Document 61

Case 1:19-cr-00490-RMB Document 61 Filed 07/18/25 Page 1 of 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK United States of America v. Jeffrey Epstein, Defendant. UNITED STATES' MOTION TO UNSEAL GRAND JURY TRANSCRIPTS At the direction of the Attorney General, the Department of Justice hereby moves the Court to release grand jury transcripts associated with the above-referenced indictment. On July 6, 2025, the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a memorandum describing an exhaustive review undertaken of investigative holdings relating to Jeffrey Epstein (the "Memorandum").1 The Memorandum detailed the steps taken by the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine whether evidence existed that could predicate an investigation into uncharged third parties. As the Memorandum concluded, no such evidence was uncovered during the review. Since July 6, 2025, there has been extensive public interest in the basis for the Memorandum's conclusions. While the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation continue to adhere to the conclusions reached in the Memorandum, transparency to the American public is of the utmost importance to this Administration. Given the public interest in the investigative work conducted by the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation into Epstein, the Department of Justice moves the Court to unseal the underlying grand jury transcripts. 1 https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1407001/dl?inline. DOJ-OGR-00000732 --- PAGE BREAK --- Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 61 Filed 10/06/20 Page 1 of 2 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK --------------------------------------------------------X UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, -v.- GHISLAINE MAXWELL, Defendant. --------------------------------------------------------X STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ss.: MAURENE COMEY, pursuant to Title 28, United States Code, Section 1746, hereby affirms under penalty of perjury: 1. I am an Assistant United States Attorney in the Office of Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. I am one of the Assistants who represents the Government in these proceedings. 2. I certify pursuant to Local Criminal Rule 16.1 that the Government has conferred in good faith with counsel to the defendant, Ghislaine Maxwell, regarding the Government's request to delay disclosure of certain materials to the defense, pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 16, and that the parties have been unable to reach agreement. 3. In particular, the Government has asked defense counsel whether they will consent to delayed disclosure of certain materials related to victims who were abused by Jeffrey Epstein outside the period charged in the Indictment in this case (the "Materials"). Defense counsel has indicated that they will not consent to delayed disclosure of the Materials and that they intend to DOJ-OGR-00001782 --- PAGE BREAK --- Case 20-3061, Document 61, 09/24/2020, 2938280, Page1 of 125 20-3061 United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit United States of America Plaintiff-Appellee, —against— Ghislaine Maxwell, Defendant-Appellant. ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, 20-CR-330 (AJN) Appendix Volume 1 Ty Gee Adam Mueller HADDON, MORGAN AND FOREMAN, P.C. 150 East 10th Avenue Denver, CO 80203 Tel. 303.831.7364 Attorneys for Defendant-Appellant Ghislaine Maxwell --- PAGE BREAK --- Case 1:19-cr-00490-RMB Document 61 Filed 07/18/25 Page 2 of 4 transcripts in United States v. Epstein, subject to appropriate redactions of victim-related and other personal identifying information.2 The Department will work with the United States Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York to make appropriate redactions of victim-related information and other personal identifying information prior to releasing the transcripts. Transparency in this process will not be at the expense of our obligation under the law to protect victims. 1. On July 2, 2019, a grand jury sitting in the Southern District of New York returned an indictment charging Epstein with sex trafficking offenses. See Dkt. No. 2. On August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial, Epstein committed suicide in his cell in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City. Soon after, the Court dismissed the indictment. Dkt. No. 52. 2. On June 29, 2020, a grand jury sitting in the Southern District of New York charged Epstein's longtime confidant, Ghislaine Maxwell, with numerous offenses related to the trafficking and coercion of minors. See United States v. Maxwell, 1:20-cr-330, Dkt. No. 1 (S.D.N.Y. June 29, 2020). In December 2021, a jury found Maxwell guilty on several counts. Maxwell was sentenced to 240 months' imprisonment, and the Second Circuit later affirmed her convictions and sentence. See United States v. Maxwell, 118 F.4th 256 (2d Cir. 2024). 3. On July 6, 2025, the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the conclusion of their review of the particulars of Epstein's crimes and death. Since then, the public's interest in the Epstein matter has remained. Given this longstanding and legitimate interest, the government now moves to unseal grand jury transcripts associated with Epstein. 2 The Department of Justice is filing similar motions in United States v. Maxwell, 1:20-cr-330 (S.D.N.Y.), and in the Southern District of Florida. --- PAGE BREAK --- Case 1:20-cr-0030-AJN Document 61 Filed 10/06/20 Page 2 of 2 file an opposition to any motion by the Government seeking authorization to delay disclosure of the Materials. 4. I hereby certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. Dated: New York, New York October 6, 2020 Maurene Comey Assistant United States Attorney Telephone: (212) 637-2324 2 DOJ-OGR-00001783 --- PAGE BREAK --- Case 20-3061, Document 61, 09/24/2020, 2938280, Page 2 of 125 Table of Contents Docket Sheet ....................................................001-012 017 Superseding Indictment (7.10.20) ....................................013-030 027 Defts Ltr. Motion re. Local Criminal Rule 23.1 (7.21.20) ...............031-037 028 Order re. Defts Ltr. Motion re. Local Criminal Rule 23.1 (7.23.20) .......038 029 Defts Ltr. re. Proposed Protective ....................................039-042 029-1 Exhibit A to Defts Ltr. re. Proposed Protective Order .................043-055 033 Govs Resp to Defts Ltr. re. Proposed Protective Order (7.28.20) .......056-062 033-1 Exhibit A to Govs Resp to Defts Ltr. re. Proposed Protective Order (7.28.20) ....................................................063-074 033-1 Exhibit A to Govs Resp to Defts Ltr. re. Proposed Protective Order (7.28.20) ....................................................075-086 037 Memo Opinion and Order re. PO .......................................087-089 046 Govs Resp to Defts Ltr. Motn. re. Modification of PO Filed Under Seal (8.21.20) ....................................................090-094 047 Govs Proposed Redactions to Defts Ltr. Motn. re. Modification of PO Filed Under Seal (8.21.20) .......................................095-098 051 Order re. Defts Under Seal Ltr. Motn. to Modify PO (9.2.20) ............099-103 052 Defts REDACTED Ltr. Motn Reply ISO Modification of PO (9.2.20) .......104-111 053 Defts Proposed Redactions to Request to Modify PO (9.8.20) ...........112-114 054 Defts Proposed Redactions to Ltr Motn Reply ISO Request to Modify PO (9.8.20) ....................................................115-120 055 Defts Notice of Appeal (9.4.20) ........................................121-123 i DOJ-OGR-00019459 --- PAGE BREAK --- Case 1:19-cr-00490-RMB Document 61 Filed 07/18/25 Page 3 of 4 4. "It is a tradition of law that proceedings before a grand jury shall generally remain secret." In re Biaggi, 478 F.2d 489 (2d Cir. 1973). "[T]he tradition of secrecy," however, "is not absolute." In re Petition of Nat. Sec. Archive, 104 F. Supp. 3d 625, 628 (S.D.N.Y. 2015). Although Rule 6(b)(3) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure generally lists the exceptions to grand jury secrecy, the Second Circuit has recognized that "there are certain 'special circumstances' in which release of grand jury records is appropriate even outside the boundaries of the rule." In re Craig, 131 F.3d 99, 102 (2d Cir. 1997); see also Carlson v. United States, 837 F.3d 753, 767 (7th Cir. 2016) ("Rule 6(e)(3)(E) does not displace that inherent power. It merely identifies a permissive list of situations where that power can be used.") One such "special circumstance" is historical interest by the public. In re Craig, 131 F.3d at 105. Under In re Craig, this Court retains discretion to determine "whether such an interest outweighs the countervailing interests in privacy and secrecy[.]" Id. 5. Public officials, lawmakers, pundits, and ordinary citizens remain deeply interested and concerned about the Epstein matter. Indeed, other jurists have released grand jury transcripts after concluding that Epstein's case qualifies as a matter of public concern. See Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion for Reconsideration of the Trial Court's February 29, 2024 Order, CA Florida Holdings, LLC v. Dave Aronberg and Joseph Abruzzo, 50-2019 CA-014681 (15th Cir. July 1, 2024).3 After all, Jeffrey Epstein is "the most infamous pedophile in American history." Id. The facts surrounding Epstein's case "tell a tale of national disgrace." In re Wild, 994 F.3d 1244, 1247 (11th Cir. 2021) (discussing the plea agreement secured by Epstein in Florida). The grand jury records are thus "critical pieces of an important moment in our nation's history." In re Petition of Nat. Sec. Archive, 104 F. Supp. 3d at 629. "The time for the public to guess what they contain --- PAGE BREAK --- Case 1:19-cr-00490-RMB Document 61 Filed 07/18/25 Page 4 of 4 should end." Id. Notably, the privacy interests at stake on the other side of the balance are substantially diminished due to Epstein's death. Of course, as noted above, the Department of Justice will work with the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York to redact all victim-identifying information prior to any release. 6. For these reasons, this Court should conclude that the Epstein and Maxwell cases qualify as a matter of public interest, release the associated grand jury transcripts, and lift any preexisting protective orders. See In re Craig, 131 F.3d at 105 ("It is ... entirely conceivable that in some situations historical or public interest alone could justify the release of grand jury information.") Respectfully submitted, PAMELA J. BONDI U.S. Attorney General /s/ Todd Blanche TODD BLANCHE Deputy Attorney General 4 DOJ-OGR-00000735 --- PAGE BREAK --- Case 1:20-cv-00330-RP Document 61 Filed 03/13/20 Page 101 of 117 [PAGES A-5944 TO A-6040 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] DOJ-OGR-00009520 --- PAGE BREAK --- Case 1:09-cr-00581-WHP Document 603-7 Filed 03/15/13 Page 2 of 3 Jenkins and Gilchrist Clients Restitution Calculation Page 1 of 3 Client Transaction Type Year Tax Benefit Taken per Return Tax Deficiency per RAR Interest thru 12/31/2012 per RAR Interest 12/31/2012 3/1/2013 Total Interest Total Allenduff, Phillip SOS 1999 2,116,153 607,693 635,773 8,304 - 644,077 1,251,370 Augustine, William SOS 1999 5,443,789 2,220,509 2,324,546 30,356 - 2,354,902 4,575,317 Ballisteri, James SOS 1999 1,295,704 509,840 533,750 9,971 - 543,721 1,050,591 Ballisteri, Rosemarie SOS 1999 488,166 174,257 182,429 2,383 - 184,812 359,069 Basler, Wayne G SOS 1999 4,923,914 1,079,673 1,129,679 14,754 - 1,144,433 2,223,506 Batchelder, Abigail SOS 1999 427,884 154,580 161,829 2,114 - 163,943 318,523 Batchelder, Joseph H & Marcia SOS 1999 427,884 92,467 96,908 1,266 - 98,174 190,741 Batchelder, Joseph Henry III SOS 1999 927,082 325,231 340,484 4,446 - 344,930 670,161 Bernard, Stephen F. Short Sale 1998 3,961,826 804,209 842,029 10,967 - 853,025 1,657,335 Cairo, Michael SOS 1999 683,826 278,919 339,894 4,134 27,483 344,028 622,947 Cariths, Joel M. SOS 1999 5,445,579 2,010,677 2,105,183 15,095 - 2,120,278 4,143,553 Carruth, Herman SOS 1999 949,045 1,097,489 1,148,959 15,991 - 1,164,950 2,261,453 Deininger, Richard SOS 1999 5,142,787 1,169,583 1,224,534 2,126 - 1,226,660 2,410,008 Devettter, Dennis M. SOS 1999 742,867 155,473 162,754 30,897 - 164,881 320,363 Dotson, Kenneth SOS 1999 8,093,882 2,259,610 2,365,790 - - 2,365,790 4,656,497 Eigel, C&C SOS 1998 1,500,024 1,911,747 2,001,404 30,138 - 2,031,542 3,939,289 Frigo, Arthur Short Sale 1999 47,490,958 604,389 632,629 8,262 - 640,891 1,245,180 Geasey, William SOS 1999 1,849,245 18,568,665 22,627,401 275,165 - 22,902,566 41,470,731 Georgiou, John R. Short Sale 1998 30,078,220 754,270 789,644 10,312 - 799,956 1,554,226 Goldberg, M SOS 1999 1,291,133 526,828 641,756 - 5,775 647,531 1,174,159 Goldstein, Robert Short Sale 1998 545,820 200,473 244,299 - 2,971 247,270 447,743 Gorman, Robert SOS 1999 7,326,125 2,971,595 3,110,956 40,629 - 3,151,585 6,123,180 Guy, Jerry SOS 1999 517,554 200,275 209,687 - 2,739 212,406 412,681 Hanvacek, Steven Short Sale 1999 19,654,299 4,270,448 4,470,723 - 59,386 4,530,109 8,789,557 Jensen, Robert & Debra Short Sale 1998 5,148,261 1,604,156 1,701,319 44,294 - 1,745,613 3,305,474 Kelley, Phillip & Kathy Short Sale 1999 11,876,759 4,741,316 5,803,796 8,415 - 5,812,211 10,589,406 Koenig, Thomas SOS 1999 2,475,423 615,486 737,240 - 9,628 746,868 1,268,252 Lowenberg, James A. SOS 1999 11,476,629 2,201,073 2,334,392 - - 2,334,392 4,535,465 Lusvardi, Laurence C. SOS 1999 1,657,646 340,556 356,527 4,657 - 361,184 701,740 Martell, James SOS 1999 - - - - - - - DOJ-OGR-00009522 --- PAGE BREAK --- Case 1:20-cv-00330-RP Document 61 Filed 06/03/20 Page 105 of 117 [PAGES A-6044 TO A-6073 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] DOJ-OGR-00009524