Text extracted via OCR from the original document. May contain errors from the scanning process.
FOURTH DISTRICT
Petitioner,
-VS-
SCOTT
individually,
EDWARDS,
L.M., E.W.,
Intervenors.
ROTHSTEIN,
BRADLEY
J.
individually, and
and JANE DOE,
Respondents
CASE NO. 4D18-0762
PAGE
1. Non-Prosecution Agreement, dated September 24, 2007
A4-17
2. Notice of Appearance, dated November 1, 2017
A18-20
3. Motion for Continuance, dated November 6, 2017
A21-33
4. Defendant Rothstein's Motion to Set Aside Default, dated
A34-36
February17, 2010
Attorneys filing appendix:
Philip M. Burlington, Esq.
Nichole J. Segal, Esq.
444 West Railroad Avenue, Suite 350
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
1
EFTA00798167
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true copy of the foregoing was furnished by mail
to The Honorable Donald W. Hafele, 205 N. Dixie Highway, Room 10.1216, West
Palm Beach, FL 33401 and to all counsel on the attached service list, by email, on
March 12, 2018.
Jack Scarola, Esq.
Karen Terry, Esq.
David J. Vitale, Jr. Esq.
2139 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
and
Courthouse Commons/Suite 350
444 West Railroad Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 721-0400
Attorneys for Res ondents
By:
/s/ Philip M. Burlington
Florida Bar No. 285862
By:
/s/ Nichole J. Segal
Florida Bar No. 41232
/kbt
2
EFTA00798168
SERVICE LIST
Epstein v. Rothstein/Edwards
Case No. 4D18-0762
Scott J. Link, Esq.
Kara Berard Rockenbach, Esq.
Rachel J. Glasser, Esq.
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. Ste. 301
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Attorneys for Jeffrey Epstein
Jack A. Goldberger, Esq.
& WEISS, P.A.
250 Australian Avenue S., Ste. 1400
West Palm Beach FL 33401
Attorneys for Jeffrey Epstein
3
Marc S. Nurik, Esq.
One E. Broward Boulevard, Ste. 700
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Attorneys for Scott Rothstein
Bradley J. Edwards, Esq.
EDWARDS POTT1NGER LLC
425 N. Andrews Avenue, Ste. 2
Ft. Lauderdale FL 33301-3268
Attorneys for Bradley J. Edwards
EFTA00798169
EN RE:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN
rr APPEARING that the City of Palm Beach Police Department and the State
Attorney's Office for the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County (hereinafter,
the "State Attorney's Office") have conducted an investigation into the conduct of Jeffrey
Epstein (hereinafter "Epstein");
IT APPEARING that the State Attorney's Office has charged Epstein by indictment
with solicitation of prostitution, in violation of Florida Statutes Section 796.07;
IT APPEARING that the United States Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation have conducted their own investigation into Epstein's background and any
offenses that may have been committed by Epstein against the United States from in or
around 2001 through in or around September 2007, including:
knowingly and willfully conspiring with others known and unknown to
commit an offense against the United States, that is, to use a facility or means
of interstate or foreign commerce to knowingly persuade, induce, or entice
minor females to engage in prostitution, in violation of Title 18, United States
Code, Section 2422(b); all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section
371;
(2)
knowingly and willfully conspiring with others known and unknown to travel
in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct, as
defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2423(f), with minor females, in violation of Title IS,
United States Code, Section 2423(b); all in violation of Title 18, United States
Code, Section 2423(e);
(3)
using a facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce to knowingly
persuade, induce, or entice minor females to engage in prostitution; in
violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2422(b) and 2;
(4)
traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual
conduct, as defined in IS U.S.C. § 2423(f), with minor females; in violation
Page I of 7
A4
EFTA00798170
of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(b); and
(5)
knowingly, in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce, recruiting,
enticing, and obtaining by any means a person, knowing that the person had
not attaincd the age of 18 years and would be caused to engage in a
commercial sex act as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1591(c)(1); in violation of Title
18, United States Code, Sections 1591(a)(1) and 2; and
IT APPEARING that Epstein seeks to resolve globally his state and federal criminal
liability and Epstein understands and acknowledges that, in exchange for the benefits
provided by this agreement, he agrees to comply with its terms, including undertaking certain
actions with the State Attorney's Office;
IT APPEARING, after an investigation of the offenses and Epstein's background by
both State and Federal law enforcement agencies, and after due consultation with the State
Attorney's Office, that the interests of the United States, the State of Florida, and the
Defendant will be served by the following procedure;
THEREFORE, on the authority of R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for
the Southern District of Florida, prosecution in this District for these offenses shall be
deferred in favor of prosecution by the State of Florida, provided that Epstein abides by the
following conditions and the requirements of this Agreement set forth below.
If the United States Attorney should determine, based on reliable evidence, that,
during the period of the Agreement, Epstein willfully violated any of the conditions of this
Agreement, then the United States Attorney may, within ninety (90) days following the
expiration of the term of home confinement discussed below, provide Epstein with timely
notice specifying the condition(s) of the Agreement that he has violated, and shall initiate its
prosecution on any offense within sixty (60) days' of giving notice of the violation. Any
notice provided to Epstein pursuant to this paragraph shall be provided within 60 days of the
United States learning of facts which may provide a basis for a determination of a breach of
the Agreement.
After timely fulfilling all the terms and conditions of the Agreement, no prosecution
for the offenses set out on pages 1 and 2 of this Agreement, nor any other offenses that have
been the subject of the joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the
United States Attorney's Office, nor any offenses that arose from the Federal Grand Jury
investigation will be instituted in this District, and the charges against Epstein if any, will be
dismissed.
Page 2 of 7
A5
EFTA00798171
Terms of the Agreement:
1.
Epstein shall plead guilty (not nolo contendere) to the Indictment as
currently pending against him in the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for
Palm Beach County (Case No. 2006-cf-009495A2OCXMB) charging
one (I) count of solicitation of prostitution, in violation of Fl. Stat. §
796.07. In addition, Epstein shall plead guilty to an information filed
by the State Attorney's Office charging Epstein with an offense that
requires him to register as a sex offender, that is, the solicitation of
minors to engage in prostitution, in violation of Florida Statutes Section
796.03;
2.
Epstein shall make a binding recommendation that the Court impose a
thirty (30) month sentence to be divided as follows:
(a)
Epstein shall be sentenced to consecutive terms of twelve (12)
months and six (6) months in county jail for all charges, without
any opportunity for withholding adjudication or sentencing, and
without
probation or community control
in
lieu of
imprisonment; and
(b)
Epstein shall be sentenced to a term of twelve (12) months of
community control consecutive to his two terms in county jail
as described in Term 2(a), supra.
3.
This agreement is contingent upon a Judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit
accepting and executing the sentence agreed upon between the State
Attorney's Office and Epstein, the details of which are set forth in this
agreement.
4.
The terms contained in paragraphs I and 2, supra, do not foreclose
Epstein and the State Attorney's Office from agreeing to recommend
any additional charge(s) or any additional term(s) of probation and/or
incarceration.
5.
Epstein shall waive all challenges to the Information filed by the State
Attorney's Office and shall waive the right to appeal his conviction and
sentence, except a sentence that exceeds what is set forth in paragraph
(2), supra.
6.
Epstein shall provide to the U.S. Attorney's Office copies of all
Page 3 of 7
A6
EFTA00798172
proposed agreements with the State Attorney's Office prior to entering
into those agreements.
7.
The United States shall provide Epstcin's attorneys with a list of
individuals whom it has identified as victims, as defined in 18 U.S.C.
§ 2255, after Epstein has signed this agreement and been sentenced.
Upon the execution of this agreement, the United States, in consultation
with and subject to the good faith approval of Epstein's counsel, shall
select an attorney representative for these persons, who shall be paid for
by Epstein. Epstein's counsel may contact the identified individuals
through that representative.
8.
If any of the individuals referred to in paragraph (7), supra, elects to
file suit pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2255, Epstein will not contest the
jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District
of Florida over his person and/or the subject matter, and Epstein waives
his right to contest liability and also waives his right to contest damages
up to an amount as agreed to between the identified individual and
Epstein, so long as the identified individual elects to proceed
exclusively under 18 U.S.C. § 2255, and agrees to waive any other
claim for damages, whether pursuant to state, federal, or common law.
Notwithstanding this waiver, as to those individuals whose names
appear on the list provided by the United States, Epstein's signature on
this agreement, his waivers and failures to contest liability and such
damages in any suit are not to be construed as an admission of any
criminal or civil liability.
9.
Epstein's signature on this agreement also is not to be construed as an
admission of civil or criminal liability or a waiver of any jurisdictional
or other defense as to any person whose name does not appear on the
list provided by the United States.
10.
Except as to those individuals who elect to proceed exclusively under
18 U.S.C. § 2255, as set forth in paragraph (8), supra, neither Epstein's
signature on this agreement, nor its terms, nor any resulting waivers or
settlements by Epstein arc to be construed as admissions or evidence of
civil or criminal liability or a waiver of any jurisdictional or other
defense as to any person, whether or not her name appears on the list
provided by the United States.
11.
Epstein shall use his best efforts to enter his guilty plea and be
Page 4 of 7
A7
EFTA00798173
sentenced not later than October 26, 2007. The United States has no
objection to Epstein self-reporting to begin serving his sentence not
later than January 4, 2008.
12.
Epstein agrees that he will not be afforded any benefits with respect to
gain time, other than the rights, opportunities, and benefits as any other
inmate, including but not limited to, eligibility for gain time credit
based on standard rules and regulations that apply in the State of
Florida. At the United States' request, Epstein agrees to provide an
accounting of the gain time he earned during his period of
incarceration.
13.
The parties anticipate that this agreement will not be made part of any
public record. If the United States receives a Freedom of Information
Act request or any compulsory process commanding the disclosure of
the agreement, it will provide notice to Epstein before making that
disclosure.
Epstein understands that the United States Attorney has no authority to require the
State Attorney's Office to abide by any terms of this agreement. Epstein understands that
it is his obligation to undertake discussions with the State Attorney's Office and to use his
best efforts to ensure compliance with these procedures, which compliance will be necessary
to satisfy the United States' interest. Epstein also understands that it is his obligation to use
his best efforts to convince the Judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit to accept Epstein's binding
recommendation regarding the sentence to be imposed, and understands that the failure to
do so will be a breach of the agreement.
In consideration of Epstein's agreement to plead guilty and to provide compensation
in the manner described above, if Epstein successfully fulfills all of the terms and conditions
of this agreement, the United States also agrees that it will not institute any criminal charges
First anatential co-conspirators of E stein, including but not limited to
Lesley Groff, or
Further, upon execution o
is
agreement and a plea agreement with
e tate Attorney's Office, the federal Grand Jury
investigation will be suspended, and all pending federal Grand Jury subpoenas will be held
in abeyance unless and until the defendant violates any term of this agreement. The
defendant likewise agrees to withdraw his pending motion to intervene and to quash certain
grand jury subpoenas. Both parties agree to maintain their evidence, specifically evidence
requested by or directly related to the grand jury subpoenas that have been issued, and
including certain computer equipment, inviolate until all of the terms of this agreement have
been satisfied.
Upon the successful completion of the terms of this agreement, all
outstanding grand jury subpoenas shall be deemed withdrawn.
Page 5 of 7
A8
EFTA00798174
By signing this agreement, Epstein asserts and certifies that each of these terms is
material to this agreement and is supported by independent consideration and that a breach
of any one of these conditions allows the United States to elect to terminate the agreement
and to investigate and prosecute Epstein and any other individual or entity for any and all
federal offenses.
By signing this agreement, Epstein asserts and certifies that he is aware of the fact that
the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States provides that in all criminal
prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial. Epstein further
is aware that Rule 48(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure provides that the Court
may dismiss an indictment, information, or complaint for unnecessary delay in presenting
a charge to the Grand Jury, filing an information, or in bringing a defendant to trial. Epstein
hereby requests that the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida defer such
prosecution. Epstein agrees and consents that any delay from the date of this Agreement to
the date of initiation of prosecution, as provided for in the terms expressed herein, shall be
deemed to be a necessary delay at his own request, and he hereby waives any defense to such
prosecution on the ground that such delay operated to deny him rights under Rule 48(b) of
the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States to a speedy trial or to bar the prosecution by reason of the running of the statute
of limitations for a period of months equal to the period between the signing of this
agreement and the breach of this agreement as to those offenses that were the subject of the
grand jury's investigation. Epstein further asserts and certifies that he understands that the
Fifth Amendment and Rule 7(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure provide that all
felonies must be charged in an indictment presented to a grand jury. Epstein hereby agrees
and consents that, if a prosecution against him is instituted for any offense that was the
subject of the grand jury's investigation, it may be by way of an Information signed and filed
by the United States Attorney, and hereby waives his right to be indicted by a grand jury as
to any such offense.
//I
/I/
I / /
Page 6 of 7
A9
EFTA00798175
By signing this agreement, Epstein asserts and certifies that the above has been read
and explained to him. Epstein hereby states that he tmderstands the conditions of this Non-
Prosecution Agreement and agrees to comply with them.
Dated:
By:
Dated: 6/UT'(
Dated:
Dated:
Page 7 of 7
A10
EFTA00798176
By signing this agreement, Epstein asserts and certifies that the above has been read
and explained to him. Epstein hereby states that he understands the conditions of this Non.
Prosecution Agreement and agrees to comply with them.
Dated:
By:
Dated:
Dated: 7/2-'flo7
Dated:
Pago 7 of 7
All
EFTA00798177
By signing this agreement, Epstein mats and certifies that the above has been read
and explained to him. Epstein hereby states that he understands the conditions of this Non-
Prosecution Agreement and agrees to comply with than.
Dated:
Dated:
Dated:
Dated:
By:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN
ESQ.
Page 7 of 7
A12
EFTA00798178
IN RE:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN
IT APPEARING that the parties seek to clarify certain provisions of page 4, paragraph 7
of the Non-Prosecution Agreement (hereinafter "paragraph 7"), that agreement is modified as
fol lows:
7A.
The United States has the right to assign to an independent third-party the responsibility
for consulting with and, subject to the good faith approval of Epstein's counsel, selecting
the attorney representative for the individuals identified under the Agreement. If the
United States elects to assign this responsibility to an independent third-party, both the
United States and Epstein retain the right to make good faith objections to the attorney
representative suggested by the independent third-party prior to the final designation of
the attorney representative.
713.
The parties will jointly prepare a short written submission to the independent third-party
regarding the role of the attorney representative and regarding Epstein's Agreement to
pay such attorney representative his or her regular customary hourly rate for representing
such victims subject to the provisions of paragraph C, infra.
7C.
Pursuant to additional paragraph 7A, Epstein has agreed to pay the fees of the attorney
representative selected by the independent third party. This provision, however, shall not
obligate Epstein to pay the fees and costs of contested litigation filed against him. Thus,
if after consideration of potential settlements, an attorney representative elects to file ■
contested lawsuit pursuant to 18 U.S.C. s 2255 or elects to pursue any other contested
remedy, the paragraph 7 obligation of the Agreement to pay the costs of the attorney
representative, as opposed to any statutory or other obligations to pay reasonable
attorneys fees and costs such as those contained in s 2255 to bear the costs of the attorney
representative, shall cease.
A13
EFTA00798179
By signing this Addendum, Epstein asserts and certifies that the above has been read and
explained to him. Epstein hereby, states that he understands the clarifications to the Non-
Prosecution Agreement and agrees to comply with them.
Dated:
Dated: // 2" f 43—
Dated:
Dated:
By:
EFTA00798180
By signing this Addendum, Epstein asserts and certifies that the above has been read and
explained to him. Epstein hereby states that he understands the clarifications to the Non-
Prosecution Agreement and agrees to comply with them.
Dated:
By:
Dated:
Dated: / 0/9407
Dated:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN
COUNSEL TO JEFF
Y EPSTEIN
A15
EFTA00798181
Ey signing this Addendum, Epstein asserts and certifies that the above has been read and
explained to him.
Epstein hereby stalea that he understands the clarifications to the Non-
Prosecution Agreement and agrees to comply with them.
Dated:
Dated:
Dated:
Dated:
BY:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN
A16
EFTA00798182
Da-CT-CT
04 :55pet
F oe-For I er-ni te Burnett
3051800201
T-066
P 0C3/004
F-976
AThrsoation
Jeffrey B. Epstein do hereby ro-41Emt the Non-Prosecution Accemerd and Addendum to
mint dazed October 30, 2007,
A17
EFTA00798183
Filing # 63628489 E-Filed 11/01/2017 04:35:39 PM
FLORIDA
Case No. 50-2009CA040800XXXXMBAG
Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant,
v.
SCOTT ROTHSTEIN, individually, and
BRADLEY J. EDWARDS, individually,
Defendants/Counter-Plaintiffs.
PLAINTIFF/COUNTER-DEFENDANT'S NOTICE OF APPEARANCE
Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant, Jeffrey Epstein, hereby gives notice of the appearance of his
co-counsel at Link & Rockenbach, P.A. Please direct all pleadings, discovery and orders in this
matter to the following counsel:
Scott J. Link
Link & Rockenbach, P.A.
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, Suite 301
West Palm Beach. Florida 33401
Telephone:
Facsimile:
Primary:
Secondary:
A18
EFTA00798184
I certify that the foregoing document has been furnished to the attorneys listed on the
Service List below on November 1, 2017, through the Court's e-filing portal pursuant to Florida
Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516(b)(1).
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, Suite 301
West Palm Beach Florida 33401
[fax]
By: Is/ Scott .1 Link
Scott J. Link FBN 602991
Primary:
Secondary:
Co-Counsel for Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant
Jeffrey Epstein
SERVICE LIST
Jack Scarola
Searcy, Denny, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.
2139 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
West Palm Beach FL 33409
ter-Plaintiff
Bradley J. Edwards
Nichole J. Segal
Burlington & Rockenbach, P.A.
Courthouse Commons, Suite 350
444 West Railroad Avenue
West Palm Beach FL 33401
Co-Counsel for Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff
Bradley J. Edwards
Bradley J. Edwards
Farmer, Jaffee, Weissing, Edwards, Fistos &
Lehrman, P.L.
425 N. Andrews Avenue, Suite 2
Fort Lauderdale FL 33401
Marc S. Nurik
Law Offices of Marc S. Nurik
One E. Broward Boulevard, Suite 700
Ft. Lauderdale FL 33301
Counsel for Defendant Scott Rothstein
Co-Counsel for Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff
Bradley J. Edwards
2
A19
EFTA00798185
Tonja Haddad Coleman
Fred Haddad
315 S.E. Seventh Street, Suite 301
Haddad & Navarro, PLLC
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
1 Financial Plaza, Suite 2612
Fort Lauderdale FL 33394
Co-Counsel for Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant
Co-Counsel for Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant
Jeffrey Epstein
Jeffrey Epstein
W. Chester Brewer, Jr.
Jack A. Goldberger
W. Chester Brewer, Jr. P.A.
Atterbury, Goldberger & Weiss, P.A.
250 Australian Avenue S., Suite 1400
250 Australian Avenue S., Suite 1400
West Palm Beach FL 33401
West Palm Beach FL 3 401
Co-Counsel for Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant
Co-Counsel for Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant
Jeffrey Epstein
Jeffrey Epstein
A20
EFTA00798186
Filing # 63798617 E-Filed 11/06/2017 12:03:44 PM
1. 1 EENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND
Case No. 50-2009CA040800XXXXMBAG
Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant,
v.
SCOTT ROTHSTEIN, individually, and
BRADLEY J. EDWARDS, individually,
Defendants/Counter-Plaintiff.
PLAINTIFF/COUNTER-DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF TRIAL
Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant Jeffrey Epstein ("Plaintiff") moves under Rule 1.460 of the
Florida Rules of Civil Procedure for a brief 90-day continuance of the special set 10-day trial
commencing on December 5, 2017, and to extend the pre-trial deadlines. In the alternative,
Plaintiff moves under Rule 1.270 of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure to bifurcate the trial and
limit the first stage of the proceedings to: (i) Plaintiff's case and damages against Defendant Scott
Rothstein and (ii) the absence of probable cause element of Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff Bradley
J. Edwards' ("Defendant") malicious prosecution claim.
BACKGROUND
Although this case has been pending since December 2009, in May 2014, this Court
granted final summary judgment in Plaintiff's favor. Defendant appealed, and the Fourth District
I Counsel for Plaintiff has contacted counsel for Defendant, who opposes this Motion.
A21
EFTA00798187
Court of Appeal reversed and remanded in November 2015, with the Mandate issuing in December
2015. The matter was sent to the Florida Supreme Court and, in large part, there were no
substantive filings in this case until June 2017, after the Supreme Court declined jurisdiction.
Defendant noticed this matter for trial shortly before the Supreme Court's decision and, in July
2017, the Court entered its trial order, special setting a ten-day trial less than five months away.
INTRODUCTION
The trial should focus on a handful of narrow issues: (1) Plaintiff's damages caused by
Rothstein's2 criminal conspiracy; (2) whether Defendant can prove that Plaintiff never had
probable cause -- both at the inception of filing suit and throughout the proceeding -- to allege
Defendant's connection to Rothstein's criminal activities; (3) whether the proceeding against
Defendant concluded with a bona fide termination in his favor; (4) whether Defendant can prove
that Plaintiff acted with malice; and (5) whether Defendant was damaged.
First, Defendant must have changed his mind about the relevancy of printed or published
media about him associating his name with Plaintiff's because, despite an "irrelevant" objection
to an interrogatory served in September 2017, Defendant, one month later in October 2017,
disclosed a damages expert that focuses on just this type of publication damage. This expert
disclosure, changing Defendant's position regarding the discovery sought by Plaintiff from
"irrelevant" to "highly relevant," requires that Plaintiff have an opportunity to obtain answers to
the discovery Defendant refused to answer, take the deposition of Defendant's expert, obtain a
rebuttal expert, and review the claim that more than nine million people read Plaintiff's allegations
against Defendant in more than 100 news articles. Florida courts do not condone, nor does Plaintiff
believe Defendant's counsel intended, trial by ambush. A brief continuance allows for Defendant
2 The Clerk of this Court entered a default against Rothstein on January 21, 2010.
2
A22
EFTA00798188
to amend the discovery answers and Plaintiff to conduct the necessary discovery as to the new
damages claim.
Second, it has become clear that Defendant has no intention of litigating the five simple
issues listed above. Instead, he intends to re-litigate each of his clients' cases (and other alleged
victims' cases) against Plaintiff; return to his prosecutor days and try a criminal case, distracting
the jury with inflammatory allegations of sexual misconduct that have nothing to do with the
elements of his malicious prosecution claim. The Court should not allow mini-trials of matters
that have been concluded or are irrelevant within this one. (See generally Plaintiff's Motion in
Limine.) If the Court allows Defendant to pursue this trial strategy, then Plaintiff either needs
more time to prepare for trial or the trial should be bifurcated in the manner Plaintiff proposes.
Following the Court's clear and unambiguous advice at the October 3, 2017, hearing to
fortify lead counsel in the preparation and defense of his claim, on October 13, 2017, Plaintiff
retained new trial counsel, who appeared in the case on November I, 2017. Plaintiff also retained
a team of lawyers from the Gunster law firm as trial support. None of the things Plaintiff is asking
for in this Motion is based on lack of manpower. Even using all of these resources, there is still
not enough time to get everything that is needed done before the December 5, 2017, trial date.
Importantly, Plaintiff and his trial counsel will not seek another continuance. We will be ready to
try the case in 90 days.
ARGUMENT
I.
There are several important tasks that must be addressed before trial. First, Plaintiff needs
to identify and hire an expert to address the extent to which Plaintiff's allegations damaged
3
A23
EFTA00798189
Defendant's reputation and the testimony of Defendant's newly disclosed expert who will be
testifying on this subject. Second, counsel need to interview the attorney who filed the initial
Complaint on Plaintiff's behalf and review his files. Third, Defendant claims he may call more
than 150 witnesses at trial, but only a handful of those witnesses have been deposed, and Plaintiff's
counsel need time to ask the Court to have Defendant identify the witnesses who will actually be
called at trial so Plaintiff can determine if their depositions are necessary, and to conduct the
depositions. Fourth, Defendant has, to date, not produced crucial evidence subject to Plaintiff's
Motion to Compel and Plaintiff's counsel cannot properly prepare for trial until the Court rules.
For example, Defendant has only disclosed the anticipated testimony of 21 of the 159 witnesses
he identified on his Witness List and provided incomplete contact information (i.e., he only
provided physical addresses, not e-mail addresses or telephone numbers). In addition, Defendant
has not provided relevant and important information about his damage claim and relevant
information about his expert's recently provided report. As will be explained in Plaintiff's
Supplemental Motion to Compel, this information and the documentation are necessary to defend
against Defendant's Fourth Amended Counterclaim. Finally, substantive motions, which will
direct the path the trial will take, need to be resolved by the Court, but the hearing on those motions
is currently set only a few days before the trial is to commence. It is difficult for Plaintiff to
properly prepare for trial without knowing which case will be tried.
Generally, a motion for continuance has three requirements: it must be in writing, it must
be signed by the movant, and it must state all of the facts that entitle the movant to a continuance.
Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.460. See also Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.545(e) ("Continuances should be few, good
cause should be required, and all requests should be heard and resolved by a judge."). This motion
4
A24
EFTA00798190
satisfies these requirements and Plaintiff has made this request in good faith. The Court should
grant the motion in the interest of justice.
a. Experts
Throughout the pendency of this litigation, Plaintiff has served multiple discovery requests
to determine how Defendant's reputation was damaged and how he suffered monetarily. On
October 20, 2017, Defendant served his expert's untimely report' which revealed that Defendant's
expert relies on the same type of documents Defendant early claimed were "irrelevant." Because
of this new development, Plaintiff needs to obtain the discovery Defendant objected to as
irrelevant, retain a rebuttal expert witness and have the expert prepare a report.
Specifically, in interrogatories, Plaintiff asked Defendant about his use of Plaintiff's name
to promote his practice and the evidence Defendant intended to rely on to prove damage to his
reputation. Defendant responded that the requests were "irrelevant":
34. Please describe in detail and identify with specificity every
social media outlet, website, blog, printed materials, seminar
materials, or any other printed or published media on which you,
your law firm, or any association with which you are affiliated has
ever advertised, references, or otherwise places the name of Jeffrey
Epstein, and include a detailed description and the date(s) of each
and every such reference, advertisement, placement, publication,
dissemination, or promotion, identify the persons or groups of
persons to whom the same was made, and state the locations where
made, and state whether or not the materials used in connection with
such
reference,
advertisement,
placement,
publication,
dissemination, or promotion are in your possession or control, or are
Pursuant to the Court's July 20, 2017, Order Specially Setting Jury Trial, the parties were
required to disclose 60 days prior to trial (i.e., by October 6, 2017) expert witnesses along with (1)
the subject matter about which the expert is expected to testify; (2) the substance of the facts and
opinions to which the expert is expected to testify; (3) a summary of the grounds for each opinion;
(4) a copy of any written report; and (5) the expert's curriculum vitae. Defendant, however, did
not provide his expert's report to Plaintiff until October 20, 2017 — two-weeks after the deadline
to do so.
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EFTA00798191
still available on line or in print, and identify the persons or website
from whom such materials may be obtained.
RESPONSE: Objection: The information sought is not relevant,
material or reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of
admissible evidence....
35.
Please describe with particularity any and all evidence,
circumstances and events upon which you rely in asserting that your
reputation was damaged as alleged in your Counterclaim, including,
without limitation, specifically describing how that damage is
attributable to Epstein's lawsuit against you.
RESPONSE:
The allegations of Epstein's maliciously filed
Complaint are defamatory per se.
Plaintiff's Interrogatories dated September 5, 2017, and Defendant's Responses dated September
25, 2017, Nos. 34 and 35.
Just recently, however, Defendant disclosed through his expert that he is relying on this
same type of information that he earlier refused to provide:
15. The defaming statements associating Mr. Bradley J. Edwards
with the illegal activities of Mr. Scott Rothstein as a result of Mr.
Jeffrey Epstein's lawsuit against Mr. Edwards have been
disseminated to at least 74 online media or other sites in 104 separate
stories or articles with a combined 9,669,542 potential daily visitors
since the lawsuit was filed to the date that I filed this report,
inclusive.
Dr. Bernard J. Jansen, October 20, 2017, Report, 9115.
Because of this late disclosure and change in position regarding the relevance of printed or
published media connecting Defendant to Plaintiff, Plaintiff now needs the discovery Defendant
claimed was irrelevant and also must identify and retain an expert to testify about, among other
things, the number of people who may have read articles discussing Plaintiff's allegations tying
Defendant to Rothstein's Ponzi scheme, and the impact this may or may not have had on
Defendant's reputation. The expert will need time to study and investigate Defendant's responses
to the previously objected to discovery (which the Court should order be produced forthwith) and
6
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EFTA00798192
Defendant's expert's analysis, perform his own study, draft his own report, and assist Plaintiff's
counsel in preparing to take the deposition of Defendant's expert. Plaintiff's expert's deposition
will need to be taken as well. All of this cannot be accomplished in a single month.
b. Plaintiff's Original Counsel
A central focus of this case is what Plaintiff knew at the time the original Complaint was
filed and his legitimate basis for bringing this lawsuit. Plaintiff was represented by Robert D.
Critton, Jr., at the time the original Complaint was filed. Plaintiff's new trial counsel needs time
to review Mr. Critton's files and speak with Mr. Critton to ensure that Plaintiff's case is properly
presented to the Court. Unfortunately, Mr. Critton has a heavy case load and has been unable to
devote the time necessary to review his files and refresh his recollection before being interviewed.
Mr. Critton expects it will be a few weeks before he can devote that time to this matter.
Plaintiff's counsel cannot fairly and adequately present Plaintiff's case without speaking
with Mr. Critton, and the continuance should be granted. Cf. Ziegler v. Klein, 590 So. 2d 1066,
1067 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991) ("[W]hen undisputed facts reveal that the physical condition of either
counsel or client prevents fair and adequate presentation of a case, failure to grant a continuance
is reversible error.").
c. Witnesses
Defendant has identified 159 witnesses on his Sixth Amended Witness List, but only a
handful of those witnesses have been deposed. Plaintiff has moved to exclude the testimony of
twenty witnesses and one category of witness that Defendant describes as "witnesses expected to
be presented." (Omnibus Motion in Limine at 21-22.) In addition, until the Court determines
what case will be tried (i.e., Defendant's malicious prosecution claim or Defendant's "victim"
cases), it is premature, a practical impossibility, and a financial burden to both parties to take the
7
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EFTA00798193
depositions of more than a hundred witnesses. The hearing on these trial issues, however, is not
set until November 29, 2017 — just a few days before the trial date. If this Court denies Plaintiff's
motion to exclude the witnesses—despite their lack of firsthand knowledge concerning the
elements of Defendant's malicious prosecution claim and any affirmative defenses Plaintiff may
offer—then the Court should order Defendant to identify the witnesses he actually intends to
present at trial and grant a continuance so Plaintiff can take their depositions and determine what,
if anything, they know regarding the elements of Defendant's claim. In any event, Plaintiff's
counsel will not have sufficient time from the date of the Court's ruling to trial to conduct this
substantial deposition discovery.
d. Pre-Trial Deadlines
If the continuance is granted, Plaintiff also requests that the current trial deadlines be reset
based upon the new trial date, including allowing the parties to file amended Exhibit and Witness
Lists and to identify experts.
II.
Despite these obstacles, Plaintiff could be prepared to proceed to trial as scheduled on
December 5, 2017, if the Court bifurcated the proceedings and limited the first stage to:
(i) Plaintiff's case and damages arising from Rothstein's conspiracy to commit abuse of process
and (ii) whether Plaintiff had probable cause to commence these proceedings against Defendant.
This Court, "in furtherance of convenience or to avoid prejudice[,) may order a separate trial of ..
. any separate issue." Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.270(b). "[B]ifurcation is generally proper absent a specific
threat of inconsistent verdicts or prejudice to a party." Johansen v. Vuocolo, 125 So. 3d 197, 200
(Fla. 4th DCA 2013) (citation and quotation marks omitted).
8
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EFTA00798194
Bifurcation on the terms proposed by Plaintiff is appropriate here. There is substantial
overlap between (i) the facts that Plaintiff will present to explain Rothstein's Ponzi scheme and
the damages he incurred as a result of it and (ii) the facts known to Plaintiff when he commenced
these proceedings against Defendant, i.e., the facts this Court will consider when it determines
whether Defendant has proved Plaintiff lacked probable cause. See Alamo Rent-A-Car, Inc. v.
Mancusi, 632 So. 2d 1352, 1357 (Fla. 1994) (jury decides disputed issues of fact, but court
determines whether those facts establish probable cause) (citation omitted). In all events, the jury
will have to determine the dollar amount of Plaintiff's damages caused by Rothstein. And in all
events, the jury will have to decide what Plaintiff knew about Rothstein's Ponzi scheme when he
commenced these proceedings so the Court can determine whether Plaintiff "had a reasonable
belief, based on facts and circumstances known to him, in the validity of his claim." See Wright
v. Yurko, 446 So. 2d 1162, 1166 (Fla. 5th DCA 1984) (defining probable cause) (citing Goldstein
v. Sabella, 88 So. 2d 910 (Fla. 1956)).
Bifurcating the trial and first addressing Plaintiff's case and damages against Rothstein and
the related issue of what Plaintiff knew when he commenced these proceedings will expedite the
resolution of Defendant's malicious prosecution counterclaim, minimize the parties' expenses, and
conserve judicial resources. If the Court holds that Plaintiff had probable cause, Defendant cannot
win and the case is over. See Bums v. GCG Beverages, Inc., 502 So. 2d 1217, 1218 (Fla. 1986)
(malicious prosecution has six required elements, and the absence of any one of them is fatal)
(citation omitted). If that happens, the parties will not have wasted time and money preparing for
trial on the other elements of Defendant's counterclaim (expenses that would include the fees
associated with deposing Defendant's proposed witnesses, since their testimony would no longer
9
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EFTA00798195
be necessary) and the Court, likewise, will not have devoted time and attention to issues that had
no effect on the outcome of the case.
Finally, bifurcation avoids unnecessary prejudice to Plaintiff. Defendant obviously, under
the guise of establishing the proceeding against Defendant was brought with malice, intends to re-
litigate every part of his clients' (and other victims') claims against Plaintiff. But this evidence is
simply not relevant to the narrow issue of whether Plaintiff reasonably believed—based on public
information from the government and investors about Rothstein's Ponzi scheme, allegations and
news reports that Rothstein had used Defendant's cases against Plaintiff to trick third parties into
investing in non-existent settlements, Defendant's abusive use of discovery, and Defendant's
commencement of a 159-count lawsuit in federal court, that was never served, when a duplicative
case was already pending in state court—that he had a case against Defendant. If the Court allows
Defendant to tar Plaintiff with inflammatory allegations of sexual battery before the jury makes its
findings about what Plaintiff knew when he filed suit against Defendant, it is likely that the jurors
will ignore relevant evidence and find against Plaintiff just because they despise him. Bifurcation
of the trial avoids this unnecessary prejudice to Plaintiff and a pure legal action to receive a fair
trial.
CONCLUSION
Plaintiff moves this Court to grant his motion for a brief 90-day continuance of the parties'
trial date and an extension of the pre-trial deadlines. In the alternative, Plaintiff moves this Court
to bifurcate the upcoming trial and limit the first stage of the proceedings to (i) Plaintiff's case and
damages against Rothstein and (ii) the absence of probable cause element of Defendant's malicious
prosecution claim.
I0
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EFTA00798196
I certify that the foregoing document has been furnished to the attorneys listed on the
Service List below on November 6, 2017, through the Court's e-filing portal pursuant to Florida
Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516(b)(1).
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, Suite 301
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
[fax)
By: /s/Scott./. Link
Scott J. Link (FBN 602991)
Kara Berard Rockenbach (FBN 44903)
Angela M. Many (FBN 26680
Primary:
Primary:
Primary:
Secondary:
Secondary:
Secondary:
Secondary:
Trial Counsel for Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant
Jeffrey Epstein
SERVICE LIST
Jack Scarola
Searcy, Denny, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.
2139 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
West Palm Beach. FL 33409
Co-Counsel for Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff
Bradley J. Edwards
Nichole J. Segal
Burlington & Rockenbach, P.A.
Courthouse Commons, Suite 350
444 West Railroad Avenue
West Palm Beach. FL 33401
Co-Counsel for Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff
Bradley J. Edwards
11
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EFTA00798197
Bradley J. Edwards
Fanner, Jaffee, Weissing, Edwards, Fistos &
Lehrman, P.L.
425 N. Andrews Avenue, Suite 2
Fort Lauderdale FL 33401
Co-Counsel for Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff
Bradley J. Edwards
Marc S. Nurik
Law Offices of Marc S. Nurik
One E. Broward Boulevard, Suite 700
Ft. Lauderdale FL 33301
Counsel for Defendant Scott Rothstein
Tonja Haddad Coleman
315 S.E. Seventh Street, Suite 301
Ft. Lauderdale FL 33301
Co-Counsel for Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant
Jeffrey Epstein
Fred Haddad
Haddad & Navarro, PLLC
1 Financial Plaza, Suite 2612
Fort Lauderdale FL 333.4
Co-Counsel for Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant
Jeffrey Epstein
W. Chester Brewer, Jr.
W. Chester Brewer, Jr. P.A.
250 Australian Avenue S., Suite 1400
West Palm Beach FL 33401
Co-Counsel for Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant
Jeffrey Epstein
Jack A. Goldberger
Atterbury, Goldberger & Weiss, P.A.
250 Australian Avenue S., Suite 1400
West Palm Beach FL 33401
Co-Counsel for Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant
Jeffrey Epstein
12
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EFTA00798198
Je rcy . Epstein
Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant
Dated: November 6 , 2017
A33
EFTA00798199
CASE NO.: 2009 CA 040800 XXXXMB
Plaintiff,
vs.
J. EDWARDS, and LM,
Defendants.
DEFENDANT SCOTT ROTHSTEIN'S MOTI
Defendant, SCOTT ROTHSTEIN ("R
undersigned counsel and pursuant to Fla. R.
Default entered against Defendant, and
asserts as follows:
ASIDE DEFAULT
m
r
m
"Defendant"), by and through
hereby moves to set aside the Clerk's
1.
On or about Decem
7,
9, Plaintiff filed this lawsuit against Rothstein.
2.
Pursuant to th court
ket, on or about December 14, 2009, Plaintiff caused the
summons and Complai t to be s rved upon Rothstein.
3.
D
dan Jtas been housed at the Federal Detention Center, Miami, since
December
efendant has been pulled out of his cell many times by Bureau of Prisons staff
since h
arceration to receive service of lawsuits at all hours.
5.
To the best of Defendant's knowledge and belief, he does not recall being served
with this lawsuit. If he was, in fact, properly served with this lawsuit it has been misplaced
A34
EFTA00798200
within the pile of numerous lawsuits and voluminous amount of other legal papers and has not
been located.
6.
In addition, undersigned counsel was not aware that set-vice had been made or
attempted upon Defendant. Although Defendant is not able to hand any documents to counsel at
the Federa' Detention Center pursuant to Bureau of Prison rules and regulations, had the
undersigned had knowledge of this lawsuit, counsel would have contacted Plai
co sel to
obtain a copy of same as has been done with various other suits currentl
'n against the
Defendant.
C
7.
Defendant and undersigned counsel only recen
rned about the lawsuit and
,c
,
ik>
immediately checked all Court dockets in the tri-county
i
attempt to locate where the
lawsuit was pending and the status thereof.
8.
It was only at that time, thro
44‘' -line Clerk Connect docket system that
counsel learned that a Motion for Defaul
gas
on or about December 31, 2009 and a Default
was entered on or about January 21
gain, to the best of Defendant's knowledge, he was
not served with a copy of the
Default and to date, has not seen a copy of the Motion,
nor has undersigned counsel.
9.
Defe i tit would be extremely prejudiced if the court were to disallow the
Defendant s
Set Aside Default and respectfully requests this Court set aside any
default
xcusable neglect.
The Defendant has a viable defense to the allegations contained in the Plaintiff's
Complaint.
WHEREFORE, Defendant, Scott Rothstein, respectfully requests that this Court enter an
Order granting Defendant's Motion to Set Aside Default and setting aside the Default.
2
EFTA00798201
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing has been furnished by U.S. Mail to:
Robert D. Critton, Jr., Esq., Burman Critton Luttier & Coleman, 303 Banyan Boulevard, Suite
400, West Falm Beach, FL 33401 , this
day of February, 2010.
Counsel to Scott Rothstein
One East Broward Boule
Fort Lauderdale, FL 3
. NURIK
a Bar No. 272817
3
te 700
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EFTA00798202