File 028965
Legal Letter Regarding Good Morning America Interview with Jane Doe 3 (File 028965)
Attorney Martin G. Weinberg's letter to ABC News on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein objecting to the broadcast of an interview with Jane Doe 3, disputing allegations and claiming lack of credibility and newsworthiness.
Summary
Martin G. Weinberg, representing Jeffrey Epstein, writes to ABC News's legal counsel in April 2015 objecting to a planned Good Morning America interview with Jane Doe 3. The letter contests allegations made by Jane Doe 3 against Epstein and Alan Dershowitz, arguing they are uncorroborated, have been refuted by other evidence, and were previously rejected by a federal court as immaterial. Weinberg claims Jane Doe 3 refused FBI cooperation in 2007, cites denials from Dershowitz and other named individuals, and alleges false claims regarding visits by former President Clinton and Vice President Gore to Epstein's Virgin Island property. The letter demands ABC verify claims independently or decline to broadcast the allegations.
MARTIN G. WEINBERG, P. C.ATTORNEY AT LAW20 PARK PLAZA, SUITE 1000 EMAIL ADDRESSES:BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02116FAXNIiiiiiiiiiiiCY:April 24, 2015Via Email and U.S. MailJohn ZuckerAssistant Legal CounselOffice of Legal Counsel77 W 66TH St, Room 1628New York, NY 10023Re: Good Morning America and Night Line interview with Jane Doe 3Dear Mr. Zucker:I represent Jeffrey Epstein. I have been informed by Producer James Hill that ABCintends to air an interview, conducted by a Good Morning America co-host, of a woman knownin court papers as Jane Doe 3.1 I write to put you on notice that ABC's publication of Jane Doe3's accusations is grossly negligent or worse. The accusations, many of which relate to myclient, relate to alleged conduct that occurred approximately 15 years ago. The currentaccusations are simply reformatted and embellished echoes of previous allegations, which werefirst made by Jane Doe 3 to tabloid publications in the United Kingdom in 2011 and which haveno independent news value. These allegations were then and remain now uncorroborated andhave been refuted or undermined by other, credible evidence. Indeed, a federal judge recentlyrefused to consider these allegations in pending litigation, finding them "immaterial andimpertinent", while striking the allegations and denying Jane Doe 3s Motion to Join, See JaneDoe 1 and 2 v. United States, 08-CV-80736-KAM (S.D. Fla.), Dkt 324 at 5. In addition, in thatvery same litigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Timothy R. Slater filed adeclaration stating that when Jane Doe 3 was interviewed by the FBI in 2007 she refused tocooperate with the investigation of Mr. Epstein declaring she wanted nothing to do with thematter. For ABC to air these untested allegations on national television as "news" when JaneDoe 3 intentionally declined eight years ago to subject these same allegations to verification bythe FBI would be grossly irresponsible and severely damaging to Mr. Epstein and others.1 Mr. Hill informed me that she was waiving whatever rights to anonymity she might assert but I will, because ofcertain legal obligations, refer to her as Jane Doe 3.HOUSE OVERSIGHT 028965This is particularly true when ABC knows or should know that several, very specificallegations of Jane Doe 3 have been rebutted and/or demonstrated by others to be false. Forexample, I understand that she has accused distinguished Professor Alan Dershowitz of HarvardLaw School of sexual misconduct involving her. Professor Dershowitz has flatly denied thatallegation under oath in a federal court proceeding. I further understand that ProfessorDershowitz offered to play a tape recording for Mr. Hill that evidences that Jane Doe 3 has maderecent contradictory statements—that is, that she was pressured into including ProfessorDershowitz in her allegations and that she has a financial motive in making these allegations.The Duke of York and the Royal Palace have likewise unequivocally denied Jane Doe'ssimilar allegations against the Duke. Surely, these unequivocal statements of denial of respectedmembers of society are entitled to some deference by ABC, particularly where, as here, there issubstantial evidence of bias, improper motive, and serious credibility problems of their accuser.Moreover, additional claims of Jane Doe 3 can be refuted with objective evidence that isreadily obtainable by ABC. For example, she claims she was in the presence of both formerPresident Clinton (after January 20, 2001, and before the summer of 2002) and former VicePresident Gore (and his wife) at Mr. Epstein's Virgin Island home. I have been told by Mr. Hillthat she claims to be 100% sure of the facts regarding President Clinton. The claims arecompletely uncorroborated and compellingly contradicted by others. Neither former PresidentClinton nor former Vice-President Gore and his wife have ever been present at Mr. Epstein'sVirgin Island home. A review of United States Secret Service records, obtainable through aFreedom of Information Request would prove the falsity of the claim. Virgin Island governmentrecords would provide further confirmation. I also believe that Mr. Hill has been told byindividuals with percipient knowledge that former President Clinton has never been to Mr.Epstein's Virgin Island home. Upon inquiry, I am certain that you would receive similar denialsfrom Mr. and Mrs. Gore either directly or by or through their counsel Mr. Boies. Jane Doe 3'sfabrication of these claims against respected former officials undermines completely thetrustworthiness of each and every one of her remaining allegations.We would expect that, in the wake of the damning independent review of Rolling Stone'spublications of rape allegations involving students at the University of Virginia, ABC wouldproceed with similar, uncorroborated allegations with extreme caution. At the very least, ABChas an obligation to verify—with independent evidence—the truthfulness of Jane Doe 3'sclaims. Merely declining to air those portions of her interview that relate to President Clintonand Vice-President Gore is insufficient. If ABC has concerns about her credibility with respectto any allegation, it must decline to republish all of her allegations.In June of 2008, Mr. Epstein pleaded guilty to Florida state charges that do not relate toJane Doe 3. After an extensive investigation, the United States declined to prosecute Mr. Epsteinand provided him with a Non-Prosecution Agreement. Mr. Epstein fully conformed to theresponsibilities and obligations imposed on him by that agreement. Mr. Epstein is not engagedin public activities. He is a private person who has complied and continues to comply with hislegal obligations, and he is attempting to move forward with his life in a productive way. Theallegations of Jane Doe 3 are neither credible nor news worthy. ABC should not publish them.HOUSE OVERSIGHT 028966Yours Truly,/s/Martin G. WeinbergCC James E Hill, ABC NewsHOUSE OVERSIGHT 028967