RE: OCA Tasking - Questions for the Director
Good afternoon VCACS,
This is a tasking from OCA - The director has an upcoming engagement with a member of congress where they believe the member will ask about the Epstein Flight Logs. They want to make sure the Director has a solid response when this question comes up and have asked us to send the latest information on an answer to the below questions. If your section could answer the questions below, please let me know. If your section believes that we shouldn't be providing any specifics or confirming any information, please let me know as well.
o What specifically has the FBI done to investigate the claims that Epstein's and others participated in produced, possessed, and distributed to CSAM?
o Is there any information that can be provided on requests for Epstein's flight logs?
This is a time sensitive request, so please provide a response by COB Today if possible.
*For some reference on recent Epstein conversations w/ Congress - during Director Wray's Senate Appropriations (June 4tH) hearing the question regarding Epstein came up. The interaction can be found attached in the PDF and below:
EFTA00155094
JOHN KENNEDY:
OK. Here's my second question. We know that Jeffrey Epstein, who is now deceased and Ms. Maxwell, his associate who is in prison were engaged in a conspiracy of sex trafficking with minors. So were others. It's been widely reported. What's the FBI doing to investigate the other people that were involved in these sex trafficking rings?
CHRISTOPHER WRAY:
Well, I'm not sure that I can, um, confirm any specific individual being investigated.
JOHN KENNEDY:
Well, let me put it this way. Let me give you some facts. Widely reported. Jeffrey Epstein had video surveillance in all of his homes and on his private island. And there has been -- there -- there have been articles after articles from witnesses who have said he videotaped sex acts with prominent people because he was trying to cur -- with young girls that he had procured to try to incur favor with those prominent people and potentially for what? To be able to blackmail them. Now that's a fact. And -- and the FBI and other federal agencies have raided his houses. Do you have those tapes?
CHRISTOPHER WRAY:
Again, I can't discuss the specifics of our law enforcement operations related to Mr. Epstein or Ms. Maxwell, but obviously, we had very active investigation related to both of them. But whether it extends to other people, I'm not sure that's something that I can comment on.
Management & Program Analyst
Criminal Investigative Division
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Desk:
Hi,
Please see the following response approved by A/SC h:
"The FBI conducted a full and thorough investigation into the allegations that Epstein and others produced, possessed and/or distributed CSAM. This investigation included a review of the flight logs as well as dozens of pieces of evidence. The flight logs were used as exhibits during the trial and therefore are public record (with the exception of the names of minor victims which were redacted).
Should OCA require any other background information, please let us know. There is no additional information which we feel is appropriate to comment on in a public hearing, though."
Thank you,
I know we have some write ups from having to do regular reports so let me see what I already have and see what else we need to pull together to give the full overview. I'll work on getting this to you as soon as possible.
If you have a minute to chat, I have a couple questions.
Would it be okay if I catch you a bit later (around 5pm)? We have a panel discussion coming up at the PCOR conference so I won't be able to step away until after.
EFTA00155091
Respectfully,
Unit Chief
Crimes Against Children & Human Trafficking Unit
Criminal Investigative Division
Desk:
Mobile
Yea absolutely. No rush. Thanks!
Special Agent [Redacted]
FBI New York
Child Exploitation/Human Trafficking
Hey I got help up. You still want to chat?
Respectfully,
Unit Chief
Crimes Against Children & Human Trafficking Unit
Criminal Investigative Division
Desk:
Mobile
Hey
See attached. Let me know if you have questions.
Another follow up. .
If you don't know the answer, I can ask Miami:
OCA has received the EM approved Epstein summary, but they had a follow-up question:
What happened in the Miami case? Did it close after two years, and why? And nothing between - 2007 - 2018?
Respectfully,
Unit Chief
Crimes Against Children & Human Trafficking Unit
Criminal Investigative Division
Desk:
Mobile
FBI Miami's case officially became pending inactive due to the deal that then US Attorney Alex Acosta made with Epstein and his lawyers. FBI Miami was still investigating the case and were not in agreement with the non-prosecution agreement Epstein was given.
FBI Miami Agents did follow-up on information received in 2011 when a victim who originally was not spoken with came forward. FBI Miami took the case to a different district in Florida and the USAO declined to move forward with a prosecution.
In 2016, civil attorneys for victims approached SDNY AUSAs regarding a civil suit they were pursuing claiming violations of the CVRA and presenting information that Epstein should be the subject of a criminal investigation, wanting SONY to investigate further. Nothing came from this meeting and no investigation was opened at that time.
Hope this answers your questions. Let me know if you have any follow-up questions with the above. Happy to chat as well if need be.
Special Agent A
FBI New York Field Office
Child Exploitation/Human Trafficking
Desk