Alfredo Rodriguez’s stolen “golden nugget” – a bound book linking Jeffrey Epstein to dozens of world leaders and billionaires

JAMES PATTERSON * * * Whatever the reasons for his resignation, Epstein still gets his annual bonus of around $100,000 (roughly $275,000 in today's dollars). The SEC never brings charges against him or any other Bear Stearns employee. And so the particulars of Epstein's depar- ture get folded up into the greater mystery surrounding the man. Did Epstein crash the rocket ship that Ace Greenberg had given him to pilot? Or did he take it and fly it out, over the horizon? Either way, Epstein was out on his own. For him, the future would only get brighter. Ana ObregO Ana Obr c and we. ishe firsi roles—in the the star a run Spanish Playbc As for forti Ana's fathe had serious pr bond-trading fi that it was goir off a subsidiar3 And in May, Di ed on Treast ad dragged do 100 'TERSON signation, Epstein still gets his )0 (roughly $275,000 in today's harges against him or any other ae particulars of Epstein's depar- :r mystery surrounding the man. ip that Ace Greenberg had given Lid fly it out, over the horizon? on his own. nly get brighter. Ana ObregOn: 1982 CHAPTER 24 na ObregOn was one of the world's most beautiful women and well on her way to becoming famous as such when she first met Jeffrey Epstein. For her, there would be film roles—in the 1984 Bo Derek vehicle Bolero, Ana ObregOn gives the star a run for her money—and appearances on the covers of Spanish Playboy and Spanish Vanity Fair. As for fortune, ObregOn had that already. Ana's father was a very wealthy investor in Spain. But he also had serious problems. On June 15, 1982, a venerable stock- and bond-trading firm, the Drysdale Securities Corporation, announced that it was going out of business. Just that year, Drysdale had spun off a subsidiary operation called Drysdale Government Securities. And in May, DGS defaulted on $160 million in interest payments it owed on Treasury securities that it had borrowed. In doing so, DGS had dragged down its parent company. 101 100 JAMES PATTERSON A very well-connected group of Spanish families—including members of Spain's royal family—had invested with Drysdale. Those investors stood to lose hundreds of millions of dollars. And Ana's father was one of those investors. What Ana wanted from Jeffrey Epstein was help in recover- ing her father's money. "My father, he's done something stupid," she told him. A Spanish accent. A Brooklyn accent. They blended well together, and Ana was so very lovely. It turned out that Epstein was willing to help. "Something stupid, you see, with the money. The family money. Some—what do you call it? A scheme. He knew some of the people, but they lied to him. And now the money is gone." People who knew Jeffrey Epstein recall that he was bad off after his exit or ouster —whatever it was—from Bear Stearns. Mov- ing from couch to couch for a while. Sleeping in his lawyer's offices before settling down in an apartment in the Solow Tower, on East 66th Street. It's a bit hard to believe. After all, Epstein left Bear Stearns with a good deal of money. But Epstein's lifestyle was expensive. He was a man on the make then, and Ana was still in her twen- ties, plying her craft at the Actors Studio — the New York City theater institution that Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, and Jane Fonda had all been members of. Epstein told Ana that he'd formed a company, International Assets Group. To Ana, this sounded very impressive. In fact, JAG was a small operation that Epstein was running out of his apartment. 102 But if Ana had already see till maintain that who helped SE women he'd cu whole other kir Ones that n Andrew Levan( District of Nem. Force. He was a he was build in of Drysdale ex Epstein bringir Epstein came tc The woman Levander to lawyer named F himself, was as: hunt for the mo In effect, IN deadfalls. And pany were less to the US atton had violated a investments. This was w discretion cat Ana Obregol TERSON )f Spanish families—including —had invested with Drysdale. andreds of millions of dollars. investors. ey Epstein was help in recover- ing stupid," she told him. lyn accent. They blended well .vely. Ls willing to help. e, with the money. The family Li it? A scheme. He knew some of . And now the money is gone." in recall that he was bad off after it was—from Bear Stearns. Mov- a while. Sleeping in his lawyer's an apartment in the Solow Tower, ifter all, Epstein left Bear Stearns .t Epstein's lifestyle was expensive. Len, and Ana was still in her twen- .ctors Studio — the New York City on Brando, Robert De Niro, Jack id all been members of. 3. formed a company, International :ry impressive. In fact, IAG was a was running out of his apartment. 102 FILTHY RICH But if Ana had known that, would she have cared? She could already see that Epstein was brilliant. And though she would maintain that their friendship was strictly platonic, it was Ana who helped set Epstein on his course. Like other beautiful women he'd cultivate throughout his life, she opened doors to whole other kingdoms. Ones that no boys from Brooklyn had even dreamed of. Andrew Levander was an assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York's Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. He was assigned to look into Drysdale's collapse. The case he was building would result in fraud convictions for a number of Drysdale executives, and even today, Levander remembers Epstein bringing "a very attractive woman" to meet him when Epstein came to him in the course of the investigation. The woman was Ana ObregOn. Levander told Ana that he was already working the case. A lawyer named Robert Gold, who was a former federal prosecutor himself, was assisting. And now Epstein would join them in the hunt for the monies. In effect, DGS had built a series of labyrinths, rabbit holes, deadfalls. And even investors who'd lost vast sums to the com- pany were less than forthcoming when it came to speaking to the US attorney. Several of the investors were foreign. Some had violated their own countries' laws pertaining to foreign investments. This was where Epstein—with his calm, confident air of discretion_ came in. Arta Obregin gave Epstein power of attorney over any monies 103 JAMES PATTERSON that he recovered. And though it took him three years, working with Robert Gold and the US attorney's office, Epstein finally did make his way to the center of DGS's maze and recover ObregOn's Most of it was being held in a bank in the Cayman Islands. money. Epstein's agreement with Ana prevents us from knowing how much he recovered— and how much he kept. But given the amounts at stake, Epstein likely earned millions— or more— and to this day Ana ObregOn has nothing but appreciation for what Epstein accomplished. "I know he's had some problems," she says. "I don't want any- thing to do with that." As for Epstein, he came out of the deal with a new modus operandi: from now on, he'd only work with the super rich. 104 Eva Andersson: iss Swed( zling whi the stage winner of this, the Seoul, South Korea "And now that see which five girls Barker pauses, tightens. There are 1 even if they're not ( "On this card received the highe interview, the swin Eva feels the c2 standing in betwee. TERSON took him three years, working .rney's office, Epstein finally did iS's maze and recover ObregOn's bank in the Cayman Islands. na prevents us from knowing Jow much he kept. But given the y earned millions—or more— Las nothing but appreciation for ems," she says. "I don't want any- t of the deal with a new modus ly work with the super rich. CHAPTER 25 Eva Andersson:July 8, 1980 iss Sweden, Eva Birgitta Andersson, is wearing a daz- zling white gown and sweating, ever so slightly, under the stage lights. But Bob Barker's about to announce the winner of this, the twenty-ninth Miss Universe pageant, held in Seoul, South Korea, and Eva's smile is as wide as the ocean. "And now that we know what Miss Universe will win, let's see which five girls are still in the running!" Barker pauses, like the expert broadcaster he is. Eva's chest tightens. There are twelve women on stage, all of them beautiful — even if they're not quite as beautiful as Miss Sweden. "On this card are the names of five contestants who have received the highest total score from our judges in the personal interview, the swimsuit, and the evening gown competition." Eva feels the camera pan across the stage—pan across her, standing in between Miss Scotland and Miss Puerto Rico. 104 . 105 JAMES PATTERSON "As a result, they will be our five finalists. As I call each name, you will see a figure on your television screen. That is the total score received by the contestant since she became a semifinalist. But one thing I would point out to you: the point total is not necessarily a sign of who our eventual winner will be. Being first now is no guarantee of being first at the time of our judges' final ballot." Oh, get on with it, Miss Sweden thinks. And, as if by her com- mand, Bob Barker does. "Now our five finalists. Good luck, girls! The first finalist is: Miss Sweden!" Eva's hands fly up to her face. The time it takes her to walk to the front of the stage is all the time she needs to stop herself from crying. For Eva, it's not meant to be. Miss USA, Shawn Weatherly, wins that year's competition—she'll go on to become a star on Bay- watch. But Eva's future is secure nonetheless. After the pageant, she'll spend three years studying in Stockholm, finish med school at UCLA, and become a doctor of internal medicine. Along the way, she'll meet Jeffrey Epstein. People who knew them when they were a couple say that Eva wanted to marry Epstein. One friend says he considered it seri- ously. In the end, Eva ended up with a man named Glenn Dubin, though she and Epstein remained very close. And if Eva was the proverbial "one who got away," Epstein ended up dating other impressive women—world-class beauties—as he made his way in the world. 106 Why didn't any of always someone more corner. Perhaps none c urges. But he did haves by his side through ft with them. When he was thro say, they graduated up status of "lover" to "friE In his estimation, th The world was ful friendship seemed to bi FILTHY RICH ER SON .e finalists. As I call each name, vision screen. That is the total ince she became a semifinalist. to you: the point total is not itual winner will be. Being first L at the time of our judges' final n thinks. And, as if by her corn- I luck, girls! The first finalist is: . The time it takes her to walk to tie she needs to stop herself from Liss USA, Shawn Weatherly, wins L go on to become a star on Bay- :e nonetheless. After the pageant, Lying in Stockholm, finish med doctor of internal medicine. leffrey Epstein. Len they were a couple say that Eva e. friend says he considered it seri- p with a man named Glenn Dubin, ined very close. And if Eva was the .y," Epstein ended up dating other lass beauties— as he made his way Why didn't any of the romances take? Perhaps there was always someone more fabulous waiting for Epstein around the corner. Perhaps none of these women satisfied Epstein's deeper urges. But he did have a knack for keeping the women he'd dated by his side through thick and thin, long after he'd broken up with them. When he was through with his girlfriends, Epstein would say, they graduated up, not down, the ladder, moving from the status of "lover" to "friend." In his estimation, these shifts always constituted a promotion. The world was full of beautiful women. But for Epstein, friendship seemed to be a far more precious commodity. 106 107 Pay me fifty million cl( amount. At first Epstein did nc asked that the payment — escrow. If his strategy we bounced back to the diem In the eighties, when much, much higher than 50 percent, it was an exti were other ways to make In 1982, Epstein sold his relatives, and others on an Michael Stroll, had run M company known for the 13] Stroll put $450,000 int But in 1984, Michael repeated demands and r€ Epstein owed him, he got ment. Eventually he sued ing 5440,000—the case m Epstein told the judge tha ally the payment for a hor Like many cases invol of court, the terms of the f CHAPTER 26 Jeffrey Epstein: 1984 ow did Jeffrey Epstein make all his money? Epstein would tell stories over the years about mon- ies recovered from slippery characters. Sometimes, friends and former associates would say, he'd suggest he had ties to the governme-nt, giving listeners the impression that he was doing dangerous, glamorous work. Others said that what Epstein really did, at this stage in his career, was much more banal. According to them, Epstein spent most of his time coming up with creative new ways for the rich to avoid paying taxes. The commission for tax-avoidance deals was enormous, although the number of deals Epstein was involved with is a matter of conjecture, as is his record of successes and But Epstein's business model was evolving. He'd charge a flat failures. fee. No fancy math. No percentages. 108 FILTHY RICH CHAPTER 26 lake all his money? tories over the years about mon- ffy characters. Sometimes, friends .y, he'd suggest he had ties to the le impression that he was doing em n really did, at this stage in his According to them, Epstein spent ith creative new ways for the rich mmission for tax-avoidance deals mber of deals Epstein was involved , as is his record of successes and iel was evolving. He'd charge a flat itages. 108 Pay me fifty million dollars. Or pay the IRS seven times that amount. At first Epstein did not demand his fee up front. Instead he asked that the payment—often a substantial one—be put into escrow. If his strategy worked, he'd get paid. If not, the money bounced back to the client. In the eighties, when tax rates on the top 1 percent were much, much higher than they are today, topping out at close to 50 percent, it was an extremely effective pitch. And then there were other ways to make money. In 1982, Epstein sold his wealthy friends, his friends' wealthy relatives, and others on an oil-drilling deal. One of the investors, Michael Stroll, had run Williams Electronics, an entertainment company known for the pinball machines it made. Stroll put $450,000 into the oil deal. But in 1984, Michael Stroll wanted his money back. Despite repeated demands and requests for a full accounting of what Epstein owed him, he got $10,000 back on his $450,000 invest- ment. Eventually he sued Epstein in federal court for the remain- ing $440,000—the case went on for a number of years. In court, Epstein told the judge that the $10,000 he'd returned was actu- ally the payment for a horse Stroll had sold him. Like many cases involving Epstein, this one was settled out of court, the terms of the final agreement kept secret. 109 CHAPTER 27 Steven Hoffenberg: July 10, 1987 Before there was Bernie Madoff, there was Steven Hoffenberg. In 1987, Hoffenberg was the head of Towers Financial Corporation, a company that bought debts, such as unpaid medical bills, at a very steep discount while pressing the debtors to repay in full. He'd started the company fifteen years earlier with two thousand dollars and just a handful of employees. Thanks, in part, to a grueling work ethic, he'd turned that into a much bigger concern, with twelve hundred employees and stock that traded over the counter. But Hoffenberg still spent fifteen hours each day, six days a week, in his office. He wanted more. Hoffenberg was a Wall Street outsider. A Brooklyn boy. A college dropout, like Epstein. One thing Hoffenberg wanted was respect. The other was someone who was familiar with Wall Street's inner workings. jef- frey Epstein, who had traded options for Bear Stearns, fit the bill. 110 Hoffenberg began pa! month for Epstein's exper The SEC had already ding with him out of coy securities. But Hoffenberg In the 1980s, several n the greenmailing of pub mailing means, in practici investors will start buyin, vulnerable to takeover att utives at those companies It's risky, but very often ti profit. Yet another thing Hoi American World Airways. its downward trajectory, t For Hoffenberg; the huge. According to Hoffenberg, over of Pan Am—a deal ti Steven Hoffenberg stil listening to him, one mus guilty to criminal conspir, million swindle, a famili Bernie Madoff case. Like so many others, Without the necessary u: spent at the office, he'd als CHAPTER 27 1987 loff, there was Steven Hoffenberg. ras the head of Towers Financial hat bought debts, such as unpaid scount while pressing the debtors the company fifteen years earlier rid just a handful of employees. work ethic, he'd turned that into a elve hundred employees and stock But Hoffenberg still spent fifteen :k, in his office. )erg was a Wall Street outsider. A mt, like Epstein. anted was respect. The other was th Wall Street's inner workings. Jef- pptions for Bear Stearns, fit the bill. 110 FILTHY RICH Hoffenberg began paying twenty-five thousand dollars per month for Epstein's expertise as a consultant. The SEC had already looked into Hoffenberg's affairs, set- tling with him out of court in a matter relating to unregistered securities. But Hoffenberg was dangling a very big prize. In the 1980s, several major financial players were involved in the greenmailing of publicly traded companies. What green- mailing means, in practice, is that a brokerage house or group of investors will start buying shares in companies that seem to be vulnerable to takeover attempts. To ward off the attempts, exec- utives at those companies will buy the shares back at a premium. It's risky, but very often the investors stand to make a handsome profit. Yet another thing Hoffenberg wanted was to take over Pan American World Airways. The iconic airline had already entered its downward trajectory, but it was still a giant. For Hoffenberg, the greenmailing profits could have been huge. According to Hoffenberg, Epstein handled the attempted take- over of Pan Am—a deal that went sideways almost immediately. Steven Hoffenberg still has a lot to say on the subject. But in listening to him, one must bear in mind that in 1995, he pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy and fraud charges involving a $460 million swindle, a familiar scheme to anyone who followed the Bernie Madoff case. Like so many others, Hoffenberg had tried to fly very high Without the necessary updraft. And despite all the hours he spent at the office, he'd also developed a taste for the high life. He 111 JAMES PATTERSON bought his own jet, a luxury yacht, and a Long Island mansion to go with his expensive Manhattan apartment. He'd also briefly owned a controlling interest in the New York Post. To cover his tracks, Hoffenberg had been taking money from investors and using it to pay previous investors. It was a classic Ponzi scheme—one of the biggest in history—and Hoffenberg ended up spending nineteen years in a federal prison. Why was Epstein not implicated in the case? All that Hoffen- berg will say when asked is: "Ask Robert Gold." Another source suggests that Gold, the former federal prose- cutor who had helped Epstein recover Ana ObregOn's money, kept the US attorney away from Epstein until there were only a few weeks left before the statute of limitations ran out. As for Epstein himself, he would always deny any wrong- doing. Despite his proximity to Hoffenberg, he managed to avoid the blast radius. 112 Robert Meister: 1985 Robert Meister, the vic( kerage and consulting in the mid-eighties, Palm Beach. Both men were the other looked familiar. Th and Meister filed the conven At that time, Les Wexner, w of Meister's insurance comp the people managing his mo Wexner was a billionaire were in a tangle. Maybe Epst would also be grateful for the there's evidence to suggest th his last Bear Stearns bonus— recovered for Ana Obregon— rERSON it, and a Long Island mansion an apartment. He'd also briefly e New York Post. -g had been taking money from Ji0US investors. It was a classic .st in history—and Hoffenberg s in a federal prison. ted in the case? All that Hoffen- : Robert Gold." :Gold, the former federal prose- recover Ana ObregOn's money, Epstein until there were only a of limitations ran out. would always deny any wrong- Hoffenberg, he managed to avoid 112 CHAPTER 28 Robert Meister: 1985 Robert Meister, the vice chairman of a giant insurance bro- kerage and consulting firm called Aon, met Jeffrey Epstein in the mid-eighties, aboard a flight from New York to Palm Beach. Both men were flying first class. Each one thought the other looked familiar. They talked in the course of that flight, and Meister filed the conversation away, only to recall it in 1989. At that time, Les Wexner, who was Meister's friend and a client of Meister's insurance company, was complaining to him about the people managing his money. Wexner was a billionaire, but for all his wealth, his finances were in a tangle. Maybe Epstein could help. And perhaps Epstein would also be grateful for the introduction. Hard as it is to believe, there's evidence to suggest that Epstein really had spent the last of , his last Bear Stearns bonus—along with his share of the money he'd recovered for Ana ObregOn—and was broke, again, at the time. 113 JAMES PATTERSON One estranged friend says that he had to loan Epstein money to pay the bill at Epstein's garage, which had seized Epstein's car for nonpayment. Another estranged friend says that Epstein didn't have two nickels to rub together. Diana Crane, a former model, says that Epstein always had first-class upgrades he would give to his friends so they didn't have to fly economy class. "No one knew where or how he got them," Crane recalls. "Sometimes they worked, and other times they didn't. I remem- ber he saw a friend of mine wearing a Concorde jacket. He asked if he could borrow it for a day or so. My friend never got the jacket back. But Epstein would tell people he always flew on the Concorde — a total lie." But even if Epstein were flush, Les Wexner would have been a big fish to catch. From the get-go, Meister's wife, Wendy, had her suspicions about Epstein. About the way he presented himself and the way he worked himself into their inner circle. Before long, Wendy was calling Epstein the virus. But for Epstein, the Meisters weren't the point. Wexner was. And hard as it is to understand why the billionaire would associate with a man who'd worked with a Ponzi king like Steven Hoffenberg, it turned out that Wexner and Epstein would get along perfectly well. Ghislaine Maxwell Robert Meister v Epstein, the bc social ladder. T heiress from the Unite of the world's most gla: Maxwell was the the most famous— ev Robert Maxwell, was French Foreign Legioi had gone on to becon he'd become a media birth name was Jan L died in disgrace in 19 Side of his supersize y Apoirr The shtetl Solon 114 ERSON he had to loan Epstein money which had seized Epstein's car ; that Epstein didn't have two , says that Epstein always had .e to his friends so they didn't v he got them," Crane recalls. her times they didn't. I remem- .ng a Concorde jacket. He asked or so. My friend never got the cll people he always flew on the h, Les Wexner would have been vife, Wendy, had her suspicions e presented himself and the way aer circle. ing Epstein the virus. ; weren't the point. Wexner was. stand why the billionaire would -ked with a Ponzi king like Steven Wexner and Epstein would get 114 CHAPTER 29 Ghislaine Maxwell: 1991 Robert Meister was not the only friend who helped Jeffrey Epstein, the boy from Coney Island, on his way up the social ladder. There was also Ghislaine Maxwell, a wealthy heiress from the United Kingdom who'd retained her ties to some of the world's most glamorous and scandalous jet-setters. Maxwell was the youngest and most favored child of one of the most famous—even infamous—men in Europe. Her father, Robert Maxwell, was a Czech refugee who had fought in the French Foreign Legion and with the British in World War II and had gone on to become a member of Parliament. By the 1960s, he'd become a media baron. Born into a Hasidic family—his birth name was Jan Ludvik Hyman Binyamin Hoch—Maxwell died in disgrace in 1991 after falling or perhaps jumping off the Side of his supersize yacht, the Lady Ghislaine. "The shtetl Solotvyno, where I come from, it is no more," 115 JAMES PATTERSON Maxwell said a few months before his demise. "It was poor. It was Orthodox. And it was Jewish. We were very poor. We didn't have things that other people had. They had shoes, they had food, and we didn't. At the end of the war, I discovered the fate of my parents and my sisters and brothers, relatives, and neighbors. I don't know what went through their minds as they realized that they'd been tricked into a gas chamber." Maxwell's own death was followed by an international scan- dal. It turned out that he'd stolen hundreds of millions of pounds from his companies' pension funds and used them to prop up his empire. Two of his so-ns were tried for conspiracy to commit fraud and ultimately exonerated. But Ghislaine, who had grown up in luxurious surroundings and counted the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, among her intimates, could not escape the dark shadow her father had cast. Looking to start fresh, she took the Concorde to New York City. At first, it seems, Maxwell and Epstein were lovers. "She was madly in love with Jeffrey," says a longtime friend of Ghislaine's. Then they became something more. Ghislaine took care of Epstein's travel arrangements. She managed his household and opened doors that very few Brooklyn-born Jewish boys could have passed through. According to lawsuits and witness testi- mony, she also became one of several women who procured young girls for Epstein. She was not jealous, according to people who knew her back then. If anything, Ghislaine seemed to take pleasure in satisfy- ing Epstein's needs. Ghislaine introduced Epstein to a fabulous world that the 116 Brooklyn boy knew noi taught Epstein the differ( But despite—or was it Epstein, she, too, gradi According to Jane Doe filed in 2009 by a womat of the services Maxwell ment of underage worn. papers, Maxwell has ve Virginia, with any othe with, or with any crimim In a 2016 answer to a c Maxwell called the alle& The case of Nadia B. first noticed by Epstein, in the eyes of her mothei Bjorlin's Iranian-bort years ago about her famil and Epstein. Bjorlin's fat music, had died a year this made the girl a vuln "She was at school a- Michigan, when she met "My daughter was a 5 little girl, not mature for thought she was nine or "Epstein was a big dc her father had died, so 4. He said, 'Here's my numt "He kept saying, `Cor -ERSON FILTHY RICH .e his demise. "It was poor. It We were very poor. We didn't id. They had shoes, they had the war, I discovered the fate of ithers, relatives, and neighbors. their minds as they realized ; chamber." owed by an international scan- hundreds of millions of pounds Is and used them to prop up his ried for conspiracy to commit But Ghislaine, who had grown md counted the Duke of York, lates, could not escape the dark king to start fresh, she took the I Epstein were lovers. "She was a longtime friend of Ghislaine's. , more. Ghislaine took care of She managed his household and rooklyn-born Jewish boys could ag to lawsuits and witness testi- )f several women who procured ang to people who knew her back emed to take pleasure in satisfy- .ein to a fabulous world that the 116 Brooklyn boy knew nothing about. One friend jokes that she taught Epstein the difference between a fish fork and a salad fork. But despite—or was it because of? —Maxwell's devotion to Epstein, she, too, graduated from girlfriend to friend status. According to Jane Doe 102 vs. Jeffrey Epstein, a civil complaint filed in 2009 by a woman later identified as Virginia Roberts, one of the services Maxwell provided for Epstein was the procure- ment of underage women. (Through her lawyer and in court papers, Maxwell has vehemently denied any involvement with Virginia, with any other young woman Epstein was involved with, or with any criminal activities committed by Jeffrey Epstein. In a 2016 answer to a defamation lawsuit brought by Roberts, Maxwell called the allegations fabricated for financial gain.) The case of Nadia Bjorlin, who was thirteen when she was first noticed by Epstein, raises questions in this regard, at least in the eyes of her mother. Bjorlin's Iranian-born mother spoke to a British tabloid some years ago about her family's disturbing experience with Maxwell and Epstein. Bjorlin's father, a celebrated conductor of classical music, had died a year earlier, the mother said. She believed that this made the girl a vulnerable and easy target. "She was at school at the famed Interlochen Arts Center, in Michigan, when she met Epstein," the mother said. "My daughter was a singer. She was a baby. She was a skinny little girl, not mature for her age. She was thirteen, but everyone thought she was nine or ten. "Epstein was a big donor, and he heard about Nadia and that her father had died, so she was vulnerable, and he contacted her. lie said, 'Here's my number.' . He kept saying, 'Come—will you come?' He said he wanted 117 JAMES PATTERSON to help mentor her. I wouldn't let her meet him. What sort of a man approaches a young girl and asks to meet her?" In the meantime, .Maxwell had become friendly with the family. "I trusted Ghislaine; she was like a mother," Bjorlin's mother recalled. "She was always calling my house. "Ghislaine didn't want me to meet Epstein, but I did anyway, and I asked what he wanted with Nadia. He said he wanted to help her singing career. He said, 'I'd like to be like a godfather.' It felt creepy. "I had a bad vibe about him and said, 'Stop!' I told him, 'No, thank you. She doesn't need your help.' I kept Nadia away from him. She never met him alone. She never went anywhere with him." Despite her suspicions, it took Epstein's arrest to make Bjor- lin's mother wonder whether Maxwell and Epstein hadn't been sizing her daughter up for his stable of underage women. Leslie Wexner: 19! Leslie Wexner, ti erner. Born in Russian-Jewish shooter— taciturn ar For several year-5 was the largest yacht Wexner's emplo) fiercely loyal to them In time, he'd corn "Everyone was n says Robert Morosk taller the Limited, "Almost everyor other former emp t of nowhere." 1TERSON a her meet him. What sort of a I asks to meet her?" had become friendly with the Le was like a mother," Bjorlin's s calling my house. meet Epstein, but I did anyway, .th Nadia. He said he wanted to 'I'd like to be like a godfather.' It . and said, 'Stop!' I told him, 'No, ur help.' I kept Nadia away from e never went anywhere with him." ,ok Epstein's arrest to make Bjor- 4axwell and Epstein hadn't been table of underage women. 118 CHAPTER 30 Leslie Wexner: 1993 Leslie Wexner, the richest man in Ohio, is a proud midwest- erner. Born into the rag trade (Wexner's parents were Russian-Jewish immigrants), he grew up to be a straight shooter—taciturn and camera-shy. For several years running, his 315-foot boat, the Limitless, was the largest yacht owned by an American. • Wexner's employees loved him, and he was known to be fiercely loyal to them. In time, he'd come to see the same qualities in Jeffrey Epstein. "Everyone was mystified as to what [Epstein's] appeal was," says Robert Morosky, a former vice chairman of the clothing retailer the Limited, founded by Wexner. "Almost everyone at the Limited wondered who he was," another former employee of Wexner's recalls. lie literally came out of nowhere." 119 JAMES PATTERSON Fi But it seems that Epstein did work hard to untangle Wexner's finances. And it appears he succeeded. "Jeffrey cleaned that up right away," a former associate of Epstein's says. The two men became all but inseparable. "Very smart, with a combination of excellent judgment and unusually high standards," Wexner said of Epstein at the time. "Also, he is always a most loyal friend." When Wexner wanted to break up with a woman he'd been dating for several years—a woman who moved to Ohio and con- verted to Judaism to make him happy—he dispatched Epstein to do the dirty work. When Wexner hired a decorator for his Ohio mansion and wanted someone to verify the authenticity of several expensive antiques, Epstein flew in his friend Stuart Pivar, the renowned art collector and author. (According to Pivar, most of the antiques were cheap imitations.) When Wexner traveled abroad, he'd bring back trinkets and gifts for Epstein. When Wexner wanted to see Cats, Epstein arranged to have the cast perform in his mansion. In Ohio, Wexner's associates whispered about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. In New York, they wondered about Epstein's role in Wexner's 1993 marriage to Abigail Koppel. At thirty-one, Koppel was twenty-four years Wexner's junior. It was Epstein who negotiated the prenuptial agreement and orchestrated its very strange signing. Abigail signed the agree- ment in her law office. Wexner signed it in his office. According - to an associate of Epstein's who was present, Epstein brought a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model along to Wexner's office, as if to make the point that then world. As a joke, Epstein pl belly and had Wexner sign it Epstein asked his friend: "Yes, Jeffrey," said Wexnc "It was an uproarious sce Jeffrey being Jeffrey. That wa 'TERSON FILTHY RICH vork hard to untangle Wexner's eeded. "Jeffrey cleaned that up Epstein's says. .nseparable. ttion of excellent judgment and ner said of Epstein at the time. riend." !.ak up with a woman he'd been an who moved to Ohio and con- happy — he dispatched Epstein rator for his Ohio mansion and .uthenticity of several expensive lend Stuart Pivar, the renowned Ling to Pivar, most of the antiques L Wexner traveled abroad, he'd r Epstein. When Wexner wanted to have the cast perform in his whispered about his relationship rk, they wondered about Epstein's !. to Abigail Koppel. wenty-four years Wexner's junior. :d the prenuptial agreement and Agning. Abigail signed the agree- r signed it in his office. According io was present, Epstein brought a 'del along to Wexner's office, as if 120 to make the point that there are other beautiful women in the world. As a joke, Epstein placed the agreement on the model's belly and had Wexner sign it right there. Epstein asked his friend: "Are you sure you want to do this?" "Yes, Jeffrey," said Wexner. "Quite sure." "It was an uproarious scene," Epstein's associate recalls. "Just Jeffrey being Jeffrey. That was his gestalt." 121 PART_II The Women CHAPTER 31 Mc2 Model Management's NYC branch is looking for "highly motivated and energetic" interns to assist their agents part-time or full-time. If you're thinking to yourself, who?, it's the agency founded by Jean-Luc Brunel, the guy who first signed Christy Turlington when she was just fourteen. Responsibilities include scanning pictures, answering phones, assisting with updating models' portfolios, and working in Photoshop, Word and Excel (so you have to already know what you're doing in those). You Must: Be interested in the fashion, modeling and photography industries, outgoing, well spoken, and able to keep cool while five different people demand Starbucks / copies / phone calls / etc. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience at a smaller agency, plus they can offer a stipend and a Met rocard as well as school credit if needed. Send your resume to intern@ mc2mm.com Good luck! —Julia Hermanns, Fashionista, January 30, 2009 125 JAMES PATTERSON Jean-Luc Brunel: 2005 IFor Jeffrey Epstein, Leslie Wexner is more than a mentor. More than the last in a line of older men—father figures— whom Epstein cultivated while making his way in the world. Wexner is also a steady, if indirect, source of beautiful women. After all, Wexner is the man in charge of Victoria's Secret, part of the Limited family of companies and—better yet—in charge of the Victoria's Secret catalog. What this means for Epstein is models galore. In fact, like a fox that's gotten hold of the lease to a henhouse, Epstein, according to evidence collected in a later lawsuit brought by Epstein victims, eventually pro- vided financial support for a modeling agency, and provided support for models employed by that agency, in New York City. This story begins with a Frenchman— a playboy modeling agent named Jean-Luc Brunel—who was an owner of the Karin modeling agency. Brunel had been working as a modeling agent since the sev- enties. He claimed to have launched the careers of Monica Bel- lucci, Estelle, Jerry Hall, Rachel Hunter, Milla Jovovich, Rebecca Romijn, Kristina Semenovskaya, Sharon Stone, and Estella War- ren, as well as Christy Turlington and other well-known cover girls. Brunel had also been a subject of a 60 Minutes investiga- tion, broadcast in 1988, into sexual exploitation in the modeling industry. That expose had caused Eileen Ford of the elite Ford modeling agency to sever her ties with the playboy. (Brunets activities were also chronicled in a 1995 book about the fashion 126 industry—Model: The Gross.) But Brunets reputat getting involved in his I According to a sun Edwards, a Victims' law Epstein alleging fabrics Epstein had provided sr its name, in 2005, from As a scout for MC2 undiscovered talent, faN the former Soviet repuE eling competitions and eling agents and agenci But according to th the information he hac and Brunel had used tb eign countries into the ing contracts. These g belonging to Epstein. visa for these girls," underage girls rent, pre the condos." "I strongly deny I- indirectly, in the actiol Brunel would say. "I st act or any wrongdoing model agencies manag tal standard for almosl According to Brui •ERSON. exner is more than a mentor. if older men— father figures — vhile making his way in the indirect, source of beautiful in charge of Victoria's Secret, impanies and—better yet— in catalog. What this means for , like a fox that's gotten hold of according to evidence collected pstein victims, eventually pro- aodeling agency, and provided that agency, in New York City. :nchman— a playboy modeling who was an owner of the Karin a modeling agent since the sev- ched the careers of Monica Bel- Hunter, Milla Jovovich, Rebecca ., Sharon Stone, and Estella War- :on and other well-known cover ubject of a 60 Minutes investiga- mai exploitation in the modeling sed Eileen Ford of the elite Ford ties with the playboy. (Brunel's in a 1995 book about the fashion 126 FILTHY RICH industry—Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, by Michael Gross.) But Brunel's reputation did not prevent Jeffrey Epstein from getting involved in his business. According to a summary judgment court filing by Bradley Edwards, a Victims' lawyer defending against a lawsuit by Jeffrey Epstein alleging fabrication of sexual assault cases against him, Epstein had provided support for Brunel's agency, which changed its name, in 2005, from Karin to MC2— as in E = mc2. As a scout for MC2, Brunel traveled the world in search of undiscovered talent, favoring Scandinavia, Israel, central Europe, the former Soviet republics, and South America, setting up mad- eling competitions and negotiating with other international mod- eling agents and agencies. But according to the court filing, in which Edwards detailed the information he had gathered in support of victims, Epstein and Brunel had used the agency to bring underage girls from for- eign countries into the United States by promising them model- ing contracts. These girls were then housed in condominiums belonging to Epstein. "Epstein and Brunel would then obtain a visa for these girls," the document states, "then charge the underage girls rent, presumably to live as underage prostitutes in the condos.." "I strongly deny having participated, neither directly nor indirectly, in the actions Mr. Jeffrey Epstein is being accused of," Brunel would say. "I strongly deny having committed any illicit act or any wrongdoing in the course of my work as a scouter or model agencies manager. I have exercised with the utmost ethi- cal standard for almost forty years." ;1*. According to Brunel, his association with Jeffrey Epstein 127 JAMES PATTERSON ended up having a strong negative impact on his reputation and business. Several photographers refused to work with him. Other agencies, such as Modilinos Model Management, curtailed their relationships with Brunel. And in 2015, Brunel filed his own civil lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein, denying that he had any role in Epstein's illegal activities, alleging that Epstein had obstructed justice by telling him to avoid having his deposition taken in the criminal case the Palm Beach PD had built against Epstein, and claiming that false allegations of Brunel's links to Epstein's activ- ities had harmed his reputation and cost him a great deal of business. In his filing, Brunel included several e-mails from industry contacts who expressed their doubts about placing models with his agency. "Parents don't want their daughters coming to us because [when] they google your name and the agency name the only things they see is 'Sex Trafficking'!!!" one correspondent had written. 128 Nadia Marcinkova: circ C2 has offices in I\ motion—flying to Virgin Islands. 01 Paris. And when he comes where important people— c university presidents, Nobe ex-presidents, and heads of si Some guests marvel in p1 do they come from? Nadia Marcinkova com( model. But Nadia's done very become another of Epstein's, According to statements also served as a willing accc on underage females. .RSON Lmpact on his reputation and ised to work with him. Other Management, curtailed their 2015, Brunel filed his own , denying that he had any role g that Epstein had obstructed ag his deposition taken in the iad built against Epstein, and .unel's links to Epstein's activ- md cost him a great deal of several e-mails from industry )ts about placing models with heir daughters coming to us Lame and the agency name the icking'!!!" one correspondent 3 CHAPTER 32 Nadia Marcinkova: circa 2000 C2 has offices in New York City. But Jeffrey's always in motion—flying to his homes in New Mexico and the Virgin Islands. Often to Palm Beach. Sometimes to Paris. And when he comes home to New York he hosts parties where important people—corporate titans, real estate tycoons, university presidents, Nobel Prize—winning scientists, princes, ex-presidents, and heads of state—mingle with beautiful women. Some guests marvel in public: Who are these women? Where do they come from? Nadia Marcinkova comes from Slovakia. She looks like a model. But Nadia's done very little modeling, if any. Instead she's become another of Epstein's girlfriends. According to statements given to the Palm Beach police, she's also served as a willing accomplice in Epstein's sexual assaults on underage females. 129 JAMES PATTERSON Epstein prefers diminutive women, but Nadia is tall. She's rail-thin and blond like the sun, with glowing skin, a wide smile, and sky-high cheekbones. On a good day, she could pass for a Bond girl—a woman caught up in a web of crime and intrigue. But of course, that's exactly what she is. In certain circles, the academics and the women in Epstein's orbit are almost a joke. In a 2003 profile of him, New York maga- zine quotes Harvard professors ("He is amazing"), Princeton professors ("He changed my life"), MIT professors ("If I had acted upon the investment advice he has given me over the years, I'd be calling you from my Gulfstream right now"), and other lumi- naries, up to and including Bill Clinton. "I've known Jeff for fifteen years," says Donald Trump. "Terrific guy; he's a lot of fun to be with." No one knew then that someday Trump would run for presi- dent. (When he does, he'll attack Hillary Clinton for Bill Clinton's own entanglements with Epstein.) But Trump's already ahead of the curve in that he ends up severing his ties to Epstein well before the police or the media get wind of Epstein's penchant for underage girls. He does this because he finds out that in their endless hunt for "masseuses," Epstein's procurers have been prowling around Trump's estate in Palm Beach. 130 Virginia Roberts: 1999 Trump's estate, Mar- ulously wealthy he: sits on twenty perfi miles away from Jeffrey E home to the exclusive Mar- courts, and a very posh rest Donald Trump had fou they blocked all his efforts I Other clubs on the island- blacks and Jews— had neve argued. At one point he seni ber of the town council: Gu Sidney Poitier confronts his tleman's Agreement, in which in Connecticut and New Yot 7ERSON Dmen, but Nadia is tall. She's ith glowing skin, a wide smile, ss for a Bond girl—a woman . intrigue. But of course, that's CHAPTER 33 s and the women in Epstein's profile of him, New York maga- ("He is amazing"), Princeton ), MIT professors ("If I had acted las given me over the years, I'd am right now"), and other lumi- :linton. years," says Donald Trump. be with." .tday Trump would run for presi- : Hillary Clinton for Bill Clinton's n.) But Trump's already ahead of ievering his ties to Epstein well et wind of Epstein's penchant for .ds out that in their endless hunt urers have been prowling around 130 Virginia Roberts: 1999 Trump's estate, Mar-a-Lago, had once belonged to the fab- ulously wealthy heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. It sits on twenty perfectly manicured acres less than two miles away from Jeffrey Epstein's home on El Brillo Way. It's home to the exclusive Mar-a-Lago Club, which has a spa, tennis courts, and a very posh restaurant. Donald Trump had fought the town council for decades as they blocked all his efforts to turn the place into a private resort. Other clubs on the island— those with a history of excluding blacks and Jews— had never faced such restrictions, Trump had argued. At one point he sent copies of two movies to every mem- ber of the town council: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, in which Sidney Poitier confronts his girlfriend's racist parents, and Gen- tleman's Agreement, in which a journalist confronts anti-Semitism In Connecticut and New York City. 131 JAMES PATTERSON f "Whether they love me or not, everyone agrees the greatest and most important place in Palm Beach is Mar-a-Lago," Trump told the Washington Post after winning his battle. "I took this ultimate place and made it incredible and opened it, essentially, to the people of Palm Beach. The fact that I owned it made it a lot easier to get along with the Palm Beach establishment." The Breakers hotel, Trump explained, "gets the [island's] leftovers." It cost $100,000 to join the club. Members paid $14,000 yearly in dues. And although Epstein had never properly joined the club, Trump's friendship with Ghislaine Maxwell gave Epstein unlimited use of the facilities. This arrangement ended when a member's young daughter complained to her wealthy father: while relaxing at Mar-a-Lago, she'd been approached and invited out to Epstein's house. The girl said that she had gone and that Epstein had tried to get her to undress. The girl's father had gone directly to Trump, who—in no uncertain terms— told Epstein that he was barred from Mar-a- Lago. Because no complaint was filed, the police had taken no action. But years later, a woman named Virginia Roberts would say that, as a young girl, she'd had an identical encounter at Mar-a-Lago. According to a court document Virginia filed in her civil lawsuit against Epstein, she was a changing-room assistant at Mar-a-Lago, earning about nine dollars an hour, when Ghislaine Maxwell approached her. Maxwell asked Virginia if she was interested in learning to be a massage therapist—which, it turned out, she was. Like the other girl, Virginia told her father, who was also employed at ager. But Virginia's father s he drove her, later that day There, according to thc ia's father that Ms. Maxwel for his teenage daughter. T room equipped with a sl Epstein was lying, naked, c Virginia was shocked, experience with massages, apy protocol. "Ms. Maxwel on her underwear and [Jeffrey's] body, impliedly expected to do," the filing [Virginia] to take off her c: sive about doing this, but, in by removing everything but to remove her underwear a escalated, with [Jeffrey] al battering, exploiting, and al in various locations, incluc At the end of this sexua Ms. Maxwell giddily told [. and told her she had 'lots c hundreds of dollars, told h directed one of her employe At the time, Virginia wa FILTHY RICH ERSON who was also employed at Mar-a-Lago as a maintenance man- ager. But Virginia's father saw nothing wrong with the offer, and he drove her, later that day, to Epstein's house on El Brill° Way. There, according to the document, Maxwell assured Virgin- ia's father that Ms. Maxwell would provide transportation home for his teenage daughter. Then she led Virginia upstairs, to a spa room equipped with a shower and a massage table. Jeffrey Epstein was lying, naked, on the table. Virginia was shocked, she says in the filing, but, with no experience with massages, thought this could be massage ther- apy protocol. "Ms. Maxwell then took off her own shirt and left on her underwear and started rubbing her breasts across [Jeffrey's] body, impliedly showing [Virginia] what she was expected to do," the filing continues. "Ms. Maxwell then told [Virginia] to take off her clothes. The minor girl was apprehen- sive about doing this, but, in fear, proceeded to follow Ms. Maxwell by removing everything but her underwear. She was then ordered to remove her underwear and straddle [Epstein]. The encounter escalated, with [Jeffrey] and Ms. Maxwell sexually assaulting, battering, exploiting, and abusing [Virginia] in various ways and in various locations, including the steam room and the shower. At the end of this sexually exploitive abuse, [Epstein] and Ms. Maxwell giddily told [Virginia] to return the following day and told her she had 'lots of potential.' [Epstein] paid [Virginia] hundreds of dollars, told her it was for two hours of work, and directed one of her employees to drive her home." At the time, Virginia was fifteen years old. 133 , everyone agrees the greatest Beach is Mar-a-Lago," Trump nning his battle. "I took this ible and opened it, essentially, act that I owned it made it a lot each establishment." .-..xplained, "gets the [island's] club. Members paid $14,000 ;tein had never properly joined Ghislaine Maxwell gave Epstein m a member's young daughter c: while relaxing at Mar-a-Lago, :d out to Epstein's house. ae and that Epstein had tried to irectly to Trump, who —in no that he was barred from Mar-a- filed, the police had taken no named Virginia Roberts would had an identical encounter at ment Virginia filed in her civil as a changing-room assistant at . dollars an hour, when Ghislaine (well asked Virginia if she was a massage therapist—which, it ther girl, Virginia told her father, 132 F L CHAPTER 34 Declaration of Virginia Roberts Giuffre: January 19, 2015, filed on January 19, 2015 by attorneys representing Jeffrey Epstein's victims 1. My name is Virginia Giuffre and I was born in August, 1983. 2. I am currently 31 years old. 3. I grew up in Palm Beach, Florida. When I was little, I loved animals and wanted to be a veterinarian. But my life took a very different turn when adults—including Jeffrey Epstein and his close friend Alan Dershowitz —began to be interested in having sex with me. 4. In approximately 1999, when I was 15 years old, I met Ghislaine Maxwell. She is the daughter of Robert Maxwell, who had been a wealthy publisher in Britain. Maxwell asked that I come with her to Jeffrey Epstein's mansion for the pur- poses of teaching me how to perform "massages" and to train 134 me personally in that area. home in Palm Beach on El. 5. From the first time. that day, his motivations c Maxwell's. My father was] up some stairs. There was c in the room. Epstein and activity with Epstein. I wc seemed to be in his 40s or 5 home by one of Epstein's em 6. I came back for sevi same sorts of sexual things j 7. After I did those things they were going to have me tr cation for me. They were pro; travel with Epstein on his pri fession. Epstein said he wouli wealthy person so that I woul 8. So I started "working' me to New York on his big, sion in New York City. I was rious room. The mansion wc got scared because it was si room with a massage parlor sexual activities with him thf 9. You can see how you below [see insert page 3]. 10. Epstein took me on a New York City and there he approximately 15 or 16 years FILTHY RICH CHAPTER 34 ierts Giuffre: January 19, 015 by attorneys Cs victims Ire and I was born in August, old. :h, Florida. When I was little, I be a veterinarian. But my life 'hen adults —including Jeffrey 41an Dershowitz —began to be me. when I was 15 years old, I met ie daughter of Robert Maxwell, tisher in Britain. Maxwell asked y Epstein's mansion for the pur- Perform "massages" and to train 134 me personally in that area. Soon after that I went to Epstein's home in Palm Beach on El Brill° Way. 5. From the first time I was taken to Epstein's mansion that day, his motivations and actions were sexual, as were Maxwell's. My father was not allowed inside. I was brought up some stairs. There was a naked guy, Epstein, on the table in the room. Epstein and Maxwell forced me into sexual activity with Epstein. I was 15 years old at the time. He seemed to be in his 40s or 50s. I was paid $200. I was driven home by one of Epstein's employees. 6. I came back for several days following and did the same sorts of sexual things for Epstein. 7. After I did those things for Epstein, he and Maxwell said they were going to have me travel and were going to get an edu- cation for me. They were promising me the world, that I would travel with Epstein on his private jet and have a well-paid pro- fession. Epstein said he would eventually match me up with a wealthy person so that I would be "set up" for life. 8. So I started "working" exclusively for Epstein. He took me to New York on his big, private jet. We went to his man- sion in New York City. I was shown to my room, a very luxu- rious room. The mansion was huge. I was very young and I got scared because it was so big. Epstein brought me to a room with a massage parlor. Epstein made me engage [in] sexual activities with him there. 9. You can see how young I looked in the photograph below [see insert page 3]. 10. Epstein took me on a ferry boat on one of the trips to New York City and there he took the picture above. I was approximately 15 or 16 years old at the time. 135 JAMES PATTERSON 11. Over the next few weeks, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghis- laine Maxwell trained me to do what they wanted, including sexual activities. The training was in New York and Florida, at Epstein's mansion. It was basically every day and it was like going to school. I also had to have sex with Epstein many times. 12. I was trained to be "everything a man wanted me to be." It wasn't just sexual training—they wanted me to be able to cater to all the needs of the men they were going to send me to. They said that they loved that I was very compli- ant and knew how to keep my mouth shut about what they expected me to do. 13. Epstein and Maxwell also told me that they wanted me to produce information for them in addition to perform- ing sex on the men. They told me to pay attention to the details about what the men wanted, so I could report back to them. 14. While I had juvenile hopes of bettering my life, from very early on I was also afraid of Epstein. Epstein told me he was a billionaire. I told my mother that I was working for this rich guy, and she said "go, go far away." Epstein had promised me a lot, and I knew if I left I would be in big trou- ble. I was witness to a lot of illegal and bad behavior by Epstein and his friends. If I left Epstein, he knew all kinds of powerful people. He could have had me killed or abducted, and I knew he was capable of that if I did not obey him. He let me know that he knew many people in high places. Speak- ing about himself, he said "I can get away" with things. Even as a teenager, I understood what this meant and it scared me, as I believe he intended. FILTE 15. I visited and traveled through the summer of 2002 with him for sexual activities sions) in locations including area of Santa Fe, New Me island in the U.S. Virgin Islam with him often in these places pie he demanded that I have many of these sexual encounte my only purposes for Epsteir was to be used for sex. 16. To illustrate my connel four photographs taken of me in for one of the photographs in museum in Santa Fe, New Mexi, the day. Epstein took this picture at the time, judging from the lo( we returned to Epstein's Zorro on one of Epstein's horses on 0, following two are from wintertirr 17. When I was with him, Ei girls on a daily basis. His inte obvious to the people around obvious and bold that anyone sj at one of Epstein's residences wc of what was going on. 18. Epstein's code word for s( was a "massage." At times the and the girls would start in the r was always a sexual encounter a ERSON FILTHY RICH s, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghis- what they wanted, including as in New York and Florida, sically every day and it was ) have sex with Epstein many rything a man wanted me to ing— they wanted me to be f the men they were going to loved that I was very compli- mouth shut about what they tlso told me that they wanted them in addition to perform- d me to pay attention to the nted, so I could report back to Jpes of bettering my life, from of Epstein. Epstein told me he wther that I was working for go, go far away." Epstein had if I left I would be in big trou- f illegal and bad behavior by ft Epstein, he knew all kinds of we had me killed or abducted, f that if I did not obey him. He r-iy people in high places. Speak- an get away" with things. Even licit this meant and it scared me, 136 15. I visited and traveled with Jeffrey Epstein from 1999 through the summer of 2002, and during that time I stayed with him for sexual activities at each of his houses (or man- sions) in locations including New York City, New York; the area of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Palm Beach, Florida; an island in the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Paris, France. I had sex with him often in these places and also with the various peo- ple he demanded that I have sex with. Epstein paid me for many of these sexual encounters. Looking back, I realize that my only purposes for Epstein, Maxwell, and their friends was to be used for sex. 16. To illustrate my connection to these places, I include four photographs taken of me in New Mexico [see insert page 3 for one of the photographs mentioned]. The first one is a museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We had gone sightseeing for the day. Epstein took this picture of me. I was approximately 17 at the time, judging from the looks of it. At the end of the day we returned to Epstein's Zorro Ranch. The second picture is me on one of Epstein's horses on the ranch in New Mexico. The following two are from wintertime in New Mexico. 17. When I was with him, Epstein had sex with underage girls on a daily basis. His interest in this kind of sex was obvious to the people around him. The activities were so obvious and bold that anyone spending any significant time at one of Epstein's residences would have clearly been aware of what was going on. 18. Epstein's code word for sexual encounters was that it was a "massage." At times the interaction between Epstein and the girls would start in the massage room setting, but it was always a sexual encounter and never just a massage. 137 JAMES PATTERSON 19. In addition to constantly finding underage girls to satisfy their personal desires, Epstein and Maxwell also got girls for Epstein's friends and acquaintances. Epstein specifi- cally told me that the reason for him doing this was so that they would "owe him," they would "be in his pocket," and he would "have something on them." I understood that Epstein thought he could get leniency if he was ever caught doing anything illegal, or that he could escape trouble altogether. Roberts submitted her declaration in support of a motion to be added as a plaintiff in a suit (ongoing, as of this writing) that sought to overturn a non-prosecution agreement that Jeffrey Epstein would reach with the government. Roberts was seeking to join a case brought against the government by two other vic- tims, but a judge denied her motion in April of 2015, explaining that the case had already been pending for several years, and it was unneccesary to add an additional plaintiff. Roberts's declaration, which goes on for another eight pages, and makes twenty-four additional points, was stricken from the record— the judge explained that the "lurid" and "unnecessary details" involving "non-parties" to the lawsuit against the government, were "immaterial and impertinent" to the proceedings. Through a representative, Ghislaine Maxwell called the allegations against her "obvious lies," after which Roberts filed a defamation suit against Maxwell. In an answer filed in the suit, Maxwell elaborated that Roberts's "story of abuse at the hands of Ms. Maxwell" was "fabricated" for financial gain. 138 Alicia: May 20, 1997 Donald Trump's instin solid. But if the repc into Epstein's myster ther, there's a chance they wc not just in Palm Beach. In California, for instan from the Santa Monica Police In the spring—almost the the police. The young woman I appeared on Baywatch and Gei ally assaulted at a trendy hotel The officer who took th Alicia* — and her voice. A w * Alicia's name, some identifying "ERSON y finding underage girls to Dstein and Maxwell also got quaintances. Epstein specifi- r him doing this was so that tld "be in his pocket," and he 1." I understood that Epstein if he was ever caught doing I escape trouble altogether. ation in support of a motion to Ingoing, as of this writing) that cution agreement that Jeffrey vernment. Roberts was seeking e government by two other vic- ion in April of 2015, explaining )ending for several years, and it ional plaintiff. )es on for another eight pages, and its, was stricken from the record— urid" and "unnecessary details" 'suit against the government, were he proceedings. Ghislaine Maxwell called the lies," after which Roberts filed a 11. In an answer filed in the suit, s's "story of abuse at the hands of for financial gain. 138 CHAPTER 35 Alicia: May 20, 1997 Donald Trump's instincts regarding Jeffrey Epstein were solid. But if the reporters who were beginning to look into Epstein's mysterious background had dug a bit fur- ther, there's a chance they would have hit pay dirt as well—and not just in Palm Beach. In California, for instance, a paper trail already stretched from the Santa Monica Police Department to Epstein's front door. In the spring—almost the summer—of 1997, a call came in to the police. The young woman who placed it—a young actress who'd appeared on Baywatch and General Hospital—said she'd been sexu- ally assaulted at a trendy hotel called Shutters on the Beach. The officer who took the call knew the woman's name — Alicia*—and her voice. A week earlier, she'd told him about an * Alicia's name, some identifying details, and dialogue have been changed. 139 JAMES PATTERSON f F L- encounter with Epstein. The woman had not wanted to make a formal complaint at the time. But she had taken the cop's card, and now he was happy to hear that she'd changed her mind. In a shaky voice, Alicia described Epstein as a tallish man— five feet eleven or six feet in height was her guess—with gray hair and brown eyes. He was the owner of a large black four-door Mercedes and was a regular at Shutters on the Beach, which was the kind of place that cost one thousand dollars a night and was frequented by actors, agents, and other Hollywood types. Alicia told the cop that she was a model and actress herself. She'd known Epstein for about a month. They had a friend in common, and she'd sent him her head shots. Then, through an assistant, Epstein had invited her to meet in his room at the hotel. Alicia said she was having reservations, the officer wrote in his report, because generally interviews are not conducted in hotel rooms. According to her, things turned frightening quickly. She was unsure she was safe because although she wanted to land the job as a 'Victoria's Secret' catalog model she felt as though Epstein was attempting to get her to act in an unpro- fessional manner for a model. Epstein wore navy blue sweatpants and a white T-shirt, she recalled. The T-shirt had the letters USA printed on it in patriotic red, white, and blue. Epstein told her to undress and actually assisted her to do so while saying let me manhandle you for a second.' 1 Then, Alicia told the cop, her will while acting as thoue, had stopped Epstein, and left incident. At the top of his crime Battery." But Epstein was ne. Santa Monica Police Departme allegations of improper condu no action on this 1997 comp attorney, Jack Goldberger, told "The cops said it'd be my paper. "And since he had a thought much about it since, I now, I want everybody to kno. been." TERSON FILTHY RICH aan had not wanted to make a t she had taken the cop's card, at she'd changed her mind. bed Epstein as a tallish man— ght was her guess—with gray )wner of a large black four-door utters on the Beach, which was .ousand dollars a night and was other Hollywood types. ias a model and actress herself. a month. They had a friend in head shots. Epstein had invited her to meet :rvations, the officer wrote in his iews are not conducted in hotel aed frightening quickly. wcause although she wanted to ecret' catalog model she felt as .g to get her to act in an unpro- ntpants and a white T-shirt, she ters USA printed on it in patriotic id actually assisted her to do so Ile you for a second.' 140 Then, Alicia told the cop, Epstein groped her buttocks against her will while acting as though he was evaluating her body. Alicia had stopped Epstein, and left the room, but couldn't get over the incident. At the top of his crime report, the officer wrote "Sexual Battery." But Epstein was never charged in the incident. "The Santa Monica Police Department discounted every one of [Alicia's] allegations of improper conduct by Jeffrey Epstein and they took no action on this 1997 complaint," Epstein's West Palm Beach attorney, Jack Goldberger, told the Palm Beach Post in 2010. "The cops said it'd be my word against his," Alicia told the paper. "And since he had a lot of money, I let it go. I hadn't thought much about it since, until I saw his picture online. And now, I want everybody to know how much of a creep he's always been." 141 CHAPTER 36 Graydon Carter: December 2002 Graydon Carter, the legendary editor of Vanity Fair, likes to get to his office early, well before the rest of his staff files in. Most monthly magazines operate at a leisurely pace— three weeks of coming up with ideas, assigning articles, and shooting the shit in the corporate kitchen followed by one frantic week when all the actual editing gets done. But this isn't the case at Vanity Fair, which runs hard-hitting investigative pieces along- side its glitzy celebrity profiles. There are also parties to plan and host—incredibly glamorous parties, including the annual Oscar-night bash, which is more fun and far more exclusive than the Academy Awards ceremony itself. Vanity Fair is an old, famous brand. But Carter is its public face, just as Anna Wintour is the face of Conde Nast's iconic fashion magazine, Vogue. 142 One cover of Vanity superstar. And a single tl down a corporate overlorC Carter's easy to recogr a lion's mane. The Santa ( tailored bespoke suit. He N be more serious about hi! heavily on him this mond to Vicky Ward, an English ity Fair. He'd meant for it pregnant with twins. She story right on her doorster Who was he, really? Cal attended by academics, billi he'd flown Bill Clinton tc how he had made his fort tor of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Carter himself could h his case, the author would dropout who'd worked as York in his late twenties a] rise up the social and med and outgoing, Epstein real him was known. Maybe, What did Epstein do, exact Why were so many brillh. And where did those beaut Almost immediately, E Ward. He prevailed upon FILTHY RICH CHAPTER 36 2002 ary editor of Vanity Fair, likes to yell before the rest of his staff )erate at a leisurely pace—three assigning articles, and shooting tn followed by one frantic week s done. But this isn't the case at itting investigative pieces along- ;. There are also parties to plan us parties, including the annual e fun and far more exclusive than fly itself. Vanity Fair is an old, public face, just as Anna Wintour ic fashion magazine, Vogue. 142 One cover of Vanity Fair can turn a minor celebrity into a superstar. And a single thoroughly researched story can bring down a corporate overlord. Carter's easy to recognize: the pompadour of white hair, like a lion's mane. The Santa Claus body stuffed into an impeccably tailored bespoke suit. He wears his fame lightly. But he could not be more serious about his responsibilities, which are weighing heavily on him this month. Months earlier, he'd assigned a piece to Vicky Ward, an Englishwoman who wrote frequently for Van- ity Fair. He'd meant for it to be an easy assignment: Ward was pregnant with twins. She wasn't allowed to fly. But here was a story right on her doorstep. A nice, easy profile of Jeffrey Epstein. Who was he, really? Carter knew he threw fabulous parties attended by academics, billionaires, and beautiful women. Recently he'd flown Bill Clinton to Africa. But no one seemed to know how he had made his fortune. Epstein's story reminded the edi- tor of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Carter himself could have stepped out of a novel—though in his case, the author would be Horatio Alger. A Canadian college dropout who'd worked as a railroad lineman, he arrived in New York in his late twenties and commenced an astonishingly quick rise up the social and media ladders. But where Carter was open and outgoing, Epstein really was Gatsby-like— very little about him was known. Maybe, Carter thought, Ward could find out. What did Epstein do, exactly, for money? Why was he so secretive? Why were so many brilliant and powerful men drawn to him? And where did those beautiful women come from? Almost immediately, Epstein began a campaign to discredit Ward. He prevailed upon Conrad Black, the press baron and 143 JAMES PATTERSON Epstein's Palm Beach neighbor —who was also a step-uncle of Vicky Ward's husband— to ask Ward to drop the story. But Ward was tenacious, and what she came back with was dynamite. More interesting and much more salacious than anything Carter had imagined. Now Carter's staff was putting in the hours it would take to confirm all the things she'd uncovered, picking the ones they could publish and laying them all out in a narrative that would be no less explosive than the facts it contained. Vicky Ward: October Epstein went out of 1 his own ends, and s Ward's phone bega Greenberg and Jimmy Q from Les Wexner; from. shakers who counted Eps Then there were the c go on the record, but di Ward's back, he was hap tour of his Manhattan m; dined out on for years. extremely charming—el him which forks to use Vicky Ward. But she was to have a keen eye for Ep5 144 TTERSON —who was also a step-uncle of Ward to drop the story. But Ward :ame back with was dynamite. e salacious than anything Carter ing in the hours it would take to ricovered, picking the ones they all out in a narrative that would cts it contained. 144 CHAPTER 37 Vicky Ward: October 2002 pstein went out of his way to spin the Vanity Fair story to his own ends, and soon after she got the assignment, Vicky Ward's phone began to ring off the hook: calls from Ace Greenberg and Jimmy Cayne, the current head of Bear Stearns; from Les Wexner; from academics, scientists, and movers and shakers who counted Epstein among their friends. Then there were the calls from Epstein himself. He wouldn't go on the record, but despite the rumors he'd spread behind Ward's back, he was happy to talk informally, even give her a tour of his Manhattan mansion and trot out stories that he had dined out on for years. By most accounts, Epstein could be extremely charming—even if it had taken Ghislaine to teach him which forks to use when—and he did his best to charm Vicky Ward. But she was not easily seduced, and she turned out to have a keen eye for Epstein's missteps. 145 JAMES PATTERSON Over tea in his town house, she noticed, Epstein ate all the finger food that had been put out for both of them. She found it odd that the only book this supposedly brilliant man had left for her to see was a paperback by the Marquis de Sade. And then there was the call afterward from one of Epstein's assistants— a woman Ward did not know—who told her, "Jeffrey wanted me to tell you that you looked so pretty." Ward is pretty, with fine English features and flowing blond hair. She was also very pregnant then, with a bad case of morn- ing sickness. She threw up often, sometimes in public, and these clumsy advances on Epstein's part only added to her ever-present nausea. For a man who was supposedly brilliant, he'd struck her, oddly, as not very smart. "Epstein is charming, but he doesn't let the charm slip into his eyes," she wrote. "They are steely and calculating, giving some hint at the steady whir of machinery running behind them. 'Let's play chess,' he said to me, after refusing to give an inter- view for this article. 'You be white. You get the first move.' It was an appropriate metaphor for a man who seems to feel he can win no matter what the advantage of the other side. His advantage is that no one really seems to know him or his history completely or what his arsenal actually consists of. He has carefully engi- neered it so that he remains one of the few truly baffling myster- ies among New York's moneyed world. People know snippets, but few know the whole." The testimonials Epstein's friends gave were glowing: "I think we both possess the skill of seeing patterns," Les Wexner told her. "Jeffrey sees patterns in politics and financial markets, and I see patterns in lifestyle and fashion trends. My skills are 146 not in investment strateg knows, his are not in fast world trends as each of u: "I'm on my 20th boc Epstein in 1997. "The ont ily that I send drafts to is But Ward also talked questions and qualms abc in lawsuits against him. C with him. One who had board of Rockefeller UniN One powerful investn conspicuous absence froi ing desks don't seem to animals that big to not le; Ward uncovered lega view with the SEC, given Stearns. She visited a fed. at length with Steven Ho. made a major mistake in told him to stay below th( accusations, about Epste denied—and Ward kne mastermind, was not to b throughout the reporting concerned with what sh with what she'd uncovere Time and again, he have on the girls?" TERSON • FILTHY RICH she noticed, Epstein ate all the t for both of them. She found it 3sedly brilliant man had left for he Marquis de Sade. And then one of Epstein's assistants— a ho told her, "Jeffrey wanted me Ity." ;lish features and flowing blond . then, with a bad case of morn- sometimes in public, and these rt only added to her ever-present )osedly brilliant, he'd struck her, .e doesn't let the charm slip into e steely and calculating, giving nachinery running behind them. after refusing to give an inter- bite. You get the first move.' It was nan who seems to feel he can win 3f the other side. His advantage is OW him or his history completely Dnsists of. He has carefully engi- Le of the few truly baffling myster- ed world. People know snippets, s friends gave were glowing: "I 11 of seeing patterns," Les Wexner in politics and financial markets, and fashion trends. My skills are 146 not in investment strategy, and, as everyone who knows Jeffrey knows, his are not in fashion and design. We frequently discuss world trends as each of us sees them." "I'm on my 20th book," said Alan Dershowitz, who'd met Epstein in 1997. "The only person outside of my immediate fam- ily that I send drafts to is Jeffrey." But Ward also talked to other sources, who had their own questions and qualms about Jeffrey Epstein. Some were involved in lawsuits against him. Others had served on prestigious boards with him. One who had witnessed Epstein's aborted stint on the board of Rockefeller University called him arrogant. One powerful investment manager wondered about Epstein's conspicuous absence from New York's trading floors. "The trad- ing desks don't seem to know him," he says. "It's unusual for animals that big to not leave any footprints in the snow." Ward uncovered legal documents, including Epstein's inter- view with the SEC, given in the wake of his departure from Bear Stearns. She visited a federal prison in Massachusetts and spoke at length with Steven Hoffenberg, who told her that Epstein had made a major mistake in taking Bill Clinton to Africa. "I always told him to stay below the radar," Hoffenberg said. He made other accusations, about Epstein's financial practices, which Epstein denied—and Ward knew that Hoffenberg, the Ponzi-scheme mastermind, was not to be trusted. But she did find it strange that throughout the reporting process Epstein was much less openly concerned with what she'd found out about his finances than with what she'd uncovered about his dealings with women. Time and again, he would call and ask her: "What do you have on the girls?" 147 JAMES PATTERSON * * * One young woman Ward talked to had been invited by Ghis- laine Maxwell to attend a party at Epstein's town house. There, the woman had noticed, female guests far outnumbered the male guests. "These were not women you'd see at Upper East Side din- ners," the woman had said. "Many seemed foreign and dressed a little bizarrely." "This same guest also attended a cocktail party thrown by Maxwell that Prince Andrew attended, which was filled, she says, with young Russian models," Ward wrote. "'Some of the guests were horrified,' the woman says." Another source, one who had worked with Epstein, said, "He's reckless, and he's gotten more so. Money does that to you. He's breaking the oath he made to himself—that he would never do anything that would expose him in the media. Right now, in the wake of the publicity following his trip with Clinton, he must be in a very difficult place." 148 Vicky Ward: Novembe 1 Ivhat I had 'on ti Beast article pu some remarkab. on-the-record stories from who came from Phoenix. ' character was vouchsafed the artist Eric Fischl, had I ing room, of how Epstein h separately, her younger sist Ward had written it all the t's, dotted the i's. But when she called El the allegations completely. "Just the mention of 2 CTERSON to had been invited by Ghis- at Epstein's town house. There, ;uests far outnumbered the male you'd see at Upper East Side din- ay seemed foreign and dressed a ded a cocktail party thrown by attended, which was filled, she .1s," Ward wrote. "'Some of the an says." had worked with Epstein, said, nore so. Money does that to you. to himself— that he would never him in the media. Right now, in )wing his trip with Clinton, he 148 CHAPTER 38 Vicky Ward: November 2002 What I had 'on the girls," Ward explained in a Daily Beast article published after Epstein's arrest, "were some remarkably brave first-person accounts. Three on-the-record stories from a family: a mother and her daughters who came from Phoenix. The oldest daughter, an artist whose character was vouchsafed to me by several sources, including the artist Eric Fischl, had told me, weeping as she sat in my liv- ing room, of how Epstein had attempted to seduce both her and, separately, her younger sister, then only 16." Ward had written it all down in her notes. She had crossed the ifs, dotted the i's. But when she called Epstein to get his response, he denied the allegations completely. "Just the mention of a 16-year-old girl," Epstein told her, 149 JAMES PATTERSON "carries the wrong impression. I don't see what it adds to the piece. And that makes me unhappy." If some sort of criminal investigation had taken place, that would have been one thing. But, at that time, no criminal investigation into Epstein's affairs had been launched. And in the absence of an investigation, the rumors of Epstein's dealings with very young women seemed to be just that—rumors. Graydon Carter consulted his lawyers, his editors, and his fact-checkers. And then something odd and disturbing happened at the Conde Nast building, then in Times Square. As usual, Carter had come into the office early. He swiped his key card in the lobby, pressed the elevator button, and arrived in the hallway outside the reception area on the twenty-first floor. It would have been a perfect time to review Ward's story. Her description of Epstein's town house—which is said to have been the largest private residence in New York City at the time—was priceless: "Inside, amid the flurry of menservants attired in sober black suits and pristine white gloves, you feel you have stumbled into someone's private Xanadu," she'd writ- ten. "This is no mere rich person's home, but a high-walled, eclectic, imperious fantasy that seems to have no boundaries. The entrance hall is decorated not with paintings but with row upon row of individually framed eyeballs; these, the owner tells people with relish, were imported from England, where they were made for injured soldiers. Next comes a marble foyer, which does have a painting, in the manner of Jean Dubuffet ... but the host coyly refuses to tell visitors who painted it. In any case, 150 dr One of the photogra- captured on video during Palm Beach Police Departm search warrant walk-throi of Epstein's El Brillo N residence (Palm Beach Pc Departin Jeffrey Epstein, Coney Isl circa 1969 (Anonym CHAPTER 52 Jeffrey Epstein: June 30, 2008 The Palm Beach County Main Detention Center is on the west side of Lake Worth Lagoon, which separates West Palm Beach from the island of Palm Beach. Epstein's home on El Brillo Way is five miles to the east. Mary's high school is several miles to the west. It's fitting, somehow, that this jail—which is the jail Epstein ends up in, after turning himself in to the local sheriff—lies in between the two points. The detention center's inmates, their families, and their law- yers call it the Gun Club, a reference not only to the jail's address, on Gun Club Road, but also to its population of hustlers, bur- glars, drug dealers, rapists, and murderers. There's the occa- sional hooker as well. And, from time to time, Haitian refugees are lodged there. There are three thousand inmates in all. 199 JAMES PATTERSON Some wait a year before making their way to the courthouse, their date with the public defender, and an appearance before the judge. Some get out much sooner, if only they can make bail. But there's no bail without money—or at least collateral—and, of course, being without money is often what lands people in jail in the first place. Jeffrey Epstein could have posted bail for every single inmate in the Gun Club. But that's just one of the ways in which Epstein is unlike his fellow inmates. He's an admitted pedophile now. Even a famous one. And, famously, pedophiles tend to fare poorly in jail. Luckily for Epstein, Ric Bradshaw, the sheriff in charge of local jails, transfers Epstein to the infirmary, where he spends exactly one night before being transferred seven miles up the road to a much smaller, safer location: the Palm Beach County Central Detention Center—or, as it's known, the Stockade. "It's not somewhere we'd put a serial killer," Ric Bradshaw says. Most of the residents here are addicts who take part in drug education programs, prostitutes, petty criminals, and drunks. It's a far safer place for Epstein to be, and, unlike other inmates (except, of course, those being held in solitary), he'll end up with his own cell, even his own wing, which he has to himself. Epstein's allowed to pay for a security guard, who sits outside the cell and keeps watch. And he's allowed any number of visitors. For a convicted felon, it's an extraordinary benefits package. But according to Sheriff Bradshaw, who also oversees the Stock- ade, Epstein is incredulous over the treatment he is receiving. "He was astonished that he had to go to prison at all," Brad- shaw remembers. "Let's just say he didn't think he belonged there." 200 Sheriff Ric Bradshaw: Jun( ur job," says Ric Brads] killed him." Sheriff Bradshaw co Western. Imposingly tall, witl- mustache, and slow, southern old-school law officer-- the kil patrolling the streets of Tombst He's been a lawman for forty-fi been spent as the head of the co talk to the media, and today, as he's clearly uncomfortable, fidgei But here in his wood-panele Gun Club, Bradshaw remembers "We have a thousand sexua says. "When he arrived here, he 20, ATTERSON King their way to the courthouse, mder, and an appearance before ooner, if only they can make bail. Rey— or at least collateral—and, is often what lands people in jail posted bail for every single inmate ays in which Epstein is unlike his [ pedophile now. Even a famous one. tend to fare poorly in jail. radshaw, the sheriff in charge of .o the infirmary, where he spends transferred seven miles up the location: the Palm Beach County r, as it's known, the Stockade. it a serial killer," Ric Bradshaw says. are addicts who take part in drug ates, petty criminals, and drunks. in to be, and, unlike other inmates ,g held in solitary), he'll end up with wing, which he has to himself. security guard, who sits outside the •.'s allowed any number of visitors. an extraordinary benefits package. radshaw, who also oversees the Stockrer the treatment he is receiving. he had to go to prison at all," Brad- hink he belonged there." 200 CHAPTER 53 Sheriff Ric Bradshaw: June 2015 ur job," says Ric Bradshaw, "was to make sure nobody killed him." Sheriff Bradshaw could have stepped off the set of a Western. Imposingly tall, with his cowboy hat, Kurt Russell mustache, and slow, southern drawl, he looks exactly like an old-school law officer—the kind you once would have found patrolling the streets of Tombstone, Deadwood, or Dodge City. He's been a lawman for forty-four years, eleven of which have been spent as the head of the county's jails. As a rule, he doesn't talk to the media, and today, as he talks about Jeffrey Epstein, he's clearly uncomfortable, fidgety, and ill disposed. But here in his wood-paneled office on the first floor of the Gun Club, Bradshaw remembers Epstein quite well. "We have a thousand sexual predators in the county," he says. "When he arrived here, he was one of them. He definitely 201 JAMES PATTERSON fit the category we have to ensure the general population is not going to take their anger out on." Although he understands that Epstein is a sex offender and has a sense of the scope of his alleged crimes, Bradshaw's also aware that the actual conviction was for a "low-level felony." At the request of Epstein's attorneys—a request that is con- firmed by a court order—Epstein is quickly granted "work release." What it means in practice is that six days a week, for up to sixteen—sixteen! —hours each day, Epstein is allowed to leave the Stockade to be driven by a designated driver in a car ear- marked especially for him to any one of three places: his lawyer Jack Goldberger's office in downtown West Palm Beach, the Palm Beach office of a science foundation that he's established, and his house on El Brillo Way. Despite the ankle bracelet he wears, it could be argued that as a fabulously rich prisoner with two of his own jets parked nearby, at the Palm Beach International Airport, Epstein might have posed a flight risk. Instead, every day of the week save one, he's allowed to go to his lawyer's, to go to his office, or simply to go home. Did the deputy in charge of Epstein go to the house on El Brillo Way? Ric Bradshaw considers the question. "Yes," he says, "he did." . Did the deputy go inside the house? "Yes, he did." If so, the deputy might have encountered Nadia Marcinkova, who was staying on El Brillo Way at the time. He may also have 202 Eli met a suave short-haired gei French accent. That would be Jean-Luc E For the duration of Jeffre the Stockade, Brunel's taken Brillo Way. 'ATTERSON FILTHY RICH ure the general population is not 1. that Epstein is a sex offender of his alleged crimes, Bradshaw's riction was for a "low-level felony." ttorneys —a request that is con- pstein is quickly granted "work is that six days a week, for up to ch day, Epstein is allowed to leave a designated driver in a car ear- any one of three places: his lawyer lowntown West Palm Beach, the e foundation that he's established, .y. t he wears, it could be argued that with two of his own jets parked .ternational Airport, Epstein might week save one, he's allowed to go to e, or simply to go home. e of Epstein go to the house on El he question. the house? ave encountered Nadia Marcinkova, ) Way at the time. He may also have 202 met a suave short-haired gentleman who spoke with a distinct French accent. That would be Jean-Luc Brunel. For the duration of Jeffrey Epstein's stay— or half stay—in the Stockade, Brunel's taken up residence in the house on El Brillo Way. 203 FT fraudster named Arnold Pr had been commuted by Bill left office. Sheriff Bradshaw wants conjugal. But even US attorney Aco: agreement with the governmi ment was highly irregular. "Epstein appears to have while in jail," Acosta would eral public. "Although the tel are a matter appropriately lei eral authorities, without dm while in state custody underrr And, of course, Epstein's: by taxpayers. CHAPTER 54 Jeffrey Epstein: June 30, 2008—July 21, 2009 ccording to Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, the treatment Jeffrey Epstein received in the Stockade was not preferential. By some measures, he isn't wrong. In 2010, millionaire polo mogul John Goodman killed a young man while driving drunk. He was convicted but was allowed to spend two years under house arrest while his appeal was being tried. Like Epstein, Goodman was allowed visitors. But Goodman's visitor list was nothing like Jeffrey Epstein's. Nadia Marcinkova is said to have visited Epstein in jail more than seventy times. Epstein's assistant Sarah Kellen also visited Epstein in the Stockade. A Russian mixed martial artist named Igor "Houdini" Zinoviev was another visitor, as was a disbarred lawyer and financial 204 FILTHY RICH CHAPTER 54 W08-July 21, 2009 Lc Bradshaw, the treatment Jeffrey e Stockade was not preferential. By 't wrong. o mogul John Goodman killed a lrunk. He was convicted but Was inder house arrest while his appeal vas allowed visitors. But Goodman's seffrey Epstein's. to have visited Epstein in jail more Kellen also visited Epstein in the 11 artist named Igor "Houdini" Zino - was a disbarred lawyer and financial 204 fraudster named Arnold Prosperi, whose own prison sentence had been commuted by Bill Clinton on the day before Clinton left office. Sheriff Bradshaw wants to be clear: none of these visits was conjugal. But even US attorney Acosta, who negotiated Epstein's unusual agreement with the government, would say that Epstein's arrange- ment was highly irregular. "Epstein appears to have received highly unusual treatment while in jail," Acosta would say in a letter addressed to the gen- eral public. "Although the terms of confinement in a state prison are a matter appropriately left to the state of Florida and not fed- eral authorities, without doubt, the treatment that he received while in state custody undermined the purpose of a jail sentence." And, of course, Epstein's stay at the Stockade was subsidized by taxpayers. 205 CHAPTER SS R. Alexander Acosta's letter to the general public, March 20, 2011 To whom it may concern: I served as U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida from 2005 through 2009. Over the past weeks, I have read much regarding Mr. Jeffrey Epstein. Some appears true, some appears distorted. I thought it appropriate to provide some background, with two caveats: (i) under Justice Depart- ment guidelines, I cannot discuss privileged internal com- munications among department attorneys and (ii) I no longer have access to the original documents, and as the matter is now nearly 4 years old, the precision of memory is reduced. The Epstein matter was originally presented to the Palm Beach County State Attorney. Palm Beach Police alleged that Epstein unlawfully hired underage high 206 Fi school females to provic massages. Police sought resulted in a term of im reports, however, in 200 to concerns regarding the to charge Epstein only assault with no intent tc would have resulted in register as a sexual offei underage victims. Local police were di! ney's conclusions, and re. Federal authorities recei engaged in additional inv( the quality of the evidence at trial. With a federal ci considerations. First, a requires that the crime b€ an interstate nexus. Seco] charged by the state, the fe extent, to back-stop state is no miscarriage of justice erally that which has alre level. After considering the q additional considerations, the state charge was insufi the prosecutors and age Mr. Epstein's attorney, Ro best known for his sue CHAPTER SS fl, to the general public, r the Southern District of Florida )ver the past weeks, I have read Epstein. Some appears true, Ihought it appropriate to provide ) caveats: (i) under Justice Depart- discuss privileged internal com- .ment attorneys and (ii) I no longer I documents, and as the matter is precision of memory is reduced. was originally presented to the .te Attorney. Palm Beach Police 'lawfully hired underage high- 206 FILTHY RICH school females to provide him sexually lewd and erotic massages. Police sought felony charges that would have resulted in a term of imprisonment. According to press reports, however, in 2006 the State Attorney, in part due to concerns regarding the quality of the evidence, agreed to charge Epstein only with one count of aggravated assault with no intent to commit a felony. That charge would have resulted in no jail time, no requirement to register as a sexual offender and no restitution for the underage victims. Local police were dissatisfied with the State Attor- ney's conclusions, and requested a federal investigation. Federal authorities received the State's evidence and engaged in additional investigation. Prosecutors weighed the quality of the evidence and the likelihood for success at trial. With a federal case, there were two additional considerations. First, a federal criminal prosecution requires that the crime be more than local; it must have an interstate nexus. Second, as the matter was initially charged by the state, the federal responsibility is, to some extent, to back-stop state authorities to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice, and not to also prosecute fed- erally that which has already been charged at the state level. After considering the quality of the evidence and the additional considerations, prosecutors concluded that the state charge was insufficient. In early summer 2007, the prosecutors and agents in this case met with Mr. Epstein's attorney, Roy Black. Mr. Black is perhaps best known for his successful defense of William 207 JAMES PATTERSON FI1 Kennedy Smith. The prosecutors presented Epstein a choice: plead to more serious state felony charges (that would result in 2 years' imprisonment, registration as a sexual offender, and restitution for the victims) or else prepare for a federal felony trial. What followed was a year-long assault on the prose- cution and the prosecutors. I use the word assault inten- tionally, as the defense in this case was more aggressive than any which I, or the prosecutors in my office, had previously encountered. Mr. Epstein hired an army of legal superstars: Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz, for- mer Judge and then Pepperdine Law Dean Kenneth Starr, former Deputy Assistant to the President and then Kirk- land & Ellis Partner Jay Lefkowitz, and several others, including prosecutors who had formerly worked in the U.S. Attorney's Office and in the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Justice Department. Defense attorneys next requested a meeting with me to challenge the prosecution and the terms previously presented by the prosecutors in their meeting with Mr. Black. The prosecution team and I met with defense counsel in Fall 2007, and I reaffirmed the office's position: two years, registration and restitution, or trial. Over the next several months, the defense team pre- sented argument after argument claiming that felony criminal proceedings against Epstein were unsupported by the evidence and lacked a basis in law, and that the office's insistence on jail-time was motivated by a zeal to overcharge a man merely because he is wealthy. They bolstered their arguments with legal opinions from 208 well-known legal expert team warned me that thE good man to serve time• book if we continued tc office systematically con! ment, and when we di appealed to Washington.. The defense strategy Defense counsel investiga their families, looking for provide a basis for disqual ecutor is an effective (th. eliminating the individua and thus most qualified to lihood for success. Defens. least two prosecutors. I rejected, these arguments. Despite the army of att the terms first presented meeting. On June 30, 2008 appeal to Washington D.( guilty in state court. He Av onment, register as a sexua restitution to the victims. Some may feel that the] tougher. Evidence that has encourage that view. Mary; out, filing detailed statemen ages. Physical evidence has these additional statements 2, kTTERSON .cutors presented Epstein a ,us state felony charges (that prisonment, registration as a ition for the victims) or else trial. ar-long assault on the prose- . I use the word assault inten- his case was more aggressive 3rosecutors in my office, had Ir. Epstein hired an army of rofessor Alan Dershowitz, for- dine Law Dean Kenneth Starr, ) the President and then Kirk- _efkowitz, and several others, 3 had formerly worked in the in the Child Exploitation and Justice Department. Defense meeting with me to challenge terms previously presented by meeting with Mr. Black. The .et with defense counsel in Fall ae office's position: two years, n, or trial. months, the defense team pre- .rgument claiming that felony tinst Epstein were unsupported :ed a basis in law, and that the time was motivated by a zeal to .y because he is wealthy. They nts with legal opinions from 208 FILTHY RICH well-known legal experts. One member of the defense team warned me that the office's excess zeal in forcing a good man to serve time in jail might be the subject of a book if we continued to proceed with the matter. My office systematically considered and rejected each argu- ment, and when we did, my office's decisions were appealed to Washington. As to the warning, I ignored it. The defense strategy was not limited to legal issues. Defense counsel investigated individual prosecutors and their families, looking for personal peccadilloes that may provide a basis for disqualification. Disqualifying a pros- ecutor is an effective (though rarely used) strategy, as eliminating the individuals most familiar with the facts and thus most qualified to take a case to trial harms like- lihood for success. Defense counsel tried to disqualify at least two prosecutors. I carefully reviewed, and then rejected, these arguments. Despite the army of attorneys, the office held firm to the terms first presented to Mr. Black in the original meeting. On June 30, 2008, after yet another last minute appeal to Washington D.C. was rejected, Epstein pled guilty in state court. He was to serve 18 months impris- onment, register as a sexual offender for life, and provide restitution to the victims. Some may feel that the prosecution should have been tougher. Evidence that has come to light since 2007 may encourage that view. Many victims have since spoken out, filing detailed statements in civil cases seeking dam- ages. Physical evidence has since been discovered. Had these additional statements and evidence been known, 209 JAMES PATTERSON the outcome may have been different. But they were not known to us at the time. A prosecution decision must be based on admissible facts known at the time. In cases of this type, those are unusually difficult because victims are frightened and often decline to testify or if they do speak, they give con- tradictory statements. Our judgment in this case, based on the evidence known at the time, was that it was better to have a billionaire serve time in jail, register as a sex offender, and pay his victims restitution than risk a trial with a reduced likelihood of success. I supported that judgment then, and based on the state law as it then stood and the evidence known at the time, I would support that judgment again. Epstein's treatment, while in state custody, likewise may encourage the view that the office should have been tougher. Although the terms of confinement in a state prison are a matter appropriately left to the State of Flor- ida, and not federal authorities, without doubt, the treat- ment that he received while in state custody undermined the purpose of a jail sentence. Some may also believe that the prosecution should have been tougher in retaliation for the defense's tactics. The defense, arguably, often failed to negotiate in good faith. They would obtain concessions as part of a negotia- tion and agree to proceed, only to change their minds, and appeal the office's position to Washington. The inves- tigations into the family lives of individual prosecutors were, in my opinion, uncalled for, as were the accusations of bias and/or misconduct against individual prosecutors. 210 F. At times, some prosecut trial, and at times I felt t right in the first meetin spective of defense tacti tional right to a defense right should not be puni: sel's exercise of their ri Washington D.C. Proseci frustration and anger wi their judgment. After the plea, I reca One was from the FBI Sp( to offer congratulations. meetings regarding this c of the defense, and he cat holding firm against the 1 itz, Lefkowitz and Starr. received calls or commun itz, Lefkowitz and Starr. I als previously, from my Kirkland & Ellis in the m peace. I agreed to talk am Epstein pled guilty, as I tors battle defense attorne have tried, yet I confess ti: fully in this case. The bottom line is this:• served time in jail and is m He has been required to pa) restitution clearly cannot c )ATTERSON FILTHY RICH n different. But they were not must be based on admissible -1 cases of this type, those are e victims are frightened and they do speak, they give con- • judgment in this case, based [he time, was that it was better time in jail, register as a sex ms restitution than risk a trial I of success. I supported that on the state law as it then stood the time, I would support that •hue in state custody, likewise hat the office should have been rms of confinement in a state Driately left to the State of Flor- rities, without doubt, the treat- le in state custody undermined nce. Te that the prosecution should illation for the defense's tactics. ten failed to negotiate in good zoncessions as part of a negotia- d, only to change their minds, ;Won to Washington. The inves- lives of individual prosecutors filed for, as were the accusations . t against individual prosecutors. 2.10 At times, some prosecutors felt that we should just go to trial, and at times I felt that frustration myself. What was right in the first meeting, however, remained right irre- spective of defense tactics. Individuals have a constitu- tional right to a defense. The aggressive exercise of that right should not be punished, nor should a defense coun- 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. After the plea, I 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. I 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 peace. I agreed to talk and meet with each of them after 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 I confess that this has been difficult to do fully in this case. The bottom line is this: Mr. Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire, served time in jail and is now a registered sexual offender. He has been required to pay his victims restitution, though restitution clearly cannot compensate for the crime. And 211 JAMES PATTERSON we know much more today about his crimes because vic- tims have come forward to speak out. Some may disagree with prosecutorial judgments made in this case, but those individuals are not the ones who at the time reviewed the evidence available for trial and assessed the likelihood of success. Respectfully, R. Alexander Acosta Former U.S. Attorney Southern District of Florida 212 PATTERSON y about his crimes because vic- ) speak out. Some may disagree nents made in this case, but )t the ones who at the time iilable for trial and assessed the • Respectfully, R. Alexander Acosta Former U.S. Attorney Southern District of Florida PART VI Aftermath CHAPTER 56 Jeffrey Epstein: July 2009 effrey Epstein walks out of the Stockade on July 21, 2009, having served less than thirteen months of his eighteen-month sentence. One of the concessions his lawyers have gotten while working out his plea-deal guarantees is that the media not be alerted to the time and day of his departure. But from now on, Epstein, who is fifty-six, will carry the mark of a level 3 sex offender—level 1 being the lowest, and level 3 indicating the highest possible risk of a future criminal act of a sexual nature. Wherever he goes, he will be forced to reg- ister as such. Every ninety days, Epstein will have to check in with the authorities. Every year, the New York City Police Department will take his mug shot. And for a full year, Epstein will be under house arrest in Palm Beach. This last prohibition doesn't stop him from flying, with court 215 JAMES PATTERSON approval, on his own planes to New York and to Little Saint Jeff's, where the locals have taken to referring to Epstein's 727 as the Lolita Express. There are other restrictions, of course, that Epstein is sup- posed to abide by. He has to provide the state of Florida with a list of all the motor vehicles, boats, and airplanes he owns. The full list includes two Escalades, six Suburbans, two Ford F-150s, two Harley-Davidsons, a Land Rover, a Hummer H2, a thirty- four-foot JVC boat, and a thirty-five-foot Donzi powerboat. Three of his five planes turn out to be registered to a com- pany called Air Ghislaine, Inc. As a registered sex offender, Epstein is legally obliged to undergo psychiatric treatment. This is a restriction he'll get around by having his own psychologist submit a report to law enforcement officers. Epstein is also prohibited from accessing pornography on the Internet and using social networking for sexual purposes. For Jeffrey Epstein, there will be no Bangbros, Tinder, or Swingles. com. There will be lawsuits. Six weeks before probation ends, he settles with seven women who sue him in civil court. But Epstein can easily afford the set- tlement payments. He won't be going back to jail, and in regard to further prosecution for any criminal actions, his troubles are behind him. Not everyone who's spent time in his company will be so lucky. 216 Alfredo Rodriguez: Aug E pstein's houseman, Al prison sentence. In a sworn statem maid, Lupita, who had corni up after Epstein's "massagec lic, had cried as she describe Rodriguez was fired by I after seeing a strange car-- As it turned out, the ca masseuses. On his way out of the hc i, of Epstein's papers, which he by Chief Reiter's investigator. For years, Rodriguez trio manager. No one wanted tc TTERSON Few York and to Little Saint Jeff's, referring to Epstein's 727 as the , of course, that Epstein is sup- ovide the state of Florida with a )ats, and airplanes he owns. The six Suburbans, two Ford F-150s, Rover, a Hummer H2, a thirty- Eive-foot Donzi powerboat. .n out to be registered to a corn- er, Epstein is legally obliged to t. This is a restriction he'll get Tchologist submit a report to law from accessing pornography on etworking for sexual purposes. will be no Bangbros, Tinder, or ends, he settles with seven women t Epstein can easily afford the set- e going back to jail, and in regard criminal actions, his troubles are time in his company will be so 216 CHAPTER 57 Alfredo Rodriguez: August 2009 Epstein's houseman, Alfredo Rodriguez, also ends up with a prison sentence. In a sworn statement, Rodriguez talks about Epstein's maid, Lupita, who had complained to him about having to clean up after Epstein's "massages." Lupita, who was a devout Catho- lic, had cried as she described the stained towel and sex toys. Rodriguez was fired by Epstein, he says, when he called 911 after seeing a strange car— a "beater" —in Epstein's driveway. As it turned out, the car had belonged to one of Epstein's masseuses. On his way out of the house on El Brillo Way, he took some of Epstein's papers, which he failed to produce when questioned by Chief Reiter's investigators. For years, Rodriguez tried and failed to find work as a house manager. No one wanted to hire someone who'd worked for JAMES PATTERSON Fr u Jeffrey Epstein. Finally, desperately, he tried to sell the informa- tion he'd stolen. The papers named underage girls and the places where Epstein had taken them. The list included locations in Califor- nia, Paris, New Mexico, New York, and Michigan. The papers also included the names, addresses, and phone numbers of famous individuals—Henry Kissinger, Mick Jagger, Dustin Hoff- man, Ralph Fiennes, David Koch, Ted Kennedy, Donald Trump, Bill Richardson, Bill Clinton, and former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak among them. This was intriguing, if not at all damning. Epstein made a habit of collecting such information for future use. But informa- tion pertaining to the girls would have bolstered the state's case against Jeffrey Epstein, and by withholding it from the Palm Beach PD and the FBI, Rodriguez had committed a crime. In his defense, Rodriguez would say that the papers were an "insurance policy." Without them, he believed, Epstein would have made him "disappear." But now Rodriguez needed the money. And so a few weeks after Epstein's release from the Stockade, he approached a lawyer who was representing some of Epstein's masseuses. He had the "holy grail," he insisted. A ."golden nugget." The names of hun- dreds of girls, he said, who had been abused by Epstein. The lawyer told Rodriguez in no uncertain terms that he was obliged to turn whatever he had over to the authorities. By demanding money for the information, Rodriguez was commit- ting another crime. According to a sworn statement by Christina Pryor, a special, agent with the FBI, Rodriguez "persisted that he would only turn over the information in his possession in exchange for $50,000." 218 Two months later, on Octobe. who insisted once more on 13( lawyer told him that an associ What the lawyer knew one the associate in question was. the FBI. A few days later, on? guez and sets up a meeting, wl "During the meeting, Roc book and several sheets of legs ten notes," Special Agent Pryo continues: Rodriguez explained that he his former employer's resid 2004 to 2005 and that the bo working for his former emp detail the information within ant information to the UCE. I; he had previously lied to the. about the $50,000, took posse counting it. Rodriguez was then detat Proceedings, Title 18, U.S. Co tioned. After Miranda warning Rodriguez waived his rights a those rights. Rodriguez admiti and book in his possession am to local law enforcement or th 21 PATTERSON FILTHY RICH -ately, he tried to sell the informa- rage girls and the places where list included locations in Califor- • York, and Michigan. The papers ldresses, and phone numbers of :issinger, Mick Jagger, Dustin Hoff- Dch, Ted Kennedy, Donald Trump, and former Israeli prime minister A at all damning. Epstein made a nation for future use. But informa- mild have bolstered the state's case by withholding it from the Palm ;uez had committed a crime. would say that the papers were an them, he believed, Epstein would ed the money. And so a few weeks Le Stockade, he approached a lawyer of Epstein's masseuses. He had the golden nugget." The names of hun- ad been abused by Epstein. :z in no uncertain terms that he was Le had over to the authorities. By formation, Rodriguez was commit tement by Christina Pryor, a special :z "persisted that he would only turn ossession in exchange for $50,000." 218 * * * Two months later, on October 28, the lawyer called Rodriguez, who insisted once more on being paid for the information. The lawyer told him that an associate would be in touch. What the lawyer knew and Rodriguez did not know was that the associate in question was an undercover employee (UCE) of the FBI. A few days later, on November 2, the UCE calls Rodri- guez and sets up a meeting, which takes place the following day. "During the meeting, Rodriguez produced a small bound book and several sheets of legal pad paper containing handwrit- ten notes," Special Agent Pryor would say in her statement. She continues: Rodriguez explained that he had taken the bound book from his former employer's residence while employed there in 2004 to 2005 and that the book had been created by persons working for his former employer. Rodriguez discussed in detail the information within the book and identified import- ant information to the UCE. In addition, Rodriguez admitted he had previously lied to the FBI. Rodriguez asked the UCE about the $50,000, took possession of the money, and began counting it. Rodriguez was then detained for Obstruction of Official Proceedings, Title 18, US. Code, Section 1512(c), and ques- tioned. After Miranda warnings were administered by agents, Rodriguez waived his rights and signed a written waiver of those rights. Rodriguez admitted that he had the documents and book in his possession and had never turned them over to local law enforcement or the FBI. In addition, Rodriguez 219 JAMES PATTERSON advised he had witnessed nude girls whom he believed were underage at the pool area of his former employer's home, knew that his former employer was engaging in sexual con- tact with underage girls, and had viewed pornographic images of underage girls on computers in his employer's home. Rodriguez was then released from custody for further investigation. The items that Rodriguez had attempted to sell to the UCE for $50,000.00 were reviewed by an agent familiar with the underlying criminal investigation. As Rodriguez had described, the items contained information material to the underlying investigation that would have been extremely use- ful in investigatang] and prosecuting the case, including the names and contact information of material witnesses and additional victims. Had those items been produced in response to the inquiries of the state law enforcement officers or the FBI Special Agents, their contents would have been presented to the federal grand jury. Following his release, Alfredo Rodriguez was arrested again. He appeared in court on June 1.8, 2010, facing charges of cor- ruptly concealing records and documents. Dressed in a blue jumpsuit and shackles, he apologized for his crimes and asked the court to be merciful. He received a sentence of eighteen months. It was the same punishment that Jeffrey Epstein had gotten for his crimes. But unlike Epstein, Alfredo Rodriguez served his time in a federal prison and did not ask for, or receive, permis- sion to go on work release. 220 Prince Andrew: 2011 p rince Andrew also fares imprisonment. The two men are old I Ghislaine Maxwell introducedi time in the 1990s. In 2000, Ep5 Castle to celebrate the queen's h flew to Sandringham, the queei a party Prince Andrew threw for The prince had also visited Palm Beach as well as in New Roberts made in her 2015 decla asked her to give the prince wi back with the details. According to the Guardian, tied together at Windsor Castle, 2; 'ATTERSON de girls whom he believed were If his former employer's home, ,er was engaging in sexual con- lnd had viewed pornographic n computers in his employer's _4eased from custody for further ez had attempted to sell to the viewed by an agent familiar with .vestigation. As Rodriguez had led information material to the t would have been extremely use- -osecuting the case, including the ltion of material witnesses and those items been produced in he state law enforcement officers their contents would have been rid jury. redo Rodriguez was arrested again. le 18, 2010, facing charges of cor- nd documents. Dressed in a blue )ologized for his crimes and asked eighteen months. lent that Jeffrey Epstein had gotten istein, Alfredo Rodriguez served his did not ask for, or receive, permis- 220 CHAPTER 58 Prince Andrew: 2011 p rince Andrew also fares poorly in the wake of Epstein's imprisonment. The two men are old friends. They have been ever since Ghislaine Maxwell introduced the prince to her then-beau, some- time in the 1990s. In 2000, Epstein had been invited to Windsor Castle to celebrate the queen's birthday. Six months later, Epstein flew to Sandringham, the queen's estate in Norfolk, England, for a party Prince Andrew threw for Ghislaine's thirty-ninth birthday. The prince had also visited Epstein on several occasions, in Palm Beach as well as in New York. And if allegations Virginia Roberts made in her 2015 declaration are to be believed, Epstein asked her to give the prince whatever he required, then report back with the details. According to the Guardian, Epstein and the prince had par- tied together at Windsor Castle, in Saint-Tropez, and in Thailand, 221 JAMES PATTERSON Fi L where "Andrew was pictured on a yacht surrounded by topless women." According to Roberts's lawsuit, Epstein had forced her into the prince's bed on Little Saint Jeff's. After Epstein's conviction, the British press were using another name for Little Saint Jeff's: Sex Island. The Guardian reported that the manager of two Virgin Islands—based corporations owned by Epstein happened to be the wife of the governor of the Virgin Islands. There were allegations involving a million-dollar dona- tion that Epstein had made to the governor's reelection cam- paign. And then there was Roberts's claim that she had been forced to have sex with the prince on the island as well as in New York and in London. Invariably, the photograph of Prince Andrew with his arm around the bare midriff of a very young-looking Virginia Rob- erts ran with stories that appeared in the tabloids. "It is emphatically denied that the Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship" with Roberts, Buckingham Palace spokespersons would say. "The allegations made are false and without any foundation." The prince's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, while on a skiing trip with the prince and their daughter Euge- nie in Switzerland, told reporters, "He is the greatest man there is. It was the finest moment of my life in 1986 when I married him. He is a great man, the best in the world." "I won't stand by—because I know what it feels like to have salacious lies made up about you—and not support him so pub- licly because they are just shockingly accusatory allegations, 222 which I don't think is right," .5 viewed by Today host Matt La and as a great father and a h- work he does for Britain I w( character defamed to this leve But at the same time, a c( good man's fall from grace, a out of the woodwork to dish t( "I've seen him treat his st said a former aide to the princ( personal protection officers, ground and demanding they ' graces at all. Sure, if you're a la then I bet he's utterly charminl Despite all this, the prince had a photo, frequently trotted out l strolling in Central Park. Some few months before it businessman had secretly tap( five hundred thousand pounds "If you want to meet him ir "look after me, and he'll look aft "Once again," she said aft Pounded and rebounded and als most in the world: the Duke." Prince Andrew had had hi5 real estate deals, sticky roman. ment dumps (courtesy of Julia' 2. 1/4TTERSON FILTHY RICH n a yacht surrounded by topless mit, Epstein had forced her into eff's. British press were using another x Island. The Guardian reported slands—based corporations owned wife of the governor of the Virgin ; involving a million-dollar dona- o the governor's reelection cam- Dberts's claim that she had been rince on the island as well as in of Prince Andrew with his arm very young-looking Virginia Rob- ired in the tabloids. hat the Duke of York had any form ship" with Roberts, Buckingham ay. "The allegations made are false h Ferguson, the Duchess of York, e prince and their daughter Euge- ters, "He is the greatest man there )f my life in 1986 when I married st in the world." se I know what it feels like to have 70U-and not support him so pub- thockingly accusatory allegations, 222 which I don't think is right," she said a few days later when inter- viewed by Today host Matt Lauer. "It's a defamation of character, and as a great father and a humongously good man and all the work he does for Britain I won't stand by and let him have his character defamed to this level." But at the same time, a certain schadenfreude attended the good man's fall from grace, and former associates kept coming out of the woodwork to dish to the press. "I've seen him treat his staff in a shocking, appalling way," said a former aide to the prince. "He's been incredibly rude to his personal protection officers, literally throwing things on the ground and demanding they 'fucking pick them up.' No social graces at all. Sure, if you're a lady with blond hair and big boobs, then I bet he's utterly charming." Despite all this, the prince had stuck by Epstein. There was even a photo, frequently trotted out by the tabloids, of the two of them strolling in Central Park. Some few months before it was taken, a reporter posing as a businessman had secretly taped Sarah Ferguson's demand for five hundred thousand pounds in return for access to the prince. "If you want to meet him in your business," she'd said then, "look after me, and he'll look after you. You'll get it back tenfold." "Once again," she said afterward, "my errors have com- pounded and rebounded and also impacted on the man I admire inost in the world: the Duke." Prince Andrew had had his troubles already—with shady real estate deals, sticky romances, highly embarrassing docu- ment dumps (courtesy of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks), and 223 JAMES PATTERSON i*t questionable ties to Tunisian oligarchs, corrupt presidents of former Soviet republics, and Mu'ammar Gadhafi, among other entanglements, many of which were explored in a Vanity Fair article headlined THE TROUBLE WITH ANDREW. "The duke has a record of being loyal to his friends," a "royal source" told Vanity Fair's Edward Klein. "Take his feelings for Sarah Ferguson. If you are a prince and you bring a woman into the royal life and, for whatever reasons, she's spit out, you might have feelings of debt toward her. The duke feels that she's been spattered and rejected. His close relationship with the Duchess of York is problematic, and there have been many problems over the last 5 to 10 years, all of which stem from the duchess. Some of the behavior of the duchess is inconsistent with being mar- ried to, or an ex-wife of, the duke. There's no question but that Sarah's been a financially self-destructive element in the• duke's life." "The same kind of loyalty manifested itself last December, when the duke visited Epstein at his home in New York," said a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace. "Epstein was a friend of the duke's for the best part of 20 years. It was the first time in four years that he'd seen Epstein. He now recognizes that the meeting in December was unwise." "Don't expect to see a photo of the two of them together," 4. another "royal source" would say. But one more story about the prince's dealings with Jeffrey Epstein had already emerged. At a dinner party at Epstein's town house, the prince dished about the wedding of his nephew Prince William to Kate Middleton. "He was amused that his dinner companions were so inter 224 ested in every detail," a g gossip columnist. "Whe Queen wear, would his e; Other guests in atten( dler, George Stephanopo Woody Allen. At around the same t Post, "I'm not a sexual pi ence between a murderer Was it so remarkable that in Epstein's company? Ar fodder for years. Randy A the circles that Jeffrey E seen as a vice. Epstein cal lation took hold on Wall were charging ten thousal you'd see things that woi that would make Nero hi guisher. When the urge didn't have to swap wives. They could simply swe By the same token, wa: like the prince would ha. insofar as reality is even a odd that he thought it wa5 raphers strolling through offender—when at the tin ing, and trading industri LTTERSON FILTHY RICH pligarchs, corrupt presidents of Eu'ammar Gadhafi, among other were explored in a Vanity Fair TH ANDREW. eing loyal to his friends," a "royal ard Klein. "Take his feelings for ince and you bring a woman into reasons, she's spit out, you might er. The duke feels that she's been se relationship with the Duchess re have been many problems over tich stem from the duchess. Some s is inconsistent with being mar- Luke. There's no question but that -destructive element in the .duke's r manifested itself last December, 1. at his home in New York," said a n Palace. "Epstein was a friend of f 20 years. It was the first time in ;tein. He now recognizes that the Arise." Low of the two of them together," say. t the prince's dealings with Jeffrey town house, the prince dish nephew Prince William to Ka ; dinner companions were so in 224 ested in every detail," a guest in attendance told a New York Post gossip columnist. "What would Kate wear, what would the Queen wear, would his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson be invited?" Other guests in attendance that night included Chelsea Han- dler, George Stephanopoulos,. Charlie Rose, Katie Couric, and Woody Allen. At around the same time, Jeffrey Epstein told the New York Post, "I'm not a sexual predator, I'm an 'offender.' It's the differ- ence between a murderer and a person who steals a bagel." Was it so remarkable that Prince Andrew would have been seen in Epstein's company? Andrew's philandering had been tabloid fodder for years. Randy Andy, they called him in the UK. And in the circles that Jeffrey Epstein moved in, philandering wasn't seen as a vice. Epstein came of age just as industrywide deregu- lation took hold on Wall Street. Junk bonds were king. Call girls were charging ten thousand dollars a night. And in the shadows, you'd see things that would have made Caligula blush. Sights that would make Nero himself reach for the nearest fire extin- guisher. When the urge presented itself, the new super rich didn't have to swap wives. They could simply swap harems. By the same token, was it so very strange to think that a man like the prince would have grown so detached from reality— insofar as reality is even a word that applies to a prince? Was it odd that he thought it was absolutely fine to be seen by photog- raphers strolling through Central Park with a registered sex offender— when at the time large swaths of the financial, bank- ing, and trading industries were characterized by their very 225 JAMES PATTERSON detachment from day-to-day concerns such as morality, ethics, and appearances? As for Jeffrey Epstein, one question that might be worth ask- ing is, if he's in fact a narcissist and megalomaniac, could he actually believe that he's innocent? Then again, that might be the wrong question. Epstein did plead guilty, after all. But what if he simply doesn't see what he pleaded to as a crime? What if he's proud of his lifestyle? And if that's the case, why wouldn't Prince Andrew be proud to be seen in public with his dear friend Jeffrey Epstein? What if, for people like Epstein and the prince, it's just ser- vants and masters, the way of the world? They're natural winners — aristocrats, after all— and if life were fair, well, how would we know who the real winners are? 11 226 Anna Salter: Novembf hy do powerful and Prince And Dr. Anna Si sionally. Educated at Harv; psychology, she spoke, wit] Epstein and others like him "Consider a car," says are brakes. We all have se, be a good idea to act on. /‘ behavior. We have good br. "Sexual offenses and in. times the result of a bad r prepubescent children or e children as opposed to po! always the result of bad bra 'ATTERSON oncerns such as morality, ethics, luestion that might be worth ask- >ist and megalomaniac, could he nt? Then again, that might be the ead guilty, after all. But what if he .aded to as a crime? What if he's rat's the case, why wouldn't Prince public with his dear friend Jeffrey )stein and the prince, it's just ser- e world? They're natural winners — lie were fair, well, how would we 226 CHAPTER 59 Anna Salter: November 2015 hy do powerful men do the things that Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew have been accused of doing? Dr. Anna Salter studies child sex offenders profes- sionally. Educated at Harvard, with a graduate degree in clinical psychology, she spoke, with the benefit of hindsight, about Jeffrey Epstein and others like him from her office in Madison, Wisconsin. "Consider a car," says Dr. Salter. "There's a motor, and there are brakes. We all have sexual impulses we don't think it would be a good idea to act on. Most of us have good control over our behavior. We have good brakes. "Sexual offenses and inappropriate sexual behavior are some- times the result of a bad motor—for example, an attraction to Prepubescent children or eleven-to-fourteen-year-old pubescent children as opposed to postpubescent individuals. But they are always the result of bad brakes. 227 on young girls delude then will not harm the child. TI medicated it with thinking pathic and simply don't caz can't say anything about Ei but narcissism and psychop look at concerning anyone N4 bescent individuals but wh teens. "Psychopaths are often seekers who are bored if not manipulate. They do not estE "They are callous and r( don't feel bad about harming "Rules don't apply to th They are sure they won't get JAMES PATTERSON "Antisocial psychopaths don't have brakes at all." Dr. Salter has never met Epstein, but she's followed his case closely and finds him a familiar type. She's especially struck by the singular nature of the relationship between powerful, wealthy men and vulnerable, underage women. "[The men] are more impressive to a fourteen-year-old [girl] than to, say, an adult young woman who is self-supporting and feels more sure of herself," she explains. "They are attracted to what they call freshness—barely bud- ding sexuality and lack of sexual experience. The difference between them and their victims feeds their ego. "Great wealth and access are generally factors that make men feel they are entitled to whomever and whatever they want. Some have narcissistic personalities with inflated self-images. And of course, great wealth and status make such men think they can get away with it. Too often, they're right." On the other hand, Dr. Salter believes that certain condi- tions, such as the ones exhibited by Jeffrey Epstein, might be an inborn character trait. Personality can be influenced, sometimes quite heavily, by genetics. "Virtually no one believes anymore that humans are born a totally blank slate," she explains. "We arrive with temperamental and personality variations that, of course, the environment can often, but not always, influ- ence. We arrive with baggage." Is Epstein a born psychopath, then? "Psychopathy is the umbrella term for individuals who do not have a conscience. Pyschopaths are often narcissistic, but nar- cissists are often not psychopathic. Some individuals who prey 228 TTERSON ft have brakes at all." stein, but she's followed his case r type. She's especially struck by mship between powerful, wealthy women. :ssive to a fourteen-year-old [girl oman who is self-supporting and explains. they call freshness—barely bud- exual experience. The difference Is feeds their ego. re generally factors that make men .ver and whatever they want. Some 5 with inflated self-images. And of us make such men think they can Ley're right." Salter believes that certain condi- ited by Jeffrey Epstein, might be an nced, sometimes quite heavily, by anymore that humans are born a ains. •amental and personality variatio nent can often, but not always, i )path, then? rella term for individuals who do,_ paths are often narcissistic, but Lopathic. Some individuals who 228 FILTHY RICH on young girls delude themselves into thinking that the abuse will not harm the child. They have a conscience, but they have medicated it with thinking errors. Others are flat-out psycho- pathic and simply don't care if it hurts the young girl or not. I can't say anything about Epstein, as I have not evaluated him, but narcissism and psychopathy are concepts an evaluator would look at concerning anyone who was sexually attracted to postpu- bescent individuals but who then began to focus on younger teens. "Psychopaths are often superficially charming, high-stimulus seekers who are bored if not doing something. They lie, con, and manipulate. They do not establish deep affective ties. "They are callous and remorseless individuals who simply don't feel bad about harming someone. "Rules don't apply to them because they are exceptional. They are sure they won't get caught." 229 CHAPTER 60 Jeffrey Epstein: July 2010 I. effrey Epstein was done with jail, but he wasn't done settling suits brought by his victims. Under the conditions of his non-prosecution agreement, he's even paid for the victims' lawyers. Still, Epstein's NPA seemed to ensure that he would not be prosecuted again for his crimes. Double jeopardy was work- ing in Epstein's favor. But in July of 2010, reports began to appear in the press: federal investigators were following other leads— leads that could result in child-trafficking charges and a twenty-year sentence. The Florida attorney general's office refused to comment. It was against policy to confirm or deny the existence of an ongo- ing investigation. One of Epstein's lawyers told the Daily Beast that he had no knowledge of such an investigation. "Jeffrey Epstein has fully complied with all state and federal require-,, ments that arise from the prior proceedings in Palm Beach," Jack 230 Goldberger said. "There; not and should not be Epstein's complete fulfillm agreement with the feder If there was an invest the moment, Epstein was to intellectual pursuits. 1 Science.com, that featun with Jeffrey Epstein," "TI Jeffrey Epstein," "Why Epstein," and "An Under Jeffrey Epstein." The latt. Epstein takes you to the knowledge to explore an the subtle, simple, and hic universe." "Jeffrey doesn't know shit art collector who has know "Does he like to act like he these academic scientists— have any money." Other friends of Epstei liant mind for science. AnC than sponsor individual sc ences on Little Saint Jeff's. ference called Mindshift at theoretical physicist Murra geon.s, engineers, and futi CHAPTER 60 th jail, but he wasn't done settling ms. Under the conditions of his a, he's even paid for the victims' emed to ensure that he would not Imes. Double jeopardy was work- Ely of 2010, reports began to appear tors were following other leads — child-trafficking charges and a raPs office refused to comment. It or deny the existence of an ongo- stein's lawyers told the Daily Beast of such an investigation. "Jeffrey with all state and federal require - or proceedings in Palm Beach," Jack 230 FILTHY RICH Goldberger said. "There are no pending civil lawsuits. There are not and should not be any pending investigations, given Mr. Epstein's complete fulfillment of all the terms of his non-prosecution agreement with the federal government." If there was an investigation, nothing had come of it yet. For the moment, Epstein was free— free to turn his attention, again, to intellectual pursuits. He launched a website, JeffreyEpstein- Science.com, that featured blog posts such as "Conversations with Jeffrey Epstein," "The Value of Quantum Computation to Jeffrey Epstein," "Why Evolutionary Biology Intrigues Jeffrey Epstein," and "An Understanding of Theoretical Physics from Jeffrey Epstein." The latter post began: "This is where Jeffrey Epstein takes you to the very cutting edge of the frontiers of knowledge to explore and discuss our basic understanding of the subtle, simple, and hidden [qualities] that lie beneath ... our universe." "Jeffrey doesn't know shit about science," says Stuart Pivar, the art collector who has known Epstein for more than three decades. "Does he like to act like he does? Yes. But he doesn't. But as far as these academic scientists—without people like him they wouldn't have any money." Other friends of Epstein's say that he truly did have a b . liant mind for science. And in any case, Epstein had done more than sponsor individual scientists. He'd also sponsored confer- ences on Little Saint Jeff's. On his website, he announced a con- ference called Mindshift at which Nobel laureates, such as the theoretical physicist Murray Gell-Mann, would mix with sur- geons, engineers, and futurists and where professors would 231 JAMES PATTERSON discuss cognitive neuroscience, artificial intelligence, systems of encryption and decryption, and other topics. Epstein had been hosting get-togethers like this for years. Toward the end of Chief Reiter's investigation, in March of 2006, Epstein had hosted twenty top physicists—including three Nobel Prize winners as well as the celebrity physicist Stephen Hawking— at a Saint Thomas symposium called "Confronting Gravity," which was advertised as "a workshop to explore fundamental questions in physics and cosmology." "This is a remarkable group," one of the Nobel Prize winners told a reporter for the St. Thomas Source. "There is no agenda except fun and physics, and that's fun with a capital F," Epstein said. Epstein had been especially interested in Stephen Hawking. Someday, Hawking had theorized, the universe would stop expanding and collapse, at which point time would begin to run backwards. Hawking believed that computer viruses were living things. He thought that given the size of the universe, alien life forms existed. He did not believe in God. But he had a vast appre- ciation for the inner workings of the universe, and this is why Epstein gave Hawking a tremendous gift. He paid to have a sub- marine modified so that it could fit Hawking and his wheelchair and give the scientist his first glimpse of an actual alien world— the one that lies under the waves of the ocean. It was one of the most romantic, generous gestures that Jef- frey Epstein had ever made. 232 Al Seckel: January 20E Epstein's partner in the Al Seckel, was know] were said to have incl cian James "the Amazing" : founder Elon Musk, as we: Epstein would court in the c ladder. In certain Los Angeles ci) to know. But, like Jeffrey Eps According to Mark Oppenhe and followed his career for fi by selling rare books and ix academic connections. "A number of these trans. lawsuits," Oppenheimer wol )ATTERSON artificial intelligence, systems of d other topics. get-togethers like this for years. .'s investigation, in March of 2006, physicists—including three Nobel brity physicist Stephen Hawking — tm called "Confronting Gravity," vorkshop to explore fundamental tology." one of the Nobel Prize winners las Source. Pt fun and physics, and that's fun interested in Stephen Hawking. orized, the universe would stop aich point time would begin to run I that computer viruses were living a the size of the universe, alien life eve in God. But he had a vast appre- p of the universe, and this is why Lendous gift. He paid to have a sub- uld fit Hawking and his wheelchair : glimpse of an actual alien world— ayes of the ocean. mantic, generous gestures that Jef- 232 CHAPTER 61 Al Seckel: January 2012 Epstein's partner in the Mindshift conference, a man named Al Seckel, was known for throwing fabulous parties that were said to have included the actor Dudley Moore, magi- cian James "the Amazing" Randi, and future Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, as well as many of the scientists Jeffrey Epstein would court in the course of his own climb up the social ladder. •-.4i. In certain Los Angeles circles, Al Seckel was a very good man -to know. But, like Jeffrey Epstein, Seckel was a sort of illusionist. According to Mark Oppenheimer, a journalist who knew Seckel and followed his career for fifteen years, Seckel made his money by selling rare books and papers, often through his social and academic connections. "A number of these transactions resulted in accusations and lawsuits," Oppenheimer would write. "In speaking to former 233 JAMES PATTERSON It was an odd thing, Epste: PhD who, on closer inspec But the Mindshift confer in the Virgin Islands dic Mann was there, along wit coauthored books with St expert on artificial intelli attended the conference, about it. "We had scientific disci he said vaguely. When Mark Oppenheir Seckel, Sussman "got testy" "I have had some dealir want to say what it's aboi it, okay?" Today, Epstein's websites — JeffreyEpsteinScience.corn— long since expired. Several r. tribut ions, including New lk Palm Beach, announced tha gifts. "The further I can keep better," said Ballet Palm Beac But in 2012, Epstein held Jeff's. Once again, three Nob€ Stephen Hawking was also th tvventy-one physicists—from . Seckel acquaintances, I kept hearing variations on a scheme Mrs. Pearce Williams believed he perpetrated against her late hus- band, the man Seckel said was his mentor. Seckel took books and promised money, or he took money and promised a book; but somehow, the promised party lost money." "He was charming, erudite, humorous," one of Seckel's marks told the reporter. "I lent him $75,000. When the time came to pay it back he didn't want to do it." Oppenheimer found several people whom Seckel had stiffed and uncovered dozens of lawsuits he'd been involved in. In 2007, Seckel settled a libel lawsuit against a man who'd edited his Wiki- pedia page. Years later, Oppenheimer spoke with Seckel's lawyer, Nicholas Hornberger. "Hornberger confirmed that he'd reached a settlement for the case, a favorable one," the journalist wrote. "Hornberger added that Seckel has still not paid him for his services." He also interviewed Seckel's wife, Isabel Maxwell. Al and Isabel met on a blind date and married in Malibu in or "around" 2007 ("I don't keep the dates in my head," Seckel explained). A few years later, they moved to the South of France, where Seckel continued to trade in rare books and papers. While living in France, he was sued by a Virgin Islands company that accused him and Isabel of fraudulently attempting to sell rare books and a seventeenth-century portrait of Isaac Newton. Seckel had also been trying to sell papers belonging to Isa- bel's father. Isabel is Ghislaine Maxwell's sister and the daughter of Rob- ert Maxwell. * * * 234 )ATTERSON FILTHY RICH aring variations on a scheme Mrs. perpetrated against her late hus- Ls his mentor. Seckel took books )ok money and promised a book; rty lost money." , humorous," one of Seckel's marks $75,000. When the time came to D it." al people whom Seckel had stiffed Lifts he'd been involved in. In 2007, ;ainst a man who'd edited his Wiki- heimer spoke with SeckePs lawyer, at he'd reached a settlement for the trnalist wrote. "Hornberger added Lim for his services." l's wife, Isabel Maxwell. Ld date and married in Malibu in or :p the dates in my head," Seckel they moved to the South of France, de in rare books and papers. While by a Virgin Islands company that 7audulently attempting to sell rare :Airy portrait of Isaac Newton. .ng to sell papers belonging to ell's sister and the daughter of Rob- * * 234 It was an odd thing, Epstein's association with this self-professed PhD who, on closer inspection, turned out to be a bit of a grifter. But the Mindshift conference that Epstein and Seckel hosted in the Virgin Islands did take place, in 2010. Murray Gel!- Mann was there, along with Leonard Mlodinow, a physicist who coauthored books with Stephen Hawking. Gerald Sussman, an expert on artificial intelligence who taught at MIT and also attended the conference, said that he didn't remember too much about it. "We had scientific discussions, talked about various things," he said vaguely. When Mark Oppenheimer asked him if he'd given money to Seckel, Sussman "got testy" with the reporter. "I have had some dealings with him," Sussman said. "I don't want to say what it's about, because I don't feel good about it, okay?" Today, Epstein's websites—JeffreyEpsteinFoundation.com and JeffreyEpsteinScience.com—are down. Their domain names have long since expired. Several recipients of Epstein's charitable con- tributions, including New York's Mount Sinai Hospital and Ballet Palm Beach, announced that they would not be accepting new gifts. "The further I can keep myself from anything like that the better," said Ballet Palm Beach founder Colleen Smith. But in 2012, Epstein held one more conference on Little Saint Jeff's. Once again, three Nobel Prize winners were in attendance. Stephen Hawking was also there. All in all, Epstein had gathered twenty-one physicists—from Princeton, Harvard, MIT, and CERN 235 JAMES PATTERSON (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) — to "deter- mine what the consensus is, if any, for defining gravity." According to a press release issued by Epstein's foundation, the consensus that did emerge was that space is "not quite empty." Jeffrey Epstein: Februar It's Groundhog Day, and c ting the peak of his fame sode of Law & Order: SV own legal history. The setup for this episodi girl. One who's been flown tc vate jet, then flown back—cc On the plane, she has a fn guy sitting next to her is try police get involved. "It was just a birthday ix cops via videoconference fron The cops ask: Whose pres "The billionaire. The one i Does the French girl knom 236 kTTERSON r Nuclear Research) — to "deter- ny, for defining gravity." issued by Epstein's foundation, r,e was that space is "not quite CHAPTER 62 Jeffrey Epstein: February 2, 2011 1 t's Groundhog Day, and once-reclusive Jeffrey Epstein is hit- ting the peak of his fame in a ripped-from-the-headlines epi- sode of Law & Order: SVU that tracks, eerily well, with his own legal history. The setup for this episode is the rape of a very young French girl. One who's been flown to New York on a very rich man's pri- vate jet, then flown back—coach class—to Paris. On the plane, she has a freak-out. She thinks the middle-aged guy sitting next to her is trying to rape her. In Paris, the local police get involved. "It was just a birthday party," the tearful girl tells the SVU cops via videoconference from France. "We were his present." The cops ask: Whose present? "The billionaire. The one who owns the jet." Does the French girl know his name? 236 237 JAMES PATTERSON "Jordan. He wanted a massage. But I had to take off my clothes. He climbed on top of me. It hurt. I started to bleed, and it wouldn't stop. The doctor came." "Dominique," the cops say. "We're going to arrest this man. But we need you to return to New York so you can testify." "Non," says the girl. "Non! Jamais! Jamais!" For Epstein, there are other embarrassments, many of which have to do with his royal friends. The wedding of Prince Wil- liam and Kate Middleton is approaching, and the ongoing trou- bles of Prince William's uncle Prince Andrew keep threatening to derail the festivities. On March 6, a spokesperson for Sarah Ferguson confirms that Epstein paid off part of the seventy-eight thousand pounds that the duchess borrowed from a man who was once her personal assistant. The next day, headlines appear in the Telegraph and other British papers: DUKE OF YORK "APPEALED TO JEFFREY EPSTEIN TO HELP DUCHESS PAY DEBT." "I personally, on behalf of myself, deeply regret that Jeffrey Epstein became involved in any way with me," Prince Andrew's ex-wife tells journalists. "I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf. "I am just so contrite I cannot say. Whenever I can I will repay the money and will have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again." That week, as part of the ongoing civil lawsuits against Epstein, Sarah Kellen and Nadia Marcinkova are both asked about Prince Andrew's relations with Epstein. 238 F1 "Would you agree with Epstein used to share under; len is asked. "On the instructions of invoke my Fifth Amendment "Have you ever been m; Andrew?" lawyers ask Marci. "Fifth" is Nadia's simple, That same week, the gover role as Great Britain's royal t tenacious, and in the Telegr stories appear on a daily basi: • The Duke, His Paedophi Use of an RAF Base • Andrew's Secret Love Lifi • Royal Connections: Princ Suddenly the Talk of Nev • Time to Show This Right • An Odd Trio: The Royal seuse and the Fixer • No. 10 Struggles to Conto • From Royal Asset to Nati, • Royal Blush • Duke Could Be Called to • It's the Company You Keep. • Nothing Grand About Thi • The Royal Family Has Choice of Friends For Yea • Our Less-Than-Grand Olc 'ATTERSON FILTHY RICH ssage. But I had to take off my lie. It hurt. I started to bleed, and Tie." • "We're going to arrest this man. ew York so you can testify." ramais! Jamais!" embarrassments, many of which :nds. The wedding of Prince Wil- )proaching, and the ongoing trou- : Prince Andrew keep threatening [arch 6, a spokesperson for Sarah .n paid off part of the seventy-eight 'chess borrowed from a man who at. ippear in the Telegraph and other 'APPEALED TO JEFFREY EPSTEIN TO HELP f myself, deeply regret that Jeffrey ny way with me," Prince Andrew's ibhor paedophilia and any sexual • that this was a gigantic error of :annot say. Whenever I can I will we nothing ever to do with Jeffrey he ongoing civil lawsuits against Marcinkova are both asked )ns with Epstein. 238 "Would you agree with me that Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein used to share underaged girls for sexual relations?" Kel- len is asked. "On the instructions of my lawyer," Kellen replies, "I must invoke my Fifth Amendment privilege." "Have you ever been made to perform sexually on Prince Andrew?" lawyers ask Marcinkova. "Fifth" is Nadia's simple, succinct reply. That same week, the government downgrades Prince Andrew's role as Great Britain's royal trade envoy. But the British press is tenacious, and in the Telegraph, the Guardian, and elsewhere, stories appear on a daily basis: • The Duke, His Paedophile Guest, and the Most Unusual Use of an RAF Base • Andrew's Secret Love Life Revealed • Royal Connections: Prince Andrew and the Paedophile Are Suddenly the Talk of New York • Time to Show This Right Royal Clown the Door • An Odd Trio: The Royal Trade Envoy, the Teenage Mas- seuse and the Fixer • No. 10 Struggles to Contain Row Over Prince • From Royal Asset to National Liability • Royal Blush • Duke Could Be Called to Two Epstein Trials • It's the Company You Keep... The Duke's Dangerous Liaisons • Nothing Grand About This Old Duke of York • The Royal Family Has Feared a Blow-Up Over Duke's Choice of Friends For Years • Our Less-Than-Grand Old Duke of York 239 JAMES PATTERSON On March 11, a devastating undersea earthquake and tsu- nami move Japan's main island by several feet, shifting the earth on its axis. The destruction is horrific and unprecedented. But on March 13, the Daily Mail devotes four pages and seven sepa- rate articles to Prince Andrew. That same day, the Telegraph runs three pieces, and the Sunday Times runs a two-page spread head- lined GUN SMUGGLER BOASTS OF SWAY OVER ANDREW. On March 14, the Guardian runs one more piece about Andrew's troubles. PRINCE ANDREW DOMINATES HEADLINES DESPITE THE EARTHQUAKE, the headline reads. Alan Dershowitz: Septen If the ongoing lawsuits ar millions left to spare. Mea whether Epstein trafficked seems to be going nowhere. A fling to look as if Epstein is flu But for Epstein's friend an itz, things are about to get ver At the start of 2008, Brad lawyer, had filed a motion in 2 of two unnamed women accu: showitz of participating direct Prince Andrew had had nc itz had objected to the accu. terms. "There's absolutely no kern 240 ATTERSON g undersea earthquake and tsu- by several feet, shifting the earth horrific and unprecedented. But :votes four pages and seven sepa- That same day, the Telegraph runs rnes runs a two-page spread head- 4:1' OVER ANDREW. ian runs one more piece about lEADLINES DESPITE THE EARTHQUAKE, 240 CHAPTER 63 Alan Dershowitz: September 2014 If the ongoing lawsuits are costing Epstein millions, he has millions left to spare. Meanwhile, the FBI's investigation into whether Epstein trafficked underage women across state lines seems to be going nowhere. As 2014 draws to a close, it's begin- ning to look as if Epstein is finally free and clear of the case. But for Epstein's friend and sometime lawyer Alan Dershow- i z, things are about to get very unpleasant. At the start of 2008, Bradley Edwards, the Fort Lauderdale lawyer, had filed a motion in a West Palm Beach court on behalf of two unnamed women accusing Prince Andrew and Alan Der- showitz of participating directly in Epstein's illegal activities. Prince Andrew had had no comment to make, and Dershow- ltz had objected to the accusations in the strongest' possible rms. "There's absolutely no kernel of truth to this story," he'd said. 241 JAMES PATTERSON "I don't know this woman. I've never been in the same place with her. She's made the whole story up out of whole cloth." Bradley Edwards had already become involved in lawsuits against Epstein. In 2007, working with a former federal judge and University of Utah law professor named Paul Cassell, he had filed a lawsuit on behalf of another unnamed woman. Six years later, that case is still pending, and now, Edwards and Cassell petition to have the two suits combined. All in all, four Jane Does take part in the lawsuit. Jane Doe 3 is Virginia Roberts, the girl who says that Ghis- laine Maxwell recruited her for Epstein at Trump's resort, Mar-a-Lago. Epstein had "lent" her and other young girls to prominent businessmen, important politicians, world leaders, and other powerful men in order "to ingratiate himself with them for busi- ness, personal, political, and financial gain, as well as to obtain blackmail information," Roberts claims. She says that Epstein forced her and other underage girls to take part in an orgy in the Virgin Islands. She names Prince Andrew and Alan Dershowitz as two of the men she'd been forced to have sex with and claims that Der- showitz had been "an eyewitness to the sexual abuse of many other minors by Epstein and several of Epstein's co-conspirators." This time, Prince Andrew does respond to the allegations. "This relates to longstanding and ongoing civil proceedings in the United States, to which the Duke of York is not a party," Buckingham Palace says in a short statement. "As such we would not comment on the detail. However, for the avoidance of doubt, any suggestion of impropriety with underage minors is categori- cally untrue." 242 Alan Dershowitz also are part of a plot to extol Edwards and Cassell have he's ever seen. "They manipulated a y interested in money," Ders offense, and they will be d: ever made this false charge But then, the allegations m 15, 2015, in a declaration attempt to overturn Jeffrey are highly disturbing. PATTERSON FILTHY RICH never been in the same place with y up out of whole cloth." :ady become involved in lawsuits •king with a former federal judge )fessor named Paul Cassell, he had Lother unnamed woman. Six years .g, and now, Edwards and Cassell combined. ake part in the lawsuit. berts, the girl who says that Ghis- r for Epstein at Trump's resort, id other young girls to prominent iticians, world leaders, and other ;ratiate himself with them for busi- financial gain, as well as to obtain rts claims. :ed her and other underage girls to rgin Islands. v and Alan Dershowitz as two of the ave sex with and claims that Der- Iness to the sexual abuse of many 3everal of Epstein's co-conspirators." v does respond to the allegations. ding and ongoing civil proceedings :h the Duke of York is not a party," short statement. "As such we would iowever, for the avoidance of doubt, ty with underage minors is categori- 242 Alan Dershowitz also goes on the attack. Virginia's claims are part of a plot to extort him, he claims. The motion that Edwards and Cassell have filed is "the sleaziest legal document" he's ever seen. "They manipulated a young, suggestible woman who was interested in money," Dershowitz says. "This is a disbarrable offense, and they will be disbarred. They will rue the day they ever made this false charge against me." It's a vehement denial. But then, the allegations made by Virginia Roberts, on January 15, 2015, in a declaration filed against the government in an attempt to overturn Jeffrey Epstein's non-prosecution agreement, are highly disturbing. 243 CHAPTER 64 Declaration of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, filed on January 19, 2015 by attorneys representing Jeffrey Epstein's victims (continued) 20. Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz was around Epstein frequently. Dershowitz was so comfortable with the sex [that] was going on that on one occasion he observed me in sexual activity with Epstein. 21. I had sexual intercourse with Dershowitz at least six times. The first time was when I was about 16, early on in my servitude to Epstein, and it continued until I was 19. 22. The first time we had sex took place in New York in Epstein's home. It was in Epstein's room (not the massage room). I was approximately sixteen years old at the time. I called Dershowitz "Alan." I knew he was a famous professor. 23. The second time that I had sex with Dershowitz was at Epstein's house in Palm Beach. 244 24. I also had sex Ranch in New Mexico i pool area, which was St 25. We also had se U.S. Virgin Islands. 26. Another sexual itz happened on Epstein on the plane with us. 27. I have recently calling me a "liar." He with me. The man I've .s( mer law professor, is th, least six times. Dershow with other underage girl but he is lying and denyii 28. After years of ab look for a way to escape. hold because I wanted to) taken me into his clutches some time I believed him. trol, regardless of my doul 29. I kept asking Epsi education. Epstein finally to go to Chiang Mai to h like my chance to escape. bags for good. I knew this break away. 30. On September 27, 2 to Chiang Mai, Thailand. I my training. But Epstein vs FILTHY RICH CHAPTER 64 9berts Giuffre, filed on -neys representing Jeffrey ed) - Alan Dershowitz was around vitz was so comfortable with the on one occasion he observed me em. urse with Dershowitz at least six then I was about 16, early on in d it continued until I was 19. 2d sex took place in New York in Epstein's room (not the massage y sixteen years old at the time. I knew he was a famous professor. it I had sex with Dershowitz was 3each. 244 24. I also had sex with Dershowitz at Epstein's Zorro Ranch in New Mexico in the massage room off of the indoor pool area, which was still being painted. 25. We also had sex at Little Saint James Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 26. Another sexual encounter between me and Dershow- itz happened on Epstein's airplane. Another girl was present on the plane with us. 27. I have recently seen Alan Dershowitz on television calling me a "liar" He is lying by denying that he had sex with me. The man I've seen on television, described as a for- mer law professor, is the same man that I had sex with at least six times. Dershowitz also knows that Epstein had sex with other underage girls and lent me out to other people, but he is lying and denying that. . . . 28. After years of abuse and being lent out, I began to look for a way to escape. I had first gone into Epstein's house- hold because I wanted to be a massage therapist. Epstein had taken me into his clutches through promises and talk and for some time I believed him. But once he had me under his con- trol, regardless of my doubts and fears, I felt trapped. 29. I kept asking Epstein for my promised training and education. Epstein finally got me a plane ticket to Thailand to go to Chiang Mai to learn Thai massage. This sounded like my chance to escape. In September 2002, I packed my bags for good. I knew this would be my only opportunity to break away. 30. On September 27, 2002, I flew from JFK in New York to Chiang Mai, Thailand. I arrived around September 29 for my training. But Epstein was going to get something out of 245 JAMES PATTERSON this trip as well. I was supposed to interview a girl and bring her back to the United States for Epstein. 31. [Left blank in the original] 32. I did the massage training in Chiang Mai. While I was there, I met a great and special guy and told him hon- estly what I was being forced to do. He told me I should get out of it. I told him that the people I was working for were very powerful and that I could not walk away or disobey them without risking serious punishment, including my life. He told me he would protect me. I had confidence [in] him and I saw his love and help as my opportunity to escape and to be with someone who truly loved me and would protect me. I married him and flew to Australia. 33. I called Epstein and told him I was not coming back. He asked why? I said "I've fallen in love." Epstein basically said "good luck and have a good life." I could tell he was not happy. I was afraid of what he was going to do to me. I thought he or one of his powerful friends might send some- one to hurt me or have me killed. 34. From that point onward, out of concern for my safety and general well-being, I stayed in Australia with my hus- band. I was in Australia from late 2002 to October 2013. To be clear, I was never in the United States during these years, not even for a short trip to visit my mother. And my absence from the United States was not voluntary—I was hiding from Epstein out of fear of what he would do to me if I returned to the United States. 35. In around 2007, after not hearing from anyone for years, out of the blue I was contacted by someone who identi- fied himself with a plain sounding name and claimed he was 246 FT with the FBI. It seemed vc cial criminal investigatiot that. I hadn't heard Epste who this person was and I tell what was going on. 36. This man said he The man asked if I had be instinct was to say nothii really with the FBI or any c questions, telling him that met him at a young age. Bu This man never offered to c Instead, he asked me right practices. I thought it woulc ment officer to behave tha uncomfortable and suspicit ing me. 37. I told the man nothi versation probably didn't immediately triggered all oj erful friends that had caust If the call accomplished an: state of fear and told me tl' and had nobody officially pt 38. I suspected that the; for Epstein or one of Epstein': if this was really an agent 14 would have known who I wa ual crimes in many differet viewed me in a way that woul PATTERSON FILTHY RICH osed to interview a girl and bring for Epstein. riginall training in Chiang Mai. While I id special guy and told him hon- :ed to do. He told me I should get ie people I was working for were could not walk away or disobey us punishment, including my life. ct me. I had confidence [in] him ) as my opportunity to escape and ruly loved me and would protect to Australia. told him I was not coming back. • fallen in love." Epstein basically good life." I could tell he was not hat he was going to do to me. I 9werfu1 friends might send some- killed. ward, out of concern for my safety stayed in Australia with my hus- pm late 2002 to October 2013. To • United States during these years, visit my mother. And my absence as not voluntary —I was hiding of what he would do to me if I tes. fter not hearing from anyone for contacted by someone who identi- )unding name and claimed he was 246 with the FBI. It seemed very odd for someone doing an offi- cial criminal investigation to just call up on the phone like that. I hadn't heard Epstein's name for years. I didn't know who this person was and what it was really about. I couldn't tell what was going on. 36. This man said he was looking into Jeffrey Epstein. The man asked if I had been involved with Epstein. My first instinct was to say nothing because I wasn't sure he was really with the FBI or any authorities. I answered a few basic questions, telling him that I knew Jeffrey Epstein and had met him at a young age. But the conversation didn't feel right. This man never offered to come and meet with me in person. Instead, he asked me right off the bat about Epstein's sexual practices. I thought it would be strange for a true law enforce- ment officer to behave that way, so I became increasingly uncomfortable and suspicious about who was actually call- ing me. 37. I told the man nothing more about Epstein. The con- versation probably didn't even last three minutes, but it immediately triggered all of the fears of Epstein and his pow- erful friends that had caused me to escape in the first place. If the call accomplished anything, it only put me back in a state of fear and told me that I could be found quite easily and had nobody officially protecting me. 38. I suspected that the man who called me was working for Epstein or one of Epstein's powerful friends. I believed that if this was really an agent who was investigating Epstein, he would have known who I was and how I fit into Epstein's sex- ual crimes in many different places. He would have inter- viewed me in a way that would have established his credentials 247 JAMES PATTERSON and would have shown how he could provide potential protec- tion from Epstein. That never happened. 39. Getting a call from this supposed FBI agent made me scared all over again. I had left the old life of sexual slavery behind me and started a new life in a new country in hopes that the powerful people whose illegal activities I knew all about would never find me. 40. Shortly after this purported FBI call, I was contacted by telephone by someone who appeared clearly to be working for Epstein. The caller told me about an investigation into Epstein and said that some of the girls being questioned were saying that Epstein had had sexual contact with them. After they made these allegations, the man said they were being discredited as drug addicts and prostitutes, but in my case, if I were to keep quiet, I would "be looked after." The fact that this call was made shortly after the supposed FBI call rein- for[c]ed my concern that the man I had talked to earlier was not really working for the FBI but for Epstein. I didn't think that the FBI and Epstein would both be working together and would both get my phone number at almost exactly the same time. I played along and told this person that I had gotten a call from the "FBI" but that I didn't tell him anything. The person on the phone was pleased to hear [that]. 41. A short time later, one of Epstein's lawyers (not Alan Dershowitz) called me, and then got Epstein on the line at the same time. Epstein and his lawyer basically asked again if I was going to say anything. The clear implication was that I should not. The way they were talking to me, I was afraid of what would happen if I didn't keep quiet. My thought was 248 that f I didn't say what I might get hurt. 42. I promised Epste quiet. They seemed hap to [be the] way to keep what Epstein and his lrn This declaration, strick victims' lawsuit against t events that led to Dershow involved in spectacular la' Dershowitz that these alle him, and a complaint by Ei against him were false and TTERSON FILTHY RICH could provide potential protec- tappened. s supposed FBI agent made me ft the old life of sexual slavery life in a new country in hopes 'se illegal activities I knew all >orted FBI call, I was contacted appeared clearly to be working ne about an investigation into the girls being questioned were ;exual contact with them. After the man said they were being id prostitutes, but in my case, if "be looked after." The fact that fter the supposed FBI call rein- man I had talked to earlier was 3I but for Epstein. I didn't think id both be working together and nber at almost exactly the same 1 this person that I had gotten a I didn't tell him anything. The Ised to hear [that]. Le of Epstein's lawyers (not Alan then got Epstein on the line at us lawyer basically asked again g. The clear implication was that ,ere talking to me, I was afraid of ln't keep quiet. My thought was that if I didn't say what they wanted me to say, or not to say, I might get hurt. 42. I promised Epstein and his lawyer that I would keep quiet. They seemed happy with that and that seemed to me to [be the] way to keep me and my family safe. And I did what Epstein and his lawyer told me. I kept quiet. This declaration, stricken from the record by the judge in the victims' lawsuit against the government, also set in motion events that led to Dershowitz's and Roberts's lawyers becoming involved in spectacular lawsuits, which included a complaint by Dershowitz that these allegations were false and had defamed him, and a complaint by Edwards that Dershowitz's accusations against him were false and defamatory. 248 249 CHAPTER 65 Alan Dershowitz: October 2015 About fifteen minutes into the ripped-from-the-headlines episode of Law & Order: SVU that was inspired by the Jef- frey Epstein saga, the plot takes an interesting turn: before officers have a chance to arrest him, Jordan, the character mod- eled on Epstein, shows up at SVU headquarters. The twelve-year-old French girl raped him, Jordan says. Wearing a monogrammed fleece pullover like the ones favored by Jeffrey Epstein, he describes an evening at home. "The party was in full swing," he explains. "A friend said she wanted to give me a special present. Told me to wait in my mas- sage room—" An SVU guy interrupts: "Guy has a massage room?" "I suffer from chronic back pain," Jordan says. "While I was waiting, I fell asleep. Now, at first I thought I must be dreaming. I was aroused. I felt myself being manually' 250 manipulated. Then I reme: enjoy myself. But then it gc eyes." "What did you see?" "A woman. A woman Ic "A woman? Dominique "It was dark. I just wan. "But the twelve-year-olc "No. She threatened me. she was going to scream `R "And there was nothini years and a hundred pound "The party was going on: was going to look. I was nake It was a brilliant plot tw- dan to get off scot-free. But the plot twist that / on the day of Alan Dershow Florida, courthouse was eve "There was a criminal extort Edwards and Paul Cassell's I 2015. "Your clients were involv Bradley and Cassell had s for defamation—payback fo law professor had made in th Dershowitz had counters and he had come armed for b