, as opposed to one issued by an official in the issuing country who permitted the use of an alias, for whatever reason.
7
@rella
I wasn't referring to that passport. I was referring to a new counterfeit passport that can be used to gain entry to another country.
4
@Libertylover...your comment is priceless!
2
Of what country was Epstein's fake passport? The only desirable extra passport for a US citizen is, probably, the Swiss. I always wanted to have, "for just in case", diplomatic passports of Vatican and the Order of Malta.
6
He (Mr. Epstein) is the exactly to dangerous person now as he was 10 or so years back. Nothing has changed. He'll try to buy his way out of these hideous crimes just like he did back then. Hopefully, there are stronger people in his pathway this time. Acosta was exactly the weakling he needed last time to let him slip through real accountability!
9
This being the US of A will end up with fat cheques for the judge and prosecutors and bail and no follow up afterwards.
3
Since Epstein never really served the original 13 month jail time, we should at the very least keep him jail for 13 months to set that right.
10
I agree with the point about the photos. Is that OK? I think not. And what's behind the fake passport? Are there more of those? I do NOT think Mr. Epstein should be put in a situation where he could be raped (although that WOULD be ironic) or worse. But if anyone is a flight risk - he's my first choice. If he is NOT granted bail, is that bending over backwards to be sure the rich are not treated differently? Maybe. But I would take that risk. Can you imagine the outrage if he is released on bail and skips?
5
The reality is this:
IF America was somehow made "white" again, then there would suddenly be "shades" of white, "shades" of Christianity, "shades" of ancestry, etc
When haters win, they soon turn on each other. It's their nature.
7
And did we forget the fact that this guy has a couple private planes??
8
The fact that prominent New Yorkers cozied up to him _after_ the Florida case says a lot about New York society.
14
Never happen in LA.
Perhaps he can be allowed to visit the Saudi consulate to "renew his passport". It would save us taxpayers a lot of money.
14
The US president can be prosecuted while in office for crimes he has committed in this Epstein case. There are credible accounts by victims of just such crimes. The president is protected from federal prosecution while in office due to only an opinion produced by the OLC in the US Department of Justice. That means that the constitutional question of whether a president can be prosecuted for federal crimes while in office has never been settled by the Supreme Court. Never.
There is no such prohibition against state courts prosecuting a sitting president. I'm pretty sure the New York Attorney General is quite aware of this fact as this case unfolds.
There will be many powerful and well known individuals who are biting their fingernails as this case develops.
15
@LibertyLover I hope you are correct!!!
5
The judge needs until Thursday to decide whether or not to grant bail? Really? Bail should have been denied today. This doesn't exactly instill one's confidence in the fact that this monster is finally going to pay the price for his crimes.
20
Tell you what. If I was a father of one of these girls the Epstein molested, his lights would be out already.
10
This man should not be out anywhere on bail. He preys on children. If he was an average income person, there would be no question about his bail release status. Keep him locked up.
13
If this monster gets bail, I'll know for certain that this malignancy of an administration has spread to all the institutions that democracy holds dear.
17
Is it just me or is there a reason it would take three days to decide about bail? I’m at not no but heck no about three days ago not three in the future.
6
Perhaps Judge Brennan and/or friends is compromised?
6
What, pray tell, is taking so long???
10
The government needs to make public every tiny bit of evidence in this case. That includes every single person who participated in Epstein's criminal activities, attending his perverted "parties".
That includes Royal princes, ex presidents,and high profile Harvard lawyers.
When you see the disgusting complicity of a Federal US Attorney's Office in Florida literally working to help Epstein escape justice and defraud his victims
Hell hath no fury like the public if they find out the US Attorney has acted this time to protect and obscure participants in this horrible man's activities.
The US attorneys in Florida should be fired and disbarred, including Acosta for the incredibly shameful way they obstructed justice and illegally deprived Epstein's victims their day in court.
Read this chronology by a judge of how the US attorneys
carried out their shameful betrayal of the victims. It is beyond belief.
https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000169-11f3-d0be-adfb-75fff4490000
10
@LibertyLover Many thanks for providing this link. Everyone of these individuals who dealt with and protected Mr. Epstein by working out the best "deal" for him but not caring for the victims are the absolute limit.
5
Bail, if appropriate, must be calculate d by the severity of the crime coupled with the defendants ability to pay.
One billion cash, his jet in state control. house arrest guarded by state police. GPS Monitor.
2
It's rape, not "underage sex".
29
This is like asking if Charles Manson should have been given parole for good behavior.
"You have GOT to be kidding!"
9
To all the commenters who have said the passport was issued by Saudi Arabia: the NYT article said the passport showed him to be a resident of Saudi Arabia. Not the same thing. Given Epstein's connections and associates the best guess is that the passport was issued by Israel.
15
I was just half watching " The Other Boleyn Girl".
We have been nothing more than commodities for the amusement and satisfaction of men for hundreds and hundreds of years.
I'm too jaded to be surprised or disgusted.
7
Through their statements, his lawyers are the worst spokespeople I’ve ever heard.
Source: Fortune 50 spokesperson for years.
6
Let him stay at Trump Tower or with Trump in the White House along with the other unethical folks. He should be with his people. Just call it a “time out” like a modern family discipline technique. Handcuffing Trump and Epstein together is just the image they both need.
3
Well, Acosta is relieved of his Trump position so he and Dershowitz should be available to craft another deal that bears witness to their superior legal skills, to say nothing of their ethics. This stuff never gets old- of course, this guy is gonna walk.
6
If Epstein is released on bail, there is the possibility that he will commit suicide, thereby complicating if not frustrating the potential prosecution of fellow co-conspirators in this hideous child sex trafficking scheme. Additionally, there are also those participating men who should be prosecuted for the rape of those young girls, the victims of this criminal enterprise.
11
Who are the others involved in his ring of cohorts. That would make interesting reading.. Will we ever know?
8
The only thing surprising about this story is that he's not currently in a cabinet position.
46
@Chris Mackin
or dating Hillary
2
• In the USA, an estimated 20% of girls and 8% of boys are sexually abused before they are 18 years old. Many more experience other horrific abuses.
It's all around us every day. Why do we allow this?
14
Just finished reading "Filthy Rich", the James Patterson book re: Epstein and his case. It was written a few years ago. I urge the Judge in this case to read this account. It includes actual testimony from the authorities. A page turner that makes it abundantly clear that man is very much deserving to spend the rest of his days behind bars. Please deny bail.
16
@Diana - An investigative journalist named Derrick Broze of The Conscious Resistance channel on YouTube and his own website has been following the Epstein story for years and has personally interviewed several of the players involved. Just yesterday, he did a video on the Patterson book and the very interesting people, and their connections, who co wrote the book with Patterson. I reccomend it highly.
What, exactly, is the harm in denying this man bail? Will the judicial system collapse? The stock market? Soybean futures? Will global warming accelerate, the Bill of Rights disappear, ordinary citizens fear to walk the streets under such a repressive government as one which would detain a flight-risk child molester, a plague of locusts or ebola sweep the nation, cats and dogs start living together?
Sorry, I'm having trouble seeing the harm. Keep him in jail.
40
He should stay in jail. It will at least make it more difficult for him to direct his private investigators and high priced attorneys to threaten and bribe potential witnesses in his trial. This guy has nothing to lose. He's going for broke.
33
Epstein knows he will go to prison for the rest of his life when this goes to court.
If this judge grants him bail, Esptein will flee to a non-extradition country.
Why would he stay in the U.S.?
Why would a judge even consider giving him bail based on this?
43
I’m shocked—shocked!—that there is gambling going on in this establishment.
13
All defendants are entitled to a vigorous defense. That said, with his past history, once must question the morals of any lawyer who would accept his as a client.
9
A truly silly comment.
“a vigorous defense” requires attorneys be willing and able to provide such defense. To attack criminal defense attorneys for doing their job - and this upholding the Constitution- is to attack the Constitution.
4
@Harold Givens Attack the Constitution, really. An attorney with morals would turn him down. An attorney does not have to sacrifice his, or her morals. Has nothing to do with the Constitution, there are always devious ones who will take him on.
What! The judge needs a couple of days to make up his mind? Why? What for? Epstein belongs in the slammer. Period.
25
Agree. I think there a lot of powerful people involved with Epstein, he may be getting pressure.
17
@jbk
Maybe he’s waiting for the wire transfer
9
@jbk He currently IS in the slammer. The media reported a number of submissions yesterday by counsel. The judge needs time to read these and write his decision, leaving enough time to imply that he carefully considered the defense arguments, rather than caving to public pressure, as evidenced by the NYT comments section. I'm reasonably confident Epstein isn't going anywhere. Also, I hope Epstein's lawyers file quixotic motions every week in this case, charging him handsomely for each. Knock yourself out, Martin Weinberg.
1
Wow and golly-gee, a "fake passport,' piles of cash and diamonds, too. It's obvious that the judge needs the next 4 days to determine if Jeffrey Epstein should get out of jail on bail and be TRUSTED to return to his courtroom for trial. ....and that 1/3rd of a million$'s to an accomplice and identified co-conspirator within days of the news expose which eventually led to the suspect's latest arrest, that really needs a deep looking into to determine if it was indeed "an act of generosity." Yo, Judge, are you listening?
18
We are talking about the contents of just one safe. Theres seems to be plenty more safes that have yet to be open...stay tune!
38
The fake passport was expired. This does not mean he is less of a flight risk. It just means he escaped justice far longer than even he thought he would.
22
@Willett Kempton
It was a fake passport. With his picture but not his name. What does it matter that it expired? I'm sure he could get his hands on another one in another name.
Don't forget they got him right as he landed at Teeterboro Airport in NJ. They knew better than to let him get anywhere near his house on E 71 st.
Reading the defense presentation today was like hearing Br'er Rabbit pleading not to be thrown into the briar patch.
12
“He didn’t re-engage in this activity,” one of his lawyers, Martin Weinberg, told the judge on Monday, adding, “It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.”
Well, he did keep lots of pictures apparently...and I'm not sure that his behavior stopped... he just changed hunting grounds. Pedophiles don't get rid of their "trophy" pictures and they rarely stop being pedophiles.
50
A judge has to mull this over? What, is he waiting for his check?
48
Why isn't anyone asking about the identity of his passport? What country issues it? Was is Israel, or Saudi Arabia?
18
Saudi Arabia. It stated that in the article.
1
@Karan
It's a fake passport that is long expired. No country legitimately issued it.
It had a fake name and a Saudi Arabian address.
@Viv
One cannot exclude the possibility that an official in the issuing country permitted it to be issued, alias and all, for whatever reason.
4
He hasn’t engaged in anything like this in recent years? Possession of child pornography is a crime.
47
Let's see - convicted sex offender. Piles of cash. Passport (fake? so what?!?). His previous slap on the wrist taught him nothing. Likely repeat offender. If there was ever a case for holding a likely flight risk in prison until trial, this is it.
25
“It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.”
Sure he is.
Look, I understand these defense attorneys are just doing their job, but I hope they have come up with more compelling arguments than the above statement, or "he hasn't done it for a decade".
23
We know the names of the potential witnesses who accepted a "bribe" from Epstein and we know the names of the Justice Department officials who approved the deal which enabled Epstein to avoid federal prosecution... so how do we PUBLICLY shame those individuals? Twitter. A tweet from a powerful or famous account holder will receive MILLIONS of views. Who will step up and tweet?
14
If the passport has expired, he has been prepared to flee for years. He just got careless and forgot to "renew" it. He could fly on his own plane and bribe at a border. Yes he is a flight risk.
33
Let's not get on the wrong side of Mr. Epstein just yet. He could be the next Secretary of Labor (or perhaps get a seat on the Supreme Court).
31
This sort of thing baffles me. I mean, he could have all the 18 year old's he wanted. He could get twenty new ones every year. Weird? Yes. Illegal? No. And how the heck did such a nut get so wealthy?
12
@Andrew He was interested in children under the age of majority. Teens (under 18) and pre-teens. He said so.
14
OMG, how is there any possibility that this guy should ever get out again!
12
Epstein’s Silk Road Counterpart -
Last Saturday in Shanghai, billionaire real-estate developer Wang Zhenhua was arrested in response to the alleged sexual molestation of a 9 year old girl.
Last week, Chinese media outlets reported that Wang and a female accomplice, “Zhou”, were involved in the trafficking and molestation of two girls, aged 9 and 12. It is alleged that Zhou took the children from a neighboring province to Wang’s hotel, after telling the parents they were going to Shanghai Disneyland. Later, one of the children told her parents that she had been molested, leading to the detention of both.
What happens in Shanghai doesn’t stay in Shanghai, evidently.
14
@我 Jake
And you think what happens when a generous billionaire offers to take your kid to "Disneyland" turns out exactly as most people surmise - the guy is a creep and a pedo.
If he really was that generous and pure in motive, he would have offered to take the entire family to Disneyland.
12
@Viv
Or a sleepover at NeverNeverLand.
8
Rich or poor, everyone has the constitutional right to bail that is not excessive. If this prosecution is based only upon acts prior to the original prosecution, Epstein should be considered for bail if his lawyers have a colorable argument that that the previous agreement bars this new prosecution as a matter of law. Of course, if there are more recent victims, or if the photos in the safe constitute a new crime, he is a danger to the community with unlimited resources and therefore has the ability and motive to flee.
2
@Bunkyboy7
No, there is not an unqualified constitutional right to bail. Epstein is an obvious flight risk who has already shown his willingness to obstruct evidence.
21
@Bunkyboy7 - A fake passport tells me you are either a flight risk or some kind of intelligence officer and again, a flight risk. To me, its a no-brainer to deny bail due to flight risk.
13
The stink coming off this case is far worse than the details that have been made public so far. Let's hope the corruption that Trump and Company have attempted to inject into our justice system (esp. in the person of Mr. Hair-Hat Barr) are not enough to prevent the full, in-depth investigation that is warranted.
19
Isn’t continuing to possess child pornography a crime?
40
Hey, don't ya know that rich, privileged convicted rapists never re-offend after completing their sentence, especially when their punishment is basically a slap on the wrist.
And they certainly wouldn't try to bribe witnesses or flee the country to live in luxury in some despotic Arab state. The consequences are too great--another slap on the wrist...
12
In another article in the NYT over the weekend it said Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of disgraced publisher Robert Maxwell (who apparently committed suicide by jumping off his yacht in Mediterranean,but which was frequently tied up next to Trump's during the 80s when in NYC), was Epstein's companion. What does "companion" mean in this context -- just a friend, sexual partner, or perhaps procurer? Will never forget interview, done I think by Alex Witchel, w/ Maxwell's widow shortly after the suicide. I thought Ghislaine, who stayed in NYC after her father's suicide, was trying to "clean up" family reputation. This certainly doesn't help.
Looking at the photos of Epstein in the 70s I couldn't help notice the resemblance to the " Son of Sam" killer (was it David Berkowitz?).
10
Every time I read about Epstein, it reminds me of trump. These old rich white men think they can do anything to anybody.
I hope fate comes for trump too, soon.
35
Same problem with ultra-rich Chinese in China and tourists to Thailand. They are not white.
7
So it's two weeks in the slammer at minimum for Mr. Epstein, with no daily, 12-hour leaves. I hope he packed his toothbrush and some soap when he was taken into custody. Or will they be provided?
The ones who really need soap are his lawyers. Epstein hasn't re-offended? How do they know? I don't think people retire from pederasty.
"Mr. Epstein’s lawyers said on Monday that the payment could have been 'an act of generosity' to Mr. Epstein’s associates, and that government lawyers were unable to prove otherwise."
They really brought themselves to say that? In public?
24
@Bystander -"They really brought themselves to say that? In public?"
Imagine trying to go to court and say that in front of a courtroom without laughing at the absurdity of it. True comic professionals, here.
13
“He didn’t re-engage in this activity,” one of his lawyers, Martin Weinberg, told the judge on Monday, adding, “It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.”
No, it is exactly like he is an out of control rapist.
29
"It's not like he's an out-of-control rapist."
Perhaps not, but he's at the very least an in-control rapist.
So let him sit in jail for the time being, since he's a known criminal.
25
When criminals tell you over and over again that they are criminals, when does that sink in?
7
"Mr. Epstein’s lawyers said on Monday that the payment could have been “an act of generosity” to Mr. Epstein’s associates, and that government lawyers were unable to prove otherwise.".......
"an act of genorosity" .........but of course it was.......how could anyone think otherwise.....the sheer folly of it all.....
9
Sure, no threat of a flight from justice from Epstein . . . right.
6
They’re still discussing this???
Did someone get to this judge, too?
16
He appears to have been all ready to perform a Roman Polanski.
19
Obviously the judge needs time to see how much Epstein is willing to pay the judge for a favorable ruling.
12
All his money is offshore. Why WOULDN'T he flee? Plus, a fake passport (that's Saudi, no less). There's no way this guy should be walking the streets.
13
There are a number of people that will help Epstein escape the country if they let him out on bail. Many people want him out of the reach of the SDNY.
16
I know folks who have piles of cash, jewels and other assorted items of value in home safes and although that is something I would never do, I can understand their reasoning.
However, a fake passport? Sorry, but only shading, questionable and no good types possess something like that, and for a residence in Saudi Arabia no less.
He's as legit as his phony passport.
12
Epstein lives in a world where money buys anything you want, so his secret safe of liquid assets and fake passport merely represent the standard rich man's get-out-of-jail card. There's no doubt he's behind bars right now thinking about who he can "grease" to get-out (including silencing witnesses). And the idea that he didn't get the book thrown at him 8 years ago should set-off alarms... who did he pay-off, and how was THAT deal negotiated? The Super Rich feel immune to laws (e.g. President Trump). Guys like him are so disconnected from reality, his lawyers actually called him "law abiding." 2019 seems to be the "Year of the Liars."
12
Federal law makes it a crime for American citizens and U.S. residents to travel—between states or to a foreign country—to have sex with minors (people younger than 18 years old), but does not address sex with adult prostitutes. Penalties include fines and up to 30 years in prison; and apply even if the offender did not travel with the direct purpose of sexually molesting a child, but nonetheless ended up engaging in sex with a minor. This makes it easier to convict defendants of their sex crimes against children. This law targets the sex tourist, while the state laws described below target travel agents or other people who promote sex tourism
10
@我 Jake
The issue with Epstein's prior case was not the law, but the evidence. That is, the victims were variously homeless, delinquents, runaways, drug-addicts, etc. with the typical petty crime convictions that juries tend not to like. And just try to convince a bunch of DMV/Postal workers (typical jury) that the girls who accepted money for sex are victims, rather than criminals themselves.
6
@GMooG
The post was a 411 aimed at pervs.
1
@我 Jake
What does this comment mean? In English.
2
Did Epstein ever use that fake Saudi Arabian passport when travelling in his private plane with other Americans, especially Trump and Clinton? What was the purpose of these trips?
6
Still waiting to learn the source of all his wealth.
Once again, Deutsche Bank is the conduit for mysterious flows of money.
24
Wonder how big the diamonds are and the value.
3
Waiting until Thursday to give his opinion, or waiting until Thursday to find out how muck flack he is going to get, and from whom? Since several levels of the corrupt Dept. of Justice leadership have been involved already, and since Trump is Epstein's kindred spirit in many ways, I fully expect Judge Berman to get plenty of unwanted advice about what to do.
6
I heard an analyst on MSNBC today (sorry, can’t remember who) say that the judge is only human and knows he will have his name attached to a case that will go down in history like Bernie Madoff but with the added revulsive radioactivity of child sex trafficking. With new information coming out daily on Epstein’s intended and actual evasion of the law, the judge has plenty of legal cover to keep him incarcerated, ensuring his judicial reputation lands on the right side of history. The analyst felt the odds were in favor of denial of bail. We shall see...
9
I expect he's already got a helicopter parked on the roof of his apartment, a private jet - on a private runway - within helicopter flight distance, and a collection of passports bearing his likeness in an overnight bag on the pilots seat.
God know, he's got enough blackmail on enough people to not have too much problem finding people to "help" him, aided either by piles of cash or videotapes they'd prefer remained private.
12
Watching this judge, if Epstein is allowed to get out on bail then we’ll know it’s far and wide. It’s a no-brainer ... NO to the bail request !
11
There is no doubt in my mind Epstein has one or more 'secret' rooms in his homes. There is no way he should be allowed back in them to destroy evidence and or run to another country.
13
@terri smith - I find it hard to believe he has a secret room that the FBI did not find with all of their electronic devices not to mention original house plans to compare to.
1
@Tom Harrison I can't speak to Epstein having a secret room, but I can tell you that Cammora and N'drangheta bosses in Italy have had secret rooms built into their houses for years and the Italian DIA, the special anti mafie squads in Italy, who've seen it all, by the way, with tons of the same quality electronic equipment, have sometimes taken weeks and weeks to locate the secret rooms and days just to break into them. If a criminal is facing many years in prison, the secret rooms are almost undetectable.
2
I lean libertarian. I say, why not release him to an angry mob. I believe in the wisdom of crowds, with rare exceptions. And this is not an exception.
4
@rjs7777
I am loath to agree with you. But I do, wholeheartedly. Alas, we are not in a third world country. Oh, but wait, we are.
13
@rjs7777
When he was already free and people knew, nothing happened to him.
It's irresponsible and counter-productive to effectively goad somebody to kill him, and risk getting killed themselves like that guy who tried to storm a migrant detention center.
Shame on you.
1
@rjs7777 I have to disagree. I don't want him dead. I want to know the dirt he has on everybody. I want Epstein to be desperate enough to name the names of everyone else who took advantage of the trafficked children on his private island. Killing him would cover up the problem, which was systemic.
9
Denial of bail for Epstein given the fact that some of the alleged crimes occurred years ago, is surely an indication that the presumption of innocence is merely a myth. There’s always the risk of flight if the potential sentence for the alleged crime is great enough. Locking up a defendant without the possibility of bail is tantamount to a conviction without a trial.
5
@NJJACK
Are you a friend or relative of his. They found nude pictures in his current mansion, and evidence he is a flight risk. That must be weighed in here.
Locking people up without bail happens to other defendants as well. It is perfectly lawful if so ordered by a judge.
11
@Martin
"It is perfectly lawful if so ordered by a judge."
That would apply with equal force to Epstein's original sentence, which was also approved by a judge, wouldn't it? The point is that just because a judge signs off on it does not make it right, or fair.
3
The publicity surrounding Epstein’s case has contributed to public outrage, which translates into an insistence on the harshest treatment possible. That may be in conflict with the most constructive treatment possible.
Incarcerating Epstein at Rikers is likely to lead to his sexual abuse by fellow inmates. That is not a goal of pretrial detention. But if he were committed to a secure sexual rehab facility that would serve the interests of justice. The call for revenge here is loud and strong and wrong. Let’s get Epstein into secure rehab now. Addressing the problem is better than as
seeking revenge.
5
@michjas The most constructive treatment for a repeat sexual offender with the ethical compass of Beelzebub, the wealth of Minas and the support of all the dark angels: Rikers. A taste of his own medicine. I have a daughter. And my thumb is down.
7
Your optimism borders on some kind of parallel universe. Please cite some research demonstrating that 66 year old habitual sex offenders can be treated successfully ,or want to be treated period .
12
@Dixie Land
Please cite some research indicating that sending a child porn addict to the most violent prison in the country, where he will repeatedly be raped, is a wise law and order strategy.
1
All this talk in the Comments about Saudi Arabia perhaps being a refuge of choice for Epstein sounds like a red herring to deflect reporters from studying his connections with, donations to entities located in, and other ties with other overseas nations.
Reporters should look to (and name) the places where he has donated money charities, has visited, and may have investments and/or other financial ties, and which have right-wing allies of Trump in charge of the government.
12
@Bald Eagle Exactly. One country, that cannot be named, is behind this.
2
I sure hope the 'til Thursday (0718) allowance by the Judge is a somewhat courteous, but stern message that bail is unlikely. I hope her true message is 'get your affairs in order'. The man has clearly shown himself to be a predator, repeatedly, over many years. He'll get his day(s) in court, but like so many others seriously accused, do we want him walking freely among us? Bail should be denied.
16
How did Mr Epstein's lawyers manage to suggest that a $350,000 payoff to sex trafficking co-conspirators were "an act of generosity," without laughing out loud? Is this court really considering bail for this recidivist child rapist and kingpin of an international child sex trafficking ring? I guess it's not like he had piles of cash, diamonds, a fake Saudi (or course) passport, and criminal lairs and associates around the world, or anything.
474
@Sal A. Shuss Well, one of them is Reid Weingarten, who has built a career as a hired houri for big-time criminals. He's so good at making such corrupt statements that they seem credible until you digest what he actually said.
16
@Sal A. Shuss
Yes. And, while we're at it, why do they keep saying he "served a year in prison" when in fact he just slept 365 nights there...(with free breakfast, I assume...if he wanted to stay for it...coffee, at least). All paid for by us...free B&B.
That's not a joke. He did not serve a year in prison at all!
All the reporting should abandon that "year in prison" language. He slept in a government-provided bed for 365 nights (or maybe a few more...?)
42
To answer your first question... they are very expensive lawyers.
10
From the article:
His attorneys say Mr. Epstein has been law-abiding for more than a decade.
“He didn’t re-engage in this activity,” one of his lawyers, Martin Weinberg, told the judge on Monday, adding, “It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.”
The FBI raid found nude pictures of what looks like underage girls in his home safe. As a registered sex offender doesn't that break the law?
We have all heard of sex offenders who reoffend. He has not changed at all since the last time he was jailed. That was nothing more then a slap on the wrist.
389
@Pat"The FBI raid found nude pictures of what looks like underage girls in his home safe. As a registered sex offender doesn't that break the law? " Maybe his lawyers should argue he's just an out of control hoarder.
22
@ellienyc
Most law abiding individuals keep things of good
memories and fondness......
6
@Pat, sounds as if there might have been some pants on fire in the courtroom today.
5
Isn't a multimillionaire with no family attachment, a man who has overseas assets, and significant cash on hand, and who is now looking at decades of hard time essentially the very definition of "high flight risk"? Of course the guy would try to run for it if given the chance. Epstein is too radioactive even for Trump to give him a pardon, so leaving the country would be his best option.
603
Absolutely agree on this! With what he’s been charged with, he shouldn’t be out on any bail!
44
@Pete in Downtown Well said!
26
@Pete in Downtown: I wonder which countries would take him. Probably none of the ones where he'd like to spend the rest of his life ...
20
Expired or not, he had a fake passport and still anyone needs to debate, think about or stop for a second to consider whether or not he should be denied bail?
Are you kidding me?
Possessing a fake document like a passport indicates he has the ability to obtain such documents, and an intent to use them to escape justice.
No ordinary citizen would be granted such a consideration.
Bail would be denied in a second.
564
@Victor Cook
I think possession of a fake passport is yet another crime with which he could be charged.
58
@Paul
Only by the country that issued the passport, presumably.
9
@Victor Cook That passport is certainly an indication he thought he might need something like that and would be willing to use it
25
I'm chuckling over the fact that Epstein had diamonds, cash, and a fake passport in his safe. Do you think he knew he might need to get out of town fast one day? Yeah, kinda.
565
@Paul Kolodner
And if he has one expired fake passport, he may have others that are not expired. I also wonder if he could have a tunnel exiting below his NYC house that could afford him the ability to leave unnoticed even if there were guards outside his door.
77
@WhatConditionMyConditionIsIn
Could such a tunnel be constructed without drawing attention? Where would it lead?
5
And, we have yet to hear about what may be found in his other homes.
26
"Mr. Epstein’s lawyers said on Monday that the payment [$350K to two potential witnesses] could have been “an act of generosity” to Mr. Epstein’s associates, and that government lawyers were unable to prove otherwise."
I'd remind his lawyers that 'proof' in this context is not mathematical proof but what a jury will accept. Was he equally generous to his other associates? Company records should show. Go for it, government lawyers.
214
@Andrew
While I agree with your guess here, it's most likely that the $350,00 is going to be ruled both prejudicial and inadmissible by the judge . The government has admitted they have no proof of any crime tied to the money. Then again I recall a trial where the DA was allowed to use a defendant's subscription to the Wall Street Journal as evidence of his crime. So what do I know?
4
My daughter will turn fourteen this fall. She is exceptionally bright and mature for her age. I mention this only as a prelude to say this about her: she is undoubtedly, remarkably, thoroughly and unabashedly a child. Her innocence, even in this internet age where kids "know" everything, is heartbreaking and poignant. I can't imagine a monster like Epstein getting his hands on her or any of her peers. Deny him bail. Then keep going until you get a conviction on all counts.
1075
@ oye
And let's hope they identify and go after all the others in his circle as well. These predators believe that their wealth and connections in high places will protect them. I have a feeling this is just the opening chapter of a long and very unsavory story.
219
@oye now imagine that your parenting skills had failed her and she (or someone similar) was a target to him. Remember he had people seeking out girls as they did not find him. Sounds almost like a talent search seeking the right vulnerable girls under false pretenses. Foreign girls, weren’t they promised a career in beauty contests only to be turned into sex slaves. I wonder how many countries he has these sex slaves in as Saudi Arabia was just mentioned as him having a passport location.
101
@sueinmn
Yes, professional panderers seeking out girls with vulnerabilities like a deceased father or drug addicted mother. Our president seemingly was a part of this world at least for a time. Let's talk about that and not whether he's a racist.
84
I simply cannot imagine why he ever returned to the US. A calculated risk? Nearly infinite hubris, perhaps? Ordinary stupidity? I bet he's really missing France these days...
28
@SB Interpol was involved. They negotiated his return & arrest. He thought he would be able to "turn himself in on his own recognizance", but they were waiting for him at Teterboro.
3
@Debbie
You just flat-out made that up. Nothing like that has been reported in the legit press. It also makes no sense; who would "negotiate a return & arrest" that didn't address how and when he would be taken into custody.
3
Send him to Rikers until his trial.
25
Let's not miss the point here:
If Epstein was poor, uneducated, unemployed or not a "friend" of people in High places, then he would have been locked up for forever, long ago.
But he is RICH.
And the crime is SEX ABUSE/RAPE.
Do you know that in Great Britain that there is no "statue of limitations" on sex crimes?
Boy, that would really put a crimp in the American legal system, wouldn't it?
Our cells would be full of Catholic priests, Baptist ministers, "Friends of The Rich and Famous".
Be a scruff about and you are history - and rightly so.
But be rich and you can "grab 'em" all you want - no matter what age they are.
Keep digging, Times.
Fake passports to Saudi Arabia?
Let's give him the cell next to George Nader..... and throw away the key......
51
@rosa Unfortunately, that's never going to happen. The fact that Barr has un-recused himself tells us that he fully intends to interfere in the outcome of this case.
The SDNY reports to the Justice Department and therein lies the rub. Barr's Justice Department is never going to allow someone who might have Trump secrets to spill to be punished too severely.
16
@Farida Shaikh
Not if Barr is implicated or associated with this case. His father certainly was. What has Barr known for a long time?
12
@Farida Shaikh
Barr is treading on thin ice.
Refusing to recuse is sticking his head up, way too far.
I listen to my gut on these men and, given that Epstein-Barr go way-back, that Barr's dad hired Epstein way back in '73, and with Epstein having no qualifications, then it already smells.
1973 was 45 years ago. That's a long time in Perv World.
I think this is a whole house of cards, ready to flutter down at the next small breeze.
In 45 years both Epstein and Barr have made many enemies.
Is the Justice Department "Barr's"?
That remains to be seen. But I suspect that Trump has pulled this racist thing so that none of us are looking at Epstein today.
Though Trump makes out Epstein is an enemy, persona non gratis, since Trump won't tell us 'why', then we have to assume that Trump knows EXACTLY where all of this leads.
And I propose that "Barr's Justice Department" does not have all the power in the universe.
In fact, Barr may only have the power that Trump allots him and once Trump is gone, Barr will be left holding the bag.
Barr may get the cell next to Epstein, Cohen, Nader and Kushner.
They can form their own bridge club, yes?
11
Mr. Epstein might not be a flight risk, per se, however the Judge would need to depopulate Manhattan of nubile/females and all adolescent girls (80 female claims might be a preponderance of evidence) for a fair ruling. This exact psychological sexual deviancy is incurable and Epstein would need to undergo serious pharmaceutical forms of castration to render him harmless. It appears the Judge will keep Mr. Epstein under wraps in lockup or endure the wrath of ever father and mother with a teenaged girl around. The Judge would need the entire US Navy Seal Team if he granted bail under these lecturer circumstances. However Mr. Trump might be personally motivated to send the entire Navy to protect the Judge in order to keeps his own (Sexual History) and the Epstein connections under wraps.
13
This terrible story gets worse every day. He should not be let out on bail, and must be locked up on Rickers Island just like any common criminal.
23
@Bevan Davies And just maybe being locked up in Rikers (though he is currently in a federal detention facility & would likely end up in fed jail, not Rikers) would encourage him to talk about some of his relationships with the high and mighty.
1
Sigal Mandelker has been a sel-dealing danger to this country ever since she clerked for Clarence and then moved over to give orders under Mike Chertoff. Dig below the surface now that it's clear she was an enabler for Epstein.
21
If this guy gets out on bail he's gone. Let Saudi Arabia have him. He'll be partying with MBS within the week.
7
If this guy is let out on bail then there is no expectation that there will be justice for girls and women who are raped in the US.
It will be a country that protects only rich, white men.
21
"“He didn’t re-engage in this activity,” one of his lawyers, Martin Weinberg, told the judge on Monday, adding, “It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.”
No, he's a controlled rapist.
32
@msd Indeed.
Even his lawyers seem to think the crimes he is accused of are real. “He didn’t re-engage with this activity.” Really? So he did what he’s accused of then. How much is he paying these people? Call that a defence?
1
"It's not like he's an out of control rapist."
You sure about that, counselor?
21
Naive question: What is the reason for the lewd photos found at his house? Have the prosecutors considered that Epstein is selling porn? Are they looking for evidence of that activity?
10
@urbanprairie
These monsters exchange photos and blackmail people too. It’s not beyond the bounds of possibility that a network of rich, sick individuals might indulge in this vile
behaviour. Look at the story of the U.K.’s Jimmy Savile.
5
Piles of cash, fake passports, diamonds, trafficking of underage females. Keep on this story, NYT, it's leading somewhere deeply disturbing but absolutely necessary to uncover.
52
@urbanhiker I agree. This story shouldn't be allowed to disappear this time. And keep up the pressure on Epstein and he may talk about some of his relationships with the high and mighty.
3
Perhaps Judge Berman delayed ruling to give himself time to review evidence and draft an order denying bail that clearly states in painstaking detail every reason why Epstein should remain locked up pending trial.
21
“He didn’t re-engage in this activity,” one of his lawyers, Martin Weinberg, told the judge on Monday, adding, “It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.”
Do lawyers know when to stop talking (like an in-control rapist)?
People don't have to re-engage in an activity to be held for new offenses: How about a phony passport- which is a felony.
16
My question is: Why is Judge Berman delaying Epstein’s bail ruling? Who is leaning on him to set Epstein free and how?
14
Meanwhile, where is Ghislaine Maxwell? I fear she has implemented "Phase I" of his escape plan and has flown to every residence to destroy evidence...though much of it, or what was used to blackmail the many men he supplied underaged girls to, is probably securely locked away in Russia or Dubai.
Looking forward to an investigative article about her...which must certainly be underway.
49
@Concerned in NYC Yes indeedy, where is Ghislaine Maxwell and what has her role been in all of this?
Back in the 80s her disgraced father's yacht (called "La Belle Ghislaine," by the way), when in NY, used to tie up by the Water Club on the East River at 32d-33rd street, often right next to Trump's yacht (which I believe was called the "Ivana," though it could have been the "Ivanka"). Trump's yacht was lost in one of his first bankruptcies, while I assume Maxwell's was sold to pay off debts after he committed suicide by jumping off it in the Mediterranean.
7
Fake passports? They were made in N.Y. at Trump Tower. Guess who came up with idea.
7
This man's whole life is built around deception,lies bribes. The list is endless. You can't believe anything he says or does. Given the chance he will flee. And start over doing the same thing he's always done. Abusing young girls. He's a sexual predator who has the means if given the opportunity to continue his predatory ways. He has become the animal he is over years and years He can't change and he won't change..A zebra can't change its stripes. And a leopard can't change its spots.
9
It is likely that Epstein, should he remain in jail, will be found dead of "suicide." Too many rich and powerful men have too much to lose should he talk.
23
@AKJ
Works for me, what can I say?
1
Epstein is too well-connected to not have known there was a federal warrant for his arrest. Heck, he sold the "Lolita Express" airplane just last month.
So why would he fly from France to New Jersey knowing he would be arrested? Is he confident he can "beat the rap"? Or did Trump tell him that he'll be treated well if he rolls over on Bill Clinton?
10
Kind of tired of people who believe “ innocent til proven guilty” is a mindset that must be maintained OUTSIDE the courtroom. That’s Epstein’s status as a defendant on trial. He is presumed innocent unless the prosecution can prove he is guilty.
OUTSIDE the courtroom,no one is expected to believe the billionaire pervert is innocent. Unless they can’t read.
17
If he gets bail he’s gone.
9
Flight risk like a bird.
5
An article in The Daily Beast written by Vickey Ward who wrote articles for Vanity Fair about Epstein starting in 2002 has provided additional info on Epstein as belonging to intelligence.
And now we learn:
“Investigators discovered a safe in Jeffrey Epstein’s Manhattan mansion that held “piles of cash,” diamonds and an expired passport from a foreign country which had what appeared to be Mr. Epstein’s photo, but was registered to a fake name and listed his residence as Saudi Arabia.”
Epstein seems to be a part of a large program by the Saudis to control our government. The Saudis are also the largest financiers of Washington lobby groups and Universities. The US is providing weapons and air support for the Saudi genocide in Yemen. The US has also backed the Saudis wish to put a pipeline through Syria and eliminate their enemies fighting back against al-Qaeda aligned groups. The Saudis are the largest financiers of terrorist groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda in the world. 15 of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 and well as bin Laden were Saudis.
There seems to be a large effort by the Saudis to make sure the US keeps supporting their evil regime.
16
Investigators discovered a safe in Jeffrey Epstein, among other things an expired passport from a foreign country which had what appeared to be Mr. Epstein’s photo, but was registered to a fake name and listed his residence as Saudi Arabia.
Now it would be of great interest what kinds foreign countries' entry stamps were in that fake passport of Epstein. Did he visit a lot of countries where raping underage girls is not considered a crime?
13
There are undoubtedly very powerful people who have a crucial interest in arranging for Epstein's silence.
13
Epstein deserves no mercy. Period. End of story.
11
Wow, Trump's racist tweets really succeeded in getting the Epstein story sidelined -- as intended.
And even Theresa May came out to steal headlines away to protect Prince Andrew.
Make no mistake, such tweets are meant to change a narrative and work the masses (and the media) into a different froth. They have no other purpose. They are desperate measures.
I see it as a desperate act to change the narrative away from Epstein. Which means the Epstein story is huge and an existential threat for many powerful people.
Please keep on it, investigate journalists and investigators and courageous victims who are coming out. And thank you.
72
I think the financial records and answers to many questions reside in the safe resting on Mr. Epstein’s private island in a secure room.
My guess is that is where are the “information “ resides.
7
At some point if you're Jeffrey Epstein, don't you kind of *want* to be in super-security, high-visibility maximum security detention?
I don't know if any of Epstein's frequent flyers/visitors had his same tastes, but at some point SOME of them are going to be worried that they will be named as fellow travelers and nearly all of them are either as rich, influential or ruthless as Epstein and would like to see him silenced personally.
If I was him, I might be more worried about what my former friends might do than whether or not I have 200+ thread count Egyptian sheets to sleep on.
9
Honey, the thread counts are surely over 400.
So interesting to read about all of these "coincidental" connections to our so-called President.
6
It's been said there's no knowledge of the source of Epstein's vast wealth.
What if the Mossad set him up in the biggest apartment in NYC with unlimited funds and an appropriate backstory in order to insert him into high society for the purpose of getting the most incriminating kompromat possible on a variety of politically powerful people? One of his web-stickers would appear to be present and past Presidents of the United States, Trump and Clinton.
If Aaron Sorkin and Stephen King had a baby, it'd be this plot line. Kudos to whoever is writing Season V of The Trump Show. I was getting kinda bored there.
Follow. The. Money.
38
@signalfire
hmmm...the Mossad connection & and by coincidence appears to be involved in a highly classified operation (the old Acosta claim)--perhaps a foreign government "Honey Pot" operation?
4
Mr. Epstein’s lawyers may have argued he has been law abiding for over a decade, but did they specify which one?
15
Generally, finding a fake passport means there should not be a long, complicated process to decide whether to grant bail. But then again, he is rich and white, so everything he’s gone through so far is a bit of a surprise to me.
7
@QTCatch10
...and by coincidence appears to be involved in a highly classified operation (the old Acosta claim)--perhaps a foreign government "Honey Pot" operation? Now wonder, which government can that be?? There's much more to this
1
If Epstein gets out on bail, with all that money and connections, I'll know Epstein was able to buy off the judge.
9
Epstein has now spend about the same amount of time in prison awaiting bail than he did during his entire 13 month 'incarceration' arranged by the rich and powerful in the DOJ and Florida. His defense team claims he hasn't engaged in the same behavior since his release nearly a decade ago, but there's no evidence that he's not still trafficking in children, selling/distributing child pornography, just from a different location. There seems to be no end to his fortune, yet no paper trail of how he acquired said fortune. Could it be that his pedophile ring caters exclusively to the very rich and that's how he's made the bulk of his money?
11
How did they get in his safe? Did he give the combination or did the Feds break into it.
@Jack
that's your concern in this story?
2
Why are we exclusively seeing pictures of Epstein from 2008 or before?
6
I am willing to bet good money on
the information that Epstein has on trump!
8
Acts of generosity? Didn’t Trump come up with that one?
7
Why on earth hasn’t his primary residence, Little St. James island, been raided yet by the FBI? Is it not within the FBI’s jurisdiction? Numerous victims have testified they were abused there, and he allegedly had photos of unclothed minors openly displayed.
17
“Known to locals as ‘pedophile island’” (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Saint_James,_U.S._Virgin_Islands), Little St. James Island is part of the US Virgin Islands, so yes, would fall under jurisdiction of the FBI.
Hopefully, they’re already there, raiding the place.
7
Everything that I read in this story and others makes me despair of the legal system in this country. Mr Epstein is a criminal of the very worst sort and he has the means and the knowledge to flee the country. He must not be allowed to do that.
I want to hear from the victims and especially Epstein’s enablers. Do the enablers have a conscience, do they have a scintilla of decency in their hearts? Or is it simply a case of money buying everything?
6
A bird is less likely to fly away.
9
Is this another example of The Times taking one of its suspect neighbors at his dubious word? We're hearing that Epstein's record as a real trader seems hard to find--did he actually make his fortune from astute investments, or did he come by all this wealth some other way?
You waited too long to dig into Donald Trump's lies about his money. Tell us where Epstein got his.
8
“Mr. Epstein has been law-abiding for more than a decade.”
And yet, just last week on July 8th, “Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey Berman said investigators “seized evidence including nude photographs of what appeared to be underage girls”.
His attorneys have a different definition of law abiding than is commonly applied.
9
I can't believe, given Epstein's horrible history with the fake justice given to him by Acosta, that anyone is even considering letting him out on bail--ever. He's a danger to everyone.
8
If I had millions in cash, all the resources that someone like him has - and was facing a possibility of even a year in jail - I'd flee in a heartbeat! It's a logical choice. And try to bribe my accusers and any potential witnesses. Of course he's a massive flight risk, and nothing much tying him here that he couldn't easily get elsewhere.
Innocent or guilty, of course he is a flight risk.
192
My feeling is that he will be granted bail. Then the speculation will begin about him paying off people (unnamed) to get him out of jail. The Judge, I feel, has heard enough evidence about his strong possibility of fleeing jurisdiction. Nevertheless, again my opinion, he will be granted bail.
5
@Neil MacNevin
You base this on no evidence whatsoever.
3
@Neil MacNevin
not a chance
3
I think the judge just wants to be very thorough and clear when denying this creep bail.
4
It's unlikely Judge Berman needs additional time to reach a decision. He needs additional time to justify in writing the decision he's already made which is to deny bail. He knows that Epstein's lawyers will appeal the denial of bail; he needs to cross every t and dot every i. I'm sure there is a ton of case law which he will cite in support of denying bail.
If Epstein had diamonds, lots of cash and a fake passport in one place in NYC, given his wealth, it seems reasonable to assume he has the same stuff in other places in NYC and elsewhere. It seems reasonable to assume that stuff like that is kept in a safe (place) for an entirely foreseeable event: the need for a fast get away. It also seems reasonable assume, based upon El Chapo's famous Mexican prison escape, that Epstein has taken that into consideration as well. If the mob will do anything for money, helping Epstein escape is on the list.
65
@John
I guess one question I have is whether an alternate-identity, cash and diamonds is actually a sign of guilt or whether it's just a kind of exotic fantasy fulfillment for someone with limitless money.
I've read enough thrillers, mysteries and seen enough Jason Borne movies that if *I* was a billionaire I would surely have safe deposit boxes stuffed with cash and fake passports and stored under a false identity. Not because I planned to escape from anything illicit, but because it feels like the ultimate escape fantasy.
2
@John I agree that Judge Berman is taking the extra time to write a very well reasoned and supported bail decision to avoid it being overturned on appeal. If it is denied, Epstein will start discussing plea agreements instantly, and who knows where that, and the photographic evidence that was found, will lead.
14
@Mobocracy
The two aren't mutually exclusive. The weight of the evidence, I think, goes against your point.
First, you don't do the things he's accused of doing and you haven't already been convicted. Second, you wouldn't keep incriminating evidence in your house (like Manafort did), at a time when the press is bearing down you. You would destroy it or hide it somewhere else. Third, I doubt Epstein's lawyers argued your point. It would not be appealing, let alone compelling to Judge Berman.
3
If Epstein is granted bail with the use of 24-hour security guards paid for by Epstein, just be sure that the guards aren't hired by Epstein. Someone else should do the hiring.
8
@bounce33
They should never go through with this idea, but if they do I reckon that Epstein should just get a bill, not get any choice in the hiring. Then the US can ring his house with a company of Marines at the Defense Department's billing rate.
5
@bounce33
Tough to find guards under the age of 15 and female. He’s tried.
6
Epstein was initially charged in a 55 page indictment. Any federal prosecutor worth their salt does not file a charging document until and unless they have carefully investigated the case, including vetting witnesses and victims.
Lawyers don't like to lose cases and US attorney's definitely don't like to incur a reputation of doing shoddy work. An indictment that can be easily dismissed is by definition shoddy work.
So this case would not have been filed if there wasn't a more likely than not chance for a conviction.
Yet, Acosta claims that the case was weak. That witnesses previously vetted now declined to testify. That the best option short of losing the case was to turn it over to the state to proceed on lessor charges.
Any lawyer doing federal practice will tell you that this never happens. Unless there are other reasons for downgrading the charge. Usually those 'other reasons' are that the defendant is cooperating on a bigger case, or someone higher up is leaning on the prosecutor.
Acosta wants us to believe that his 55 page indictment was weak, that his lawyers were afraid of going to trial and losing, that Epstein's lawyers would have embarrassed his office.
None of this rings true. Every prosecutor I've ever known relishes the challenge of a high profile case. That's how they build their reputation and polish their resume for their next job, which usually is with a private law firm making much more money.
The only real question is who leaned on whom and why?
56
@Drspock
"Epstein was initially charged in a 55 page indictment."
No, that's not correct. He was never charged by the feds. The indictment was prepared, but never filed, because they made their settlement deal first.
20
@Drspock
Thank you. But, who is going to hold Acosta accountable? The issue that has yet to be raised is the question of how many more girls have been abused or molested since the time of his non-prosecution agreement.
3
This article forgets to mention that his original sentence over a decade ago was in defiance of the law which stated that the victims be informed of the extremely lenient sentence he received.
32
@Jean Wagner
This is an issue that I would like some criminal lawyers to weigh in on. It has been reported in many places that the plea deal was improper because (among other things) the prosecutors were required to give notice of the deal to the victims of the crimes under the Crime Victims Rights Act (CVRA).
But when I read the CVRA, it appears to apply only to victims of federal crimes. Epstein, however, pled guilty to a single state charge of soliciting prostitution. So my questions are:
1. Does the CVRA even apply here?
2. If it does, what happens to the complainants in the crimes he did not plead to? For example, if 10 victims said he raped them, but the plea deal has him pleading guilty to a lesser charge (soliciting victim #1), would the CVRA require that all 10 complainants get notice of the plea deal, or just the victim in the charge he pled to?
Come on, NYT commenters: show your stuff. Please don't respond if you are not a criminal lawyer.
7
@GMooG
I'm not a criminal lawyer, but Kenneth Marra, the federal judge who issued the ruling in February, presumably knows something about the relevant law, so you may wish to read his opinion:
https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000169-11f3-d0be-adfb-75fff4490000
Short version: CVRA applies the moment the feds get involved. Deciding to defer to state authorities is itself a federal action covered by CVRA.
If any criminal lawyer disputed his ruling, Acosta's apologists would have made sure we heard about it.
1
More than likely there will be endless schemes and scams perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein. Hopefully a team with extra sharp antennae have been compiling an enhanced timeline of his activities including the broad scope of facilitators. No one will be immune to this virus as he has a lifetime of experience perfecting sordid ways. Gifts of money are not often accompanied by resumes and early indications at Dalton may have been a starting point but what in Mr. Barr's constitution, clicked with Epstein allowing him to waive the absence of teaching credentials? One can never be too judicious selecting one's friends and associates.
30
If he is released on bail, he will certainly flee. Anyone in his position, with his history and wealth, would. How is this even a question?
181
@Whitey Bulger
God bless, you 'ol friend! I had thought you had gone to a better place. So glad to know you're still hangin' tight.
7
@Winter Hill Gang
I’m actually considering a position in the Trump DOJ.
8
@Whitey Bulger
OMG, you gotta go for it (the Trump DOJ, that is) but you're SO overqualified you might have a bit of challenge with all those affirmative action nominees the president's been putting up!
Seriously though, it's wicked cool to hear from you and -- geez -- I guess you're back in California now (as you known, I too loved hanging out in Santa Monica back in the day).
But, hey, watch your back 'cause San Francisco Bay can turn nasty when the summer is over so take care and stay well. We miss you, ol' buddy!
2
I have a wonderful 15 year old daughter, dealing with all the usual issues of adolescence in this very confusing time.
When I think of the untold trauma and difficulties these countless poor girls, roughly my daughter's age when they were abused by Epstein will have to struggle with for the rest of their lives, it confirms for me why I support the death penalty.
And I believe it would be appropriate here.
37
"Judge Berman said he would not rule until Thursday about whether Mr. Epstein should be granted bail while he awaits trial."
Very sensible. The judge needs time to ascertain whether or not Mr. Epstein comes from a good family, as such a consideration is now a fundamental part of the American legal system.
162
@Mike Edwards There is really no reason why the judge needs to wait until Thursday; the defense has already named 4 top justice department officials who had a hand in Epstein's earlier plea agreement which was essentially a non-prosecution agreement which quashed the Federal indictment, and bestowed get out of jail free card to Epstein by what was obviously orchestrated by his host of high-placed friends. If the judge wavers and lets Epstein free on bail, as others have noted here, the outcome will not be good.
36
Yes indeed. Give the judge a coupla days before he rules on bond. I mean, we wouldn’t wanna rule immediately and throw Epstein in jail as if he were, say, a poor person of color.
Something smells fishy already
20
@Mike Edwards
Giving time for more girls to come forward is my guess. Or perhaps more information from additional raids. I hope they locked out his assistants in Florida and New Mexico.
7
Remind me again of the charities in New York that took some of the piles of cash from Epstein.
41
@Blair So what would you do to these charities? Close them down? Arrest the leaders? Assume the worst of motives?
Celebrities like Katy Couric, Bezos of Amazon, and others hung out with Epstein.
Arrest them all?
1
@Blair,
The Clinton Foundation is one of them.
@Blair Why?
2
While Epstein is a sequoia, the forest in this story is the political corruption at the top of the US DOJ and the US Attorney's office, 5 of whom, including Acosta, signed off on the Epstein plea deal. They benefited professionally from their dereliction of duty. Collectively, they not only betrayed their oath, but betrayed the young girls who had been raped and/or abused they had sworn to protect.
194
@James Osborne Where did Alex Acosta work out of law school? Where did Jay Lefkowitz work when he met Alex at the Marriott Hotel? Was Jay on the management committee of that firm? Does that law firm usually handle the cases of child molesters? Where did and does Mark Filip work, the deputy AG that approved and it appears prompted Alex to make the deal? And how about the most senior lawyer currently reviewing the previous crazy deal, AG Bill Barr? Where did Bill Barr work??
19
@James Osborne
Absolutely! They should all be fired and disbarred.
13
@James Osborne Everything about the deal suggests that Epstein lured enough high-profile men into his orbit that there were too many big names involved for people to risk prosecution. I hope they all go down.
11
This entitled, rich, white male has had enough breaks. The judge needs to put him in jail where everyone else goes if they commit a crime and don't have millions stashed in a safe and a fake passport.
119
@Jacquie
Perhaps Epstein is leveraging his real "trump" card: another safe filled with videos or photos of his privileged friends caught in the act. Could that be why the judge is taking time to make that decision?......
A Saudi Arabian connection. How interesting!
176
I would have thought Israeli, Saudi Arabia was a surprise.
3
@Independent voter
SA is where the serious money is, with very limited supervision. Sheiks are not enthusiastic about having their fortunes examined. If I were Epstein, that is where I would park my fortune.
5
@Andrew
Actually, there is a major problem with Russian Israelis being involved in human trafficking, often girls from eastern Europe and it appears internationally. A friends works in the U.S. with girls saved from the sex trade and one job requirement was Russian language skills as well as other Slavic languages. Many are very young.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-charge-7-with-human-trafficking-running-brothels/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/14-israelis-suspected-of-running-child-sex-trafficking-ring-in-colombia/
6
Please show his current mug shot or other 2019 photo with your stories, not his 10 and 20 year old glam shots.
467
@joan
Just what I was thinking. We see a photo of the victim but not the perp?
16
If the stash of porn in his safe was of underage girls,
then they have him on child porn. That's a charge in itself, and a violation of his sex offender status.
190
No one knows that he's been "clean" since getting out of his cushy Florida jail term. Who has been watching his every move?
Epstein's plane can take him anywhere in the world where no one's the wiser what he's up to. And it probably has.
127
"His attorneys say Mr. Epstein has been law-abiding for more than a decade."
HAHAHAHAhahah Hilarious!!! WoW~ Shazam!!!-- "law-abiding for more than a decade"!!!
If that's all it takes to earn honor and trust from the Federal Court, then there must be about 300,000 of us citizens out here who are truly honorable and trustworthy, do you think? Should we all pat ourselves on the back?
56
@Jeanette Colville
If you have been charged with a serious crime and are willing to put mega-millions up for bail, well, yes, pat away.
Epstein's not going to get bail, but his lawyers should argue everything in his behalf.
Epstein's lawyers should be named in these articles.
178
@Ralcarbo
And the firms for whom they work...
6
@Ralcarbo: Are they Dershowitz and Starr, those upstanding citizens, again? I really hope Dershowitz stands trial for rape of a minor and loses everything. And Mr. Starr, he being the high moral independent counsel who charged Clinton? And speaking of Clinton.....
I hope they all are tried. None of them are innocent in this web of evil.
Wealth leads to power, power leads to corruption and evil and there is no excusing any of it. Punish them all.
17
No bail for this extreme flight risk unrepentant serial child molester.
103
Saudi Arabia, eh? Kushner's favorite country. The one where women are nothing but chattel under the thumb of their male relatives and where disagreeing with the government gets you hacked to pieces. Who would have guessed?
282
@Ceilidth
but he would be a pauper in saudi arabia
@Ceilidth
and the princes lock up their own daughters and wives in their palaces, drug them into submission, do not let them drive or have human rights. these are the people that Trump and Kushner are best buds with.
12
“He didn’t re-engage in this activity,” one of his lawyers, Martin Weinberg, told the judge on Monday, adding, “It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.”
Umm, yeah, he is.
383
“It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.” No. He's an "in-control" rapist. and that's what he thinks he can remain.
142
@Bob Hagan Similar to Trump, who's a stable genius.
9
All we can hope for right now is that the judge will deny the bail. If he doesn’t I bet a lot more abuse is in store for unsuspecting girls
35
@Jean ...in Saudi Arabia, apparently.
5
He has a fake passport and a listed fake home residence and the judge need to wait till Thursday to rule ? Very interesting and quiet confusing !!
112
Agree, perhaps they should swap judges at the last minute like they swapped juries during the Capone trial. He should be able to make a decision by tomorrow.
7
If this predator were poor and/or a person of color, would this judge be taking days to come to a decision about bail?
144
@Jan What is the difference how long he takes so long as Epstein remains behind bars?
1
@Jan: No.
2
As an investigator looking into Epstein, I would look for countries he visited where child prostitution is common and criminal laws against it loosely enforced if at all.
112
@我 Jake
Julie K Brown stated in her article in the Miami Herald late last week, that there is an International investigation taking place. People have been in touch with her in regards to this and it will come out. Remember the locales he has homes at. A secluded 7, 500 acre ranch in NM, a place in Paris, his own island in the Virgin Islands and of course his mansion in Mahattan. He’s dangerous and will flee if given bail.
11
He stayed in Thailand for weeks back in the early 2000’s....with none other than Prince Andrew, the British Royal accused by one of Epstein’s victims of sexually abusing her when she was a minor, multiple times, at the direction and approval of Epstein. This is all in the court record already.
12
@我 Jake
Some news sites mentioned flying in girls from eastern Europe.
2
The Forgery or false use of a passport is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, according to the Cornell Law School web site.
18 U.S. Code § 1543. Forgery or false use of passport .
133
@mungomunro
Doesn't that only pertain to U.S. passports, which this clearly was not?
5
@rella It's illegal regardless.
1
Mandelker and Roth should follow Acosta out the door. Americans should not be paying these people's salaries and they should not be in charge of anything.
80
Sorry, #Epstain, I don't think they're going to release you on bail. I know you like to control obscenely young girls as if they were nubile naked chess pieces, but this time the courts will checkmate you.
38
I wonder when Trump will pardon him?
31
His attorneys say Mr. Epstein has been law-abiding for more than a decade.
“He didn’t re-engage in this activity,” one of his lawyers, Martin Weinberg, told the judge on Monday, adding, “It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.”
What a lawyer. Wonder when Ken Starr, former President of Baylor Rape university, will show. Oh yeah, when will the great lawyer Dershowitz, accused by one victim as being her rapist, get on t.v. and start yammering about injustice for billionaires.
75
@MalcolmSuch a good guy he should be a saint bottom line why did he have all those pictures keeping them for someone. Electronic devices are a joke easy to disable, cut off and place somewhere and the monitors don't monitor all that well. Some with it have been gone for several days before discovered He has the use of private aircraft and we all know people can't be bought for sums of cash. Don't bet that was the only fake passport.Jim Trautman
5
This should be the end of the line for breaks for Jeffery Epstein. His mansion sounds like a creepy, immoral, inhumane facility. The word “home” would be totally inappropriate.
His prior attorneys still getting paid by us taxpayers in their US government jobs? Isn’t that just cozy for our hard earned tax money, certainly not coming from Epstein’s wealthy friends.
Epstein is a predator. New York, you can do better than cater to a rich man. Especially a rich man who has taken advantage of young girls, inexperienced in the total spectrum of life, in an Epstein world of sick behavior. He needs to be locked up under all circumstances, his phony passport, jets, cash stash, any of this can sit in his abode of immoral filth while he is behind bars, real bars, not in an office six days a week.
38
@MIMA
"His prior attorneys still getting paid by us taxpayers in their US government jobs? Isn’t that just cozy for our hard earned tax money, certainly not coming from Epstein’s wealthy friends."
Huh? None of his attorneys work for, or are getting paid by, the government. What are you talking about?
2
"It's not like he's an out-of-control rapist," says his attorney. That is rich. At the very least, he's still trading child porn images, enabling the sexual abuse of minors. No bail.
86
This really is a tough one. It is obvious that this man is a vile disgusting pedophile who has already been convicted once. He is already a top tier registered sex offender in New York. He also has access to tens of millions of dollars and private jets. And apparently he even has a fake passport which itself should show how much of a flight risk he is. While I’m not a big believer in bail, I think there are cases such as murder and pedophilia where bail should always be considered if not mandatory. This man has already escaped justice once because of his wealth. It cannot be allowed to happen again.
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@Mike L: He's a registered sex offender who never once checked in with police in NY - some 40 times he missed check-ins. Why isn't he charged with that? Also, he should have been charged as a sexual predator, a much higher classification with more stringent requirements than sexual offender carries.
Throw him in prison and throw away the key!
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@Mike L
He's obviously a danger to the community- no bail.
28
@Mike L Am I reading this right? "I think there are cases such as murder and pedophilia where bail "should always be considered, if not mandatory."
32
Has two things in common for Trump: his predilection for attractive young women, and his inability to tell the truth.
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@farhorizons Not young women. Runaway middle-school girls.
9
@farhorizons
When did the definition of 'woman' change? When I was 14 yrs. old, my parents considered me to be a dependent child, as did the IRS. I couldn't get a driver's license, even out in the country. I was just starting H.S. I still had a curfew; my parents knew who the kids were in my class. A 14 yr. old girl is years from maturity, defined now as reaching 24 yrs, of age; boys are not considered mature until age 26. Why does the military want 19 yr. old boys to serve? If we want to respect 'maturity' levels, we would do better to require some community service for young H.S. graduates.
4
What’s the world coming to when even pedophiles and rapists don’t tell the truth? Back in the day...
Epstein's lawyer: “He didn’t re-engage in this activity,” one of his lawyers, Martin Weinberg, told the judge on Monday, adding, “It’s not like he’s an out-of-control rapist.”
Can someone explain to me what a in control rapist is versus an out of control rapist?
Rape and sex trafficking are just that. One time or a hundred times - it does not matter. He is a serial sexual predator and sex trafficker.
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I think it's worth pointing out that Judge Berman is also a licensed clinical social worker. Perfect judge for this case.
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@Hazel
Wow.
DO NOT LET THIS MAN GO FREE BEFORE TRIAL.
When I was 13, I was raped for the better part of a year by a man who reminds me a great deal of this former teacher at the Dalton School. No, my rapist wasn't famous or rich but he nonetheless raped several children that I know about and -- I presume -- a great many more that I don't. And yes, my rapist is still free and living an unmolested life despite his name having finally made the public record in connection with a few of his many crimes against children.
Christine Pelosi (the daughter of the speaker of House) was painfully correct when she observed, speaking of our need to pursue the Jeffrey Epstein case, "it is quite likely that some of our faves are implicated but we must follow the facts and let the chips fall where they may - whether on Republicans or Democrats."
Let's not forget that Jeffrey Epstein is an adult with almost limitless money and power who has been credibly accused of raping innocent children over a great many years. And, no, don't tell me a 14 year old girl "asked for it". That canard doesn't work anymore. Sorry.
Politics must not keep us from putting this predator on trial. With his powerful connections and (it has been alleged) his blackmail worthy evidence on his rich and powerful friends, any consideration of bail before trial must be off the table.
My apologies to presidents Clinton and Trump if you don't sleep so well going forward...
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@Cheshire Cat He was hired at the Dalton School by Attorney General William Barr's (headmaster) father in the 1970's! This squalid story is getting more interesting by the minute.
21
@Cheshire Cat
None of the victims have named Clinton as a man who raped them; they have named Trump. Clinton flew to political events on Epstein's plane, no plane rapes on the record. Clinton had fundraisers attended by Epstein, no rape charges reported at fundraisers. The Trump fan club are desperate to link Clinton to Trump's sordid past. One girl, raped at age 14, was going to testify against Trump and Epstein, then she disappeared. How much money did it take to get rid of a key victim's testimony? She did not name Clinton as part of her rape story; she was sold to Trump and Epstein by a pimp.
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@Linda Miilu
thank you. and we haven't even begun to find out about all the sexual assaults and abuse at the New Mexico property.
9
Epstein needs to be kept locked up under high surveillance—
Extreme flight risk and too many powerful individuals also potentially involved with his evil enterprise, with too much to lose.
59
Meh. Not interested in Epstein. I’m more curious about all the *other* (yet to be named) people involved.
30
He had piles of cash, diamonds and a fake passport in his NYC mansion? It’s called a survival kit. Probably has a tunnel from the house to Central Park for a helicopter escape to an off-shore submarine. A few anonymous “donations” to the right foundations and political parties and he’ll get a presidential pardon.
67
His lawyers would call it an earthquake kit.
4
@Kevin No pardon unless he waits until 2020 and Hillary is elected...... don't hold your partisan breath
I'm glad to see the names of other DOJ employees who approved this deal. Isn't there also a Florida state court judge who had to approve it? I don't recall seeing that name yet...
56
Major flight risk. Even the judge can see this. They'll keep him locked up.
I still want the names of his lawyers.
47
Looking at the rest of his life locked up, he certainly has more reasons to flee than to remain here waiting for his day in court. If any of us had his financial means with property locations around the world, would you stay? I think not. A serial sex offender does not just quit, they need to search further for evidence of this.
26
The US does not have an extradition treaty with Israel. As a prosecutor, I had a case involving a wealthy defendant. He surrendered his American passport, but we didn't know he also had an Israeli passport, and he fled there, never returning to the US.
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@jfdenver: Meyer Lansky fled to Israel in 1970, but the Supreme Court deemed him a ''danger to public safety'' 26 months of legal battles later. He ended up back in the USA. I doubt that Epstein has an Israeli passport -- if old and sick Lansky was a danger to public safety, [physically] healthy Epstein certainly is.
7
@jfdenver
Considering how much taxpayer money we send to Israel every year, why is there no extradition treaty?
13
@jfdenver
And your point?
1
Why would a judge possibly grant bail?
25
@JakeLet's see. Let me think. Maybe somehow, from someone, he could receive a promise for a judgeship at a higher level. There are some names of powerful people floating around out there.
11
“Mr. Epstein’s lawyers said on Monday that the payment could have been “an act of generosity” to Mr. Epstein’s associates, and that government lawyers were unable to prove otherwise.”
So, I suppose Trump's payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal could also have been "an act of generosity"?
And, who would believe without doubt that Epstein hasn’t continue to sexually molest or abuse teenage girls since his release from jail—given unlikelihood of sexual predators being reformed?
50
Bail? House arrest with guards hired and paid for by Epstein? Sure, let's have the fox guard himself after he raided the chicken coop. And the judge is waiting to make his decision regarding bail on Thursday. Sure, let's all clap and sing along if he is granted bail and does the Roman Polanski. Our justice system has gone haywire.
19
He is very very much an out of control rapist. And as such, should not be let out. That, and the fake passport. And the diamonds. And his general lack of respect for laws and morals.
Easy call. Keep him jailed.
38
I, too, have done nothing illegal, nor have I been accused of having done so. Nevertheless, PLEASE put me under house arrest in Epstein's mansion and under the same constraints. I'll cover tax and tips.
30
There's an interesting article on The Atlantic's website that explores how serial rapists get away with their crimes. Worth a read.
25
Not sure I'd let him back in his "house". Who knows what else may be hidden there.
31
According to Mr. Epstein’s lawyers, the deal was also cleared by Sigal P. Mandelker and John Roth, who were both senior officials in the Justice Department.
Ms. Mandelker is currently an under secretary for the Department of the Treasury, and Mr. Roth serves as the Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security.
33
@McQueen Gee. Do you think that Trump might owe some people some favors for some reason? I'm looking forward to this yarn unravelling.
7
More evidence of corruption at the highest levels and the existence of two systems of justice in our "democracy".
31
Thank you to these brave women for coming forward. They experienced unspeakable cruelty when they were children; I can only hope that they are treated with respect by the press and by Epstein's defense.
108
24-hour security guards? Hmmm. Security guards that get paid $15 an hour? Or even $30 an hour? Epstein could easily establish offshore, hidden accounts, put millions of dollars in each and provide access to those accounts to any guard who would allow himself to be "overcome" by assailants whisking Epstein to a boat, plane, or any other quick exit from the country.
If your choices were spend the rest of your life on a beach in the Maldives (or any other country without an extradition treaty with the US) and work through hundreds of millions of dollars in cash sipping margaritas or making license plates in a federal prison - which way would you go?
No bail for Epstein!
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@Paul
Add to the sipping of margaritas, aperol spritzers,
and an endless supply of underage girls to feed his perversions and appetites, unimpeded by laws, or restrictions. He continues to have a lot of clout and power which he will use.
I am sure he will get his way. He has the goods in his vast library of films on so many powerful people who are scared out of their wits, and so it $$$$ which speaks with a megaphone.
36
@Paul. And you know Trump would wind up saying the real criminal is Hillary.
11
Among us prosecutors who have argued at bail hearings, it is a cliche to say that we wish that there was a safe full of cash and a fake passport. My first reaction was that this had to be made up.
148
@michjas ...a safe full of cash AND diamonds, michjas; diamonds, universally accepted currency of value. Given the litany of circumstances which have been reliably reported, granting bail would be construed as "extremely reckless"; if granted, and something untoward happens, it would ruin the future for the judge who would face a hurricane of public outrage and likely a recall, as well. Most of the people involved in this sordid matter are now between a rock and a hard place.
12
If there is only one thing that money should not be able to buy, it's freedom from credible accusations of child sex trafficking. I know about innocent until proven guilty, but plenty of people who are not huge flight risks as he is are routinely held in lengthy pre-trial detention.
One other thing, these news articles routinely mention that Epstein served 13 months in a Florida jail. That's not strictly true. He was allowed out for 12 hours a day, 6 days a week to "work" in his office. Worth remembering, both to remind everyone yet again of our bifurcated justice system and to foreshadow a likely argument of his attorneys in favor of granting bail: "He didn't skip that time, why would he skip this time?" Conveniently elides the fact that this time he's looking at 45 years and a more aggressive prosecution, but I'll bet they try it.
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@lb. This is not an "innocent until proven guilty" issue.
The real question is, does a super rich man accused of a very serious crimes and clearly a serious flight risk have the right to live in supreme luxury while awaiting trial while those of lesser means accused of the same crimes don't?
44
Actually, he served only approx 8-9 months of his 13 month sentence (incarcerated Oct. 2008, released July 2009).....
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article221404845.html
12
Prosecutors also said that, oddly, financial documents were not found in Epstein's NY mansion.
This points to another reason why Epstein should not be let out on bail - the possibility of destroying evidence.
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@Barb Campbell
Wherever those documents are, I guarantee that’s where they’ll find the non-expired fake passport.
48
And I thought New York progressives were opposed to requiring bail even being an option. Perhaps they will now rethink the issue.
7
@John Q. Citizen Money bail is supposed to be a sort of guarantee that you'll show up for your court dates and not reoffend in the meantime. We now know that money isn't the deciding factor for most people, who are just as likely to show up regardless. Now, this Epstein guy -- do you really think he'd show up for his court dates if released on his own recognizance? Or even if he had to pay a hefty money bail?
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@John Q. Citizen This is not a question of whether or not he should have to pay bail, it is a question of whether he should qualify for bail in the first place. Whether or not we eliminate cash bail, there will always be some people who will be deemed too dangerous or risky to grant a pretrial release. Jeffrey Epstein is one of those people.
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@John Q. Citizen
The threat of life in prison would seem to be a substantial incentive to jump bail, no matter how high it is set.
57
Could Epstein be granted bail given this evidence? The fact that I'm even pondering this question shows a sad erosion of trust in our institutions in a world turned upside down.
On the other hand, maybe Epstein should go back to the country he came from which apparently is Saudi Arabia.
400
@Char I imagine that's where he would go if the judge lets him out.
14
@Char
I'll bet that foreign passport is Israeli and obtained when his business partner, the former prime minister (I think), Barak, was in office.
7
@char, excellent idea.
Seize his assets and look the other way when he flees to Saudi Arabia. He would be unable to travel in many parts of the world because of extradition.
Doubt he would enjoy life in KSA. And the death penalty is frequently used, should he resume his old habits.
Bon Voyage Mr. Epstein.
2
Could it be that Epstein's arrest is the silver lining that Trump's shadow has cast over the country?
We are finally learning about the sordid details of the lives of these very wealthy men, how they all look out for one another, and what they have managed to get away with over the years. Not a pretty picture.
No wonder Trump believes that Nancy Pelosi will just look the other way as he breaks the law in plain sight while living in the White House. He and his friends appear to have been doing that for years.
334
@avrds: Yes and there is another tidbit that was revealed in the recent Times article about Epstein's job teaching physics and mathematics at the Dalton School from 1974 to 1976. He was hired there by Headmaster Donald Barr, the father of the current Attorney General William Barr. Is it not interesting and informative that Jeffery Epstein's work begins with the father of the current Attorney General? Curious indeed.
111
@avrds
I have long felt that the MeToo movement, while it predates his election, was given a shot of adrenaline by the resentment and frustration that trump could become president even after the misogynistic revelations of the Billy Bush tape. Now a number of prominent miscreants have been hauled into court by newly empowered women and that's a good thing.
However, trump himself remains immune. There may be evidence of his depravity in the Epstein trove. But what would it take to bring down a malignant narcissist who probably could get away with shooting someone on 5th Avenue?
33
@Bob Anderson and Nadia
As I replied to another poster here, I think this is just the beginning of a very long and sordid tale.
Whether or not it will sweep up Donald Trump in the mix, who knows. Whether or not it will influence Nancy Pelosi to do the right thing by the Constitution, probably not, alas.
21
Naive question: isn't a fraudulent passport an offence in its own right?
559
@Walsh
It would be a violation in the country of issue (in this case Saudi Arabia), but probably not a violation here to merely possess unless it was used or presented for use.
17
@Walsh Not an attorney but if it's expired, not from America and he wasn't actually using it, perhaps not. He could maybe claim it was a novelty?
4
@Shaun Eli Breidbart
Not if it's proved to have used. If so, it will be interesting to see where he came and went.
48
Why is this even a question? He's been convicted of sexually abusing children, and he's got tons of motivation and means to escape if he's let out of jail.
326
@Michele
Does not mean a thing. He has money. What are you thinking?
4
@Michele
He hasn't been convicted of sexually abusing children. He pled guilty to a single count of soliciting prostitution
5
@GMooG: Yeah, yeah, yeah. But they weren't prostitutes, they were a whole lot of minors, a never ending line of them (sometimes three different in one day). I don't care what his sweetheart deal was. We all know better.
I want heads to roll. All of them - Clinton, Trump, Dershowitz, Prince Andrew - all of them.
19