Prosecutors discuss handling of Jeffrey Epstein case and interactions with high‑profile defense attorneys

Fittuy Ricu *ATTERSON different. But they were not | At times, some prosecutors felt that we should just go to n di trial, and at times I felt that frustration myself. What was ust be based on admissible right in the first meeting, however, remained right irre- m : . - . . - ses of this type, those are i spective of defense tactics. Individuals have a constitu- 1¢ca | e victims are frightened and | ional right to a defense. The aggressive exercise of that [ they do speak, they give con- F right should not be punished, nor should a defense coun- ey % sel’s exercise of their right to appeal a U.S Attorney to Washington D.C. Prosecutors must be careful not to allow frustration and anger with defense counsel to influence their judgment. ‘judgment in this case, based che time, was that it was better time in jail, register as a sex ms restitution than risk a trial 1 of success. I supported that on the state law as it then stood - the time, I would support that After the plea, | recall receiving several phone calls. One was from the FBI Special Agent-In-Charge. He called to offer congratulations. He had been at many of the meetings regarding this case. He was aware of the tactics of the defense, and he called to praise our prosecutors for holding firm against the likes of Messrs. Black, Dershow- itz, Lefkowitz and Starr. It was a proud moment. | also received calls or communications from Messrs. Dershow- itz, Lefkowitz and Starr. I had known all three individu- als previously, from my time in law school and at Kirkland & Ellis in the mid 90s. They all sought to make a the prosecution should ~ peace. | agreed to talk and meet with each of them after liation for the defense’s tactics. i ; Epstein pled guilty, as I think it important that prosecu- tors battle defense attorneys in a case and then move on. I have tried, yet 1 confess that this has been difficult to do fully in this case. hile in state custody, likewise hat the office should have been rms of confinement in a state sriately left to the State of Flor- rities, without doubt, the treat- le in state custody undermined ten failed to negotiate in good concessions as part of a negotia- 4 d, only to change their minds, sition to Washington. The inves- i lives of individual prosecutors | alled for, as were the accusations” t against individual prosecutors) The bottom line is this: Mr. Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire, q served time in jail and is now a registered sexual offender. % pte has been required to pay his victims restitution, though estitution clearly cannot compensate for the crime. And a 210 HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_022019