Jeffrey Epstein granted work‑release despite Florida policy barring sex offenders

Even from jail, Jeffrey Epstein manipulated the system | Miami Herald Page 11 of 17 Case 1:19-cv-03377 Document 1-1 Filed 04/16/19 Page 12 of 18 The work release was approved by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, said spokeswoman Therese Barbera. “Jeffrey Epstein, while in custody, met the criteria for the Work Release Program,” Barbera wrote in an email. “There was no factual basis to deny Mr. Epstein the same availability of this program that is offered to other inmates under similar circumstances. Mr. Epstein was closely monitored and there were no problems encountered during his time in the program.” But the sheriff’s own work release policy — a copy of which Barbera provided to the Herald — specifically notes that sex offenders aren’t eligible for work While officially confined to the Palm Beach County stockade, serving time for his sex release. offenses, Jeffrey Epstein was allowed to spend half his day at this West Palm Beach office building. It was called work release, although Palm Beach Sheriff's Office rules At first, Barbera questioned whether Epstein was a sex offender at all, noting _ prohibit work-release status for sexual offenders. Emily Michot that he didn’t have to register officially until after his release from the jailin = £M/[email protected] 2009. But his court papers clearly listed him as a sex offender. In fact, the papers Epstein signed — obtained by the Herald — included all the laws governing registered sex offenders in Florida. Barbera refused to explain why Epstein was seemingly allowed to deviate from the agency’s policies. She also would not respond to requests for an accounting of the amount of money that Epstein paid the sheriff’s office for his private details. Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, who has been in office since 2004 — and is widely considered to be one of the most powerful people in the county — did not respond to requests for comment. Aspokeswoman for Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw declined to say why Jeffrey Epstein was allowed work-release status despite rules prohibiting work release for sex offenders. Taylor Jones PALM BEACH POST Epstein’s registration requirements are somewhat confusing, even to those who are responsible for keeping his registration. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which keeps the online registry, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, where Epstein has to register in person twice a year, gave https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article2 19494920 html 4/3/2019 HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017974