Financier Epstein pleads not guilty to U.S. sex trafficking charges involving girls

[webfact]

Financier Epstein pleads not guilty to U.S. sex trafficking charges involving girls

By Brendan Pierson

 

Geoffrey Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, points to a photograph of Jeffrey Epstein as he announces the financier's charges of sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, in New York, U.S., July 8, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - American financier Jeffrey Epstein pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of sex trafficking as prosecutors accused him of luring dozens of girls as young as 14 to his luxury homes in New York and Florida and paying them for sex acts.

 

An indictment unsealed in federal court in Manhattan accused Epstein, 66, of arranging for girls to perform nude "massages" and other sex acts, and paying some girls to recruit others, from at least 2002 to 2005.

 

"The alleged behavior shocks the conscience, and while the charged conduct is from a number of years ago, it is still profoundly important to the many alleged victims, now young women," U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said at a press conference. "They deserve their day in court."

 

Epstein was known for socializing with politicians and royalty, with friends who have included U.S. President Donald Trump, former president Bill Clinton and according to court papers Britain's Prince Andrew. None of those people was mentioned in the indictment.

 

Wearing dark blue jail scrubs, Epstein entered his plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Pitman to one count of sex trafficking and one count of sex trafficking conspiracy. Epstein faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted.

 

According to the indictment, the former hedge fund manager "intentionally sought out minors and knew that many of his victims were in fact under the age of 18, including because, in some instances, minor victims expressly told him their age."

 

Epstein, who registered as a sex offender under a 2008 plea deal in Florida, has said in earlier court filings that his encounters with alleged victims were consensual and that he believed they were 18 when they occurred.

 

Epstein will remain in jail until at least July 15, when a judge has scheduled a bail hearing.

 

Prosecutors have said Epstein should be denied bail, arguing he poses an "extraordinary risk of flight" because of his wealth, private planes and significant international ties.

 

MANHATTAN MANSION SEARCH

Epstein was arrested https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-justice-epstein/financier-epstein-arrested-in-u-s-sex-trafficking-case-source-idUSKCN1U20IK?enowpopup on Saturday night at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, where he had returned on his private plane from Paris.

 

Prosecutors said a search of Epstein's mansion in Manhattan uncovered evidence of hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of nude photographs of "what appeared to be underage girls."

 

American financier Jeffrey Epstein was charged with sex trafficking on Monday, as prosecutors accused him of luring dozens of girls as young as 14 to his luxury homes in New York and Florida and paying them for sex acts. Jillian Kitchener reports.

 

Berman encouraged other victims to come forward and contact prosecutors.

 

The case is being handled by the public corruption unit of Berman's office.

 

Berman declined to discuss media speculation about people affiliated or associated with Epstein, telling reporters: "I urge you not to read into that one way or the other."

 

In 2002, then-businessman Trump praised Epstein in a New York magazine interview.

 

"I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy," Trump said. "He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it – Jeffrey enjoys his social life."

 

EARLIER DEAL

Epstein first came under investigation in 2005 after police in Palm Beach, Florida, received reports he had sexually abused underage girls in his mansion there.

 

By 2007, Epstein was facing a potential federal indictment for sexually abusing dozens of girls between 1999 and 2007. However, Epstein struck a deal to plead guilty in 2008 to a lesser Florida state felony prostitution charge, and register as a sex offender.

 

He served 13 months in a county jail, but was allowed to leave during the day to go to his office.

 

Some of Epstein's accusers have criticized that agreement as too lenient. Berman, the U.S. attorney, said he was not bound by it.

 

Reid Weingarten, a lawyer for Epstein, told the magistrate judge on Monday that his client had led a "law-abiding life" since 2008, and the indictment appeared to be "essentially a do-over."

 

Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for some of the women who have accused Epstein, read statements on behalf of two of her clients outside the courthouse.

 

"The news of my abuser’s arrest today is a step in the right direction to finally hold Epstein accountable for his crimes and restore my faith that power and money can’t triumph over justice," said a statement by one of the women, Sarah Ransome.

 

Prosecutors who helped craft the Florida agreement included Alex Acosta, then the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and now Trump's Secretary of Labor. A spokeswoman for the Labor Department declined to comment on Sunday.

 

'MASSAGES'

According to the indictment, Epstein would initially recruit victims to provide "massages," which they would perform nude or partially nude.

 

Prosecutors said the encounters would become increasingly sexual, sometimes including groping and indirect contact with victims' genitals, where Epstein would typically masturbate and ask victims to touch him while he did.

 

Epstein paid girls to recruit new girls, to ensure a "steady supply of new victims to exploit" prosecutors said.

 

Three unnamed employees, one in Manhattan and two in Florida, aided Epstein by arranging some of his sexual encounters, the indictment said.

 

At a second court hearing on Monday, U.S. District Judge Richard Berman asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Rossmiller whether other people might be charged. Rossmiller said no additional indictment was imminent but it was possible "down the road."

 

Several of Epstein's accusers said they were denied a chance to express their views on the Florida deal, a violation of the federal Crime Victims' Rights Act.

 

In February, a federal judge in Florida called the agreement illegal. Even so, the Department of Justice said in a June court filing that there was no reason to cancel it.

 

Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives confronted former prosecutor Acosta about the agreement during a hearing on a routine budget matter in April.

 

Acosta assured lawmakers that human trafficking was "an incredibly important issue," and said his office's efforts ensured that Epstein would be punished.

 

The Justice Department is investigating whether government lawyers committed professional misconduct in the Florida case.

 

(Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; editing by Noeleen Walder and Grant McCool)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-07-09

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[expatfromwyoming]

The question is what evidence or information does Epstein have against his powerful friends and how might he use it? Trump, Acosta, Clinton etc etc. Interesting weeks ahead

[usviphotography]

It truly has the potential to be the story of the century. The entire Globalist Power structure seems implicated in this thing. Wall Street people now saying nobody has ever met anybody that ever worked for Epstein's firm and nobody seems to know of a single client he ever had other than Wexler. In other words, the backstory for the source of his wealth is a sham. Which would lend credence to the idea he is just the front man for a high level blackmailing operation. People like Clinton and others agreed to go to Pedo Island and be videotaped in order to "prove" their loyalty the the unnamed entity behind Epstein's operation. 

 

https://www.thedailybeast.com/i-tried-to-warn-you-about-sleazy-billionaire-jeffrey-epstein-in-2003

[legend49]

He has a mate called Trump so he has nothing to worry about.

[jimmyyy]

Seems ol bill clinton and him were much closer. 

 

https://dailycaller.com/2019/07/08/jeffrey-epstein-is-going-to-jail-bill-clinton-could-be-next/

[Chomper Higgot]

The FBI have found what they allege is child pornography at Epstein’s NY home, they can now argue that not only is he a flight risk but also a likely current offender. 

 

Pop goes the chances of him getting bail.

 

SDNY have also handed this to their public corruption team, Acosta needs to get lawyered up.

 

As with so many crimes, it’s the coverup that reveals the crime. Epstein’s illegal plea bargain handed to him by Acosta is going to be opened up and will provide SDNY lots of dirt to dig in.

 

Meanwhile, Acosta has charge in his role as Secretary of Labor of combatting human trafficking, and here discover he helped coverup ‘human trafficking’.

 

His days in Trump’s Cabinet are done, and Trump needs to explain how and why he chose this particular unfit person for the job.

 

#BeBest

[newatthis]

Good to see that pointing has now achieved international recognition.

[lannarebirth]

Probably  going to be a lot of anonymous and/or sealed "friend of the court"  filings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bendejo]

He'll suddenly come down with a "medical condition" so that when he appears in court he'll be in a wheel chair/on crutches/with a seeing-eye dog/etc.  They all do it.  Being blind was a what Cosby pulled, never heard of that one before.

 

With the for-profit prison system in the US being what it is, I wonder if it would be possible to have his own private estate prison built just for him.  With a day-care center for visitors' kids, of course.

 

 

[Tug]

Well if he has anything on Donald perhaps a pardon lol would the trump supporters care?

[Chomper Higgot]

13 minutes ago, newatthis said:

Good to see that pointing has now achieved international recognition.

Great news to see the head of SDNY pointing out the direct line victims of Epstein can call to report his abuse to the What is recognised as the most aggressive Federal prosecution office.

[worgeordie]

Let's hope when found guilty ,he does more than 1 day a week

behind bars,looks like very rich people have special privileges

AKA a two tier justice system,one for them,and go straight to

jail for the rest of the population,a la Thailand.

regards worgeordie

[Berkshire]

46 minutes ago, jimmyyy said:

Seems ol bill clinton and him were much closer. 

 

https://dailycaller.com/2019/07/08/jeffrey-epstein-is-going-to-jail-bill-clinton-could-be-next/

If both Clinton and Trump were implicated in molesting underage girls, I have no problem with both going to jail.  Would you agree? 

[Misty]

2 hours ago, usviphotography said:

 Which would lend credence to the idea he is just the front man for a high level blackmailing operation.

 

https://www.thedailybeast.com/i-tried-to-warn-you-about-sleazy-billionaire-jeffrey-epstein-in-2003

 

Vehicle for money laundering and tax evasion first, then high level blackmail operation to make sure he wouldn't be prosecuted.

 

This thread is worth reading, if you haven't already: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1147934688423497728.html

 

"Let's start with the kompromat.  You've seen prominent folks now speculating that Epstein not only raped & trafficked those poor girls, but he may have used them to entrap powerful men. Yet, no one is asking WHY?
Why did Epstein need all those powerful men in his pocket? The answer can likely be found in WHOSE MONEY WAS EPSTEIN “MANAGING”?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lannarebirth]

16 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

If both Clinton and Trump were implicated in molesting underage girls, I have no problem with both going to jail.  Would you agree? 

I agree. But if only one or the other was implicated would you still agree, or would that depend on which one it was?

[parallaxtech]

You can Google the flight log book.  Clinton had Frequent Flyer points on the Pedo Express.

 

[Berkshire]

4 minutes ago, lannarebirth said:

I agree. But if only one or the other was implicated would you still agree, or would that depend on which one it was?

Of course.  I have no loyalty to pedos.  Unfortunately, it appears many Trump supporters would still back Trump regardless. 

[Misty]

6 minutes ago, lannarebirth said:

I agree. But if only one or the other was implicated would you still agree, or would that depend on which one it was?

I certainly would. This isn't a sport where you root for a team. 

 

This goes well beyond two men.  It goes beyond US party lines and politics.  It goes beyond human trafficking.

[lannarebirth]

1 minute ago, Berkshire said:

Of course.  I have no loyalty to pedos.  Unfortunately, it appears many Trump supporters would still back Trump regardless. 

I think that may be the one charge that has yet to be foisted at Trump so it remains to be seen. I do have to say it would be beyond bizarre and surreal if the evangelicals stood up for Trump in the face of a pedo allegation. Just whatif'n as no such allegation exists to my knowledge.

[lannarebirth]

3 minutes ago, Misty said:

 This isn't a sport where you root for a team. 

 

 

Well, that's what normal people like you and me think, but if you've spent much time on the internet you begin to realize most people aren't normal.

[usviphotography]

46 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

His days in Trump’s Cabinet are done, and Trump needs to explain how and why he chose this particular unfit person for the job.

 

#BeBest

We already know that. When Trump's personal pick for Commerce Secretary (Chicago Cubs owner Todd Rickets) had to withdraw, his name, White House Counsel Don McGahn suggested Acosta as a replacement. McGahn was an Establishment GOP guy who Trump feuded with constantly until McGahn finally quit in frustration. Acosta is one of the many Establishment Republican types Trump foolishly allowed in to his administration at the recommendation of the so called "experts". Indeed, when Acosta was named, CNN's rabidly Never Trump commentator Ana Navarro heaped lavish praise on the selection. 

 

So it really doesn't have much to do with Trump. Acosta was a Bushie, and the reason conservatives are so happy about this whole story breaking is because the Bushies and Establishment Republicans are likely to get implicated in this mess nearly as much as the Democrats. Major Establishment Republican donor tied to Paul Ryan was on the flight log many times. They are all going down. 

 

It is becoming apparent that Epstein wasn't even really running a Financial Management Firm. This whole thing was just a cover for his sex island operation, which was most likely some kind of bizarre initiation rite in to the Global Elite. You go to the island, do God knows what in that creepy Moldoch Temple, and then you let Epstein film you have sex with 13 year old girls and then your ticket is punched. 

[DaddyWarbucks]

This sleazy mess has all the elements of a great movie.

No doubt it will come sooner or later... only the names will be changed.

[neeray]

There are two simple words that can keep the wife happy and the marriage together.

They are "yes dear".

 

I think many big names (some mentioned herein) are going to be uttering those two words many times in the days and weeks ahead.

[Basil B]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

His days in Trump’s Cabinet are done, and Trump needs to explain how and why he chose this particular unfit person for the job.

Jeffery recommended him?

[spidermike007]

He is very, very guilty. And he may bring down some big guys with him, if they offer him a deal. Clinton was one of the worst offenders, it appears. And it looks like Trump visited him at Orgy Island in the Caribbean and spent a fair amount of time at his mansion in NYC. We all know what went on there. Could it be possible that Trump would have had the willpower to say no to gorgeous underage gals? I doubt it. Does Epstein have videotape? Like Putin probably does? Hope so. And I hope it gets seen.

 

Even his so called “Christian” devotees would have a hard time stomaching that one. 

[Chomper Higgot]

52 minutes ago, lannarebirth said:

I agree. But if only one or the other was implicated would you still agree, or would that depend on which one it was?

I’ll make it easier for you.

 

The FBI should conduct this investigation with transparency and in full view of the public. if the FBI uncover any evidence of anyone being involved in any way at all with the trafficking and rape of minors then the FBI should indict and prosecute all those involved regardless of who they are or what their political, social or any other allegiances are.

 

Follow the evidence and prosecute when crimes are found, regardless of any other consideration.

 

I have high hopes of this from SDNY, it’s not some ‘owned’ Florida backwater.

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, parallaxtech said:

You can Google the flight log book.  Clinton had Frequent Flyer points on the Pedo Express.

 

You need to get the right log book.

 

When representing Epstein the first time he was hauled for these vile crimes, the Illiberals favorite lawyer Alan Dershowitz, doctored the log to remove names before handing it to investigators.

 

The original plea deal is going to be unwrapped, and we might learn why Dershowitz is such a blind faith puppet of this administration.

[bendejo]

1 hour ago, lannarebirth said:

I think that may be the one charge that has yet to be foisted at Trump so it remains to be seen. I do have to say it would be beyond bizarre and surreal if the evangelicals stood up for Trump in the face of a pedo allegation. Just whatif'n as no such allegation exists to my knowledge.

He'll deny it, the faithful will believe it, end of story.  Anyway it wasn't their kids.

 

58 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The original plea deal is going to be unwrapped, and we might learn why Dershowitz is such a blind faith puppet of this administration.

This could be opening of a very ugly can of worms.  I'm going to be watching for a fatal accident or suicide in the coming weeks.  Make that plurals.  Or people like Dersh making statements of how they've been diagnosed with cancer and are in their last days, have mercy on the dying, etc.

 

 

 

[expatfromwyoming]

And Slick Willy firmly states- "I did not have sex with anyone"! ????

[expatfromwyoming]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I’ll make it easier for you.

 

The FBI should conduct this investigation with transparency and in full view of the public. if the FBI uncover any evidence of anyone being involved in any way at all with the trafficking and rape of minors then the FBI should indict and prosecute all those involved regardless of who they are or what their political, social or any other allegiances are.

 

Follow the evidence and prosecute when crimes are found, regardless of any other consideration.

 

I have high hopes of this from SDNY, it’s not some ‘owned’ Florida backwater.

if only!!!!!!!