EFTA Document EFTA01263275

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK X IN RE APPLICATION TO UNSEAL CIVIL : SEALED AFFIRMATION AND DISCOVERY MATERIALS, APPLICATION USAO Reference No. 2018R01618. X , pursuant to Title 28, United States Code, Section 1746, hereby declares under penalty of perjury: 1. I am an Assistant United States Attorney in the office of Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. I make this Affirmation and Application, pursuant to the All Writs Act, Title 28, United States Code, Section 1651, for a limited order to unseal discovery materials in the possession of Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP, in connection with the matter of Jane Doe 43 v. Epstein, et al., 17 Civ. 616 (JGK)(SN) (S.D.N.Y.). As further discussed below, the materials are currently subject to a protective order issued by this Court. The Government seeks these materials in connection with a federal grand jury investigation. 2. On or about January 26, 2017, plaintiff lane Doe 43 filed a civil action in this Court against defendants Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_GM_00000906 EF1'A_00114990 EFTA01263275 arising from allegations that the defendants participated in a conspiracy to traffic minors for commercial sex acts (the "Litigation"). Attorneys for Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP, among others, represent the plaintiff. On or about November 29, 2018, this Court issued a protective order (the "Protective Order") in that action. The Protective Order, attached hereto as Exhibit A, among other things restricted the parties from disclosing discovery materials marked "CONFIDENTIAL" to third parties, absent express permission from the Court. On or about December 20, 2018, the parties entered into a settlement agreement, and voluntarily dismissed the civil action. 3. I am one of the prosecutors in this district in charge of an ongoing investigation into JEFFREY EPSTEIN and others, for possible violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1591 and 1594(c) (unlawfully trafficking minors) and Section 2422(b) (unlawfully enticing minors) (the "Investigation"). The existence and scope of the Investigation in this district is not publicly known. As a result, premature public disclosure of this affirmation or the requested order, including to other parties involved in the Litigation, could alert potential criminal targets that they are under investigation, causing them to destroy evidence, flee from prosecution, or otherwise seriously jeopardize the 2 CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_GM_00000907 EF1'A_00114991 EFTA01263276 Investigation. Accordingly, this application is made ex parte and is requested to be filed under seal. 4. Based on publicly available information regarding the Litigation, including the complaint and other docketed filings that appear to make reference to certain subjects relating to the Investigation, the litigation files of Sigrid McCawley, Esq., of Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP, in the matter of Jane Doe 43 v. Jeffrey Epstein, et al., 17 Civ. 616 (JGK)(SN) (S.D.N.Y.) are believed to contain information relevant to the ongoing Investigation. 5. The Government has served a grand jury subpoena upon Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP (the "Subpoena") requiring the production of copies of discovery and related materials in the matter of Jane Doe 43 v. Jeffrey Epstein, et al., 17 Civ. 616 (JGK)(SN) (S.D.N.Y.), solely for purposes of the above- referenced grand jury Investigation. However, the Government has been advised that although plaintiff's counsel would not otherwise contest compliance with the Subpoena, plaintiff's counsel believes that the Protective Order precludes plaintiff's counsel from complying. 6. Accordingly, the Government respectfully requests that the Court issue an order permitting Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP to provide materials to the Government relating to case Jane Doe 43 v. Jeffrey Epstein, et al., 17 Civ. 616 3 CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_GM_00000908 EFTA 00114992 EFTA01263277 (JGK)(SN) (S.D.N.Y.), in compliance with grand jury process, notwithstanding the Protective Order. Such materials will be used solely in connection with the above-referenced grand jury Investigation. 7. Because this application pertains to an ongoing grand jury investigation, the existence of which is not publicly known, it is requested that this Affidavit and Application, and any resulting Order except as to the recipients of such Order, be sealed pending further order of this Court. WHEREFORE, it is respectfully requested that the Court grant this Application for an Order permitting Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP to comply with grand jury process to provide materials to the Government relating to case Jane Doe 43 v. Jeffrey Epstein, et al., 17 Civ. 616 (JGK)(SN) (S.D.N.Y.), notwithstanding the Protective Order. The foregoing is true under penalty of perjury. Assistant United States Attorney Tel. Dated: New York, New York February 5, 2019 CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_GM_00000909 EF1'A_00114993 EFTA01263278 Exhibit A CONFIDENTIAL SIXI,G1,.00910 EFTA,I10990 EFTA01263279 Case 1:17-cv-00616-JGK-SN Document 177 Filed 11/-9O-§Demphof 6 DOCUMENT ELECTRONICALLY FILED DOC #: DATE FILED: 11/29/2018 United States District Court Southern District Of New York Sarah Ransome, Plaintiff, v. Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Defendants. X X No. 17 CIv. 0616 (JGK) PROTECTIVE ORDER Upon a showing of good cause in support of the entry of a protective order to protect the discovery and dissemination of confidential information in this case, IT IS ORDERED: I. This Protective Order shall apply to all documents, materials, and information, including without limitation, documents produced, answers to interrogatories, responses to requests for admission, deposition testimony, and other information disclosed pursuant to the disclosure or discovery duties created by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 2. As used in this Protective Order. "document" is defined as provided in FED.R.CIv.P. 34(a). A draft or non-identical copy is a separate document within the meaning of this term. 1 CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_GM_00000911 EFTA_0OI 14995 EFTA01263280 Case 1:17-cv-00616-JGK-SN Document 177 Filed 11/29/18 Page 2 of 6 3. Information designated "CONFIDENTIAL" shall be information whose public release would violate common law and statutory privacy interests, including information reflecting medical or psychological conditions, medical or psychological treatment, prescriptions for controlled substances, non-public personal financial information, sexual activity or sexual contact, education records, email addresses, telephone numbers, home addresses, social security numbers and similarly personally identifying information for parties and third- party witnesses, any information subject to N.Y. Civil Rights Law § 50 or 51, or any other information deemed private by a Court of competent jurisdiction to include the tort of publication of private facts. 4. CONFIDENTIAL information shall not be disclosed or used for any purpose except the preparation and trial of this case. 5. CONFIDENTIAL documents, materials, and/or information (collectively "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION") shall not, without the consent of the party producing it or further Order of the Court, be disclosed except that such information may be disclosed to: a. attorneys actively working on this case; b. persons regularly employed or associated with the attorneys actively working on this case whose assistance is required by said attorneys in the preparation for trial, at trial, or at other proceedings in this case; c. the parties; 2 CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_GM_00000912 EFTA_00 I 14996 EFTA01263281 Case 1:17-cv-00616-JGK-SN Document 177 Filed 11/29/18 Page 3 of 6 d. expert witnesses and consultants retained in connection with this proceeding, to the extent such disclosure is necessary for preparation, trial or other proceedings in this case; e. the Court and its employees ("Court Personnel") in this case; f. stenographic reporters who are engaged in proceedings necessarily incident to the conduct of this action; g. deponents, witnesses, or potential witnesses; and h. other persons by written agreement of the parties. 6. Prior to disclosing any CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION to any person listed above (other than counsel, persons employed by counsel, Court Personnel and stenographic reporters), counsel shall provide such person with a copy of this Protective Order and obtain from such person a written acknowledgment stating that he or she has read this Protective Order and agrees to be bound by its provisions. All such acknowledgments shall be retained by counsel and shall be subject to in camera review by the Court if good cause for review is demonstrated by opposing counsel. 7. Documents are designated as CONFIDENTIAL by placing or affixing on them (in a manner that will not interfere with their legibility) the following or other appropriate notice: "CONFIDENTIAL." Discovery material designated CONFIDENTIAL shall be identified by Bates number. To the extent practical, the respective legend shall be placed near the Bates number. 3 CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_GM_00000913 EFTA_00 I 14997 EFTA01263282 Case 1:17-cv-00616-JGK-SN Document 177 Filed 11/29/18 Page 4 of 6 8. Only the person producing the CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION or a person who has a right to have such producing party keep their information confidential, may designate it as "CONFIDENTIAL." Designation of a document as CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION shall constitute a representation that such document has been reviewed by an unrepresented person or an attorney for the designating party, that there is a valid and good faith basis for such designation, made at the time of disclosure or production to the receiving party, and that disclosure of such information to persons other than those permitted access to such material would cause a privacy harm to the designating party. 9. Whenever a deposition involves the disclosure of CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, the deposition or portions thereof shall be designated as CONFIDENTIAL and shall be subject to the provisions of this Protective Order. Such designation shall be made on the record during the deposition whenever possible, but a party may designate portions of depositions as CONFIDENTIAL after transcription, provided written notice of the designation is promptly given to all counsel of record within thirty (30) days after notice by the court reporter of the completion of the transcript, and until the expiration of such thirty (30) days after notice by the court reporter of the completion of the transcript, no party or counsel for any such party may share the contents of the deposition outside the limitations of this Protective Order. 4 CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_GM_00000914 EFTA_OOI 14998 EFTA01263283 Case 1:17-cv-00616-JGK-SN Document 177 Filed 11/29/18 Page 5 of 6 10. Whenever a party seeks to file any document or material containing CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION with the Court in this matter, it shall be accompanied by a Motion to Seal pursuant to Section 6.2 of the Electronic Case Filing Rules & Instructions for the Southern District of Ncw York. 11. A party may object to the designation of particular CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION by giving written notice to the party designating the disputed information. The written notice shall identify the information to which the objection is made. If the parties cannot resolve the objection within ten (10) business days after the time the notice is received, it shall be the obligation of the party designating the information as CONFIDENTIAL to file an appropriate motion requesting that the Court determine whether the disputed information should be subject to the terms of this Protective Order. If such a motion is timely filed, the disputed information shall be treated as CONFIDENTIAL under the terms of this Protective Order until the Court rules on the motion. If the designating party fails to file such a motion within the prescribed time, the disputed information shall lose its designation as CONFIDENTIAL and shall not thereafter be treated as CONFIDENTIAL in accordance with this Protective Order. In connection with a motion filed under this provision, the party designating the information as CONFIDENTIAL shall bear the burden of establishing that good cause exists for the disputed information to be treated as CONFIDENTIAL. 5 CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_GM_00000915 EFTA_00 I 14999 EFTA01263284 Case 1:17-cv-00616-JGK-SN Document 177 Filed 11/29/18 Page 6 of 6 12. At the conclusion of this case, unless other arrangements are agreed upon, each document and all hard copies thereof which have been designated as CONFIDENTIAL shall be returned to the party that designated it CONFIDENTIAL, or the parties may elect to destroy CONFIDENTIAL hard- copy documents or electronic files. Where the parties agree to destroy CONFIDENTIAL hard copy documents and electronic files, the destroying party shall provide all parties with an affidavit confirming the destruction. As to all electronic non-file copies such as emails, the party in receipt of the CONFIDENTIAL document will submit an affidavit attesting that they will hold as CONFIDENTIAL all such electronic non-file copies and will not distribute the electronic copies absent an Order of a Court of competent jurisdiction. For purposes of this Protective Order, an Order of the Court does not include a subpoena. 13. In the event that any party who has maintained possession of electronic copies of information designated CONFIDENTIAL by another person receives a subpoena for the affected materials, the party-in-possession shall respond that the materials are not disclosable absent an Order of the Court. 14. This Protective Order shall have no force and effect on the use of any CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION at trial in this matter. 15. This Protective Order may be modified by the Court at any time for good cause shown following notice to all parties and an opportunity for them to be heard. Sb ovi-D 6 CO NIA&KIfl AL PtiorY Ctit 1,1 EFTA_00 I 15000 EFTA01263285 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK IN RE APPLICATION TO UNSEAL CIVIL : SEALED ORDER DISCOVERY MATERIALS, USAO Reference No. 2018R01618. X Upon the annexed Affirmation and Application of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, by Assistant United States Attorney pursuant to the All Writs Act, Title 28, United States Code, Section 1651, requesting that an Order be issued relieving Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP of their obligations under the protective order issued on November 29, 2018 in case Jane Doe 43 v. Jeffrey Epstein, et al., 17 Civ. 616 (JGK) (SN) (S.D.N.Y.), for the limited and exclusive purpose of complying with grand jury process to provide materials to the Government in connection with a federal grand jury investigation: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP is permitted to provide the Government with copies of materials generated, received, obtained, or otherwise possessed in connection with case Jane Doe 43 v. Jeffrey Epstein, et al., 17 Civ. 616 (JGK)(SN) (S.D.N.Y.), including discovery materials marked "CONFIDENTIAL" pursuant to the protective order dated November 29, 2018. Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP may provide CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_GM_00000917 EF1'A_00115001 EFTA01263286 these materials to the Government notwithstanding their obligations under the November 29, 2018 protective order. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, with the exception of a copy of this Order to Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP and the clerk of the court for files and testimony subject to this Order, this Order and the Affirmation and Application in support thereof are to be sealed pending further order of this Court. Dated: New York, New York February , 2019 THE HONORABLE SARAH NETBURN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK 2 CONFIDENTIAL SONY_GM_00000918 EFTA 00115002 EFTA01263287