File 024270
Feds Explain Sweet Deal for Billionaire Sex Offender Epstein (File 024270)
A Virgin Islands Daily News article from June 24, 2017 reporting on federal prosecutors' defense of the plea deal that allowed Jeffrey Epstein to avoid federal charges, featuring statements from Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Villafane and accounts from victims.
Summary
This newspaper article covers federal prosecutors' public defense of the controversial 2007 plea agreement that allowed Jeffrey Epstein to plead guilty to state prostitution charges rather than face federal prosecution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Villafane argues that prosecutors were attempting to help traumatized victims by securing a guilty plea. The article discusses the plea deal terms, Epstein's 13-month prison sentence, victim lawsuits against the federal government, and mentions law professor Paul Cassell's criticism of prosecutors' conduct.
4 The Virgin Islands Daily NewsVIRGIN ISLANDSSaturday, June 24, 2017Feds explain sweet deal for billionaire sex offender Epsteintett tu.s,=EWEST PALM BEACH. Fla. —Feckral prosecutors in Florida wenton the offensive this month. deny-ing allegations that thcv bo,ed topressure from __________________billionaire le,fLeLier:Virginand Palm I3c‘ic Ir.Fla. — and hi,high-priced law-p"ens"c oal fu:leoz:fsi'soNeenage girls Jeffrei EpstenhelsnestuhilT afitsedpublic commentrepresenting two of Epstein stims in a lawsuit against the fed-eAntfor il:;;Vanirent;i1 iasfilgati dusZand her superiors were trying tohelp the traumatized young womenwhen they agreed to let 14isteinplead guilty to state prostitutionchaTrifees.rn:rifieirt;i:chsnla:cPaltic=t 7ame'sin the territory. served 13 monthsiofa n 18 r on,t,Init;lconccke. t P: fansla'Iriltdctno leave each day to go towork.Hoping to persuade U.S. DistrictJudge ICenneth Marra to throw outthe lawsuit that accuses the toc=Contrary to claims by attorneys representing two of Jeffrey Epstein's victims M alawsuit against the federal govemment,Assistant U.S. Attorney MarieVillafanasaid she and her superiors were trying to help the traumatized young womenwhen they agreed to let the now 64-yearold money manager plead guilty to stateprostitution charges.reluctant — or simPiY..td..iplirt tag:: nsgti er's=s ex ttaililay!chOrdoTZT:::::,"%so77:12;stein never abus her,. Vill'afLPiawe'llehc;:resZly.eiTitdg happenssince 2007 — when they negoti- mem of viri:il,ahttisngAtchte r.eicilicarfaan.,- said to Jeffreyn abnedclusweouhkei,..2,4abwce;ated a deal that allowed Epstein Vic emsto escape federal charges — pros- shettried to keep Epstein, victirs rannete7the woman, identified onlyecutonr: fitl:xlinhuulrecduil'icptages of. informed about the invatigat on as Jane Doe told FBI age. in(ciZepiainei7ig what led to thc nowCourt and the eventual plea deal. But, the 2007.sai:Ilnelitehge=e7nrvi=liitsoer while muerens seld she 'In'trneinfemnt °IL nhnanirenesneeduct:Znedera believe her. she also understoodsweetheart deal.- s"neneYs made It eirthost of fteirthrunstc InnT:c:hesucifoi7d7f For instance,. saContrary to claims by attorneys the young women were extremely force h'er or Epstein, more thanWEDNESDAYLOCALS NITAMAZING SUNSETSGREAT FOODSLIVEENTERTAINMENT6- 9 PMRIDEVIEWSKYR1DE 10PARADISE POINTBRING YOURHOIVIETO LIFE!11.11FP=us l=pnlrurr:s,Hands•Free Voice Control.Total Connect WiFi Cameras.Video Viewing. Recording &Morelkeep an eye on you, name from anyrCen=cosotsTanbays7ttso7rEtLee7.relatrves. pets. housekeepers. contractorsand more• Monitor vulnerable spots irkeentrances. patios, pool areas and more• View multiple locabonsitrom onemoms—great lot tea estateinvestors and vacation home owners• free apps available for iPhonetiPan. Meddle, and Andrced47 C-1 Kronprindsens GadeSt. Thomas • 774.3355Pr ncess Plaza, ChristianstedSt. Croix • 718-8343COURTYARDSELF STORAGE°StIZEEClimate Controlled UndsSizes from 5,5. to 12,20'Keypad Entry/Video MonitoringEast End — Smith Bay340-776-6008www.courtyardsetIstorage.comtemn d Ca.12.5rmanon t Hair RemovalLi Tioila, (310)6134321Li% emight, St. Thomastwo dozen other victims to testifyagainst him.Jane Doe ',oho is a lso suing thefili=e1:!.i teite:dv i tent s2u.I Zithave been enough to convictEpstein.Rather than let Epstein use hissIlinethalenIdeor:noLft to::etyhse.13rILIs41`1P sciVi:nmdsPfilat the U.S.. Justice Department Cassell. say the letter is evidenceelt?Vx`chheasIgkenfdoeri;leading guilty to the victims. They also claim thatof their claim that prosecutors liedto charges of solicitation of prosti- prosecutors never told Epstein,ictii'eengteSatilnet:i::tatt TnhoenY-Pe= ,stls"1:1114 apart.lafana said her office and the FBIsf=eddtlidc'evi=nogfet=bayttIt:;in January 2008.Igul:gni:;riotteitnngirni=lincaelci; vle,5117:4"t'instatitieeed=tell theCounty Circuit Court. Epsteinwas not charged with any federal 'tire buullhuosusufcounts. As part of the agreement.Epstein had to register as a sex of- Ist Wee'reerfilseld'ttdserLd:rgilf;111OPivlIcItIl and the case went to trial. Savvyfil. against him. VonmniefiY,s uiold ve f=ea gat t hpe-p yGerTsrtluti?ntnhi:nvicIfenertea stein because federal prosecutorsregister as a sex offender were :Itilt=7:11::>, 17.1stegeslitPla.'d se'tveYai;tint:fear:u7esegies. ,riec=estnrtZst when she learned N'ssein planned to plead guilty to the twothcY 'uuld c'"'"atedhroughout an he d 200774;:ruuscaUT: =c3,1?: that -other minors t tc:ruor- "*uld Ps"te' she :e:Ytoicrtien1 rodwaleeredts.h!h:lisc:itdsBut thortly after Epstcin signet,' so they could attend the hearing.thhec bacVnenr,:hli:: if.111,2ticr N°C;7stil, a law professor 53 02and his legal team. including for- University of Utah. shrugged offTeeteh 7th:et:Zee GieLeeesstligla`tf:i; ItyeenTIZine'rtITssys.Prso.rftetled to President Bill Clinton, im- response will be filed at the endpeachment. contacted high-level of July. he said.AT PE L ICAN COVEPalmsPelicanCove.com • STX 340.718.8920