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EFTA00222670
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 21 Entered on FLSD Docket 07'162008 Page 2 of 3 a presumption in favor of openness of court records, which "must be balanced against any competing interest advanced." United Stalest Noriega, 752 F. Supp. 1037, 1040 (S.D. Fla.1990). For example, courts may look to see whether the records sought are for illegitimate purposes. 696 F.2d at 803. Likewise, the Court may consider whether "the press has already been permitted substantial access to the contents of the records." Id. In his motion to seal, Defendant has made no argument as to why his Notice of Continued Pendency of Federal Criminal Action should not be made available to the public. Defendant states only that he wishes "[t]o avoid disclosure of confidential material." (Def. Mot. 2.) The Court finds this justification insufficient to justify keeping this document (filed ex parte) under seal. The Court is supported in this conclusion by its decision in a similar case, In re: Jane Doe, No. 08-80736-CW (S.D. Fla. July 11, 2008), in which the Court unsealed, over the objection of the United States Attorney, documents containing similar information regarding Defendant's criminal plea agreement. Thus, any argument regarding confidentiality is vitiated by the fact that information regarding Defendant's criminal plea arrangement is already a matter of public record. See, e.g., Sally Apgar, Victims Object to Palm Beach Billionaire's Plea Deal in Underage Sex Case, S. Fla. Sun-Sentinel, July 12, 2008. Similarly, Defendant has not justified the necessity of filing his Notice ex parte. As such, Defendant's Motion to Seal shall be denied. Accordingly, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Defendant's Motion to File Ex Parte and Under Seal is DENIED. The Clerk shall UNSEAL docket entries 19 and 20 and make them available for public inspection through CM/ECF at the earliest possible time. Defendant is further ORDERED to serve a copy of his Notice on Plaintiff within five (5) days of the date of 2 EFTA00222690
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 21 Entered on FLSD Docket 07/16/2008 Page 3 of 3 entry of this Order. DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, this le day of July, 2008. KENNETH A. MARRA United States District Judge Copies furnished to: all counsel of record 3 EFTA00222691
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Case 9:08-cv-80-OSstO4108-DeaCifirlellit 2A of: CEntgred0BICEISDAAncfidefi07:1Ball98 Page 1 of 3 U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida (West Palm Beach) CIVIL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Internal Use Only Doe'. Epstein Assigned to: Judge Kenneth A. Marra Referred to: Magistrate Judge Linnea R. Johnson Case: 212S232-lithl Cause: 28:1391 Personal Injury Plaintiff Jane Doe No. 2 Defendant Jeffrey Epstein Date Filed: 02/06/2008 Jury Demand: Plaintiff Nature of Suit: 360 P.I.: Other Jurisdiction: Diversity represented by Adam D. Horowitz Herman &Mermelstein, P.A. 18205 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 2218 Miami, FL 33160 305-931-2200 Fax: 305-931-0877 Email: [email protected] LEAD ATTORNEY ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED Jeffrey Marc Herman Herman &Mertnelstein 18205 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 2218 Miami, FL 33160 305-931-2200 Fax: 931-0877 Email: [email protected] LEAD ATTORNEY ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED Stuart S. Mermelstein Herman &Mertnelstein 18205 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 2218 Miami, FL 33160 305-931-2200 Fax: 931-0877 Email: [email protected] LEAD ATTORNEY ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED represented by Jack Alan Goldberger Atterbury Goldberger &Weiss, P.A. 250 Australian Avenue South Suite 1400 West Palm Beach, FL 33401-5012 561-659—8300 Fax: 835-8691 Email: [email protected] ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED Michael Ross Tein Lewis Tein 3059 Grand Avenue Suite 340 EFTA00222692
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Case 9:08-cv-80-OSsKA108-Eraelrleit 2Ae2of: CatliadethollIDIEIMEN07/11156138 Page 2 of 3 Coconut Grove, FL 33133 305-442-1101 Fax: 442-6744 Email: [email protected] ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED Date Filed # Docket Text 02/06/2008 1 COMPLAINT against Jeffrey Epstein; Filing fee $ 350. Receipt#: 542215, filed by Jane Doe No.2.(1k) (Entered: 02/06/2008) 02/06/2008 2 Summons Issued as to Jeffrey Epstein. (1k) (Entered: 02/06/2008) 02/08/2008 I Order Requiring Counsel to Confer and Joint Scheduling Report.Signed by Judge Kenneth A. Marra on 2/8/08.(ir) (Entered: 02/08/2008) 05/22/2008 A AFFIDAVIT of Service for Summons and Complaint served on Jeffrey Epstein on May 7, 2008, filed by Jane Doe. (Herman, Jeffrey) (Entered: 05/22/2008) 05/22/2008 5 SUMMONS Returned Executed by Jane Doe. Jeffrey Epstein served on 5/7/2008, Answer due 5/27/2008. (1k) (Entered: 05/27/2008) 05/27/2008 6 NOTICE of Docket Correction and Instruction to Filer: reA Affidavit of Service filed by Jane Doe. Error: Wrong Event Selected; Correction=Redocketed as "Summons returned executed", D.E. 5 . Instruction to Filer=In the future please select "summons returned executed" as the proper Event. (1k) (Entered: 05/27/2008) 05/29/2008 1 Plaintiffs MOTION for Entry of Default by Clerk Against Defendant by Jane Doe. (Attachments: #_1, Exhibit A and B, #.2 Text of Proposed Order Default Ord)(Horowitz, Adam) (Entered: 05/29/2008) 06/06/2008 8 CLERK'S NOTICE Denying for Improper Service 7 Plaintiffs MOTION for Entry of Default by Clerk Against Defendant ( ) (Entered: 06/06/2008) 06/1 UMW 2 Plaintiffs MOTION to Compel Clerk to Enter Default Against Defendant, or Alternatively, for an Enlgargement of Time to Serve Process, and Incorporated Memorandum of Law by Jane Doe. Responses due by 6/30/2008 (Attachments: # .I. Exhibit A, #_2 Exhibit B)(Horowitz, Adam) (Entered: 06/11/2008) 06/13/2008 22 NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Jack Alan Goldberger on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein (Goldberger, Jack) (Entered: 06/13/2008) 06/13/2008 a RESPONSE to Motion fel Plaintiffs MOTION to Compel Clerk to Enter Default Against Defendant, or Alternatively, for an Enlgargentent of Time to Serve Process, and Incorporated Memorandum of Law filed by Jeffrey Epstein. Replies due by 6/23/2008. (Attachments: #J. Affidavit for Richard Barnett)(Goldberger, Jack) (Entered: 06/13/2008) 06/20/2008 12 Defendant's MOTION to Stay by Jeffrey Epstein. Responses due by 7/10/2008 (Goldberger, Jack) (Entered: 06/20/2008) 06/20/2008 12 Defendant's MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond To Complaint by Jeffrey Epstein. (Goldberger, Jack) (Entered: 06/20/2008) 06/24/2008 14 MEMORANDUM in Support re_2 Plaintiffs MOTION to Compel Clerk to Enter Default Against Defendant, or Alternatively, for an Enlgargentem of Time to Serve Process, and Incorporated Memorandum of Law filed by Jane Doe. (Herman, Jeffrey) (Entered: 06/24/2008) 06/30/2008 II NOTICE by Jeffrey Epstein Of Filing Deposition (Attachments: #_1. Exhibit)(Goldberger, Jack) (Entered: 06/30/2008) 07/01/2008 16 NOTICE by Jeffrey Epstein Concerning Motion To Stay (DE 12] (Attachments: #_1. Exhibit A)(Goldberger, Jack) (Entered: 07/01/2008) EFTA00222693
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Case 9:08-cv-801216s1MO8-difs8Ohleit 2AS2of: CalifloW31692DilikkEDT07/1366101)8 Page 3 of 3 07/08/2008 12 NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Michael Ross Tein on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein (Tein, Michael) (Entered: 07/08/2008) 07/10/2008 18 Plaintiff's MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response as to 12 Defendant's MOTION to Stay by Jane Doe. (Attachments: CI, Text of Proposed I Order)(Horowitz, Adam) (Entered: 07/10/2008) 07/10/2008 19 Sealed Document. (yc) (Entered: 07/10/2008) 07/10/2008 20 Sealed Document. (yc) (Entered: 07/10/2008) 07/16/2008 21. ORDER denying motion to file Ex Parte and Under Seal. The clerk shall unseal DE 19 and 20 and make them available for inspection through CM/ECF at the earliest possible time. Signed by Judge Kenneth A. Marra on 7/16/08. (ir) (Entered: 07/16/2008) 07/16/2008 22, ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE why default should not be entered against Defendant. Show Cause Response due by 7/28/2008. Signed by Judge Kenneth A. Marra on 7/16/08. (ir) (Entered: 07/16/2008) EFTA00222694
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 23 Entered on FLSD Docket 07,17'2008 Page 1 of 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA CASE NO.: 08-CV-80119-MARRA-JOHNSON JANE DOE NO. 2, Plaintiff, vs. JEFFREY EPSTEIN, Defendant. FILED EX PARTE UNDER SEAL I- I 0 fV DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO FILE EX PARTE AND UNDER SEAL EFTA00222695
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 23 Entered on FLSD Docket 07/17/2008 Page 2 of 4 Pursuant to S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4, defendant Jeffrey Epstein hereby moves to file his Notice of Continued Pendency of Federal Criminal Action, as well as this motion, ex pane and under seal, stating as follows: 1. In support of his motion to stay [DE 12], defendant has herewith filed a Notice of Continued Pendency of Federal Criminal Action. 2. The Notice relates to a confidential agreement between the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida and the defendant. 3. The information contained in the Notice is material to this Court's consideration of Epstein's motion to stay. 4. To avoid disclosure of confidential material, Epstein requests leave to file the Notice, and this motion, ex parte and under seal. 5. Pending a ruling from this Court, Epstein has not served this motion or the Notice on counsel for plaintiff: 2 EFTA00222696
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. Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 23 Entered on FLSD Docket 07)17/2008 Page 3 of 4 WHEREFORE, defendant Jeffrey Epstein respectfully requests leave to file this motion and his Notice of Continued Pendency of Federal Criminal Action, ex parte and under seal. Respectfully submitted, LEWIS TEIN, P.L. 3059 Grand Avenue, Suite 340 Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 Tel: 305 442 1101 Fax: 305 442 6744 By: GUY A. LEWIS Fla. Bar No. 623740 [email protected] MICHAEL R. TEIN Fla. Bar No. 993522 [email protected] ATTERBURY, GOLDBERGER & WEISS, P.A. 250 Australian Avenue South, Suite 1400 West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 Tel. 561 659 8300 Fax. 561 835 8691 By: JACK A. GOLDBERGER Fla. Bar No. 262013 [email protected] Attorneys for Defendant Jeffrey Epstein 3 EFTA00222697
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 23 Entered on FLSD Docket 07/17/2008 Page 4 of 4 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that this motion, in accordance with S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4, has not been served on opposing counsel and was filed under seal on July I0, 2008. Michael R. Tein 4 EFTA00222698
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,Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 24 Entered on FLSD Docket 07,17.2008 Page 1 of 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA CASE NO.: 08-CV-80119-MARRA-JOHNSON JANE DOE NO. 2, Plaintiff, vs. JEFFREY EPSTEIN, Defendant. FILED EX PARTE UNDER SEAL EFTA00222699
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.Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM
Document 24
Entered on FLSD Docket 071 7/2008
Page 2 of 4
NOTICE OF CONTINUED PENDENCY
OF FEDERAL CRIMINAL ACTION
Defendant Jeffrey Epstein hereby notifies the Court of the continued
pendency of a federal criminal action against him, stating as follows:
On June 30, 2008, after defendant Jeffrey Epstein filed his motion to stay
IDE 121, he was sentenced in the state-court criminal case described in that motion
(State of Florida v. Jeffrey Epstein, Case No. 2006 CF 09454 AXX, Fifteenth
Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County) (the "Florida Criminal Action").
As
explained below, the parallel federal criminal action against him described in that
motion (In re Grand Jury, No. FGJ 07-103(WPB), United States District Court for
the Southern District of Florida) (the "Federal Criminal Action"), remains pending.
On September 24, 2007, the United States Attorney's Office for the
Southern District of Florida ("USAO"), represented by Assistant United States
, and Mr. Epstein, entered into a deferred-
prosecution agreement ("Agreement"), which the parties agreed to keep
confidential. Prior to entering into that Agreement,
idvised that she
had already prepared a federal criminal indictment against Mr. Epstein in the
Federal Criminal Action.
Under the Agreement, beginning on the date Mr. Epstein began serving his
sentence in the Florida Criminal Action, the USAO agreed to suspend its grand
jury investigation in the Federal Criminal Action. The USAO, however, retains the
2
EFTA00222700
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,Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 24 Entered on FLSD Docket 07)1T2008 Page 3 of 4 right to reactivate the grand jury and indict Mr. Epstein should he breach any part of the Agreement during its term, which runs for 33 months, beginning on the date Mr. Epstein began serving his sentence in the Florida Criminal Action. Accordingly, the Federal Criminal Action will remain pending against Mr. Epstein for 33 months from June 30, 2008. Mr. Epstein will provide the Court with a copy of the confidential Agreement for its in-camera inspection at the Court's request. WHEREFORE, Defendant Jeffrey Epstein hereby notifies the Court of the continued pendency of the Federal Criminal Action. Respectfully submitted, LEWIS TEM, P.L. 3059 Grand Avenue, Suite 340 Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 Tel: 305 442 1101 Fax: 305 442 6744 By: IAN GUY A. LEWIS Fla. Bar No. 623740 [email protected] MICHAEL R. TEN Fla. Bar No. 993522 [email protected] 3 EFTA00222701
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 24 Entered on FLSD Docket 07)17:2008 Page 4 of 4 ATTERBURY, GOLDBERGER & WEISS, P.A. 250 Australian Avenue South, Suite 1400 West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 Tel. 561 659 8300 Fax. 561 835 8691 By: Jack A. Goldberger Fla. Bar No. 262013 [email protected] Attorneys for Defendant Jeffrey Epstein CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that this motion, in accordance with S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4, has not been served on opposing counsel and was filed under seal on July 10, 2008. Michael R. Tein 4 EFTA00222702
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM
Document 33
Entered on FLSD Docket 08/0512008
Page 1 of 5
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
NO. 08-80119-CIV-MARRA/JOHNSON
JANE DOE NO. 2,
Plaintiff,
1.
JEFFREY EPSTEIN,
Defendant.
ORDER DENYING MOTION TO STAY
THIS CAUSE comes before the Court on Defendant Jeffrey Epstein's Motion to Stay
(DE 12), filed June 20, 2008. The motion is now fully briefed and is ripe for review. The Court
has carefully considered the motion and is otherwise fully advised in the premises.
Defendant Jeffrey Epstein ("Defendant") seeks a stay of this civil action under a federal
statute which reads, in pertinent part, as follows:
If, at any time that a cause of action for recovery of compensation for
damage or injury to the person of a child exists, a criminal action is
pending which arises out of the same occurrence and in which the child is
the victim, the civil action shall be stayed until the end of all phases of the
criminal action and any mention of the civil action during the criminal
proceeding is prohibited. As used in this subsection, a criminal action is
pending until its final adjudication in the trial court.
18 U.S.C. § 3509 (k). In his motion, Defendant cites a state case, Florida.. Epstein, No. 2006
1
EFTA00222703
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 33 Entered on FLSD Docket 08/05/2008 Page 2 of 5 CF 09454AXX (Fla. Cir. Ct. 2008)' and a federal case, In re Grand Jury, No. FGJ 07-103(WPB) (S.D. Fla.), that arise out of the same occurrences and are pending and thus require a stay of this civil case. The federal "case," according to Defendant, involves a "deferred-prosecution" agreement whereby the U.S. Attorney agreed to suspend its investigation of Defendant while "retaining the right to reactivate the grand jury." (DE 24.) Defendant essentially reasons, because the U.S. Attorney could bring criminal charges against Defendant, that a criminal action is "pending." The Court rejects this definition of a "pending criminal action." When interpreting the text of a statute, the Court begins with the plain meaning of the text. In re Hedrick, 524 F.3d 1175, 1186 (11* Cir. 2008). If the plain meaning of a statute is clear, the Court should not deviate from that interpretation. Id. Pending is defined as "remaining undecided" and "awaiting decision." Blacks Law Dictionary (81h ed. 2004).2 Likewise, an 'As Defendant recognizes, the state court case was "finally adjudicated" and thus no longer pending as of June 30, 2008. (See DE 12.) 'Defendant attempts to argue that the fact that grand jury subpoenas are still "outstanding" and "not withdrawn" and that the grand jury will not be dismissed until Defendant completes his obligations under the state plea agreement means that a "criminal action" is "pending." (Def. Reply 4.) Defendant misunderstands the purpose of a grand jury. A grand jury, as Blackstone writes, is composed of citizens who "inquire, upon their oaths, whether there be sufficient cause to call upon the party to answer" the charge of criminal activity. Beavers" Henkel, 194 U.S. 73, 84 (1904) (quoting William Blackstone, 4 Commentaries *303). The grand jury's sole purpose is to inquire into whether there is probable cause to bring an individual before a tribunal to determine his guilt or innocence of an alleged crime. Id. The grand jury is simply an investigative body. See U.S.. Aired, 144, F.3d 1405, 1413 (11'h Cir. 1998). A "criminal action" is not instigated by the calling of a grand jury, because a grand jury is convened "to determine whether a crime has been committed and whether criminal proceedings should be instituted against any person." U.S. I. Calandra, 414 U.S. 338, 344 (1974). An "action" is commenced against a person after the grand jury actually finds probable cause to make an individual answer specific charges and renders a bill of indictment against that individual. Until a grand jury's investigation is complete and there has been a determination by a lawful authority that probable cause exists, there can be no criminal action. 2 EFTA00222704
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 33 Entered on FLSD Docket 08/05/2008 Page 3 of 5 "action" is defined as a "criminal judicial proceeding." Id. Because the U.S. Attorney has not filed an indictment or an information against Defendant, the Court fails to see how there is an undecided judicial proceeding in federal court against Defendant. Defendant argues that this statute should be read to include the definition of "criminal action" used in 18 U.S.C. § 1595(b)(2), which reads as follows: "In this subsection, a 'criminal action' includes investigation and prosecution and is pending until final adjudication in the trial court." Defendant argues that "Congress specifically intended that the term 'criminal action' would be applied extremely broadly" under § 1595, so Congress "took pains to ensure that courts would give it the broadest possible construction" and defined "criminal action" as including investigatory stages. (Def. Reply 4.) Defendants argue that the Court should borrow this definition. The Court disagrees. The Court believes that Congress's inclusion of this broader definition under § 1595 evinces Congressional intent to depart from the normal meaning of the term "criminal action."' This addition to the text suggests that Congress knows the plain meaning of the term "criminal action" and that Congress decided, under § 1595, that the definition of "criminal action" should be broader. In contrast, Congress could have made such an addition to § 3509 had it intended the mandatory stay provision to apply to pre-indictment investigations, but it did not. In other words, by not broadening the definition of "criminal action" § 3509, Congress intended that the term should only have its ordinary meaning: that an indictment or information has been filed naming a specific defendant. Instead, it seems clear that 'In fact, Congress made this intent clear by stating that this broader definition of a "criminal action" applied only "in this subsection." 3 EFTA00222705
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 33 Entered on FLSD Docket 08;05'2008 Page 4 of 5 Congress intended that these two statutory provisions should each have a different scope. Defendant's argument of statutory construction fails. The single case cited by Defendant in support of his motion is not on point. In Doe Francis, No. 5:03CV260/MCR/WCS, 2005 WL 517847 (N.D. Fla. Feb. 10, 2005), the stay was entered because criminal charges had been filed against the defendant in a state court several months earlier (i.e., the defendants had been indicted by the state attorney). See Memorandum in Support of Motion to Stay Proceedings Pending Outcome of Parallel Criminal Proceedings at 3, Doe li Francis, No. 5:03CV260/MCR/WCS (N.D. Fla. Dec. 2, 2003). The Court agrees with Defendant that a stay under § 3509(k) is mandatory when a criminal action is pending; the Court simply disagrees that the "deferred-prosecution agreement" constitutes a pending criminal action. The Court also does not believe a discretionary stay is warranted. Defendant did not seek this relief in his motion; including such a request in the reply brief is inappropriate. Further, the Court sees no reason to delay this litigation for the next thirty-three months. After all, Defendant is in control of his own destiny - it is up to him (and him alone) whether the plea agreement reached with the State of Florida is breached. If Defendant does not breach the agreement, then he should have no concerns regarding his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The fact that the U.S. Attorney (or other law enforcement officials) may object to some discovery in these civil cases is not, in an of itself, a reason to stay the civil action. Any such issues shall be resolved as they arise in the course of this litigation. Accordingly, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED as follows: I Defendant's Motion to Stay (DE 12) is DENIED. 2. Defendant's Motion for Hearing (DE 27) is DENIED AS MOOT. 4 EFTA00222706
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 33 Entered on FLSD Docket 08/05/2008 Page 5 of 5 3. Plaintiff's Motion for an Extension of Time to File Response (DE 18) is GRANTED NU NC PRO TUNC. DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, this 4ih day of August, 2008. KENNETH A. MARRA United States District Judge Copies furnished to: all counsel of record 5 EFTA00222707
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 34 Entered on FLSD Docket 08/0512008 Page 1 of 2 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA NO. 08-80119-CIV-MARRA/JOHNSON JANE DOE NO. 2, Plaintiff, 1. JEFFREY EPSTEIN, Defendant. ORDER DENYING MOTION TO SEAL THIS CAUSE comes before the Court on Defendant Jeffrey Epstein's Motion to File Under Seal, filed July 28, 2008. Defendant seeks to file his reply to his Motion to Stay under seal.' The Court has carefully considered the motion and the record and is otherwise fully advised in the premises. As the Court has previously explained to the parties, the Local Rules for the Southern District of Florida state that "proceedings in the United States District Court are public and Court filings are matters of public record." S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4(A). It is well settled that the media and the public in general possess a common-law right to inspect and copy judicial records. See Nixon I. Warner Communications, Inc., 435 U.S. 589, 597 (1978). "The right to inspect and copy records is not absolute, however. As with other forms of access, it may interfere with the administration of justice and hence may have to be curtailed." Graddick, 696 F.2d 'The parties are reminded that all documents filed conventionally (including those filed under seal) must be filed with the Clerk's Office in West Palm Beach, Florida. EFTA00222708
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Case 9:08-cv-80119-KAM Document 34 Entered on FLSD Docket 08/05/2008 Page 2 of 2 796, 803 (11th Cir.1983). This right of access creates a presumption in favor of openness of court records, which "must be balanced against any competing interest advanced." United States" Noriega, 752 F. Supp. 1037, 1040 (S.D. Fla.1990). For example, courts may look to see whether the records sought are for illegitimate purposes. 696 F.2d at 803. Likewise, the Court may consider whether "the press has already been permitted substantial access to the contents of the records." Id. In his motion to seal, Defendant states that he seeks to file this document under seal "to comply with the confidentiality clause" in the agreement between Defendant and the U.S. Attorney cited in his brief. (Def. Mot. 2.) The Court is familiar with the U.S. Attorney's objections to unsealing any part of the agreement, see In re: Jane Doe, No. 08-80736-CIV (S.D. Fla. July 11, 2008). However, as the Court has previously held, the U.S. Attorney's objections do not outweigh the public interest in having access to court records. Further, the details of the agreement contained in Defendant's Reply brief have, in large part, already been unsealed and released to the public. The Court finds no justification to keep these documents under seal. Accordingly, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Defendant's Motion to File Under Seal is DENIED. The Clerk shall UNSEAL docket entries 29 and 30 and make them available for public inspection through CM/ECF at the earliest possible time. DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, this 4ih day of August, 2008. KENNETH A. MARRA United States District Judge Copies furnished to: all counsel of record 2 EFTA00222709