Sun‑Sentinel/Post investigation into Manhattan DA’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein’s level‑one sex‑offender registration

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-jeffrey-epstein-alex-acosta-investigation- 20181204-story.html. The Post has also persisted with its own investigation into whether the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office was unduly lenient when it advocated in favor of registering Epstein as a level one sex offender. On December 1, 2018, the Post published an article entitled “Manhattan DA sided with pedophile billionaire after botching investigation.” Jd. Ex. C. Following up on its prior reporting, the Post reported Justice Pickholz’s denial of ADA Gaffney’s efforts to register Epstein as a level one offender and then asked the District Attorney’s Office to account for the “mishandling of the Epstein hearing.” Jd. In response to questions from the Post, the District Attorney’s Office insisted that ADA Gaffney simply “made a mistake.” Jd. A spokesman also claimed that Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance “‘was not aware’ of the hearing until years later and had nothing to do with it.” Jd. But, as the Post also reported, “[s]ome law enforcement sources don’t believe Vance had no clue that his office had a sex-offender case involving a Manhattan mogul with close ties to Democrats.” Jd. Unsealing of the First Department appeal briefs in this case is crucial so that the public and the press may more fully understand why Epstein was initially offered level one offender status despite the overwhelming evidence that he was a serial sexual abuser of children. D. The Post’s Efforts to Obtain the Appellate Briefing Filed with the First Department On December 4, 2018, Post reporter Sue Edelman contacted the Director of Communications for District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. and requested a copy of the appellate brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office. Jd. {9 6-8. In making this request, Edelman specifically stated that the District Attorney’s Office could redact the names of any victims of sexual abuse before forwarding the brief. Jd. Edelman’s request was denied, however, because the District Attorney’s Office has taken the position that the brief was filed under seal in its 8 4811-3721-9459v.3 3930033-000039 HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_016495