Richard J. Sullivan
United States Circuit Judge on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Sullivan is named in court mandates and orders connected to the Ghislaine Maxwell criminal case and related proceedings, including appeals documents filed in 2021. Prior to elevation to the Second Circuit, Sullivan served as a U.S. District Judge in the Southern District of New York.
Also known as: Sullivan, Richard Sullivan, Dick J. Sullivan, Rick J. Sullivan
Mentioned in 4 documents. Roles: Circuit Judge
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Richard J. Sullivan is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.
Background
Richard J. Sullivan is a Circuit Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Prior to his appointment to the appeals court, he served as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, where he presided over cases designated with the initials 'RJS.' Multiple news articles circulated during the Maxwell trial period noted that Sullivan was among former district court judges who 'continued to handle cases in the lower court after they were appointed to the' appeals court.
Sullivan's role in the Epstein-related proceedings was exclusively judicial. He served on a three-judge appellate panel alongside Circuit Judges Pierre N. Leval and Raymond J. Lohier, Jr., reviewing Ghislaine Maxwell's challenges to her pretrial detention. The panel consistently affirmed the district court's denial of Maxwell's bail requests.
Epstein Connection
Richard J. Sullivan's connection to the Epstein case is strictly judicial. He served as one of three Circuit Judges on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit panel that reviewed and affirmed the District Court's orders denying Ghislaine Maxwell's requests for bail pending her sex trafficking trial. The panel, consisting of Judges Leval, Lohier, and Sullivan, issued multiple orders in 2021 related to Maxwell's pretrial detention appeals, including denying her renewed motion for pretrial release.
Key Allegations(3)
Served as Circuit Judge on the Second Circuit panel that affirmed denial of Ghislaine Maxwell's bail pending trial
documentedWas part of three-judge panel (with Leval and Lohier) that denied Maxwell's renewed motion for pretrial release in April-June 2021
documentedContinued to handle cases in the District Court in Manhattan after being appointed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals
documentedLegal Status
Richard J. Sullivan appears in the documents solely in his capacity as a Circuit Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, adjudicating Ghislaine Maxwell's pretrial detention appeals. No allegations of wrongdoing exist against him in the evidence.
Key Relationships(1)
Sullivan served on the Second Circuit panel that reviewed and denied Ghislaine Maxwell's multiple requests for bail and pretrial release (d-6806, d-7238, d-7089, d-8081, efta-efta00023011, efta-efta00025551)
Timeline(4 events)
As part of a three-judge Second Circuit panel (Leval, Lohier, Sullivan), issued order in United States v. Ghislaine Maxwell affirming denial of bail
Maxwell filed renewed motion for pretrial release to the Second Circuit panel including Sullivan
As part of Second Circuit panel, issued order in United States v. Ghislaine Maxwell regarding pretrial detention
Referenced in NYT article circulated by prosecutors discussing Judge Nathan's potential promotion, noting Sullivan as a former district judge who continued handling lower court cases after appointment to the appeals court
At a Glance
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Document Mentions
About Richard J. Sullivan
Who is Richard J. Sullivan?
Mentioned in 4 documents. Roles: Circuit Judge
What is Richard J. Sullivan's connection to Jeffrey Epstein?
Richard J. Sullivan appears in 995 case documents, 0 flight logs, and 0 emails from the Epstein investigation files.
This dossier on Richard J. Sullivan was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.