This is an FBI investigation document from the Epstein Files collection (FBI VOL00009). Text has been machine-extracted from the original PDF file. Search more documents →
FBI VOL00009
EFTA00184224
982 pages
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Came 930B3casift1B7MBIOX41 LIDiatimurrtaffSe5 EarttifEetlarn FRISEIDOftmileItaffft1B7IME6 FIrtigje ft OS to Requests for Admission at ¶ 20. The Government should be required to disclose all of those documents so that the victims can determine whether there was anything improper about those relationships. In my experience, it is highly unusual for federal prosecutors to work on a case prosecuting someone (such as Jeffrey Epstein) and then, shortly thereafter, leave the employment of the federal government and enter into a business relationship with the person who was being prosecuted. 50. RFP No. 17 asks for documents concerning an investigation into the Epstein prosecution undertaken by the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) in Washington, D.C. The investigation was undertaken at the request of the victims, who asked the Justice Department to determine whether "improper influences" were brought to bear during the negotiations involving the possible prosecution (and ultimately the non-prosecution) of Jeffrey Epstein. It is apparent from the privilege logs that the Government has produced that OPR generated a great deal of correspondence (at least 46 pages) regarding this request. See Bates P- 013909 to P-013955. Of course, improper influences being brought to bear on the Epstein prosecution would support the victims' allegations that they were not being properly notified. Moreover, OPR may well have investigated the specific allegations that are at issue in this case — or directed others to undertake such an investigation. Here again, this information would be critical to supporting the victims' case. In fact, because OPR has presumably investigated many of the precise actions and actors, about which the victims complain in this litigation, and have already gathered many of the documents needed, the production of the OPR case file could probably short-cut this litigation and discovery process. 51. There is no other way to obtain this information from OPR. On May 6, 2011, nearly half a year after the victims' request of December 10, 2010, for an investigation, OPR sent a letter to my co-counsel, Professor Paul Cassell, in which it stated that it "regret[ted] it could not be of assistance" in providing information about the allegations. 52. RFP No. 18 asks for information about why the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida was "conflicted out" of handling various issues related to the Epstein case. This information is needed to show why the victims did not receive proper notifications about the NPA that the Office negotiated with Epstein. It appears that the conflict of interest that has been recognized may have to do with the Office's treatment of the victims. Moreover, in its production of documents, and in follow-up correspondence, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida has indicated that there are no responsive documents being held by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the other district that is handling conflict matters. (It appears that this other office is the Middle District of Florida.) This appears to be improbable, because the conflict matters would presumably generate many documents covered by the victims' discovery requests, including the OPR investigative file. Accordingly, the conflict matter is highly relevant to determining whether the U.S. Attorney's Office has provided complete production to the victims. A conflict of interest would also be highly relevant to the motivations of the Government attorneys throughout the handling of the Epstein case. 53. RFP No. 19 asks for information supporting allegations made in March 2011, by former U.S. Attorney Alexander =. He sent a three-page letter to the news media in which he claimed that when Government attorneys began investigating Epstein, Epstein launched "a yearlong assault on the prosecution and the prosecutors." This information is needed to explain 11 EFTA00184784
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Ciamwaliffeaw.93307731614MNI OD2onuntartt32325466 EThttemti con PRISED ramilmr3WAX021303 FRitgre1323alf 08 why the U.S. Attorney's Office would have withheld notifications from the victims about the NPA. If the prosecutors were being assaulted, as has said they were, then they would have reason to disregard their obligations to crime victims. In addition, this would show improper behavior by Epstein, which would be relevant at the remedies stage of this case in determining the scope of any remedy. These allegations would also bear strongly on motive and bias. 54. RFP No. 20 requests documents between the Government and state and local prosecutors and police agencies (including The Palm Beach Police Department) regarding the non- prosecution agreement. Because this involves information outside of the Department, it is the victims understanding that the Government has already turned over all of this information to them, as the Court has directed. See DE 190 at 2 (requiring production of information with persons or entities outside the federal government). For the sake of completeness, however, it is worth noting that this information is needed to demonstrate that the victims were not properly informed that Epstein's plea to state charges would trigger the NPA and preclude prosecution for crimes committed against them. 55. RFP No. 21 requests correspondence regarding the NPA. Here again, the victims understand that the Government is prepared to produce all of this information to them (once the stay pending action by the Eleventh Circuit is lifted). Again, for the sake of completeness, it is worth noting that this correspondence is needed to demonstrate the victims' claims that the Government was concealing the existence of the NPA from them and that this was done at Epstein's behest. The Court has specifically noted that the victims have a need for information that will allow them to argue to the Court in support of their "allegation of a deliberate conspiracy between Epstein and federal prosecutors to keep the victims in the dark on the pendency of negotiations between Epstein and federal authorities until well after the fact and presentation of the non-prosecution agreement to them as afait accompli." DE 189 at 12 n.6. 56. RFP No. 22 requests information about any considerations that Epstein provided, or offered to provide, to any individual within the Government. Here again, the victims understand that this information is being provided to them. It is again worth noting, however, that this information is highly relevant to explaining why the U.S. Attorney's Office would not have properly notified the victims about what was happening in their case, an allegation that is at the center of the victims' summary judgment motion. See, e.g., DE 48 at 11 (noting allegation that Epstein pushed the U.S. Attorney's Office to keep the NPA secret from public view to avoid public criticism). 57. RFP No. 23 asks for documents that will assist Jane Doe No. 1 and Jane Doe No. 2 in protecting their rights under the CVRA. This request links to the Government's obligations under the CVRA to use its "best efforts" to protect victims' rights. 18 U.S.C. § 3771(c)(1). The direct connection between this request and the victims' case is self-explanatory. 58. RFP No. 24 request correspondence related to the Epstein prosecution that the Government had with entities outside the federal government. Here again, it is my understanding that these materials have already been ordered produced. See DE 190 at 2 (requiring production of information with persons or entities outside the federal government). For the sake of completeness, this information is again relevant to showing the course of the Epstein 12 EFTA00184785
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almieVriBizam8ME-WASI Matuntalta4251315 EfinteertiomFRISODORSIGTOBIDDEHIE6 BIS :';I:' Miaf investigation and why the victims were not properly notified about event during that investigation. 59. RFP No. 25 requests all initial productions that are required under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. This is a protective request to ensure that, should it be determined that the Civil Rules apply, they then receive all materials to which they are entitled. 60. In June 2013, the victims sent a supplemental request for production, asking the Government to provide any information concerning any investigation that the Department undertook concerning the treatment of the victims during the investigation in this case, including any FBI, grand jury, OPR or other investigation in the Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Florida, or elsewhere. Here again, this information is critically needed, as it would go directly to proving the victims' allegations that their rights were violated during the investigation of Epstein. This information would also go directly to defeating the Government's "estoppel" argument. This information would also show motive and bias. Inadequate Privilege Log 61. The Government has produced a privilege log that violates the Court's order in this case. I have been greatly hampered in responding to the Government's assertions of privilege because of that inadequate log. Indeed, in many cases, it is impossible to determine whether the Government's assertions of privilege are even plausible because of the inadequacy of the log. 62. The Court has directed the Government to produce a privilege log that "clearly identifies] each document(] [as to which privilege is asserted] by author(s), addressee(s), recipient(s), date, and general subject matter . . . ." DE 190 at 2. Many of the entries in the privilege log fail to meet this requirement. 63. A good illustration of the inadequacies of the privilege log comes from the very first entry in the log, covering Box No. 1 (P-000001 through P-000039), some 39 pages of documents. DE M-1. Yet the only description of these 39 pages is: "File folder entitled 'CORR RE GJ SUBPOENAS' containing correspondence related to various grand jury subpoenas and attorney (Villafafia) handwritten notes." 64. Another good illustration of the inadequacies of the privilege log is provided on page 20 of the first privilege log, with regard to Box No. 3 (P-012362 through P-012451). The Government asserts privilege here regarding 90 pages of documents. Yet the only description of these 90 pages is: "File folder entitled 'Key Documents' containing correspondence between AUSA and case agent regarding indictment prep questions, victim identification information, corrections to draft indictment, indictment preparation timeline, key grand jury materials." 65. There are many other illustrations of the inadequacies of the privilege log which the Court will see when it examines it. I have also filed contemporaneously a response to the government's privilege log, which identifies many situations of an inadequate privilege log, as well as other responses that are needed to respond to the Government's privilege log. 66. The Government has never contacted me or co-counsel about any burdens associated with producing a privilege log that complied with the Court's directives. At all times relevant to this case, I would have been willing to work with Government counsel to minimize any excessive burden from producing an adequate privilege log. The requests for production that I sent to the Government specifically invited discussion to avoid any excessive burden. Failure to Prove Factual Underpinnings of Privilege Claim 13 EFTA00184786
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Came 930)33aw 83327B161M41 [Emmen taf2555E,103 mil cim FR1311:90Dmiktit0I2/2371glinii Rome116a 25 67. Many of the Government's privilege assertions require factual premises — such as the existence of an attorney-client relationship and the rendition of legal services within that relationship. Yet the Government has not provided the factual underpinnings for any of its privilege assertions. 68. An illustration of this problem is found on page 1 of the supplemental privilege log (DE 216-1), with regaiapplemelliox No. 3 (P-013284). The entry here reads: "7/10/08 emails between J. and A. Villafafla, K. Atkinson, and FBI re proposed response to Goldberger's letter re victim notification." The log then indicates that the Government is asserting attorney-client privilege, work product privilege, and deliberative process privilege. The Government, however, does not provide any document for any of the factual underpinnings of any of these claims. For example, with regard to the attorney-client claim, the Government does not explain who the attorney is and who the client is. With regard to the work product claim, the Government does not explain what litigation this document contemplated. And with regard to deliberative process, the Government does not explain what deliberative process was involved. 69. There are many other illustrations of the Government's failure to prove the factual underpinnings of privilege assertions, which the Court will see when it examines the privilege log and the victims responsive log. Waiver of Confidentiality 70. Some of the privileges that the Government has asserted have been waived. Of course, a requirement of a privilege is that confidentiality be maintained. Some of the materials have been circulated outside of any confidential circle, thereby waiving privilege. 71. An illustration of waiver found on page 1 of the supplemental privilege log (DE 216-1), with Bard to supplemental box No. 3 (P-013282 to 83). The entry here reads: "7/08/08 email from to A. =, J. =, Ki. Atkinson, and FBI re proposed response to Goldberger's letter re victim notification." The log then indicates that the Government is asserting attorney-client privilege regarding these emails. But the emails were not internal to the U.S. Attorney's Office, but were also sent to the "FBI." (This is another illustration of the inadequacies of the privilege log, because who in the FBI the materials were sent to is not disclosed.) But the FBI is a law enforcement investigative agency, not an agency that provides legal advice. Accordingly, any attorney-client privilege would be waived by dissemination of this e-mail outside the U.S. Attorney's Office. 72. Another illustration of waiver is found on page 3 of the supplemental privilege log (DE 216- 1), with regard to supplemental box No. 3 (P-013504 to P-013507). The entry here reads: "File folder labeled `Mtg w/ Ken Starr, RAA, JS, Drew' containing handwritten notes by A. Villafalla." Kenn Starr, of course, is a defense attorney who represented defendant Epstein. Recording information provided by a defense attorney is not part of any governmental attorney- client privilege. 73. Another illustration of waiver is found on page 7 of the supplemental privilege log (DE 216-1), with regard to supplemental box No. 3 (P-013644 through P-013653). The entry here "File folder e ' I "Notes Re Plea Negotiations" containing 9/17/07 e-mail from A. Villafana to J. N. it status update; undated and typed handwritten notes by A. Villafafia re items to be completed on case, strength of case, victim interviews, 14 EFTA00184787
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aaffsefflOB3mmatIMBIORM 0ltommtentaf2565 EEnnetatIconFRIEDIRaddenOEMBEICE6 B5 "pity DE6aJf summary of evidence, guidelines calculations." The Government is asserting attorne -client privilege regarding this e-mail. I understand the reference to and ' ' to be references to FBI agents — not attorneys in the U.S. Attorney's Office. Accordingly, the attorney-client privilege would not extend to this e-mail. The Government's Fiduciary Duty to Crime Victims Bars Any Privilege 74. I am familiar with the caselaw recited in our pleadings regarding a "fiduciary exception" (also known as the "Garner exception" in some settings) to privileges. In this case, the Government had a fiduciary obligation to protect the CVRA rights of Jane Doe No. I and Jane Doe No. 2. Specifically, because they were recognized "victims" under the CVRA, the Government had obligations to provide them rights under the CVRA, including the right to confer, the right to notice, and the right to be treated with fairness. Because of this fiduciary duty, an exception applies to many of the Government privilege claims regarding interactions with the victims. 75. The fiduciary duty of the Government to the victims in this case is clear. In 2007, the FBI determined that both Jane Doe No. 1 and Jane Doe No. 2 were victims of sexual assaults by Epstein while they were minors beginning when they were approximately fourteen years of age and approximately thirteen years of age respectively. These sexual assaults involved use of means of interstate commerce (i.e., a telephone) and travel in interstate commerce. Both Jane Does were initially identified through the Palm Beach Police Department's investigation of Epstein. 76. Confirming the fact that the Government had identified Jane Doe No. 1 as a victim in this case, on about June 7, 2007, FBI agents hand-delivered to Jane Doe No. 1 a standard CVRA victim notification letter. The notification promises that the Justice Department would make its "best efforts" to protect Jane Doe No. 1's rights, including "[t]he reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the United States in the case" and "to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving . . . plea . . . ." The notification further explained that "[a]t this time, your case is under investigation." 77. Similarly, on about August 11, 2007, FBI agents hand-delivered to Jane Doe No. 2 a standard CVRA victim notification letter. The notification promises that the Justice Department would make its "best efforts" to protect Jane Doe No. I's rights, including "[t]he reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the United States in the case" and "to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving ... plea ... ." The notification further explained that "[a]t this time, your case is under investigation." 78. Early in the investigation, the FBI agents and the Assistant U.S. Attorney had several meetings with Jane Doe No. 1. Jane Doe No. 2 was represented by counsel that was paid for by Epstein and, accordingly, all contact was made through that attorney. These meetings occurred because the FBI had obligations to protect the victims' rights under the CVRA. 79. In October 2007, shortly after the initial non-prosecution agreement was signed between Epstein and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, Jane Doe No. I was contacted to be advised regardiniihkivestigation. On October 26, 2007, Special Agents E. and Jason met in person with Jane Doe No. 1 because she was recognized as a "victim' of Epstein's crime. 15 EFTA00184788
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Qatem9301143433m831:77316WAMI Oalimumunt025615 Ernteettion RISC0 0aceidelt0)31/1102101126 Ficage 1.17 oil 05 80. In all of these dealings between the Government and the victims, as well as other dealings of a similar nature, the Government had a fiduciary obligation to protect the interests of the victims under the Crime Victims Rights Act. Accordingly, the Government is precluded from raising any privilege claim to which a fiduciary exception applies or, at the very least, any privilege assertion would be outweighed by the victims' compelling need for the material. 81. An illustration of a situation where the fiduciary duty exception applies is found on page 1 of the supplemental privilege log (DE 216-1), with regard to supplemental box No. 3 (P-013282 to 83). The entry here reads: "7/08/08 email from I to A. J. K. Atkinson, and FBI re proposed response to Goldberger's letter re victim notification." In responding to defense attorney Goldberger's letter about victim notification, the U.S. Attorney's Office had a statutory duty under the CVRA to protect the victims' interests. Accordingly, the Office cannot assert privilege when questions about whether it fulfilled its obligations to the victims have arisen in this case or, at the very least, any privilege assertion would be outweighed by the victims' compelling need for the materials. 82. Another illustration of a situation where the fiduciary duty exception applies is found on page 16 of the first privilege log (DEM-I), with regard to Box #2 P-010526 to P-010641. The entry reads: "File folder entitled 'Rsrch re Crime Victims Rights' containing attorney research, handwritten notes, draft victim notification letter, and draft correspondence to Jay Lefkowitz." Here again, the materials at issue go to the heart of this case — what kind of notifications were made to the victims and how did the defense attorneys shape and limit those notifications. Moreover, in evaluating victims' rights issues and determining what kind of letter to send, the Government was fulfilling legal duties that it owed to the victims. Accordingly, the Office cannot now assert privilege when questions about whether it fulfilled its obligations to the victims have arisen in this case. Communications Facilitating Crime-Fraud-Misconduct Not Covered 83. I am familiar with the cases cited in our brief regarding an exception to various privileges when the communications concern crime, fraud, or government misconduct. Many of the important documents about the treatment of the victims to which the Government is asserting privilege would fall within that exception. 84. With regard to fraud and government misconduct, a number of the documents in the Government's privilege log concern concealment from the victims of the existence of a non- prosecution agreement between the Government and Epstein. I have reviewed a copy of the non- prosecution agreement signed on about September 24, 2007, by Epstein and his attorneys and a representative of the U.S. Attorney's Office. The text of that agreement bars disclosure of the agreement to the victims. 85. On about January 10, 2008, my clients Jane Doe No. 1 and Jane Doe No. 2 received letters from the FBI advising them that Wills case is currently under investigation. This can be a lengthy process and we request your continued patience while we conduct a thorough investigation." The statement in the notification letter was deceptive, because it did not reveal that the case had previously been resolved by the non-prosecution agreement entered into by Epstein and the U.S. Attorney's Office discussed previously. Moreover, the FBI did not notify Jane Doe No. I or Jane Doe No. 2 that a plea agreement had been reached previously, and that part of the agreement was a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the 16 EFTA00184789
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i3afaceaRIIBeaalitgeitt OThonurrmint3B5615 EffilierEatlomfRLUDEIDifishalIONS3=11:6 fig "nu y• Southern District of Florida and that the Non-Prosecution Agreement would resolve the federal case completely. (Whether the FBI itself had been properly informed of the non-prosecution agreement is also unclear. We are not alleging misconduct by the FBI, but rather that the FBI was not properly informed about the case or, in any event, was acting at the direction of the U.S. Attorney's Office.) 86. In about April 2008, Jane Doe No. 1 contacted the FBI because Epstein's counsel was attempting to take her deposition and private investigators were harassing her. Assistant U.S. Attorney secured pro bono counsel to represent Jane Doe No. 1 and several other identified victims in connection with the criminal investigation. Pro bono counsel was able to assist Jane Doe No. I in avoiding the improper deposition. AUSA Villafafla secured pro bono counsel by contacting Meg Garvin, Esq. of the the National Crime Victims' Law Center in Portland, Oregon, which is based in the Lewis & Clark College of Law. During the call, Ms. Garvin was not advised that a non-prosecution agreement had been reached in this matter. 87. On May 30, 2008, another one of my clients who was recognized as an Epstein victim by the U.S. Attorney's Office, received letters from the FBI advising her that Whis case is currently under investigation. This can be a lengthy process and we request your continued patience while we conduct a thorough investigation." The statement in the notification letter was deceptive because it did not reveal that the case had been resolved by the non-prosecution agreement entered into by Epstein and the U.S. Attorney's Office in September 2007. 88. In mid-June 2008, I contacted AUSA Villafafla to inform her that I represented Jane Doe No. I and, later, Jane Doe No. 2. I asked to meet to provide information about the federal crimes committed by Epstein, hoping to secure a significant federal indictment against Epstein. AUSA Villafafla and I discussed the possibility of federal charges being filed. At the end of the call, AUSA Villafafla asked me to send any information that I wanted considered by the U.S. Attorney's Office in determining whether to file federal charges. I was not informed that previously, in September 2007, the U.S. Attorney's Office had reached an agreement not to file federal charges. I was also not informed that any resolution of the criminal matter was imminent at that time. Presumably the reason the U.S. Attorney's Office withheld this information from me was because of the confidentiality provision that existed in the non-prosecution agreement. At this point it is clear that AUSA was restricted in what she was being permitted to tell me. 89. On July 3, 2008, 1 sent to AUSA Villafafla a letter. In the letter, I indicated my client's desire that federal charges be filed against defendant Epstein. In particular, I wrote on behalf of my clients: "We urge the Attorney General and our United States Attorney to consider the fundamental import of the vigorous enforcement of our Federal laws. We urge you to move forward with the traditional indictments and criminal prosecution commensurate with the crimes Mr. Epstein has committed, and we further urge you to take the steps necessary to protect our children from this very dangerous sexual predator." When I wrote this letter, I was still unaware that a non-prosecution agreement had been reached with Epstein — a fact that continued to be concealed from me (and the victims) by the U.S. Attorney's Office. I only learned of this fact later on. 90. As alleged in the preceding paragraphs, and elsewhere in this affidavit and in this case, deliberate concealment from crime victims and their legal counsel of the existence of a signed 17 EFTA00184790
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alzemffaBcavaigial 0Thonunrizeilt3f25615 EEnned extfam 111150D 0DuideNCD31110ODIE6 GB • nt.,:• 1.B3alf non-prosecution agreement would be a fraud and government misconduct. Documents relating to that fraud and misconduct would then fall outside of many of the privileges being asserted. 91. An illustration of a document to which the crime-fraud-misconduct exception applies on this basis is found on page 3 of the supplemental privilege log (DE 216-1), with regard to Suppl. Box #3 P-013342 to P-013350. The entry reads: "File folder entitled `12/05/07 Starr to containing drafts of 11/30/07 letters from A. to K. Starr and from J. Lefkowitz re performance and victim notification with handwritten notes and edits by A. Villafafta." Again, these materials are central to the dispute in this case, as they involve discussions between the U.S. Attorney's Office and defense attorneys about notifications to crime victims. And given the dates of the communications, in all likelihood they would be related to the deceptive notifications that the Government made to the victims a few weeks later. 92. Another illustration of a document to which the crime-fraud-misconduct exception applies is found on page 1 of the supplemental privilege log (DE 216-1), with regard to Suppl. Box #3 P- 013282 to P-013283. The entry reads: "7/9/08 Email from A. to A. =, J. K. Atkinson, and FBI re proposed response to Goldberger letter re victim notification." These communications would presumably reflect efforts by the government prosecutors and Epstein's defense attorneys (e.g., Goldberger) to keep the non-prosecution agreement secret. 93. Another illustration of where the crime-fraud-misconduct exception would apply is to information that the Government possesses that Bruce Reinhart learned private, non-public information about the Epstein case. This would show (at the very least) misconduct by Bruce Reinhart in later representing Epstein-related entities. Because the Government's (inadequate) privilege log does not reveal which entries relate to Reinhart, it is not possible to point the Court to the specific documents that demonstrate this misconduct. These documents, however, are covered by the crime-fraud-misconduct exception. 94. Another illustration of where the crime-fraud-misconduct exception could potential) apply is with regard to information that the Government possesses that Matthew has a personal or business relationship with defendant Jeffrey Epstein. Gov't Answers to RFA's 120. This could potentially show misconduct by and also potentially a motive to violate the victims' rights as explained previously. The Government's privilege log has numerous entries showing that Menchal was substantially and personally involved in makingslecisions related to the Epstein prosecution. See, e.g., page 19 of the first privilege log (DE M-1), with regard to Box #3 P-011923 to P-011966. The victims have information su esting that immediately after leaving his employment with the U.S. Attorney's Office, was associated with Epstein- controlled entities or had some business relationship with him. The documents that the Government possesses showing a personal or business relationship between one of its prosecutors and the man he was charged with prosecuting should be produced. 95. The Government has admitted that its internal affairs component — the Office of Professional Responsibility — has collected information about possible improper behavior during the investigation of the Epstein matter. Gov't Answers to RFA ¶22 (government admits that "The Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility and/or other Government entities have collected information about ... other government attorney's [apart from Bruce Reinhart's] possible improper behavior in the Epstein matter"). The fact that the Government's own investigating agencies have collected such information demonstrates that there is a prima facie 18 EFTA00184791
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flails:89MB eimarRifE4gal ODDRunterit3125FB EffittriettlomFRINDOThenlettOXIMA211126 Intgre129500 fig case of improper behavior, which is enough to trigger the crime-fraud-misconduct exception to various privileges. Factual Materials Not Privileged 96. As noted in the accompanying legal memorandum, factual materials are generally not covered by the privileges at issue in this case. Many of the materials to which the Government is asserting privilege are factual materials. Assertions of Attorney-Client Privilege 97. The Government has asserted attorney client privilege regarding many documents. Yet with regard to most of these assertions, it is impossible to determine who is the attorney, who is the client, whether professional legal services are being rendered, and whether the communications were confidential to those involved in the delivery of legal services. Accordingly, it is very difficult for me to respond to many of the assertions of attorney client privilege and, in any event, the Government has failed to carry its burden of showing that the privilege applies. 98. An illustration of documents at to which attorney-client privilege appears to have been improperly asserted or inadequately described is found at page 7 of the first privilege log (DE 216-1), with regard to Suppl. Box #3 P-013811 to P-013833. The entry for these twenty-two pages of documents reads: "File folder entitled `Information Packet Drafts' containing several drafts of Informations, and complete draft Information packet." It is impossible from this description to see how the attorney-client privilege applies to these documents. I could provide many other illustrations of the problem. 99. The Government's attorney-client privilege claim directly covers situations where it was in a fiduciary relationship with the victims and therefore is limited in now asserting privilege. For example, page 3 of the supplemental privilege log (DE 216-1) contains an entry concerning Suir.3ox #3 P-013342 through P-013350, which involves "File folder entitled `12/05/07 Starr to containing drafts of 11/30/07 letters from A. Acost to K. Starr and from J. to J. Lefkowitz re performance and victim notification with handwritten notes and edits by A. Villafafia." This information goes very directly to the issues involved in this case, as it goes directly to "victim notification." Yet the Government has asserted an attorney-client privilege to prevent the victims from learning what is in these documents. The fiduciary exception to the attorney-client privilege applies in this situation, and limits the government's ability to invoke a privilege. This also appears to be shared communications between the Government and Epstein's attorneys, and it is unclear how the attorney-client privilege could ethically apply to such documents. 100. As one example of why the victims have established a compelling need for the materials described in the preceding paragraph (and other materials like them) is the fact that the Court has indicated that it will be considering an "estoppel" argument raised by the Government as a defense in this case. DE 189 at 12 n.6. The Court has noted that this argument "implicates a fact-sensitive equitable defense which must be considered in the historical factual context of the entire interface between Epstein, the relevant prosecutorial authorities and the federal offense victims — including an assessment of the allegation of a deliberate conspiracy between Epstein and federal prosecutors to keep the victims in the dark on the pendency of negotiations between Epstein and federal authorities until well after the fact and presentation of the non-prosecution agreement to them as a fait accompli." DE 189 at 12 n.6 (emphasis added). The materials to 19 EFTA00184792
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Gagaie9301Bo3m8E7711.6Kgell Iltimumernt3f2EXE Bart ti can FREED Ofludlialt0287/102311126 FRojfe211crif 05 which the Government is asserting attorney-client privilege go directly to that "interface" between the victims, the Government, and Epstein. The victims have a compelling need for this information and the fiduciary exception to the attorney-client privilege applies to permit the Court to provide these documents to the victims. 101. The Government has not explained any harm that would come from releasing the documents covered by attorney client privilege to the victims. If the Government raises any such harm, I respectfully request an opportunity to provide additional information on that alleged harm. Deliberative Process Privilege 102. Some of the correspondence that is being withheld by the Government under the deliberative process privilege concerns an investigation that the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) opened with regard to the Epstein case. This investigation was undertaken at the request of the victims in this case. On December 10, 2010, co-counsel, Professor Paul Cassell of the University of Utah College of Law, and I met with the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida regarding this case in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami, Florida. At on that date, Professor Cassell presented a letter to the U.S. Attorney, Mr. M , asking him to personally investigate what happened during the Epstein prosecution and how the victims were treated during that investigation. Based on the privilege log that has been provided, as well as subsequent correspondence sent to Professor Cassell, that request for investigation was turned over to OPR in Washington, D.C. 103. The ultimate outcome of the OPR investigation is unclear. What is clear is that many documents are being withheld about that investigation — documents that would go to the central issues in this case. Approximately three whole pages of the privilege log — pages 12 through 14 of the supplemental privilege log (DE 216-1) — relate to the OPR investigation of how the Epstein case was handled and how the victims were treated. 104. A deliberative process privilege claim can only be asserted with regard to the process of reaching a decision, not the ultimate decision itself. The Government here has apparently asserted a deliberative process claim over not only the OPR process, but also over the OPR decision. It is not clear which document embodies the final OPR decision (or, given the inadequacies of the Government's privilege log, whether that final decision has been produced). Given the limited descriptions of the documents that have been provided, it appears that the OPR decision may be reflected in a document found on page 13 of the supplemental privilege log (DE 216-I), with regard to Suppl. Box #3 P-013940 to P-013942. The description there reads: "Draft Letter marked `Confidential: To Be Opened by Addressee Only,' Robin C. Ashton to Wifredo A. = with handwritten corrections." No date is provided regarding this letter. Nor is there any indication as to whether the letter was or was not circulated to other persons. It is also noteworthy that this letter is described as a "draft" letter. Nowhere in the privilege log is the final version of the letter indicated, raising questions about what was "draft" and what was "final." If this is the final embodiment of OPR's conclusions, then this letter would not be protected by a "deliberative process" privilege, because the deliberations would have come to an end. (It is also worth noting that because OPR is an agency that investigates misconduct by federal prosecutors, it would not be providing attorney-client advice to prosecutors and its 20 EFTA00184793
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QiEssze9)01Ba3m8LEI73164£(.488 Pilaw mwrital325€15 EEntteeztl con RILSIDEEfteMeitff13/ThIM116 aff 85 documents would not be attorney-client privileged with regard to, for example, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.) 105. The fact that OPR has investigated many of the exact claims raised by Jane Does I and 2, and were able to gather documents unobstructed by the Government in order to reach its conclusion likely means that production of the OPR file to the victims in this case could significantly shortcut this discovery process and the litigation. Additionally, if OPR "needed" the documents to investigate and make findings regarding the victims' claims, then logically the victims share that "need" and have no other means through which to obtain the documents. The Government has not explained any harm that would come from releasing the documents covered by deliberative process privilege to the victims. If the Government raises any such harm, I respectfully request an opportunity to provide additional information on that alleged harm. Investigative Privilege 106. The investigative privilege is a qualified privilege, which balances the need of particular litigate for access to information against any public interest in non-disclosure. That balancing process is ordinarily made with reference to factors discussed in Frankenhauser I. Rizzo, 59 F.R.D. 339, 344 (E.D.Pa.1973), specifically: (I) the extent to which disclosure will thwart governmental processes by discouraging citizens from giving the government information; (2) the impact upon persons who have given information of having their identities disclosed; (3) the degree to which governmental self-evaluation and consequent program improvement will be chilled by disclosure; (4) whether the information sought is factual data or evaluative summary; (5) whether the party seeking the discovery is an actual or potential defendant in any criminal proceeding either pending or reasonably likely to follow from the incident in question; (6) whether the police investigation has been completed; (7) whether any intradepartmental disciplinary proceedings have arisen or may arise from the investigation; (8) whether the plaintiffs suit is non-frivolous and brought in good faith; (9) whether the information sought is available through other discovery or from other sources; and (10) the importance of the information sought to the plaintiffs case. On the facts of this case, these factors weigh in favor of disclosing the information the victims have requested. 107. With regard to factor (I) (the extent to which disclosure will thwart governmental processes by discouraging citizens from giving the government information), I represented four victims of Epstein's sex offenses in Federal Court — Jane Doe No. 1, Jane Doe No. 2, and a victim I will refer to as "S.R." and "M.J.", and other victims of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse as well. If further information is disclosed about this case, that will not discourage them from providing information, but rather will encourage them. I have also talked personally to attorneys for a number of other victims in this case. I have been told that many of these other victims hope that Jane Doe No. I and Jane Doe No. 2 are successful in their case. 108. With regard to factor (2) (the impact upon persons who have given information of having their identities disclosed), Jane Doe No. 1 and Jane Doe No. 2 are not asking for information that would identify any particular victim. Accordingly, there will be no effect on other victims. Additionally, I am aware of the true names of many of Epstein's victims and that information has 21 EFTA00184794
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C2eale8M83mAiffEEVM61(MI OThmunteritaf25615 EE 11We:di am PRIM Lamili31O2113)2319E6 85 2223 oil not been disseminated to the public where those individual victims did not wish for their identities to be disseminated. 109. With regard to factor (3) (the degree to which governmental self-evaluation and consequent program improvement will be chilled by disclosure), this is a lawsuit to force the compliance by the Government with its CVFtA obligations. Accordingly, the Government's "program" of providing victims' rights will be directly improved if the victims are able to enforce their rights in this lawsuit. 110. With regard to factor (4) (whether the information sought is factual data or evaluative summary), many of the items that the victims seeks are factual summaries. An example of this is found at page 18 of the first privilege log (DE .1), with regard to Box #3 P-011778 to P- 011788. The entry reads: "File folder entitled '6/12/09 Victim Notif. Log' containing chart with victim contact information and attorney notes regarding dates and type of contacts." This would include, for example, dates of contacts with Jane Doe No. 1 and Jane Doe No. 2, which would be purely factual information. 111. With regard to factor (5) (whether the party seeking the discovery is an actual or potential defendant in any criminal proceeding either pending or reasonably likely to follow from the incident in question), Jane Doe No. I and Jane Doe No. 2 are plainly victims of a crime, not criminal defendants. Indeed, as the Court is aware, it is the criminal defendant (Jeffrey Epstein) who has undertaken several "limited" intervention efforts to try and block disclosure of information to the victims. 112. With regard to factor (6) (whether the police investigation has been completed), the investigation of Epstein was completed years ago and the Government has not produced in its privilege log any information indicating recent investigative activity. 113. With regard to factor (7) (whether any intradepartmental disciplinary proceedings have arisen or may arise from the investigation), it appears than OPR investigation has arisen as a direct result of the victims' efforts in this case. However, it does not appear that release of any information to the victims would hamper any disciplinary proceedings. Indeed, to the extent that the victims are able to obtain information about this case and find information about misconduct, then they can provide that information to Government and other disciplinary entities as appropriate. 114. With regard to factor (8) (whether the plaintiff's suit is non-frivolous and brought in good faith), it should be clear at this juncture of a five-year long case that the victims have a substantial claim that is brought in good faith. 115. With regard to factor (9) (whether the information sought is available through other discovery or from other sources), as recounted throughout this affidavit, the victims have no other way to obtain the information at issue in this privilege debate, as it involves information internal to the Justice Department. 116. With regard to factor (10) (the importance of the information sought to the plaintiffs case), the information that the victims are seeking is highly important to their case. Indeed, without adequate proof, the Court has indicated that it may have to deny the victims' petition. DE 99 at 11. Throughout this affidavit, I have provided numerous examples and explanations of why the victims need the information that they are requesting. The documents to which the Government 22 EFTA00184795
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'Mate CftBow 83D733E6 WAVY1 EDnaun-eirft3125O5 fErrttetati FILLSID 1.1Thot4eItftEMI3JEHIEG 811 2231orif is asserting investigative privilege, for example, bear directly on the Government's alleged "estoppel" defense, which the victims need a complete evidentiary record to dispute. Work-Product Doctrine 117. A work product claim can be defeated by a showing of substantial need and undue hardship to obtain the materials in other ways. In this affidavit, I have tried to articulate the specific and compelling need for all of the materials that victims are seeking. I will not repeat all of those assertions here, but simply note that I stand ready to provide any additional information that the Court may require to determine the compelling need that the victims have for the materials they have requested as well as the undue hardship (if not actual impossibility) of obtaining the materials in other ways. Any balancing of considerations tips decisively in the victims favor. 118. As one example, the victims have a compelling need for the materials that OPR collected as part of its investigation. Because Justice Department attorneys are generally required to talk to OPR investigators, OPR was apparently able to investigate the claims of misconduct related to the Epstein case by getting statements from the attorney's involved. These interviews appear to be recorded in materials found at page 14 of the supplemental privilege log (DE 216-1), with regard to Suppl. Box #3 P-013956 to P-013846 [sic — apparently should be P-013970, a total of 14 pages]. Judging from the entry, these notes would be factual statements from Justice Department prosecutors about how the Epstein case was handled and whether any misconduct occurred during the handling of the case. Those are central issues in this case. There is no other way for the victims to obtain information about these subjects, because the Justice Department has declined to provide information on this subject. 119. The victims have established a substantial need for the materials they are requesting in the previous paragraphs of this affidavit that review, request-by-request, their document production requests numbers I through 25 and supplemental request number 1. 120. As another example of why the victims have established a compelling need for the materials is the fact that the Court has indicated that it will be considering an "estoppel" argument raised by the Government as a defense in this case. DE 189 at 12 n.6. The Court has noted that this argument "implicates a fact-sensitive equitable defense which must be considered in the historical factual context of the entire interface between Epstein, the relevant prosecutorial authorities and the federal offense victims — including an assessment of the allegation of a deliberate conspiracy between Epstein and federal prosecutors to keep the victims in the dark on the pendency of negotiations between Epstein and federal authorities until well after the fact and presentation of the non-prosecution agreement to them as a fait accompli." DE 189 at 12 n.6 (emphasis added). The materials to which the Government is asserting work product protection go directly to that "interface" between the victims, the Government, and Epstein. The victims have no other way of showing what that interface is. The Government will not be harmed if the materials are provided to the victims. Grand Jun Information 121. The victims' legal pleading has explained why the Government has not properly asserted any grand jury secrecy to the documents at issue. In addition, many of the Government's grand jury privilege assertions appear to broadly cover both grand jury and non-grand jury information. Even if the Court allows the Government to assert some form of grand jury privilege, it should require the Government to sever grand jury materials from non-grand jury materials. 23 EFTA00184796
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GamE931153aw8i0MIEWANII Thaurneilt3/3215615 EEnttereati con FFILSID0Thealkat0:87/110=6 Rum° Mal f 85 122. An illustration of this problem comes from page 12 of the first privilege log (DE el), with regard to Box #2 P-008616 to P-008686. The entry reads: "File folder entitled `FBI Summary Charts' containing chart prepared at direction of AUSA, containing victims names, identifying information, summary of activity, and other information relevant to indictment." This does not appear to be a document that was ever presented to the grand jury or that directly discloses grand jury proceedings. Moreover, to the extent that it involves some kind of limited disclosure of grand jury proceedings, that limited disclosure could be redacted and the other information provided to the victims. 123. It does not appear that any of the alleged grand jury materials that the Government is asserting privilege involve on-going grand jury issues. Moreover, it does not appear that disclosing any of the materials would "tip off' a potential target to a Government investigation. Of course, Jeffrey Epstein (and his associates) are well aware of the Government's investigation into their crimes against young girls for sexual purposes. 124. The Government has not explained any harm that would come from releasing the documents to the victims. If the Government raises any such harm, I respectfully request an opportunity to provide additional information on that alleged harm. Privacy Rights of Other Victims 125. Jane Doe No. 1 and Jane Doe No. 2 do not seek confidential or identifying information about any other victims. To clarify that fact, on July 31, 2013, I sent a letter to the Government stating, in part, that "to avoid any interference with any privacy rights of victims who are not parties to this litigation, Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 are not seeking any identifying information about other victims. In any of the documents that Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 have requested the Government produce, the Government should not produce the names of other victims or other identifying information (e.g., address or telephone number) but should instead redact that information." I declare under penalty of perjury, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1746, that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Executed this 16th day of August, 2013. /s/ Bradley J. Edwards BRADLEY J. EDWARDS, ESQ. Attachments: 1. October 3, 2011, request for production; 2. June 24, 2013, supplemental request for production; and 3. Victims' Requests for Admissions and Government Answers 24 EFTA00184797
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 361-66 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/10/2016 Page 1 of 2 EXHIBIT 66 EFTA00184798
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 361-66 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/10/2016 Page 2 of 2 'Wigan% Ann Marie C. 09/24/2007 04:34 PM To "Jay Lefkowite <[email protected] cc hoc Subject RE Do you have a signed copy? , lik you, Jay. I have forwarded your message only to i and Rolando. I don't anticipate it going any further an . When I receive the originals, I will sign and return one copy to you. The other wIll be placed in the case file, which will be kept confidential since It also contains identifying information about the girls. When we reach an agreement about the attorney reprosontative for the girls, we can discuss I can tell him an. ... !iris about the agreement. I know that promised Chief an update when a resolution was achiev (Something I wou n ave promised in light of what happened ar.) Rolando is calling, but Rolando knows not to tell Chief about the money issue, just about what crimes Mr. Epstein is p eading guilty to and the amouillime that has been agreed to. Rolando also is telling Chief not to disclose the outcome to anyone. 111111.r. MUSAELS‘)" 09/24/2007 04:04 PM To"Jay LofkoyMe <Jtafkovotz/j2pkirkland.com> cc SubJectDo you havo a cloned copy? Hi Jay — Sorry to be a bother, hut do you have a copy that at least contains Mr. Epstein's signature? I need to pass it along to the powers that be. Thanks. US Atty Cor .00153 EFTA00184799
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 361-67 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/10/2016 Page 1 of 4 EXHIBIT 67 EFTA00184800
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 361-67 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/10/2016 Page 2 of 4 • • KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP Jay P. Lefkowft2, P.C. To [email protected] VIA E-MAIL Honorable United States Attorney's Office Dear I write in response to Mr. email of October 22, 2007. First, I want to remind you that Mr. Epstein and your Office have agreed to the terms of the Federal Non Prosecution Agreement (the "Agreement"), which is a binding agreement between the parties. Mr. Epstein has every intention of honoring the terms of that Agreement in good faith, and pursuant to the Agreement, as modified recently, Mr. Epstein and his counsel will appear to enter his plea in state court on November 20, 2007. I also want to thank you for the commitment you made to me during our October 12 meeting in which you promised genuine finality with regard to this matter, and assured me that your Office would not intervene with the State Attorney's Office regarding this matter; or contact any of the identified individuals, potential witnesses, or potential civil claimants and their respective counsel in this matter; and that neither your Office nor the Federal Bureau of Investigation would intervene regarding the sentence Mr. Epstein receives pursuant to a plea with the State, so long as that sentence does not violate state law. Indeed, so long as Mr. Epstein's sentence does not explicitly violate the terms of the Agreement, he is entitled to any type of sentence available to him, including but not limitecabin time and work release. With that salinust tell you that I am very troubled by Mr. latest proposed draft letter to Judge AND ATUATt0 PAATNUSIIITS Clti ot er Now York. New Yolk 10022-4011 www.kirklanci.com October 23, 2007 Re: Jeffrey Epstein Facsimile* First, Mr. proposal suggests that the attorney representative may also litigate claims on behalf of the identified individuals in the event those individuals elect not to settle with Mr. Epstein pursuant to the Agreement. That seems to be directly at odds with the purpose of the Agreement, which is to facilitate out of court settlements in lieu of initiating adversarial proceedings. Indeed, it was our understanding at our October 12 meeting that those identified individuals who elect to sue Mr. Epstein are free to select their own lawyer, but the attorney representative would be restricted in this capacity due to the conflicts of interests that it would cause. Chicago Hong Kong London Los Angeles Munich San Francisco Washington, D.C. RFP MIA 000489 EFTA00184801
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' Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 361-67 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/10/2016 Page 3 of 4 • • • KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP Honorable I October 23, 2007 Page 2 Second, Mr. proposes language in our joint letter to Judge referencing the $150,000 statutory limit under § 2255 while only referencing the pre-existing $50,000 limit in a footnote. To be sure, any of the women are free to seek whatever settlement they want, but given the question that exists about the proper statutory amount, the letter should state more clearly that the amount under the statute is either $50,000 or $150,000. Third, Mr. proposal now includes 24-year-old women to the government's list of identified individuals who it believes are eligible to settle 18 U.S.C. § 2255 claims pursuant to the Agreement. Such an inclusion goes beyond both the four corners of the statute as well as the intention of the parties. I simply do not understand why these women have been included on the government's list since these women's § 2255 claims are time barred. According to § 2255, "[s]ily action commenced under this section shall be barred unless the complaint is filed within six years after the right of action first accrues." Moreover, the statute contemplates a right of action only for those who are victims of the related statutes "while a minor." That being the case, the women who are currently 24 years old cannot bring claims under § 2255 because these women were minors seven years ago, which is beyond the statute of limitations period. And the PROTECT Act does not apply here. According to the Act, which was enacted in 2003, Inlo statute of limitations that would otherwise preclude prosecution for an offense involving the sexual or physical abuse, or kidnapping, of a child under the age of 18 years shall preclude such prosecution during the life of the child." See PROTECT Act, Pub. Law 108-21, §3283 (2003). The purpose of this provision, however, was to ease the barriers to criminal prosecution of sex offenders, which is precisely why the provision limits tolling to "prosecution" rather than simply all claims. This conclusion is supported by Smith'. Husband, 376 F.Supp.2d 603 (E.D. Va. 2005), which contemplated the statute of limitations period for 2255 claims and was decided after the PROTECT Act was enacted. In Smith, the Court did not even refer to the Act when noting that "only if Plaintiff can show that Defendant violated any of the listed statutes within six years of the filing of this this matter within the statute of limitations." Id at 615. Accordingly, Mr. proposal should be revised and these women should be removed from the government's list as they are not "victims" under § 2255 and therefore are not eligible for settlement relief pursuant to the Agreement. Given your Office's negotiating posture prior to the signing of the Agreement, it is a little surprising to see the inclusion of individuals who are 24 years old. Over the course of negotiations over the Agreement, initially proposed appointing a guardian ad litem to represent the identified individuals, which gave the impression that these identified individuals were minors. Based on her insistence that a guardian be appointed to represent these individuals, we agreed to the appointment of an attorney representative. Now it appears that RFP MIA 000490 EFTA00184802
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Case 9:08-cv-80736-KAM Document 361-67 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/10/2016 Page 4 of 4 • • KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP Honorable R. Alexander October 23, 2007 Page 3 many of these individuals are in fact over the age of 18, some as old as 24 years old, which largely obviates the need to appoint a representative for the identified individuals. M, this letter is not intended and is in no way a rescission or withdrawal from the terms of the Agreement. We instead request dialogue rather than the imperative of executing the addendum to the Agreement by 5:00 PM today. Absent such dialogue, and absent an extension of the deadline of 5:00 PM today, we have no choice except to adopt the Addendum as written s will do so. We do not, however, agree with all of the language in your draft letter to Judge Since this letter is neither an extension of the Agreement nor of its Addendum, we do object to its being sent to Judge absent further discussion. If there is any way we can promptly resolve the issues I address above, please let me know. I know that you have tired of working on this matter, and I certainly share your desire to put this Agreement to bill simply do not know how to proceed at this point in light of the concerns raised by Mr. proposal. I look forward to resolving this matter as soon as possible. Sincerely, Jay P. tZtkowitz RFP MIA 000491 EFTA00184803