File 019111

Images

Text

A POWERFUL BILLIONAIRE,
THE SEX SCANDAL THAT UNDID HIM, AND ALL
THE JUSTICE THAT MONEY CAN BUY:
THE SHOCKING TRUE STORY OF JEFFREY EPSTEIN
1426
Interviewer: "It's the
too close to the sun."
Jeffrey Epstein: "Did
Copyright CO 2016 by James Patterson
Excerpt from Cross the Line copyright © 2016 by James Patterson
Hachette Book Group supports the right to free expression and the value of
copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to
produce the creative works that enrich our culture.
The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book without permission
is a theft of the author's intellectual property. If you would like permission
to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please con-
tact permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the author's
rights.
Little, Brown and Company
Hachette Book Group
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
littlebrown.com
First Edition: October 2016
Little, Brown and Company is a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. The
Little, Brown name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not
owned by the publisher.
The Hachette Speakers Bureau provides a wide range of authors for speaking
events. To find out more, go to hachettespeakersbureau.com or call (866)
376-6591.
ISBN 978-0-316-27405-0 (hc) / 978-0-316-31758-0 (large print)
LCCN 2016946084
10 9 8 7 6 5 43 2 1
LSC-C
Printed in the United States of America
016 by James Patterson
to free expression and the value of
o encourage writers and artists to
ir culture.
n of this book without permission
Ierty. If you would like permission
n for review purposes), please con-
)1.1 for your support of the author's
NY 10104
). of Hachette Book Group, Inc. The
.rks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
)sites (or their content) that are not
a wide range of authors for speaking
tespeakersbureau.com or call (866)
6-31758-0 (large print)
Interviewer: "It's the Icarus story—someone who flies
too close to the sun."
Jeffrey Epstein: "Did Icarus like massages?"
—New York City, 2007
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Late one afternoon, while taking a leisurely stroll on the Upper
East Side of Manhattan, Tim Malloy, a friend of mine and a col-
laborator on this book, nearly ran into a trim, silver-haired
neighbor of ours from Palm Beach.
The man was walking down Madison Avenue, and several
things about him were striking. For one thing, he was wearing
slippers. Expensive, embroidered, monogrammed slippers. But
slippers all the same.
For another, he was accompanied by two attractive women.
Even in Manhattan, an island that attracts beautiful women from
all over the world, these women stood out.
As the man half shuffled, half walked down the avenue, the
women walked slightly behind him, as if they were attendants or
staff.
Tim followed, keeping a respectable distance, as the three-
some made a right onto 71st Street and headed toward an enor-
mous town house— a house that was almost a fortress—right
vii
AUTHOR'S NOTE
in the middle of the block. The imposing residence had a stone
facade and a fifteen-foot-high front door that wouldn't have
looked out of place protecting a castle. And, like our neighbor's
slippers, the house had a monogram: raised brass letters that
spelled out JE.
The house and, quite possibly, the two women belonged to
Jeffrey Epstein, a rich and powerful man who was also a regis-
tered sex offender with a strong taste for underage women.
Not just sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds. But younger girls
as well.
Epstein was alleged to have abused dozens of young women,
or, more accurately, girls. He'd settled potential lawsuits with
some of them. He'd done a bit of prison time for his crimes. A bit
of time. And now here he was, out in the world again.
Accompanied by two beautiful young women.
I had been hearing hair-raising stories about Jeffrey Epstein for a
couple of years. Our interests could not have been more differ-
ent, but Palm Beach, where we both live, is small and tightly
knit, and we knew some of the same people.
Epstein's arrest had made headlines in papers all over the
world. But in Palm Beach, it caused a scandal that continues to
set off aftershocks and leave a bad smell.
So I had followed Epstein's case in the media and talked
about it over dinners with friends. I wondered why it had taken
so long for the Palm Beach police to catch up with Epstein. And,
once they did, why he had served so little jail time.
Those were the obvious questions, but there were others:
How had Epstein made his money, possibly billions? No one
viii
seemed to know. And w
about the underage girls
had happened at the morn
Epstein definitely Ilk(
even three, young wom(
island. He'd been operat
who were these girls? WI
find their way to his horn
Epstein had powerful
in his private jet and rubt
Prize winners, any numl
man sixth in line to the B
Were any of these co
now a free man?
I wanted to know. Aft
and Epstein's actions had
where I lived. Stirred by t
Tim Malloy and I began t
We partnered with
journalist who had once I
following the Epstein sto:
Working together, we
the way back to his chil(
tances, employees, neight
with the families of his
ment officers who'd wonl
and lawyers on all sides
which are still working ti
Combining our inter
from court filings and
AUTHOR'S NOTE
NoTE
'posing residence had a stone
mit door that wouldn't have
tstle. And, like our neighbor's
ram: raised brass letters that
, the two women belonged to
ul man who was also a regis-
;te for underage women.
n-year-olds. But younger girls
ased dozens of young women,
flied potential lawsuits with
ison time for his crimes. A bit
in the world again.
tng women.
ries about Jeffrey Epstein for a
id not have been more differ-
oth live, is small and tightly
le people.
Lanes in papers all over the
:c1 a scandal that continues to
smell.
ase in the media and talked
I wondered why it had taken
o catch up with Epstein. And,
;o little jail time.
tions, but there were others:
ey, possibly billions? No one
seemed to know. And while the news media had some details
about the underage girls, reporters seemed only to know what
had happened at the moment of his arrest.
Epstein definitely liked his massages. He got them from two,
even three, young women a day, right in his mansion on the
island. He'd been operating on an almost industrial scale. But
who were these girls? Where had they come from? How did they
find their way to his home on a secluded street in Palm Beach?
Epstein had powerful friends. He'd flown Bill Clinton around
in his private jet and rubbed shoulders with heads of state, Nobel
Prize winners, any number of billionaires. Prince Andrew, the
man sixth in line to the British throne, had been a close friend.
Were any of these connections the reason that Epstein was
now a free man?
I wanted to know. After all, our homes were a half mile apart,
and Epstein's actions had had an undeniable impact on the town
where I lived. Stirred by that sighting of Epstein up in New York,
Tim Malloy and I began to investigate.
We partnered with John Connolly, a tough, no-nonsense
journalist who had once been a cop with the NYPD and had been
following the Epstein story for close to ten years.
Working together, we interviewed Epstein's friends, going all
the way back to his childhood; we met with Epstein's acquain-
tances, employees, neighbors, and business associates, and finally
with the families of his victims. We interviewed law enforce-
ment officers who'd worked on the investigation in Palm Beach
and lawyers on all sides of the resulting court cases, some of
which are still working their way through the court system.
Combining our interview material with evidence obtained
from court filings and other investigations, such as the one
ix
AUTHOR'S NOTE
conducted by Connolly's Vanity Fair colleague Vicky Ward, we
began to put the pieces together.
In a few instances, we have re-created brief scenes and
snatches of dialogue. These are based on interviews, police
investigation documents, and court filings. We changed the
names and identities of the girls, hoping to protect them from
more embarrassment and harm.
There never was any doubt that Jeffrey Epstein was guilty. He
admitted as much in the non-prosecution agreement he agreed
to sign in 2007. The question is, what exactly was he guilty of?
This book attempts to answer that question and many others
about this strange and mysterious man. These days people all
around the world are angry about and suspicious of the super
rich and powerful. The story of Jeffrey Epstein is an object lesson
about why we ought to be. To put it simply, some people think
they can operate outside the law. And that's what they do.
—James Patterson, Palm Beach, February 20, 2016
x
NOT E
'air colleague Vicky Ward, we
: re-created brief scenes and
based on interviews, police
)urt filings. We changed the
hoping to protect them from
t Jeffrey Epstein was guilty. He
secution agreement he agreed
hat exactly was he guilty of?
that question and many others
,s man. These days people all
it and suspicious of the super
frey Epstein is an object lesson
t it simply, some people think
knd that's what they do.
?alm Beach, February 20, 2016
PART I
The Crime
CHAPTER I
Mary: February 2005
/t's a typically slow South Florida Sunday, and Mary's staring
into the mirror, trying to wipe the morning cobwebs away
from her dark, sleepy eyes.
She's a pretty girl, tiny—just five feet three inches tall—but
tanned and athletic, with curly black henna-streaked hair.* Her
bedroom's a playland of pinks and pastels, stuffed animals, and
boy-band posters. But Mary's a teenager now. Fourteen years old.
She even has a boyfriend. He's cute and popular. Joe' is the heart-
throb of her school, and Mary's feelings for him are new to her,
powerful, hard to untangle. She's thinking of Joe as she presses
the Play button on her iPod.
The MP3 player's on shuffle. There's no telling what song will
* Mary's name, some identifying details, and dialogue have been changed.
Joe's name, some identifying details, and dialogue have been changed.
3
JAMES PATTERSON
come up, and Mary's head drops dramatically in anticipation.
Then a loud, sexy throb spills out of the earbuds: Britney Spears.
The bass line takes over, and she starts to dance, moving her
hips as she lip-synchs the lyrics:
With a taste of a poison paradise . . .
Mary's swept away by the song. She's twirling around and
around, flinging her arms out to grab the clothes hanging up in
her closet—it's like embracing ten thousand fans! Then she stops
and pulls out the earbuds. Suddenly she's become fourteen again.
Just a girl, jittery, nervous.
What she's thinking about now is what she will wear to the
big fancy house.
Mary desperately wants to make an impression. This will be her
first trip to the house. She does not want to look like a child on
this outing.
She picks out a pair of skinny white jeans, puts on a freshly
washed halter top that leaves her flat stomach bare. The cross
that Joe gave her last Christmas hangs from her neck.
Think of the money, she thinks.
For Mary, it's incredible money. Several weeks' wages at
Mickey D's. And just for giving some old man a massage? She
twists the earbuds back in, dives into the closet, sings along with
Britney Spears:
Don't you know that you're toxic?
The tight white jeans fit Mary perfectly. She turns to check
herself out in the mirror, cropping the scene with her fingers to
4
block out the Barbies bi
in big, high-ceilinged b(
with natural smiles, pei
dolls are beautiful. The,
if Mom and Dad are w
mothers and fathers are
you get Barbies— passe
sister to sister. They're n-
of knowingness to the c
American Girl dolls are
Barbie's dangling her lot
from women.
Be like Barbie, Mary t
She can't be nervous.
What she tells hersel
a deal.
But, of course, it is a
big fancy house will bee
police investigation— al
the Palm Beach PD — ar
the home's owner, Jeffrey
ERSON
FILTHY RICH
dramatically in anticipation.
)f the earbuds: Britney Spears.
starts to dance, moving her
She's twirling around and
prab the clothes hanging up in
thousand fans! Then she stops
ly she's become fourteen again.
AT is what she will wear to the
in impression. This will be her
ot want to look like a child on
• white jeans, puts on a freshly
r flat stomach bare. The cross
angs from her neck.
)ney. Several weeks' wages at
some old man a massage? She
nto the closet, sings along with
c?
y perfectly. She turns to check
ig the scene with her fingers to
block out the Barbies behind her. Over on the Gold Coast, girls
in big, high-ceilinged bedrooms have American Girl dolls. Dolls
with natural smiles, perfectly vacant moon faces. American Girl
dolls are beautiful. They're expensive. But you have to have one
if Mom and Dad are willing to pay. Over on the Coast, most
mothers and fathers are. But out in the sticks, where Mary lives,
you get Barbies —passed down from mother to daughter, from
sister to sister. They're rail-thin, missile-breasted. There's a touch
of knowingness to the curl of their otherwise innocent mouths.
American Girl dolls are girlie, but Barbie's like Britney Spears.
Barbie's dangling her long legs over the line that separates girls
from women.
Be like Barbie, Mary thinks.
She can't be nervous. Not now. Not today.
What she tells herself, over and over again, is: It's not that big
a deal.
But, of course, it is a big deal. Before long, Mary's visit to the
big fancy house will become part of a months-long Palm Beach
police investigation—an affidavit for probable cause, filed by
the Palm Beach PD — and, finally, the arrest and conviction of
the home's owner, Jeffrey Epstein.
5
CHAPTER 2
Jeffrey Epstein: February 2005
Jeffrey's morning routine is precise and unvarying. First he
spends twenty-five minutes in silence, visualizing the day
ahead as he digests the guava, banana, and Mileslix that his
chef prepares for him— the same way every day—at six in the
morning. Then Jeffrey walks a third of a mile up to South County
Road, pausing once in a while to take deep, restorative breaths.
It's a slight slope that leads toward the ocean. Jeffrey's home
on the Intracoastal Waterway is behind him now. The morning's
not windy. The Atlantic is calm and glittery, and fishing trawlers
bob gently on distant waves.
Jeffrey's partial to monogrammed sweatpants, monogrammed
fleece pullovers, and hoodies. Casual attire offset by embroi-
dered Stubbs & Wootton slippers— the kind that sell for hun-
dreds of dollars a pair. His hair, which is thick, has turned silver.
But Jeffrey Epstein does not have a paunch. For a fifty-two-year-old
6
man, he's extremely fit.
strong jawline.
He's never been a di
and he takes care good c
It's a magnificent min
lations, abstract formu1a5
math problems that woul
fall into place for him,
manipulate—and multip
mathematician. As a you
Then he became an inve5
philanthropist, like Bill G
to give millions to acadei
ing mysteries of the brain
lions to Harvard. And h
Eliot Spitzer, of New Yor
Mexico, where Epstein ON
Epstein's flown Bill
the Gulfstream he owns
own trading floor—so 1
his various and worthy (
Just for fun, Chris 1
Kevin Spacey had tagge(
"Jeffrey is both a higl
philanthropist with a
in-depth knowledge of
would say through a spc
insights and generosity
on democratization, em
combating HIV/AIDS."
FILTHY RICH
CHAPTER 2
ecise and unvarying. First he
a silence, visualizing the day
banana, and Mileslix that his
way every day—at six in the
.d of a mile up to South County
ake deep, restorative breaths.
ward the ocean. Jeffrey's home
ehind him now. The morning's
id glittery, and fishing trawlers
ied sweatpants, monogrammed
.asual attire offset by embroi-
s— the kind that sell for hun-
hich is thick, has turned silver.
paunch. For a fifty-two-year-old
man, he's extremely fit. Six feet tall, 180 pounds, brown eyes, a
strong jawline.
He's never been a drinker. He doesn't smoke or take drugs,
and he takes care good care of his body as well as his mind.
It's a magnificent mind. His gift is for numbers: complex calcu-
lations, abstract formulas. Even as a child, Jeffrey could untangle
math problems that would stump most smart adults. Numbers just
fall into place for him, forming in ranks he can bend, twist,
manipulate—and multiply. He could have been a scientist or a
mathematician. As a young man, he taught calculus and physics.
Then he became an investor—a very rich man. Then he became a
philanthropist, like Bill Gates. His love for science has inspired him
to give millions to academics and institutions committed to study-
ing mysteries of the brain and the arcana of physics. He's given mil-
lions to Harvard. And he's given money to politicians: Governor
Eliot Spitzer, of New York, and Governor Bill Richardson, of New
Mexico, where Epstein owns the largest home in the state.
Epstein's flown Bill Clinton to Africa on a private jet—not
the Gulfstream he owns but his Boeing 727, customized with its
own trading floor —so that the former president could promote
his various and worthy causes.
Just for fun, Chris Tucker, the comedian, and Clinton's pal
Kevin Spacey had tagged along for the ride.
"Jeffrey is both a highly successful financier and a committed
philanthropist with a keen sense of global markets and an
in-depth knowledge of twenty-first-century science," Clinton
would say through a spokesperson. "I especially appreciated his
insights and generosity during the recent trip to Africa to work
on democratization, empowering the poor, citizen service, and
combating HIV/AIDS."
7
JAMES PATTERSON
But is Jeffrey thinking about that trip now?
His first guest is due that morning at nine, and that leaves
him enough time for a shower, a lunch, and a few phone calls
before the second girl arrives.
Sarah has scheduled that girl for one.
For Jeffrey, it's just part of the daily routine.
But on this day, there's a delicious twist.
One of the girls is a first-timer.
Mary: February 200.f
D ownstairs, the dc
gruffly:
"Ella estd aqui
"She's here. Your friel
Mary runs down the
got the TV on. Her steprr
sister has gone out, too, I
"Going shopping," sh
Bubble into her mouth.
"Ace quien?"
"Says who?"
Mary's already half'
again, but on Sundays t.
Besides, Mary knows hE
she's made. Real mone)
8
3RSON
it trip now?
fling at nine, and that leaves
lunch, and a few phone calls
1r one.
laily routine.
us twist.
CHAPTER 3
Mary: February 2005
ownstairs, the doorbell is ringing. Mary's father shouts,
gruffly:
"Ella estci aqui. Su amiga con el camiOn."
"She's here. Your friend with the truck."
Mary runs down the stairs. It's game day, and Dad's already
got the TV on. Her stepmom's out running errands. Mary's twin
sister has gone out, too, Rollerblading with a few of her friends.
"Going *shopping," she yells, and she pops a piece of Dubble
Bubble into her mouth.
`2Dice quien?"
"Says who?"
Mary's already halfway out the door. Her father calls out
again, but on Sundays there's no getting him out of his chair.
Besides, Mary knows he'll be happy when he sees the money
she's made. Real money, like Joe's cousin Wendy Dobbs, is
9
JAMES PATTERSON
making.* And it's not like she's running off to do something
crazy. After all, Wendy's assured her already that there's nothing
to worry about.
Mary's father is Cuban—an immigrant—a self-made man who
runs a contracting business. He's wise to the ways of the world
and highly protective of his two daughters. They're good girls, he
knows. Almost angels. As far as he knows, they don't drink.
They've never tried drugs. They love clothes and, especially,
music —Britney Spears, Nelly Furtado, Maroon 5, the boy band
with that dreamy lead singer. Mary loves California, which she's
never seen but daydreams about. She just knows she'll live there
someday—a plan that's okay with her father as long as Mary
keeps up with her homework and chores.
What he worries about, in the meantime, is the crowd that
Mary runs with.
Joe is a fine boy. More responsible than most American boys
his age. But Joe's cousin, Wendy, is another story. Mary's father
doesn't like Wendy at all and would have liked her even less had
he known about Wendy's intentions.
In just one hour, Wendy's told Mary, she can make more
money than her father makes in a day: "This guy in Palm Beach.
He's rich. Very rich. He has an airplane. He owns an island, you
know?"
Like a lot of kids who live inland, away from the Florida
coast, Mary's dreams reach way beyond the dull, scrubby flat-
* Wendy Dobbs's name, some identifying details, and dialogue have been
changed.
10
lands and strip malls s:
that she wants to do an
miles away, might as we
"Yes," she had said, v
Then there was Joe ti
"Who is this guy?" J(
know a thing about him
"Hundreds of dollar:
quite look at Joe, but she
Joe seemed to think
conversation—some bac
hadn't even crossed Mar
would become a regular
"To rub his feet? Are
it, why haven't you told y
"It's your cousin, Joe!
"The guy's feet must I
"Shut up!"
"Tell your father."
"You know how E
everything."
"I'm not going to som
"That's right. I am."
"And if! told your fat]
"You'd never see me al
Mary felt bad as she
She knew that it wouli
Wendy had told her
RSON
FILTHY RICH
unning off to do something
!.r already that there's nothing
grant—a self-made man who
wise to the ways of the world
ughters. They're good girls, he
he knows, they don't drink.
love clothes and, especially,
-tad°, Maroon 5, the boy band
y loves California, which she's
She just knows she'll live there
th her father as long as Mary
chores.
e meantime, is the crowd that
sible than most American boys
is another story. Mary's father
Lid have liked her even less had
)ns.
Did Mary, she can make more
I day: "This guy in Palm Beach.
.rplane. He owns an island, you
inland, away from the Florida
beyond the dull, scrubby flat-
ying details, and dialogue have been
0
lands and strip malls she's grown up around. There's so much
that she wants to do and see. But for her the Gold Coast, twenty
miles away, might as well be another country.
"Yes," she had said, without even thinking about it.
Then there was Joe to contend with.
"Who is this guy?" Joe had said, shaking his head. "You don't
know a thing about him."
"Hundreds of dollars," Mary had whispered. She couldn't
quite look at Joe, but she was firm: "I can make that in one hour"
Joe seemed to think they were actually talking about it. A
conversation—some back-and-forth. But the thought of not going
hadn't even crossed Mary's mind. If anything, she hoped that it
would become a regular thing.
"To rub his feet? Are you kidding? If you're not worried about
it, why haven't you told your dad?"
"It's your cousin, Joe! Some girls go three times a week."
"The guy's feet must be killing him."
"Shut up!"
"Tell your father."
"You know how Dad is. You don't tell your parents
everything."
"I'm not going to some freak's mansion to rub his feet."
"That's right. I am."
"And if I told your father? Or mine?"
"You'd never see me again."
Mary felt bad as she said it. She felt bad for lying.
She knew that it would be more than a foot rub.
Wendy had told her that much, at least.
11
CHAPTER 4
Jeffrey Epstein: February 2005
John Kluge, the media magnate, has bought up several lots
around here, torn down the mansions, and built a grand,
sprawling estate. But Epstein's neighbors have blocked his
own efforts to buy more land and increase his holdings.
Epstein's address in Palm Beach is 358 El Brillo Way. Built in
the fifties by a totally run-of-the-mill architect, the house has
none of the elegance of his neighbors' homes. It's big, with a big
swimming pool—that's the most you can say for it. It's totally
bland. But it's the last house on a dead-end block, the last block
of the street, and this makes it very secluded.
Tonight, one of Epstein's black Escalades will whisk him
away, taking him to the private terminal at Palm Beach Interna-
tional Airport. Then a short flight down to Little Saint James —
or, as he likes to call it, Little Saint Jeff's—the seventy-eight-acre
island he owns in the Virgin Islands. But for the moment, there
12
are still things to attend I
although, in Epstein's exp(
nicely.
He strolls through th
door that leads to the kitc
dishes and climbs a wide,
He walks down a hallway
naked women. Then, in h
there are many more phoi
wall, of girls who have cor
Familiar faces, famil
first-timers so special.
Epstein checks his wat
The Virgin Islands can
FILTHY RICH
CHAPTER 4
05
ite, has bought up several lots
mansions, and built a grand,
neighbors have blocked his
I increase his holdings.
tch is 358 El Brillo Way. Built in
.e-mill architect, the house has
ibors' homes. It's big, with a big
St you can say for it. It's totally
a dead-end block, the last block
ry secluded.
lack Escalades will whisk him
terminal at Palm Beach Interna-
;ht down to Little Saint James —
[nt Jeff's— the seventy-eight-acre
Lands. But for the moment, there
are still things to attend to in Florida. Business and pleasure —
although, in Epstein's experience, the two have always fit together
nicely.
He strolls through the gate, past the guard, up to the side
door that leads to the kitchen. Inside, he ignores the maid doing
dishes and climbs a wide, winding staircase to the second floor.
He walks down a hallway, one that's lined with photographs of
naked women. Then, in his bedroom, he opens a closet. Inside,
there are many more photographs. Erotic photos, tacked to the
wall, of girls who have come to the house.
Familiar faces, familiar bodies. That's what makes the
first-timers so special.
Epstein checks his watch before closing the door.
The Virgin Islands can wait.
13
CHAPTER 5
Mary: February 2005
The Dubble Bubble's lost all its flavor, but Mary's still chew-
ing the gum as she shifts, nervously, in the backseat of
Wendy's big pickup truck. The girl sitting up front next
to Wendy is a stranger to Mary. She's chain-smoking menthols.
The music is blaring; the seat is filthy and gross. Worried that
her white jeans will get grody, Mary sits on her hands. Then,
through the window, she sees a gigantic resort called the Break-
ers. It is resplendent, sun-drenched, not quite real—like some-
thing you'd see in the movies.
It makes for an interesting contrast.
"We'll wait for her," Wendy says to the girl in the passenger
seat. "Then we can all go to the mall."
"Which one?"
"The Gardens."
It's like she's not there. Mary wants to say something about it,
14
but she doesn't know if th(
dy's always seemed so mi
other girl's just a mystery.
speak to Mary, her stare SE
girl.
"Remember," Wendy s
davit filed by the Palm Bee
are, say eighteen."
The light changes, anc
looking at Mary in the rea
"Got it?"
Mary nods.
"I mean it," says Wend
Who would believe het
than that.
"Okay," she says. "I got
Mary takes out her flu
cousin is a BAMF."
A badass motherfuckei
There's no reply.
"Or maybe she's just a 1
Still no reply.
Joe must still be in churc
They pass El Bravo Wa:
Wendy's driving slowl:
more, she says: "When the
Mary nods again and
see her smiling. To know
Wendy's eyes are on the fn
they walk past a guard.
FILTHY RICH
CHAPTER 5
its flavor, but Mary's still chew-
nervously, in the backseat of
:. The girl sitting up front next
She's chain-smoking menthols.
filthy and gross. Worried that
Mary sits on her hands. Then,
gigantic resort called the Break-
hed, not quite real—like some-
mtrast.
says to the girl in the passenger
:nall."
wants to say something about it,
14
but she doesn't know if the other girls would even respond. Wen-
dy's always seemed so much cooler than kids Mary's age. This
other girl's just a mystery. And when Wendy does turn around to
speak to Mary, her stare seems to slice right through the younger
girl.
"Remember," Wendy says, according to a probable cause affi-
davit filed by the Palm Beach police. "When he asks how old you
are, say eighteen."
The light changes, and Wendy turns back around but keeps
looking at Mary in the rearview mirror.
"Got it?"
Mary nods.
"I mean it," says Wendy.
Who would believe her? Anyone can see that Mary is younger
than that.
"Okay," she says. "I got it. Eighteen."
Mary takes out her flip phone and sends Joe a text: "Your
cousin is a BAMF."
A badass motherfucker.
There's no reply.
"Or maybe she's just a bitch," Mary texts.
Still no reply.
Joe must still be in church, Mary thinks.
They pass El Bravo Way and turn onto El Brillo Way.
Wendy's driving slowly now, right at the speed limit. Once
more, she says: "When the man asks your age, say eighteen."
Mary nods again and smiles, slightly. She wants Wendy to
see her smiling. To know that she's got it all under control. But
Wendy's eyes are on the front gate now. It opens, she parks, and
they walk past a guard.
15
JAMES PATTERSON
"We're here to see Jeff," says Wendy.
The guard nods—of course you are—and leads them to the
side door.
They're in the kitchen now. Mary, Wendy, some middle-aged
man. The man has a long face, bushy eyebrows, and thick silver
hair—and he's fit. As fit as the jocks that Mary goes to school
with. Not attractive, exactly. He's way too old for that. But confi-
dent, in a way that makes an impression.
Standing behind the man there's a woman. She's blond, very
pretty, much taller than Wendy.
What a strange scene, Mary thinks. She can't shake the feeling
that the man is studying her. Then he nods, and he and Wendy
walk out of the kitchen. A little while later, they're back.
"Sarah," the man says to the tall woman. "You can take Mary
upstairs."
Sarah takes Mary up a wide winding staircase carpeted in pink.
Together they walk down a hall that's got photographs on the
wall—naked women. Long curtains cover windows and don't
let in much light. In the air, there's a strong lavender fragrance.
Then they come to a room containing a green-and-pink sofa.
There's a large bathroom off to one side and doors on either side
of the sofa. There's a wooden armoire with sex toys on it. There's
a massage table, too, and a mural of a naked woman.
"Wait here," says Sarah. "Jeff will be up in a moment."
Mary's too freaked out to do anything else. Fidgeting with
her belt loops, she sits on the sofa, jumps up again.
16
Then she sees the pictu
All the girls in the pho,
just a baby.
Much younger than Ivli
The girl's smiling, bu
else—some sort of anxiet
face. And what she's doinl
off to the side. Flashing or
toward the camera.
Mary gasps. She turns
in front of her, wearing nol
:RSON
FILTHY RICH
ndy.
are—and leads them to the
7, Wendy, some middle-aged
hy eyebrows, and thick silver
cks that Mary goes to school
vay too old for that. But confi-
ssion.
a woman. She's blond, very
iks. She can't shake the feeling
a he nods, and he and Wendy
-ale later, they're back.
.11 woman. "You can take Mary
ling staircase carpeted in pink.
that's got photographs on the
ains cover windows and don't
's a strong lavender fragrance.
tataining a green-and-pink sofa.
ae side and doors on either side
Loire with sex toys on it. There's
of a naked woman.
will be up in a moment."
) anything else. Fidgeting with
a, jumps up again.
6
Then she sees the picture.
All the girls in the photos are young. But the girl in this one's
just a baby.
Much younger than Mary herself.
The girl's smiling, but the smile's mixed with something
else—some sort of anxiety that's out of place on such a small
face. And what she's doing is shocking: pulling her underwear
off to the side. Flashing one of her tiny apple-round butt cheeks
toward the camera.
Mary gasps. She turns around. And there's Epstein standing
in front of her, wearing nothing but a towel.
17
CHAPTER 6
Michael Reiter: March 2005
Chief Reiter looks more like a bank president than a cop.
He's well built, with an air of formality and discretion. But
he's got twenty-four years on the job. Decades earlier, he
was a campus police officer in Pittsburgh. Then he rose, steadily,
through the ranks in Palm Beach, moving up from patrol officer
to detective, working vice, narcotics, and organized crime, then
becoming a sergeant, captain, major, and assistant chief—a job
he held for three years—before becoming chief of police. Reiter
is what you'd call seasoned, although chief of police in Palm
Beach is a job that calls upon his political skills as much as his
street smarts.
Then again, from time to time, things do happen.
Once in a blue moon there are murders— though these are
so rare that they tend to be remembered for decades.
Sometimes there are hurricanes to contend with, and, when the
18
sea calms, human cargo
fickers aim the bows of th(
order their passengers to
Most of the passengers
who stake all they have cm
to time, Palm Beach cops I
Things get busier dur
it, the season. It's when i
ties and balls, shop, and
Worth Avenue. The popt:
who work under Chief R
ers, and snotty skateboar
tic disturbances. Chokin
stuff, but there's always
women who work for Rei
Chief Reiter's proud (
knows, they're lucky to
for the job. If anything, h
the John F. Kennedy Sch(
terrorist training at Quan
up often at cocktail partil
hijackers lived in Palm B(
local airstrips. A few, inci
had been regulars at 251
There they had regaled
made-up stories about the
But 251 Sunrise is sht
2004, after an avalanche oi
Beach is as quiet and calm
For the moment.
FILTHY RICH
CHAPTER 6
a bank president than a cop.
Df formality and discretion. But
on the job. Decades earlier, he
tsburgh. Then he rose, steadily,
, moving up from patrol officer
tics, and organized crime, then
Or, and assistant chief—a job
)ecoming chief of police. Reiter
hough chief of police in Palm
s political skills as much as his
e, things do happen.
tre murders — though these are
mbered for decades.
to contend with, and, when the
8
sea calms, human cargo washes up on the shore. Sometimes traf-
fickers aim the bows of their boats at the glow of the Breakers resort,
order their passengers to go overboard, then tell them to swim.
Most of the passengers are Haitian—men, women, and children
who stake all they have on a chance at a life in America. From time
to time, Palm Beach cops have to retrieve their bodies from the surf.
Things get busier during the wintertime, or, as the locals call
it, the season. It's when the very rich come to town, throw par-
ties and balls, shop, and tangle traffic at the intersections around
Worth Avenue. The population booms, and the men and women
who work under Chief Reiter deal with fender benders, shoplift-
ers, and snotty skateboarding teenagers. There are DUIs. Domes-
tic disturbances. Choking victims and heart attacks. It's routine
stuff, but there's always lots of it. Enough to keep the men and
women who work for Reiter busy.
Chief Reiter's proud of the team he has built. And, the team
knows, they're lucky to have him. Reiter's extremely well qualified
for the job. If anything, he's overqualified, with a certificate from
the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and anti-
terrorist training at Quantico, courtesy of the FBI. It's not brought
up often at cocktail parties in Palm Beach, but several of the 9/11
hijackers lived in Palm Beach County. They took flight lessons at
local airstrips. A few, including the mastermind, Mohamed Atta,
had been regulars at 251 Sunrise, a chic nightclub in Palm Beach.
There they had regaled any woman who would listen with
made-up stories about their adventures as pilots.
But 251 Sunrise is shuttered now. The joint was shut down in
2004, after an avalanche of noise complaints. For the moment, Palm
Beach is as quiet and calm as any place Reiter has dreamed about.
For the moment.
19
CHAPTER 7
Mary: March 2005
J
f there's no traffic, Mary's hometown is less than thirty min-
utes away from the island of Palm Beach. But in economic
terms it's a world away. Her high school is run by the county.
Most of Mary's classmates are black. Thirty percent are Hispanic,
as she is. The rest are white. The school has a C rating, and lots
of students receive free or discounted lunches. Mary is one of
those students. But inch by inch, she's working her way out of
the crab barrel. A good kid, her teachers think. A kid with a
future in front of her.
Weeks have gone by since her meeting with Epstein. She
hasn't told anyone about the visit. Still, other kids at the high
school have noticed a change.
"Yo, Mary," a friend says. "What's up with you anyway?"
This is a kid who veers from nice to mean, depending on
who else is around.
Still, a friend.
"Nothing," says Mary.
"You got your period?
"Shut the fuck up," M;
There have been rui
Rumors started by a girl v
"Whore," her rival shc
"You're the whore," M;
Mary rushes the girl, vv
twisting and tugging. Son
bell rings for next period, It
She shakes her head i
feeling humiliated.
Then, in her wallet, th,
Mary's too young and too
are all twenties, not single
ents, her teachers sugges
Mary do drugs or deal thei
Mary's father knows b(
chologist is called in. And
Once she does, she can
It's a wild story. Highly
A powerful man. This is al
It's definitely a matter for th
recommending a transfer,
troubled kids— ones with
Mary's a good girl, it's t
high school will not be tole
FILTHY RICH
Still, a friend.
"Nothing," says Mary.
"You got your period?"
"Shut the fuck up," Mary whispers.
CHAPTER 7
n.etown is less than thirty min-
Palm Beach. But in economic
igh school is run by the county.
ck. Thirty percent are Hispanic,
school has a C rating, and lots
,unted lunches. Mary is one of
1, she's working her way out of
r teachers think. A kid with a
her meeting with Epstein. She
sit. Still, other kids at the high
rhat's up with you anyway?"
m nice to mean, depending on
!O
There have been rumors going around, she knows that.
Rumors started by a girl who has eyes for Joe.
"Whore," her rival shouts in the hallway one day.
"You're the whore," Mary shouts back.
Mary rushes the girl, who shoves back, grabbing at Mary's hair,
twisting and tugging. Someone yells, "Catfight!" By the time the
bell rings for next period, Mary's sitting in the principal's office.
She shakes her head in reply to the questions, stays silent,
feeling humiliated.
Then, in her wallet, they find the three hundred dollars.
Mary's too young and too small to be stripping. Besides, the bills
are all twenties, not singles or fives. When they call Mary's par-
ents, her teachers suggest a more obvious explanation: Does
Mary do drugs or deal them?
Mary's father knows better than that. "No," he insists. A psy-
chologist is called in. And then, Mary does start talking.
Once she does, she can't stop.
It's a wild story. Highly disturbing. A mansion in Palm Beach.
A powerful man. This is all far from the principal's wheelhouse.
It's definitely a matter for the police. In the meantime, the school's
recommending a transfer, purely temporarily, to a facility for
troubled kids—ones with "issues."
Mary's a good girl, it's true. But further confrontations at the
high school will not be tolerated.
21
CHAPTER 8
Michele Pagan: March 2005
0n March 15, Palm Beach police officer Michele Pagan
takes the first call from Mary's stepmother.
"Ma'am," she says, "I'm going to have to ask you to
come down to the station."
"I don't want to say anything more until I speak with my
husband."
"Ma'am, I appreciate that. But I'd urge you to come in. Let us
find out what happened. Please."
"I'll get back to you."
"Please, ma'am. I'm here for the rest of the day. We're on
South County Road."
At the station, Mary's father does most of the talking.
"There was an incident," he says. "At school. A fight between
Mary and another girl. But please understand, our Mary's not
like that."
22
Officer Pagan's startin
uncharted waters. She's yc
this have been minor. Ro
used to the Gold Coast. SI
to her, the less affluent toi
well be somewhere in Gec
know that in the back
whispering.
What's a guy with that
out west? The women arour
Extortion?
The kid's fourteen. Whu
Have you seen the sho-
things we've never dreamed
No, Pagan thinks. This
She's the one who's goi
FILTHY RICH
CHAPTER 8
a police officer Michele Pagan
lary's stepmother.
'm going to have to ask you to
ig more until I speak with my
Lt I'd urge you to come in. Let us
T the rest of the day. We're on
does most of the talking.
says. "At school. A fight between
tase understand, our Mary's not
22
Officer Pagan's starting to feel as though she's swimming in
uncharted waters. She's young, and the cases she's worked before
this have been minor. Robberies, that sort of thing. Pagan's not
used to the Gold Coast. She was educated in New York City, and,
to her, the less affluent towns further in from the Coast might as
well be somewhere in Georgia. Then again, she knows enough to
know that in the back of the station, detectives are already
whispering.
What's a guy with that kind of money need with some girl from
out west? The women around here could make a man cry.
Extortion?
The kid's fourteen. What would she know from extortion?
Have you seen the shows these kids watch? They know about
things we've never dreamed about.
No, Pagan thinks. This is her case.
She's the one who's going to work it.
23
CHAPTER 9
Mary: March 2005
ary's father and stepmother believe their girl. Officer
Pagan believes Mary's parents. Ergo, Mary must be tell-
ing the truth. The girl's got a sweet, high, halting voice.
Pagan interviews her twice, and both times, she speaks with her
chin buried deep in her chest.
"Tell me, honey," says Pagan. "What happened?"
In her notepad, Michele Pagan writes: While speaking to me,
Mary became upset and started to cry.
"This white-haired guy came into the room," Mary says.
"Wearing only a towel around his waist. He took off the towel.
And then he was all naked, and he lay down on a massage table.
"He was a really built guy. But his wee-wee was very tiny."
Mary tells Pagan that Epstein spoke only to give her instruc-
tions, which he did in a stern voice. She tells Pagan that she was
alone and didn't know what to do.
24
She removed her par
writes in her incident rei
She straddled his ba
touching Epstein's expose(
Epstein then turned tc
up-and-down motion. Eps
to massage Mary's vagina
Mary's sure that Epst
himself down as he got c
That week, Pagan's as.
tives. Five men, two won
say. "This is different fro
tor is a smart person, arm
Within days, another
a similar story.
It's a tricky case, accordil
investigation, because thi
as bait in an attempt to cat
even if they were willin
strings that Chief Reiter's
Two weeks later, on is,
a controlled call to Wend.
The first attempt goes
The next time Mary c
On the recordings m
tiny and tentative, whil(
grown, like the femme fat
"Hey, what's up?" she
FILTHY RICH
CHAPTER 9
,ther believe their girl. Officer
arents. Ergo, Mary must be tell-
got a sweet, high, halting voice.
Doth times, she speaks with her
"What happened?"
in writes: While speaking to me,
cry.
ne into the room," Mary says.
As waist. He took off the towel.
he lay down on a massage table.
at his wee-wee was very tiny."
n spoke only to give her instruc-
>ice. She tells Pagan that she was
10.
24
She removed her pants, leaving her thong panties on, Pagan
writes in her incident report.
She straddled his back, whereby her exposed buttocks were
touching Epstein's exposed buttocks.
Epstein then turned to his side and started to rub his penis in an
up-and-down motion. Epstein pulled out a purple vibrator and began
to massage Mary's vaginal area.
Mary's sure that Epstein ejaculated. "He used a towel to wipe
himself down as he got off the table," she says.
That week, Pagan's assigned to the case, along with six detec-
tives. Five men, two women. "A predator case," one of them will
say. "This is different from someone who is stealing. This preda-
tor is a smart person, and that's his desire. He can't stop."
Within days, another victim comes into the station. She's got
a similar story.
It's a tricky case, according to a source closely involved with the
investigation, because the girls involved are far too young to use
as bait in an attempt to catch Epstein committing another crime —
even if they were willing to play along. Still, there are other
strings that Chief Reiter's team can start pulling.
Two weeks later, on March 31, Officer Pagan has Mary make
a controlled call to Wendy Dobbs.
The first attempt goes straight to voice mail.
The next time Mary calls, Wendy picks up.
On the recordings made by Officer Pagan, Mary's voice is
tiny and tentative, while Wendy sounds mature, gruff, fully
grown, like the femme fatale in some old black-and-white movie.
"Hey, what's up?" she says impatiently.
25
JAMES PATTERSON
"Nothing," says Mary.
"I talked to Jeffrey, and I'm going to his house tomorrow
morning," says Wendy. "I'm going to set something up for you."
"Cool. Like, what do you think?"
"I don't know. I'm going to talk to him tomorrow morning
when I go to his house about it."
"Urn, how much would I get paid?"
"Talk to him. I'll talk to him tomorrow, and then I'll bring
you in the next day. You can talk to him about it."
So far, so good, thinks Officer Pagan. But she needs more. She
looks at Mary expectantly, but not too expectantly, she hopes. She
can imagine how hard it must be for the girl. Or maybe she can't
imagine it at all. But either way, Mary seems to have gotten the
message. Straightening up in her chair, she begins to press Wendy.
"I don't know," Wendy says in response. "I don't know. You're
going to have to talk to him about it. I mean, I don't really work for
him like that. I just bring girls to him and they work for him.. .. You
can ask him, like, 'What can I do to make more money?"
Mary keeps pressing.
"The more you do, the more you get paid," Wendy says finally.
"Want me to bring my sister for you? So that we can get paid
more or something?"
"Well, yeah. That's what I'm saying. I'm working tomorrow,
and me and him are going to put a schedule together for you and
your sister. So I'll call you tomorrow when I leave Jeffrey with a
schedule."
"Okay, well, I don't have a phone. So if you guys call me, I'd
have to know what time so I could get the phone."
"Okay. I'll leave you a message. That's fine. I'll leave you a
message."
26
Noel St. Pierre: Mar
Noel St. Pierre*
Haiti. His old 1
jungle border
Republic, and some of I
kids would stay in the E
of them never returned.
say too much about it.
Most of them didn't
By the time he wa5
those kids. He'd leanr
prostitutes.
This was how Noel
really were devils out ii
* Noel St. Pierre is a compo:
RSON
ding to his house tomorrow
o set something up for you."
))7
k to him tomorrow morning
id?"
:.omorrow, and then I'll bring
d him about it."
agan. But she needs more. She
Do expectantly, she hopes. She
or the girl. Or maybe she can't
4ary seems to have gotten the
lair, she begins to press Wendy.
response. "I don't know. You're
•t. I mean, I don't really work for
in and they work for him.. . . You
D make more money?"
yu get paid," Wendy says finally.
Or you? So that we can get paid
saying. I'm working tomorrow,
a schedule together for you and
row when I leave Jeffrey with a
lone. So if you guys call me, I'd
id get the phone."
age. That's fine. I'll leave you a
6
CHAPTER JO
Noel St. Pierre: March 2005
Noel St. Pierre* thinks of the kids he grew up with in
Haiti. His old neighborhood was pressed up against the
jungle border that Haiti shares with the Dominican
Republic, and some of the kids he knew would slip over. Those
kids would stay in the DR for a few days, sometimes weeks. Some
of them never returned. But the ones who did come back wouldn't
say too much about it.
Most of them didn't talk much at all.
By the time he was ten, Noel had learned the truth about
those kids. He'd learned that they'd ended up working as
prostitutes.
This was how Noel St. Pierre had learned about evil. There
really were devils out in the world. Flesh-and-blood devils, and
* Noel St. Pierre is a composite character.
27
JAMES PATTERSON
they were nothing like the demons he'd heard about in church.
Noel had never forgotten the way those kids looked. The way
they'd turned into old men and old women. They were like zom-
bies trapped in children's bodies. And now, in America, Noel's
been given a chance to help other kids.
That's what the police have told him, at least.
Noel is a sanitation worker. Still strong at fifty, and lucky
enough to have found his way to Palm Beach, he gets in to work
before anyone else and keeps his white compactor truck clean,
almost glistening. His pickup route runs hot and cold with the
seasons. But even in the summer, with much less to do, he's on
the job early, braced for a six-hour shift that would break a lesser
man's back. In the winter, the job gets even harder. The Estate
Section gets especially busy. Some of the parties have hundreds
of guests. They leave behind mountains of refuse. That garbage
gets picked up daily, or twice a day when requested. It's carried
by workers who slip, silently, under the porte cocheres. Then it
gets whisked twenty miles away to a landfill that the garbage-
men call Mount Trashmore.
Noel's stretch of the Estate Section runs from the Everglades
Club to the southernmost tip of the island. It encompasses Ban-
yan Road, Jungle Road, El Bravo Way, and El Brill° Way. His per-
formance record is spotless. As far as the Palm Beach PD is
concerned, he's the perfect man for the job.
Chief Reiter's authorized a "trash pull" —a legal way to collect
discarded evidence. In this case, evidence culled from Jeffrey
Epstein's garbage. But when the police call him, Noel St. Pierre
simply assumes that another refugee boat has run aground on
28
the beach. A sad thing
time to time. His home
despots who line their
Many of the refugee:
Most of them speak
"Eske ou ka ede nou,
"Can you help us, pl
The cops always ne€
help out before. But thi:
impatient.
"This time is differ,
special. You don't have
keep things to yourself,
When he hears what
"I'll do it," he says if
address he's been
morning, St. Pierre mov(
kitchen window at the
women, one of them qui
The fourth silhouett€
The police have giv(
unsavory, but so is the
detectives want from hi
numbers, along with toc
wear. Anything that cou
special truck on the El E
aside in small trash bags
end of every shift.
RSON
FILTHY RICH
1
he'd heard about in church.
those kids looked. The way
women. They were like zom-
knd now, in America, Noel's
ids.
him, at least.
:ill strong at fifty, and lucky
aim Beach, he gets in to work
khite compactor truck clean,
.e runs hot and cold with the
with much less to do, he's on
shift that would break a lesser
gets even harder. The Estate
: of the parties have hundreds
ntains of refuse. That garbage
ty when requested. It's carried
ier the porte cocheres. Then it
to a landfill that the garbage-
:don runs from the Everglades
he island. It encompasses Ban-
Vay, and El Brillo Way. His per-
far as the Palm Beach PD is
N the job.
h pull" — a legal way to collect
evidence culled from Jeffrey
police call him, Noel St. Pierre
fugee boat has run aground on
8
the beach. A sad thing, but something that does happen from
time to time. His homeland, Haiti, is desperately poor. Run by
despots who line their pockets while everyday people suffer.
Many of the refugees are illiterate.
Most of them speak only Creole.
"Eske ou ha ede nou, souple," they ask.
"Can you help us, please?"
The cops always need a translator, and Noel's been asked to
help out before. But this time the police officer's voice is raspy,
impatient.
"This time is different," the officer says. "Something very
special. You don't have to accept. But if you do, you'll have to
keep things to yourself, completely."
When he hears what the story is, Noel accepts.
"I'll do it," he says immediately.
The address he's been given is 358 El Brillo Way. On his first
morning, St. Pierre moves swiftly, sneaking a glance through the
kitchen window at the four silhouettes standing inside. Three
women, one of them quite short, with pigtails.
The fourth silhouette is that of a tall man.
The police have given him clear instructions. The work is
unsavory, but so is the work Noel does every day. What the
detectives want from him now are slips of paper with phone
numbers, along with toothbrushes, condoms, discarded under-
wear. Anything that could provide DNA. He's been told to use a
special truck on the El Brillo run. Whatever he finds he's to put
aside in small trash bags he'll deliver directly to the station at the
end of every shift.
29
JAMES PATTERSON
Jeffrey Epstein's garbage will never arrive at Mount Trashmore.
As he drives to the police station, St. Pierre thinks about
Epstein and what he's been told. It's a wonder to him that Ameri-
can kids would do what the police say these kids have done.
American kids are rich, after all. Some of them just don't know it,
he guesses.
Americans always want more than they have.
Then again, children do stupid things. They don't know any
better. And St. Pierre's trips to the house make one thing clear.
These girls are young. Really young.
"I hope you can stop this man," St. Pierre tells the cop.
The detective shoots him a sharp look, and St. Pierre nods.
"Please," he says, more softly this time.
"Can we count on seeing you here tomorrow?"
The detective looks antsy, impatient again. In his hand he's
holding a scrap of paper that Noel St. Pierre has pulled from
Epstein's trash. Wendy Dobbs's name is on it. Mary's name is on
it as well.
The detective can't wait to get it to Chief Reiter's office.
"As long as it takes, sir," St. Pierre tells him. "Tomorrow, the
next day. Whenever you need me."
30
Michael Reiter: Sep,
There's a sense ir
foundation. Fre
residents will w
How much more wot
remarkably safe commi
A tax write-off? Su.
genuine gesture. One e
the department's effort
ciously, gratefully. In 2
Jeffrey Epstein— the !
Beach PD — for ninety
generous standards of
delivered personally, NN
ulator. But that day Mic
off about Epstein.
;.RSON
er arrive at Mount Trashmore.
Lion, St. Pierre thinks about
; a wonder to him that Amer--
:e say these kids have done.
ome of them just don't know it,
han they have.
. things. They don't know any
house make one thing clear.
g.
St. Pierre tells the cop.
rp look, and St. Pierre nods.
his time.
iere tomorrow?"
patient again. In his hand he's
)el St. Pierre has pulled from
ime is on it. Mary's name is on
it to Chief Reiter's office.
[erre tells him. "Tomorrow, the
77
0
CHAPTER II
Michael Reiter: September 2005
There's a sense in which the Palm Beach PD functions as a
foundation. From time to time, one of the town's wealthy
residents will walk in with a check followed by an inquiry.
How much more would the police force need to make this
remarkably safe community feel even safer?
A tax write-off? Sure. But why not? Coming from most, it's a
genuine gesture. One of appreciation for all they have and for all
the department's efforts to guard it. Donations are accepted gra-
ciously, gratefully. In 2004, the department had taken one from
Jeffrey Epstein—the second donation he'd made to the Palm
Beach PD—for ninety thousand dollars. Generous, even by the
generous standards of Palm Beach. The donation, which Epstein
delivered personally, was earmarked for a firearms training sim-
ulator. But that day Michael Reiter had thought something seemed
off about Epstein.
31
JAMES PATTERSON
Something an old cop would notice.
Reiter's officers had told him about complaints they'd gotten
a few months earlier—young women hanging around at the end
of the block or coming and going at all hours from Epstein's
house. "There was some follow-up to that," Reiter said in a depo-
sition for B.B. vs. Epstein, a civil suit, brought by a victim, that
Jeffrey eventually settled. "I think we may have encountered one
or two of them. [We] may have done a little bit of surveillance or
talked to neighbors as to whether or not they had seen that. I
think we were of the general understanding that, yes, there were
very attractive young women coming and going from Mr.
Epstein's residence.
"We did some level of further inquiry, and we were of the
belief that they were all adults. And [we] were also of the belief
that there was a possibility that there could be prostitution. But I
mean that's just not something that we heavily pursued—
prostitution in private residences; it's common everywhere in
America. We didn't believe that they were underage at that point,
and so we had no further interest in it."
Reiter had recalled those complaints on the day Epstein had
shown up with his $90,000 donation. And when Reiter had
walked Epstein downstairs, he couldn't help but notice the tall,
beautiful woman whom Epstein had brought with him to the
station.
It struck him as strange that she was standing so stiffly, eyes
cast downward, as though she were afraid to speak. Not a kid.
But not a woman, either. Epstein did not introduce or even
acknowledge her. To Reiter, this, too, seemed odd.
Indeed, the statuesque woman was Nadia Marcinkova, a
32
nineteen-year-old be
described, by anothe
tive Recarey, as one o
In September, seven
calls Reiter directly
arms simulator yet?
Cautiously, Reiter
If the departmen
happy to provide the)
Reiter thanks hir
now that Epstein kric
Epstein's crimes in P
knows, if the charge
public.
Cops like Reiter
that they're no longe)
helps to hold on to a
to understand: you s,
murders make a kin(
tion. There's great so
Epstein's been up to
Who is this guy?
Reiter's detective.
him, they'll have to 1
to know the people ;
Wendy. That's one pl
What kind of per.
ERSON
FILTHY RICH
)tice.
pout complaints they'd gotten
Len hanging around at the end
g at all hours from Epstein's
to that," Reiter said in a depo-
lift, brought by a victim, that
we may have encountered one
ne a little bit of surveillance or
r or not they had seen that. I
Tstanding that, yes, there were
:oming and going from Mr.
:r inquiry, and we were of the
Lnd [we] were also of the belief
-iere could be prostitution. But I
g that we heavily pursued—
.',s; it's common everywhere in
hey were underage at that point,
t in it."
aplaints on the day Epstein had
Dnation. And when Reiter had
:ouldn't help but notice the tall,
a had brought with him to the
she was standing so stiffly, eyes
were afraid to speak. Not a kid.
tein did not introduce or even
>, too, seemed odd.
,man was Nadia Marcinkova, a
32
nineteen-year-old beauty who lived at Epstein's home and was
described, by another girl, in a recorded interview with Detec-
tive Recarey, as one of Epstein's "like, slaves."
In September, several months into the investigation, Epstein
calls Reiter directly and asks: Has Palm Beach bought the fire-
arms simulator yet?
Cautiously, Reiter tells him that they're still doing research.
If the department needs more funds, Epstein says, he'll be
happy to provide them.
Reiter thanks him graciously and hangs up. But he's certain
now that Epstein knows about the investigation. Thinking about
Epstein's crimes in Palm Beach makes him shudder. And, Reiter
knows, if the charges are true, things are going to get ugly and
public.
Cops like Reiter are family men, fathers. Some see so much
that they're no longer surprised by the ways of the world. Still, it
helps to hold on to a natural capacity for outrage. Thefts are easy
to understand: you see something you need, so you take it. Even
murders make a kind of sense once you understand the motiva-
tion. There's great satisfaction in catching a murderer. But what
Epstein's been up to is hard to explain.
Who is this guy?
Reiter's detectives will have to get into Epstein's head. To nail
him, they'll have to know him. And to do that, they'll have to get
to know the people around him. The police already know about
Wendy. That's one procurer, but out of how many?
What kind of person would bring children to a child molester?
33
JAMES PATTERSON
And—Reiter can't shake the idea—other victims had to be
out there. That lined up with what Epstein's neighbor reported:
there were many girls. He needed to find them as quickly as pos-
sible. It was a race against time.
As long as Epstein was free in Palm Beach, more girls were
sure to arrive at the side of the house on El Brillo Way.
Alison: September 1]
/t might start with th•covers charity balls, 1
Reporters there woul
so juicy. On top of that, (
freelance paparazzi and :
They'd kill for the stc
Heat.
Over at WPTV, the
one day.
It's a tip from a kid, sc
from a local high school.
There's a prostitution
The tip gets brought
the producers divvy up
newscasts.
34
ERSON
lea—other victims had to be
t Epstein's neighbor reported:
o find them as quickly as pos-
Palm Beach, more girls were
tse on El Brillo Way.
CHAPTER 12
Alison: September 11, 2005
It might start with the Palm Beach Daily News, which usually
covers charity balls, equestrian events, and gallery openings.
Reporters there would kill to sink their teeth into something
so juicy. On top of that, Chief Reiter knows, Palm Beach is full of
freelance paparazzi and seasoned semiretired journalists.
They'd kill for the story, too. For them, it'd be a real-life Body
Heat.
Over at WPTV, the local NBC affiliate, the phone rings
one day.
It's a tip from a kid, sounding nervous. Something about girls
from a local high school.
There's a prostitution ring out in Palm Beach, says the boy.
The tip gets brought up in a midmorning meeting at which
the producers divvy up ideas among the various reporters and
newscasts.
35
34
JAMES PATTERSON
"Where, exactly?" a producer asks.
"He didn't say, exactly," an intern replies. "He said that a very
rich man was involved."
"Who?"
"Didn't say."
"Did he leave a call-back number?"
"No. The kid sounded really young. Fourteen, fifteen years
old."
The producer thinks for a moment, makes a few scratches in
his dog-eared notepad.
"Okay," he says. "I'm not sure what we can do with that for
the moment."
At some point, some enterprising journalist will put enough
pieces together to get a sense of the picture. Sooner or later,
someone will talk. Maybe a parent. Maybe a cop's girlfriend gets
giddy at lunch. The girlfriend's girlfriend mentions it to her hus-
band, who says something to a golfing buddy in turn. Maybe the
golfing buddy knows a reporter.
Or maybe some lawyer goes off the rez, blitzed off those mar-
tinis they serve at the Palm Beach Grill.
Sooner or later, there's always talk. At that point, Chief Reit-
er's job will get much, much harder —with Epstein on one side,
the press on the other, and the chief taking flak from all sides.
But right now, two months into Reiter's investigation, the press
is still speaking in whispers.
Right now, Reiter wants to keep it that way.
And, in the meantime, new pieces of the puzzle keep falling
into place.
* * *
36
On September II,
over by the police:
The patrol officer]
vehicle. But Alison
she's cocky and
from the dime bag
remarkable story a
ties with high sch(
says. She's been g(
was sixteen.
At first the cop
gation into Jeffrey
burnout. But back
been bullshitting I
The investigati
Alison's name e
that have been pul
a misdemeanor, si
Chief Reiter's colle
Jeffrey Epstein.
The story Ails(
Like Mary, sh(
tells cops that Ep:
although, she susr
Recarey takes
(transcribed from
police), D stands
"victim."
* Alison's name, som(
FILTHY RICH
ERSON
sks.
:n replies. "He said that a very
)er?"
y.oung. Fourteen, fifteen years
nent, makes a few scratches in
what we can do with that for .
sing journalist will put enough
if the picture. Sooner or later,
it. Maybe a cop's girlfriend gets
ilfriend mentions it to her hus-
)1fing buddy in turn. Maybe the
)ff the rez, blitzed off those mar-
h Grill.
s talk. At that point, Chief Reit-
.der —with Epstein on one side,
chief taking flak from all sides.
Reiter's investigation, the press
•eep it that way.
pieces of the puzzle keep falling
36
On September 11, a young woman named Alison gets pulled
over by the police.* She's carrying a small amount of marijuana.
The patrol officer handcuffs her and puts her in the back of his
vehicle. But Alison's been in the back of a police car before, and
she's cocky and canny enough to pivot the conversation away
from the dime bag she's been busted with. She tells the officer a
remarkable story about an older man engaging in sexual activi-
ties with high school girls. Alison knows about it firsthand, she
says. She's been going to the house on El Brillo Way since she
was sixteen.
At first the cop's skeptical. He hasn't heard about the investi-
gation into Jeffrey Epstein's affairs. And, after all, Alison is a
burnout. But back at the station, he finds out that Alison has not
been bullshitting him.
The investigation is real.
Alison's name and cell phone number match up with messages
that have been pulled from Epstein's trash. Instead of copping to
a misdemeanor, she becomes another Jane Doe in the case that
Chief Reiter's colleague, Detective Joe Recarey, is building against
Jeffrey Epstein.
The story Alison ends up telling is extremely disturbing.
Like Mary, she says, she was recruited in high school. She
tells cops that Epstein would call her his "number one girl" —
although, she suspects, there were many others.
Recarey takes her statement. In the excerpts that follow
(transcribed from a tape recording made by the Palm Beach
police), D stands for "Detective Recarey," and V stands for
"victim."
* Alison's name, some identifying details, and dialogue have been changed.
37
D:
V:
JAMES PATTERSON
Well, ah, start from, like, how you met him, and then I'll —
I'll take you through.
Okay. Um, we [Alison and a female friend] worked at Hollister
together in the Wellington Green mall, and I was mentioning
to her how I wanted extra money to go to Maine ...I wanted to
go camping for the summer, and I couldn't afford a plane
ticket. And—she goes, "Oh, well, you can get a plane ticket in
two hours." I said, "What are you talking about?" Like, what
are you—that didn't make any sense to me, a plane ticket in
two hours; what are you talking about? And she goes, "Oh, we
can go give this guy a massage, and, um, he'll pay two hundred
dollars for, like, forty-five minutes or an hour." And that's all
she told me—no details, no nothing.
She said that he wanted cute girls, so I looked cute, did my
best. I didn't—I didn't think that it was what it was. I wasn't
naive enough to think that he was gonna pay me two hun-
dred dollars just for nothing—I, I don't know, like, I don't
know what was going through my head. I absolutely don't
know. And I— the back of my mind was thinking, oh, well,
it could be legitimate, but I was also thinking, you know, at
the same time, is she fucking crazy? Like, this guy's not
gonna pay you money for not doing anything, not letting him
cop a feel or nothing. You know? So I didn't know what to
think, I was like, "Oh ... if he does something that I have a
problem with, then I'll leave."
D: Who were you introduced to?
V: One of his girlfriends. One of his, like, slaves that he has live
with him. And when I say "slaves," like, one of the girls that
38
he bought to, like,
to one of them pro
Sarah. Urn, that's hi
but I don't know. Ur
and she's the one v
second. And from
really—I didn't pa:
So ... we were waiti
um, Jeffrey comes
He just introduced
'cause I was pissed
was pissed off. He
and says, "Thank )7(
stairs," and I was lii
And that's how I wa
Urn. Hold on—I'm
head. I wore a skin
wore a skirt and ju5
his legs, and he ask'
think I said no at f
showing" — he tall<
you're not showing
even know. So I en
goes— well, I thint
top of me. So —and
D: When you're sayir
breasts?
V: Yeah. And then he a
my shirt, but I kepi
ERSON
FILTHY RICH
you met him, and then I'll—
ale friend] worked at Hollister
m mall, and I was mentioning
:y to go to Maine...I wanted to
and I couldn't afford a plane
Al, you can get a plane ticket in
Tou talking about?" Like, what
1 sense to me, a plane ticket in
g about? And she goes, "Oh, we
and, um, he'll pay two hundred
utes or an hour." And that's all
)thing.
girls, so I looked cute, did my
that it was what it was. I wasn't
le was gonna pay me two hun-
I don't know, like, I don't
igh my head. I absolutely don't
iy mind was thinking, oh, well,
was also thinking, you know, at
ing crazy? Like, this guy's not
t doing anything, not letting him
mow? So I didn't know what to
he does something that I have a
1)
o?
of his, like, slaves that he has live
'slaves," like, one of the girls that
38
D:
V:
he bought to, like, have sex with him. Urn, I was introduced
to one of them probably, like ... Sarah. I was introduced to
Sarah. Urn, that's his assistant, I think. I think they have sex,
but I don't know. Um, I was introduced to his assistant Sarah,
and she's the one who told me that he would be ready in a
second. And from there I met various other girls. I don't
really—I didn't pay attention to who they were, though....
So ... we were waiting on the couch in the bathroom, and,
urn, Jeffrey comes up, and he's like, "Hey, I'm—I'm Jeffrey."
He just introduced himself, and he hands—I remember this
'cause I was pissed off that she got paid to bring me. Like, I
was pissed off. He hands her a wad of hundred-dollar bills
and says, "Thank you," and she says, "I'll wait for you down-
stairs," and I was like, "All right, I'll see you in a little while."
And that's how I was brought to Jeffrey.
Urn. Hold on—I'm remembering. I'm, like, picturing in my
head. I wore a skirt. I remember specifically what I wore: I
wore a skirt and just a regular T-shirt. And I was massaging
his legs, and he asked me to take off my skirt. And I said—I
think I said no at first. And he's like, "Come on, you're not
showing" —he talked me into it, basically. He's like, "Oh,
you're not showing anything," or [he] did something; I don't
even know. So I ended up taking off my skirt, and then he
goes—well, I think he just started touching, you know, the
top of me. So—and then he asked me.
When you're saying "the top of you," you mean your
breasts?
Yeah. And then he asked me to take off my shirt. So I took off
my shirt, but I kept my underwear on. And I wouldn't take
39
JAMES PATTERSON
my underwear off: I told him no. And he still paid me the
same amount. And that was that. I went home.
D: So, in other words, he —
V: Finished with himself and that was it. Yeah, he ejaculated.
Specifically.
D: That was the first time you went there?
V: Mm-hmm.
D: And—I know, take a deep breath, I know, I can see it in your
eyes already. From then on, you went there multiple times?
V: I had problems with it. [With] what happened the first time.
But three hundred dollars for forty minutes—that was a lot
for a sixteen-year-old girl making six bucks an hour.
D: So you're saying you're sure you were sixteen now?
V: Urn, I don't want to say I'm sure of my age. I was under seven-
teen, one hundred percent.
D: Okay. Urn, when you—the first time you went, when he
masturbated, did you see?
V: [giggles]
D: His member?
V: Oh, I thought you were going to ask me if I saw, like, his come.
D: No.
V: I saw all of the above.
D: You saw him naked, fully naked? Fully naked?
V: Yeah, a hundred percent naked. He had a towel on for some
of it, but that doesn't mean anything. Like, he was naked.
D: He took off the towel?
V: I saw everything, yeah.
40
I mean, I'm sorry,
cised, a hundred a
has some sort of bii
it is [giggles]; I've n
done anything whi
it—out of the who
his penis. Like, he-
but I've never ever I
or "I'm gonna do tF
I don't know—do)
I'm just really emb
drop of water. It's r
top, where it's attac
Like, I just could t€
can obviously tell i:
he wasn't.
D: The next time you
escalate more?
Mm-hmm. I actuall:
me to start workirq
went there. But I sta
he was in the coun
him that I wouldn't
was my rule. Nothir
ing, absolutely noth
three or four hundr,
Um, I still never—I
entire time I never,
ERSON
FILTHY RICH
no. And he still paid me the
it. I went home.
it was it. Yeah, he ejaculated.
at there?
ath, I know, I can see it in your
)11 went there multiple times?
I what happened the first time.
forty minutes—that was a lot
cing six bucks an hour.
au were sixteen now?
re of my age. I was under seven-
first time you went, when he
, to ask me if I saw, like, his come.
iked? Fully naked?
ked. He had a towel on for some
inything. Like, he was naked.
40
I mean, I'm sorry, he is circumcised, my bad. He's circum-
cised, a hundred and ten percent sure. A matter of fact, he
has some sort of birth defect. On his thing. I don't know what
it is [giggles]; I've never really looked at it, because I've never
done anything where I had to touch it. I've never touched
it— out of the whole time I worked for him, I never touched
his penis. Like, he—I'm pretty sure he rubbed it against me,
but I've never ever been, like, "Okay, I'm letting you do this"
or "I'm gonna do this to you." Um, it's really weirdly shaped.
I don't know— do you want me to, like, tell you this?
I'm just really embarrassed. Urn, it's like a teardrop, like a
drop of water. It's really fat at the bottom and skinny at the
top, where it's attached. And he never gets fully hard, ever.
Like, I just could tell by looking at it—like, by looking you
can obviously tell if you're hard or not, and I could tell that
he wasn't.
D: The next time you went, or as you continued to go, did it
escalate more?
V. Mm-hmm. I actually—I don't remember how long it took for
me to start working for him regularly, from the first time I
went there. But I started working every day. Every single day
he was in the country I would be there ... And, urn, I told
him that I wouldn't let him put anything inside of me; that
was my rule. Nothing inside of me—no fingers, no, no noth-
ing, absolutely nothing inside of me. He increased my pay to
three or four hundred dollars as long as he could touch me.
Um, I still never—I, I swear I never touched him, the whole
t, entire time I never, ever touched him. Urn, but he, he-
41
JAMES PATTERSON
D: How many times would you say you went?
V: Hundreds. Hundreds. I was—he used to tell me I was his
favorite. He bought me a car. He bought me —
D: This Jeep that you're driving?
V: No. I had a brand-new Dodge Neon. I got a plane—I got a
plane ticket to New York; I got spending money whenever I
wanted. Like, I was in there deep. I was—he asked my par-
ents to emancipate me so I could live with him. Or he didn't
ask my parents, he asked me to ask my parents, I'm sorry. He
actually wanted me to come live with him.
D: As, like, a girlfriend?
V: Sex slave, whatever you want to call it. Yeah. Urn, but it
escalated—he, he just increased my pay, as long as he could
touch me. I wouldn't let him put anything inside of me. And
then one day he just did, one day he just put his hand, like,
his fingers—and, urn...
D: How long, would you say, from the very first time you went?
V: Months. Honestly, I never kept track, like, of, of what happened
when. I just can tell you in which order things progressed.
It was—it was, like, towards the middle and end of my
school year. But I remember that for the last, like, six or eight
weeks of high school, I didn't have a car 'cause I gave it back
to him. Because he—he asked me to have sex with him and,
like, like suck him and stuff [giggles], and I was just like, no.
Definitely not. I was like, "I'll let you touch me, but I'm not
gonna do that."
Yeah, the car was a Dodge Neon 2005. He got it for me before
the New Year, because I remember I got it—it was an edition
42
D:
V:
D:
D:
V:
D:
that was a year befc
got it, I obviously ,
got a 2005 Neon in
car was awesome [:
I gave it back befor,
for me. He wanted
wanna — I didn't w
have sex with him.
to walk away from]
that. And I'm glad t
But I lied to him wF
bridges, because h,
Spectacular. Even i
him. Until this day.
to him in, like, a co
would give me as rri
know that I hate hi
figured he used me
that, but I figured if
Okay. Let me bring
Sure.
When did things st
when the massages
They escalated wh(
stand the question.
Okay. The first time
Are you asking for a
Oh, no, no, no—
EERSON
FILTHY RICH
ty you went?
—he used to tell me I was his
ie bought me—
Neon. I got a plane—I got a
ot spending money whenever I
leep. I was—he asked my par-
)uld live with him. Or he didn't
to ask my parents, I'm sorry. He
ive with him.
,nt to call it. Yeah. Urn, but it
ased my pay, as long as he could
put anything inside of me. And
.e day he just put his hand, like,
pm the very first time you went?
)t track, like, of, of what happened
hich order things progressed.
trds the middle and end of my
that for the last, like, six or eight
n't have a car 'cause I gave it back
ked me to have sex with him and,
[giggles], and I was just like, no.
let you touch me, but I'm not
Neon 2005. He got it for me before
member I got it—it was an edition
42
that was a year before they were supposed to come out. So if I
got it, I obviously didn't get a 2006, 'cause that's this year. I
got a 2005 Neon in 2004. Seven miles on it when I got it. The
car was awesome [giggles].
I gave it back before I graduated. It got too—it got too sticky
for me. He wanted more than I was willing to give. I didn't
wanna — I didn't want to, um, suck his dick. I didn't want to
have sex with him. I never did that, and I wanted to be able
to walk away from this saying that I—saying that I never did
that. And I'm glad that I did.
But I lied to him when I gave it back. I didn't want to burn my
bridges, because he was a spectacular connection to have.
Spectacular. Even if I didn't—even when I didn't work for
him. Until this day, he is so aw— he is so—I haven't talked
to him in, like, a couple months, but if I called him today he
would give me as much money as I asked him for. He doesn't
know that I hate him the way I do. I kept that connection. I
figured he used me, I'd be able to use him. Urn, I hate to say
that, but I figured if I wanted to use him I could.
D: Okay. Let me bring you back a little bit.
V: Sure.
D: When did things start to escalate as far as things happening
when the massages were given?
V: They escalated whenever he wanted. I don't clearly under-
stand the question.
D: Okay. The first time you went, you were naked —
V: Are you asking for a date?
D: Oh, no, no, no-
43
JAMES PATTERSON
V: ... and the little steps that things progressed?
D: Right.
V: Well, I went and I wouldn't take off my panties at first. And
then he got me to get naked. Then he got me to let him rub me.
Then he got me to let him stick his fingers in me. Then he got
me to let him go down on me. Then, um—that was pretty
much the gist of it, except this one time, where he bent me over
the table and put himself in me. Without my permission. And I
flipped out. I'm sorry, I didn't ask you, but I don't count that as
me having sex with him.... 'Cause I just told you that I never
had sex with him. I never did. Even though, I don't know what
you'd consider that. But he then—I go, "What are you doing?"
He goes, "Oh, I just wanted [redacted] to see this."
D: Okay. Let me back you up. When you were completely naked,
the same things happened? You went in, you massaged him?
V: Sometimes I didn't even do that. Sometimes he just asked me
to take off my clothes and—he'd have to do work, he'd be
sitting at his desk or something, and I'd just be naked there,
watching television or reading a book, but I'd be naked. Or,
um, sometimes he wanted to just watch TV or read, and he'd
lay in his bed and ask me to take my clothes off and lay with
him. And that's it. Not touch him or anything.... Sometimes
he'd just invite me over for breakfast, for dinner, or just to
use the swimming pool, and I'd get paid for that, too. I'd get
paid just to hang out with him. That's it. And if the money
wasn't there, I wouldn't have ever been in that house.
D: Okay. When he started to touch you —
V: I have a question. Before I say anything else. Urn, is there a
possibility that I'm gonna have to go to court or anything?
Like, that's a possibility, right?
D: Well, here's the thin
going to sit down, NA,
he did to you is a cril
V: Would you consider
be rape, what he didi
D: If he put himself insi
V: I didn't say that, or ai
is about, like, my hip
D: That, that is a crime.
V: I don't want my fan
doesn't know any of t
for two years, or how
thinks I made phone
ing my [unintelligibli
know anything.
D: Well, you're an adult
done with this interv-
decide the best coursE
V: 'Cause Jeffrey's gonm
He's gonna find—he's
I'm not safe now. You -
D: He is not this person t
V: Well —
D: Why do you say you'r(
before?
V: Well, I've heard him m
yeah. Of course.
D: You're gonna die? You')
V: All the above! But that
D: Who's he talking to?
FILTHY RICH
ER SON
gs progressed?
ke off my panties at first. And
len he got me to let him rub me.
his fingers in me. Then he got
ie. Then, urn—that was pretty
one time, where he bent me over
Without my permission. And I
ask you, but I don't count that as
.ause I just told you that I never
Even though, I don't know what
m —I go, "What are you doing?"
dacted] to see this."
ben you were completely naked,
(ou went in, you massaged him?
hat. Sometimes he just asked me
—he'd have to do work, he'd be
king, and I'd just be naked there,
Lng a book, but I'd be naked. Or,
o just watch TV or read, and he'd
take my clothes off and lay with
h him or anything.... Sometimes
breakfast, for dinner, or just to
id I'd get paid for that, too. I'd get
him. That's it. And if the money
re ever been in that house.
ouch you—
say anything else. Urn, is there a
have to go to court or anything?
ght?
44
D: Well, here's the thing: When this is all said and done, we're
going to sit down, we're going to discuss this. I mean, what
he did to you is a crime. I'm not gonna lie to you.
V: Would you consider it rape? Like, would you consider that to
be rape, what he did?
I/ If he put himself inside you, without permission —
V: I didn't say that, or anything. I was standing up and the table
is about, like, my hip length—he just put me down —
D: That, that is a crime. That is a crime.
V: I don't want my family to find out about this. My family
doesn't know any of this. My mom thinks I was his secretary,
for two years, or however long—a year and a half. My mom
thinks I made phone calls for him and that's how I was mak-
ing my [unintelligible] money. That's it. I don't want her to
know anything.
D: Well, you're an adult. You're an adult now.... When we're
done with this interview, we'll discuss this further and we'll
decide the best course.
V: 'Cause Jeffrey's gonna get me. You guys realize that, right?
He's gonna find—he's gonna figure this out. And he's gonna —
I'm not safe now. You understand that, right? I'm not safe.
D: He is not this person that he is portraying himself to be —
V: Well —
D: Why do you say you're not safe? Has he said he's hurt people
before?
V: Well, I've heard him make threats to people on the telephone,
yeah. Of course.
D: You're gonna die? You're gonna break your legs? Or —
V: All the above! But that's not the point.
D: Who's he talking to?
45
JAMES PATTERSON
V: I don't know. I don't know, I heard those conversations, I
mean, I've been in the room when he was on the phone and
[unintelligible] threatened. Like, I witnessed lots of things. I
just don't know what, specifically you all [want to know].
D: Everything.
V: I used to go there every day, like I w —I don't, I don't know
how many other girls he was saying, "You're my favorite, and
I want you to live with me" to, but I was in about as deep as
you can get.
D: He had quite a few girls he would say that to.
D: Do you have any formal massage training?
V: [Giggles.] Hell, no.
D: All right, I was just asking.
V: He would kiss me and stuff, too. I remember that. And when
he kissed me, if he was jerking off he would, like, rub him-
self on my breasts. And I ... I was extremely uncomfortable. I
would maneuver myself away from that activity. I'd get up
and I'd move somewhere else, or I'd—I don't even remember.
I would stop whatever was going on without saying, "Can
you get the fuck off me?" I would stop it without saying stuff
like that.
D: Okay.
V: I wouldn't let him put anything in me until one day he did
just out of nowhere. And I said, "Wait a second: my boyfriend,
you know, we had this thing, you can't do that. You know,
I'm —I'm allowed to work here as long as you don't do that."
And he said "okay." Well, a couple months later I guess he
46
assumed me and my
it one day; he just did
I said, "What are yo
cool," and he goes, "C
I said, "No, we did nc
uh, and then he just c
why don't I just give y
out?" And I was like
no to. I don't know if. ;
Oh, Yeah. Well, if ye
tries to control the sit
out of your mouth, i
going to say. Like, ti
money is knowing wF
pie are gonna do.
D: What did he tell you h
V: Well, there's a coupi.
myself, things I looke
cally told me when I a
brain scientist." And I
tist?" I was like, "Tha
But anyway ... his expl
people's brains work."
means. Whatever. You
ble....1" You know wfu
held on so long is, he pi
That I would get into
waited, and I waited, al
get 4.O—like, I did gre;
fERSON
FILTHY RICH
D:
V:
. heard those conversations, I
vhen he was on the phone and
ke, I witnessed lots of things. I
ally, you all [want to know].
like I w —I don't, I don't know
saying, "You're my favorite, and
o, but I was in about as deep as
ould say that to.
sage training?
too. I remember that. And when
Ling off he would, like, rub him-
I was extremely uncomfortable. I
vay from that activity. I'd get up
;e, or I'd—I don't even remember.
3 going on without saying, "Can
would stop it without saying stuff
'thing in me until one day he did
said, "Wait a second: my boyfriend,
Ling, you can't do that. You know,
here as long as you don't do that.'
, a couple months later I guess he
46
assumed me and my boyfriend had broken up, and he just did
it one day; he just did it without asking or anything. And then
I said, "What are you doing?" I said, "You know that's not
cool," and he goes, "Oh, I thought we did that last time." And
I said, "No, we did not do that last time." And then he goes—
uh, and then he just offered me more money. He's like, "Well,
why don't I just give you something extra, and we can try this
out?" Arid I was like [sigh], "All right." Very hard guy to say
no to. I don't know if. any of you guys ever talked to him....
Oh, yeah. Well, if you talk to him, I mean, he straight up
tries to control the situation. Every—every word that comes
out of your mouth, it seems like, he knows what you are
going to say. Like, that's his job; that's how he made his
money is knowing what people are gonna say and what peo-
ple are gonna do.
What did he tell you he does for a living?
Well, there's a couple of things. Things that I found for
myself, things I looked up on the Internet. What he specifi-
cally told me when I asked him the first time was, "Oh, I'm a
brain scientist." And I said, "What the fuck is a brain scien-
tist?" I was like, "That's not a real job—tell me the truth."
But anyway ... his explanation was, "It's my job to know how
people's brains work." And I said, "Whatever the fuck that
means. Whatever. You're like some old guy who [unintelligi-
ble... I" You know what he promised me? Here's the reason I
held on so long is, he promised me that I would get into NYU.
That I would get into NYU and he would pay for it. And I
waited, and I waited, and I scored great on my SATs, I would
get 4.0—like, I did great in school. I filled out my application
47
JAMES PATTERSON
D:
V:
D:
V:
and he told me that it wasn't good enough. So I filled it out
again, and it was like three times. So I'm pretty sure he wasn't
checking into it, he was just telling me that he was. But I
think that had a lot to do with the reason I stayed there so
long, 'cause my dream was right in front of me, you know?
And it's so far....
Aside from having been with [redacted],
else that you brought to the house?
I brought a few people.... Because it got
Like, everyone at school knew. You know
It was a circle, and—
It was a little circle, yeah.... Not that I would want anybody
to get involved. ... I brought girls I didn't like and, frankly,
did not give a shit about. Girls that I knew were skanks. That
would do anything. Girls that would just, like, suck dick in
the bathroom at school. Like, not even people I was friends
with. I'd just hear a rumor about a girl and be like, "Hey, I
know a way you can make two hundred dollars. How
about ..." I would tell them flat out, like, "This is what you've
got to do. Are you cool with this? 'Cause I'm not gonna take
you if you're not." So I told them. They all know that I got
paid to bring them. It was actually [redactedl. She took off
her shirt. She was a little overweight, so he didn't want any-
thing to do [with herb She was my best friend. But, you
know, she was another story. I did care about her. But, urn,
she lost her house and stuff and really needed money. She
had—she was homeless, she had nowhere to go. So she did it
out of desperation.
D: Did he ever hurt you?
was there anybody
out that I did this.
, everyone talks—
V: Sometimes he got vic
D: Violent as in what? A
V: He pulled my hair.
pulled. Like, he— o"
you're all, like, not-
mean, like, if you're
like, my ponytails—
would pull it to whei
my hair, and then so)
throw me whichever
just like use a toy ot
penis, though, ever.
little, so he could pu
throw, obviously it's
I mean, there's been•
able to walk, urn, ft
really—nothing spec
can't really recall.
Nothing that I went ti
getting tore up a few i
D: This is getting real pe
V: What, like, had I had
D: Okay.
V: Urn. But honest, I me;
three steady boyfrien(
ever done anything w
a year. So it's not like
FILTHY RICH
ERSON
pod enough. So I filled it out
es. So I'm pretty sure he wasn't
telling me that he was. But I
h the reason I stayed there so
ght in front of me, you know?
[redacted], was there anybody
Duse?
muse it got out that I did this.
. You know, everyone talks—
Not that I would want anybody
girls I didn't like and, frankly,
s that I knew were skanks. That
at would just, like, suck dick in
not even people I was friends
about a girl and be like, "Hey, I
ke two hundred dollars. How
lat out, like, "This is what you've
this? 'Cause I'm not gonna take
them. They all know that I got
actually [redacted]. She took off
Terweight, so he didn't want any-
& was my best friend. But, you
ry. I did care about her. But, urn,
.ff and really needed money. She
le had nowhere to go. So she did it
48
V: Sometimes he got violent, yeah.
D: Violent as in what? As in —
V: He pulled my hair a lot harder than it should have been
pulled. Like, he—okay, I can understand having sex, and
you're all, like, not—not that we were having sex, but I
mean, like, if you're all into it and you pull hair a little bit,
like, my ponytails—just like a little bit, whatever. But he
would pull it to where it would rip my hair out. it would rip
my hair, and then sometimes he would pick me up and, like,
throw me whichever way he wanted me, and then he would
just like use a toy or, like, his hand or whatever. Never his
penis, though, ever. I never had sex with him. But urn—I'm
little, so he could pick me up. Like, if you pick me up and
throw, obviously it's gonna hurt....
I mean, there's been nights that I walked out of there barely
able to walk, urn, from him being so rough. But nothing
really—nothing specific that he really got violent with. Like,
I can't really recall.
Nothing that I went to the doctor for, no. I mean, I remember
getting tore up a few times, but it was nothing that—
D: This is getting real personal, but were you active before him?
V: What, like, had I had sex? Yeah [laughs].
D: Okay.
V: Urn. But honest, I mean, I'm not—I'm not a ho. I've had only
three steady boyfriends, and those are the only three that I've
ever done anything with. And they were all with me for over
a year. So it's not like I just go and hook up at parties.
49
only in me for, like
could say that ion:
whatever the fuck
you doing?" [giggl
"Oh, I just wanted
JAMES PATTERSON
Like, I've gotten thousands of dollars' worth of shit. Man, the
underwear I'm wearing right now he gave me. Like, I'd—I'd
go over there and there'd be a bag of Victoria's Secret under-
wear, like, waiting for me, like, talking, like, fifteen hundred
dollars' worth of stuff. I got a plane ticket from him once. I
got a car, I got Christmas bonuses, I got movie tickets. Like,
he'd buy me movie tickets— like, he'd say, "Hey, have you
gone to the movies lately?" I'd be like, "I dunno, oh—not
really," [and] he goes, "Do you want to go?" He'd give me,
like, eight movie tickets. I got show tickets; I went and
saw, like, David Copperfield. I had, like, VIP tickets or some-
thing like that.
I need to show you, like, what I'm talking about, like, the posi-
tioning that we were—it was like, okay, here's the thing: there's
the, like, little flower thing, then here's the massage table. I was
right here, he was right here, [and] she was here. Urn. And I was
standing up, and he just pushed me over the table, and he did
his thing with me.
D: Okay. Were you facing the table? Were you?
V: I was. I was facedown on the table. Like, facedown, hands,
like, on my head, holding—I don't, I don't mean—I wasn't
fighting, really. So I don't know if he was holding me down to
kinda stop me from fighting or what he was doing. He's just a
really weird—he's into really weird stuff. Like, I was just bent
over, and my face was on the table. I was facedown on the
table. And then he did his thing. So. But anyway, [redacted] was
right here, and I'm pretty sure she was naked, and the couch
is, like, right behind, but, urn, that's how it happened. . .. He was
50
FILTHY RICH
1RSON
ollars' worth of shit. Man, the
ow he gave me. Like, I'd—I'd
bag of Victoria's Secret under-
talking, like, fifteen hundred
plane ticket from him once. I
uses, I got movie tickets. Like,
like, he'd say, "Hey, have you
'd be like, "I dunno, oh—not
Du want to go?" He'd give me,
got show tickets; I went and
I had, like, VIP tickets or some-
I'm talking about, like, the posi-
like, okay, here's the thing: there's
Len here's the massage table. I was
.and] she was here. Um. And I was
hed me over the table, and he did
able? Were you?
:he table. Like, facedown, hands,
—I don't, I don't mean—' wasn't
-low if he was holding me down to
or what he was doing. He's just a
.ly weird stuff. Like, I was just bent
the table. I was facedown on the
ling. So. But anyway, [redacted] was
3ure she was naked, and the couch
m, that's how it happened. . . He was
50
only in me for, like, a minute or two. I don't even know if you
could say that long. He put it in, did a couple of pumps, or
whatever the fuck you wanna call it, and I was like, "What are
you doing?" [giggles] I go, "What are you doing?" He's like,
"Oh, I just wanted [redacted] to see this." Then that was that.
the Canopy Beach
asked if she wanted
have to provide a mi
thought about the off
Molly (Unknowi.
name) picked [Dob[
house. Upon her arr
Epstein in the kitch
duced to a white fem,
upstairs to the main
bedroom.
Sarah arranged t,
with a sheet. She broi
next to the massage
informed [Dobbs] Jet
the bedroom wearing
He removed the
table. He laid on the
massage oil for [Dobb
"He tried to touch m
I asked how he tried tc
grabbed her buttocks ,
"I'll massage you," Di
to be touched."
[Dobbs] stated she per
elusion of the massage
CHAPTER 13
Wendy Dobbs: October 3, 2005
Eti
very chance he gets— and he gets lots of chances— Chief
Reiter drills the same thing into his investigators' heads:
they need to be careful. Patient. Methodical. Strategic. Or
Epstein's lawyers will eat them for lunch.
Inch by inch, they move their case toward the goalpost. But
in October, Detective Recarey and his coworkers catch a break
that moves the ball several yards down the field.
On the first Monday of that month, they pick Wendy up at her
house and, down at the police station, she starts to sing—like a bird.
The detectives can hardly believe it or get it all down fast
enough. Later on, in a probable-cause affidavit, Detective Recarey
will write:
Approximately two years ago, just after she turned 17 years
of age, [Wendy] was approached by a friend named Molly at
52
FILTHY RICH
CHAPTER 13
005
[ he gets lots of chances—Chief
ng into his investigators' heads:
'atient. Methodical. Strategic. Or
for lunch.
.ir case toward the goalpost. But
and his coworkers catch a break
Es down the field.
month, they pick Wendy up at her
ttion, she starts to sing—like a bird.
believe it or get it all down fast
-cause affidavit, Detective Recarey
p, just after she turned 17 years
ched by a friend named Molly at
52
the Canopy Beach Resort in Riviera Beach. [Dobbs] was
asked if she wanted to make money. She was told she would
have to provide a massage and should make $200. [Dobbs]
thought about the offer and agreed to meet with Jeffrey.
Molly (Unknown last name) and Tony (Unknown last
name) picked [Dobbs] up and she was taken to Epstein's
house. Upon her arrival to the house she was introduced to
Epstein in the kitchen of the house. She was also intro-
duced to a white female known to her as Sarah. She was led
upstairs to the main bedroom known to her as Jeff Epstein's
bedroom.
Sarah arranged the massage table and covered the table
with a sheet. She brought out the massage oils and laid them
next to the massage bed. Sarah then left the room and
informed [Dobbs] Jeff would be in, in a minute. Jeff entered
the bedroom wearing only a towel.
He removed the towel and laid nude on the massage
table. He laid on the table onto his stomach and picked a
massage oil for [Dobbs] to rub on him.
"He tried to touch me, and I stopped him," says Dobbs.
I asked how he tried to touch her. [Dobbs] stated that Epstein
grabbed her buttocks and she felt uncomfortable.
"I'll massage you," Dobbs had told Epstein. "But I don't want
to be touched."
[Dobbs] stated she performed the massage naked. At the con-
clusion of the massage, Epstein paid [Dobbs] $200.
53
JAMES PATTERSON
After the massage Epstein stated to [Dobbs] that he
understood she was not comfortable, but he would pay her if
she brought over some girls. He told her the younger the bet-
ter. (Dobbs] stated she once tried to bring a 23-year-old
female and Epstein stated that the female was too old.
(Dobbs] stated that in total she only remembers six girls that
she brought to see Epstein. Each time she was paid $200.
[Dobbs] said at the time she brought these girls to Epstein's
house they were all 14 through 16 [years] of age.
Wendy Dobbs keeps talking. What she says about Mary's
visit lines up neatly with what Mary's already told the police.
Wendy's own experience with Epstein syncs up, too. But Wen-
dy's not a victim, as Mary is. After all, she's been playing on
Epstein's team. Team predator.
A police sergeant enters the room. What he wants to know is,
does Wendy realize that she's implicated herself in Epstein's
crimes?
Beads of sweat form on Wendy's forehead, and now the police
know they've really got her. She gives them phone numbers to go
with the young girls she's named. She provides addresses. But
no, Wendy doesn't quite get it. On the way home, in a police car,
she brags in the backseat:
"I'm like a Heidi Fleiss," she tells the escorting officers.
54
Wendy Dobbs, inter
Sergeant Frick, Oct(
video (excerpts)
RECAREY: Okay. Your*
of all, I know you're
Okay? I want to thar
door's closed, you're
you know, it's only c
DOBBS: That's fine.
RECAREY: I understan,
case that we're look
brought you here tod
untarily. You agreed
I do want to talk yc
thing.
DOBBS: And I don't neec
ERSON
stated to [Dobbs] that he
tble, but he would pay her if
:old her the younger the bet-
-ied to bring a 23-year-0ld
it the female was too old.
mly remembers six girls that
eh time she was paid $200.
ought these girls to Epstein's
16 [years] of age.
What she says about Mary's
Mary's already told the police.
4)stein syncs up, too. But Wen-
kfter all, she's been playing on
700M. What he wants to know is,
implicated herself in Epstein's
dy's forehead, and now the police
: gives them phone numbers to go
aed. She provides addresses. But
On the way home, in a police car,
e tells the escorting officers.
54
CHAPTER 14
Wendy Dobbs, interview with Detective Recarey and
Sergeant Frick, October 3, 2005, transcribed from
video (excerpts)
RECAREY: Okay. Your Pepsi's coming, my Pepsi's coming. First
of all, I know you're freaking out. Don't freak out, just relax.
Okay? I want to thank you for coming. All right? Though the
. door's closed, you're free to go at any time. You're not here—
you know, it's only closed for our privacy.
DOBBS: That's fine.
RECAREY: I understand that you may have information on a
case that we're looking into, okay? That's the reason why I
brought you here today. All right? And again, you're here vol-
untarily. You agreed to come back with us and talk to us. But
I do want to talk you about Jeff Epstein, and the whole...
thing.
DOBBS: And I don't need a lawyer, right?
55
JAMES PATTERSON
RECAREY: It's up to you. If you wanted one, you can have one.
I can't tell you yes or no on that. That's totally [up] to you, I'm
only —
DOBBS: I'm not gonna get in trouble for anything I say, right?
RECAREY: Right now, you're just a witness. I'm talking to you as
a witness.... That's totally up to you. You wanna talk to me?
DOBBS: I have no problem telling you everything I know. I'm a
very cooperative person.
RECAREY: Okay. How did you first meet, um.—
DOBBS: I first met Jeffrey—I was at a beach resort on Singer
Island, and I was approached by this girl I went to school
with. Her name was [redacted]. And she was asking me, you
know, "Oh, you need extra money, I know this guy...." I
thought about it and I finally gave her a call, and her and her
friend [redacted] met up with me. I actually picked them up
and we drove down to Jeffrey's house. She introduced me,
whatever.
RECAREY: Okay. Now, what [do] you mean by making money,
how do you make money with Jeffrey?
DOBBS: Um, there's two ways. There's two ways you can make
money. He'll, all right —
RECAREY: That's all right. Talk to me. Talk to me like, like
nothin'.
DOBBS: How do I say— this is going to sound really sleazy, but
RECAREY: No. Go ahead. Talk to me.
DOBBS: Every girl that meets Jeffrey starts off with giving him a
massage. The more you do with him, the more you make.
Basically, if you take off your clothes, you're gonna make more.
If you let him do things to you, you're gonna make more.
RECAREY: Like "do things" you mean, touch you?
56
DOBBS: Yeah. Touch yoi
RECAREY: Okay. Does I
DOBBS: He uses his hand
I guess it's like a ma
that refused to do th
but I wouldn't let hirr
that he's like, "You l
you $200 for every
don't want you to ma:
girls to me...." So th;
For every girl that yc
that I brought to Jeffri
there.
RECAREY: Just to bring
DOBBS: Yeah. Just to brir
RECAREY: Okay. And t:
would have to massag
DOBBS: She knew ever)/
one of Jeffrey's rules.
the house that didn't
would tell me, you knc
expect, make sure the
I get in that room I di
need to know." And,
everything she was get
RECAREY: Okay. What di
DOBBS: I told her the sam
Jeffrey --she came to r
I basically told her at
"What do you have to
TERSON
wanted one, you can have one.
it. That's totally [up] to you, I'm
ble for anything I say, right?
a witness. I'm talking to you as
to you. You wanna talk to me?
tg you everything I know. I'm a
irst meet, um—
vas at a beach resort on Singer
by this girl I went to school
.!.d1. And she was asking me, you
I money, I know this guy...." I
y gave her a call, and her and her
th me. I actually picked them up
'rey's house. She introduced me,
dol you mean by making money,
•ith Jeffrey?
. There's two ways you can make
'alk to me. Talk to me like, like
going to sound really sleazy, but
k to me.
Jeffrey starts off with giving him a
lo with him, the more you make.
ur clothes, you're gonna make more.
you, you're gonna make more.
,ou mean, touch you?
56
FILTHY RICH
DOBBS: Yeah. Touch you in inappropriate places.
RECAREY: Okay. Does he use his hand? Does he —
DOBBS: He uses his hands and, I really wouldn't call it a vibrator —
I guess it's like a massager? But urn—I was one of the girls
that refused to do that. I did it basically my—I did it naked,
but I wouldn't let him touch me or anything like that. So after
that he's like, "You know what?" He's like, "Listen, I'll pay
you $200 for every girl that you bring to me." He's like, "I
don't want you to massage me anymore, you know, just bring
girls to me...." So that's the other way you can make money.
For every girl that you bring to the table—so, for every girl
that I brought to Jeffrey—I would make $200. Flat. Just right
there.
RECAREY: Just to bring a girl.
DOBBS: Yeah. Just to bring a girl.
RECAREY: Okay. And the girl that was going knew that she
would have to massage him.
DOBBS: She knew everything. She knew everything. That was
one of Jeffrey's rules. He had a problem with girls coming to
the house that didn't know what they were getting into. He
would tell me, you know, "Make sure these girls know what I
expect, make sure they know what they want, because when
I get in that room I don't want them to—you know—they
need to know." And, as far as [redacteas case, she knew
everything she was getting herself into. It was all volunteer.
RECAREY: Okay. What did you tell her that she was gonna do?
DOBBS: I told her the same thing. I told her, you know, this guy
Jeffrey—she came to me saying she needed money, da da da.
I basically told her about it. She was like, urn, you know,
"What do you have to do?" I told her. I was like, "The more
57
DOBBS: The more she'd
RECAREY: The more sh
DOBBS: Yeah.
RECAREY: So, she had i
DOBBS: Urn, I don't kni
ent stories on that.
But when I was first
who introduced me
slept with him and r
or secretary—told
plays around with ti
RECAREY: So, when yo
happened between y
DOBBS: Nothing. I woul
RECAREY: Okay. Did h(
DOBBS: I wouldn't say he
pointed. But I'm not-
let him—I let him lo
the question for him.
kind of down-promoi
bring girls." But as far
RECAREY: Okay. How
aside from [redacted
DOBBS: Oh. Urn. A lot.
RECAREY: A lot?
DOBBS: Urn, let's see, th
RECAREY: And all thest
DOBBS: Every one of th(
JAMES PATTERSON
you do, the more you make. That's it. In order to make money,
you're gonna have to go up there. You're gonna take your
clothes off. But the more you do, is the more you make." She
walked out of there with $300. So she obviously and evi-
dently let him do a little more. Plus, on our way home, she
kinda told me what she did.
RECAREY: Which was? Give the massage....
DOBBS: She gave the massage, and she basically let him, like,
touch her, down there. Basically.
RECAREY: Did he touch her with his hands?
DOBBS: All with his hands. And then he brought out the mas-
sager. From what she told me.
RECAREY: How old were you when you were approached to see
Jeffrey?
DOBBS: Um, I think I was seventeen?
RECAREY: Seventeen.
DOBBS: Sixteen or seventeen.
RECAREY: Okay. When was the last time you talked to him?
DOBBS: It's been a while. I can honestly say it's probably been
about close to a year. About a year. I actually stopped work-
ing for him.
RECAREY: Who was the last girl you brought over?
DOBBS: The last girl I brought over was [redacted[....
RECAREY: Okay. You got paid two hundred bucks for taking her
over?
DOBBS: Yes.
RECAREY: Okay. [Redacted] knew...
DOBBS: She knew everything.
RECAREY: That she'd have to massage him, and the more she did-
58
TERSON
FILTHY RICH
aat's it. In order to make money,
there. You're gonna take your
do, is the more you make." She
So she obviously and evi-
re. Plus, on our way home, she
massage....
and she basically let him, like,
ally.
.h his hands?
.d then he brought out the mas-
e.
Alen you were approached to see
ateen?
Le last time you talked to him?
n honestly say it's probably been
it a year. I actually stopped work-
;irl you brought over?
over was [redacted].
. two hundred bucks for taking her
knew...
aassage him, and the more she did
58
DOBBS: The more she'd make.
RECAREY: The more she got paid.
DOBBS: Yeah.
RECAREY: So, she had intercourse with him.
DOBBS: Urn, I don't know about the intercourse. I heard differ-
ent stories on that. I've never asked him "Oh, you know ..."
But when I was first introduced to him, my friend [redacted]
who introduced me to him, told me that she knew a girl who
slept with him and made $1,000. But from what his intern—
or secretary—told me, is that he doesn't do that. He just
plays around with them. So I heard two different stories.
RECAREY: So, when you went and you massaged him, nothing
happened between you two.
DOBBS: Nothing. I wouldn't let him.
RECAREY: Okay. Did he become forceful? Did he get upset?
DOBBS: I wouldn't say he became upset. I think he was a little disap-
pointed. But I'm not—I didn't care. I knew I was getting paid. I
let him—I let him look, but I never let him touch. It was out of
the question for him. And I think that's pretty much why he just,
kind of down-promoted me? He was just kind of like, "You can
bring girls." But as far as working, you know—
RECAREY: Okay. How many girls have you brought to him,
aside from [redacted]?
DOBBS: Oh. Urn. A lot.
RECAREY: A lot?
DOBBS: Um, let's see, there's [several redacted names]....
RECAREY: And all these girls knew what they had to do?
DOBBS: Every one of them.
59
JAMES PATTERSON
ti
RECAREY: How long have you been working for him?
DOBBS: Um ...I probably worked for him for a year.
RECAREY: Okay. And out of all these girls...
DOBBS: Those were all the girls I brought. But you have to
remember, those girls brought other girls, too.
RECAREY: Oh, okay.
DOBBS: So it's like—it's like a train. It's like, I introduced him to
all my friends, and then ... it goes on and on, like that
RECAREY: Okay.... [Redacted] being fourteen or fifteen at the
time—' think [redacted] was fourteen when this happened
who else was underage? Out of all these?
DOBBS: Underage, what do you mean?
RECAREY: Under eighteen.
DOBBS: Under eighteen? All of 'ern
RECAREY: All of them?
DOBBS: All of them....
RECAREY: Okay. Did Jeff know anybody's real true age? Or he
didn't care.
DOBBS: I don't think he cared. He told me the younger the better.
RECAREY: The younger the better. All right.
DOBBS: Pretty much. That's how it worked. He didn't—let me
just put it this way: I tried to bring him a woman who was
twenty-three, and he didn't really like it.
RECAREY: Didn't go for it.
DOBBS: It's not that he didn't go for it. He just didn't care for it.
And he likes the girls that [are] between the ages of, like,
eighteen and twenty.... But some of them, I think, lie about
their age. I know that when 1 started off young, I think he
knew better [than] to believe me. I think he knew that I was
60
younger—like, sev
teen. Most of those
RECAREY: Let's talk at
DOBBS: Okay.
RECAREY: [Mary] at tl
DOBBS: Mm-hmm.
RECAREY: Okay. She
she know you work
DOBBS: I told her.
RECAREY: You had tol
DOBBS: Mm-hmm.
RECAREY: Did you tell
DOBBS: She knew ever
RECAREY: Okay. So sh
some kind of—
DOBBS: Contact. Prett)
what his expectatio
girls that go up thei
I was like, "If you
you go in that room
know he was goin4
right now, he's exp€
RECAREY: Basically, tt
DOBBS: Fondling —
RECAREY: Fondling —
DOBBS: Or whatever. A
Just like, "Just rem
make. But that's—I
brought up, told he]
FILTHY RICH
EERSON
en working for him?
for him for a year.
aese girls...
s I brought. But you have to
t other girls, too.
tin. It's like, I introduced him to
goes on and on, like that.
being fourteen or fifteen at the
fourteen when this happened—
of all these?
mean?
em.
v anybody's real true age? Or he
le told me the younger the better.
tter. All right.
ow it worked. He didn't—let me
to bring him a woman who was
• really like it.
go for it. He just didn't care for it.
tt [are] between the ages of, like,
it some of them, I think, lie about
en I started off young, I think he
,.ve me. I think he knew that I was
60
younger—like, seventeen—but I told him I was, like, eigh-
teen. Most of those girls lie when they go in there.
RECAREY: Let's talk about [Mary] for a minute.
DOBBS: Okay.
RECAREY: [Mary] at the time was dating your cousin, right?
DOBBS: Mm-hmm.
RECAREY: Okay. She told you she needed to make money. Did
she know you worked for Jeffrey?
DOBBS: I told her.
RECAREY: You had told her you worked for Jeffrey.
DOBBS: Mm-hmm.
RECAREY: Did you tell her what it entailed? So she knew that?
DOBBS: She knew everything before she even agreed to it.
RECAREY: Okay. So she knew that there was going to have to be
some kind of—
DOBBS: Contact. Pretty much. Yeah. I told her. I told her exactly
what his expectations were. I told her what goes on with the
girls that go up there. I told her—it was like, "It's your call."
I was like, "If you want to do this, fine. If not, fine. But when
you go in that room, I don't want to hear you say, 'Oh, I didn't
know he was going to do all that.' Because I'm telling you
right now, he's expecting it."
RECAREY: Basically, this is touching—
DOBBS: Fondling—
RECAREY: Fondling —
DOBBS: Or whatever. And I told her when she went on her own.
Just like, "Just remember, the more you do, the more you
make. But that's—that's up to you." And she asked me, and I
brought up, told her I wouldn't do more.
61
JAMES PATTERSON
RECAREY: Okay. You made that clear, you wouldn't do more.
DOBBS: No. Screw that!
RECAREY: But as far as Mary] is concerned. What did she tell
you that happened in that room?
DOBBS: Exact words? If I can recall, when she came downstairs
from—when she came downstairs, me and her and [redacted
we all walked out. We got into the car. And I was like, "How
much did you make?" She's like, "Three hundred dollars." And I
looked at [Mary] and I just knew right then she did more.
RECAREY: Than just a massage, right?
DOBBS: Yeah. And I asked her. I was like, "Well, what'd you do?"
She's like, "Well, I started giving a massage, and then my
clothes came off and, you know, he put his fingers inside me.
And then he brought out the massager." And that's basically
what she said.
RECAREY: It's all right. You can talk to me. It's all right.
DOBBS: It's kind of incredible talking about it, now that I—I
can't believe I worked for him.
RECAREY: But it's okay. You know what, we all go through
things in life, you know what I mean? It's an experience. And
you can put this experience behind you.
Do girls that—people that you brought over—how did you
approach them? That they were going to have to do this...
Like, if they wanted to work, how did you approach them?
Say, "Listen, I got this guy in Palm Beach?"
DOBBS: Urn. .. Two of them were my friends. The others were,
like, my acquaintances. It was a little more easier talking to
them about it, 'cause, like, I knew them.
62
RECAREY: Take a de
see you're workir
can see it, and I d
DOBBS: I, urn, pretty
RECAREY: Straight u
DOBBS: "If you're loo
down in Palm Be
have to give him
Then, if they were
I'd go into detail
they told me, "Ye:
I'd tell them, "01(
you have to do, th
RECAREY: Did you te
from bringing the
DOBBS: Most part? I
were open about I
was making mone
RECAREY: Okay. Gil
Gimme two secon
• • •
All right, I talked
FRICK: —Which is NN
DOBBS: Okay.
FRICK: Obviously I
at this point you cl
You've taken girls
prostitution. Mon
those girls was fou
significant second
TERSON
:lear, you wouldn't do more.
s concerned. What did she tell
m?
:all, when she came downstairs
tairs, me and her and [redacted],
o the car. And I was like, "How
e, "Three hundred dollars?' And I
w right then she did more.
right?
was like, "Well, what'd you do?"
;tying a massage, and then my
ow, he put his fingers inside me.
!. massager." And that's basically
talk to me. It's all right.
talking about it, now that I—I
m.
know what, we all go through
at I mean? It's an experience. And
: behind you.
you brought over —how did you
were going to have to do this...
irk, how did you approach them?
in Palm Beach?"
/ere my friends. The others were,
was a little more easier talking to
I knew them.
62
FILTHY RICH
RECAREY: Take a deep breath. Take a deep breath. 'Cause I can
see you're working up again. You're working up the tears, I
can see it, and I don't want to get you like that.
DOBBS: I, urn, pretty much I just would ask them —
RECAREY: Straight up?
DOBBS: "If you're looking for extra money, let me know; this guy
down in Palm Beach, he's really, really, really wealthy. You
have to give him a massage." That's all I would tell them.
Then, if they were interested or told me, "Yes, I want to do it,"
I'd go into detail with them before they'd actually agree. If
they told me, "Yeah, that sounds good, I'm interested," then
I'd tell them, "Okay, well I'm gonna let you know, this is what
you have to do, this is what's gonna go on."
RECAREY: Did you tell them that you were going to make money
from bringing them over? Or.—.
DOBBS: Most part? I believe they knew.... Most of the girls, we
were open about that. We didn't—they pretty much knew I
was making money under the table. So...
RECAREY: Okay. Gimme two seconds. Let me get the soda....
Gimme two seconds.
All right, I talked to my boss a little bit —
FRICK: —Which is why I'm here.
DOBBS: Okay.
FRICK: Obviously I was listening to what you were saying. And
at this point you clearly implicated yourself on a crime, okay?
You've taken girls to somebody's house for the purpose of
prostitution. More importantly, more significantly, one of
those girls was fourteen at the time, okay? Now that's a pretty
significant second-degree felony, okay? I'm not going to kid
63
JAMES PATTERSON
you, that is— it's a significant thing, okay? Now, you came
in, you cooperated with us. The question we have for you
now is, do you want to continue cooperating with us and try
and help us make a case against Jeff?
DOBBS: I don't think that's really going to help me in the long
run, though. I've already admitted to a second-degree felony,
right?
FRICK: Yeah, you have.
DOBBS: Okay, so there you go. What's going to keep me out of
trouble? It's not going to keep me out of trouble. I've already
admitted committing a crime.
FRICK: I'm not going to argue with that....
DOBBS: So basically I just fucked myself. I can go two ways. I
can agree not to cooperate, which is going to put me at —
well—now you can use the second-degree felony against me.
Or you can help and work with it and maybe get myself some
slack....
FRICK: We're still talkin' here. What would the odds be of you
contacting Jeff at this point? Have you had any contact with
him at all?
DOBBS: I have not had any contact —
FRICK: How about with —
DOBBS: No, none of 'em. None of 'em.... I had a phone call about
four or five months ago, and I told my parents. Look, I swear
to you I'm not anywhere—like, no connection with him at
all. That's why I pretty much got my number changed. I have
not made any communication with him. It stopped.
FRICK: Okay. Well, I mean, that's good. That's good that you
stopped....
64
This is what we'd
some of your ex-
Now, the questior
working for Jeff, i.
to Jeff? Or can w
you make a call a
know, these guys
everything?" Our
right?
RECAREY: With youi
FRICK: Let me, let
thing, okay? Then
leading to the de
second-degree fel(
demeanor.... First
not going to take y
DOBBS: Not today.
FRICK: Well, you're —
ate and if we can-
not—that's not ur
would do is if we I
meanor, we'd give
in, you know."
RECAREY: You sign it
FRICK: That's our pr
forthright with us,
RECAREY: Very truth.
FRICK: Do you want I
deal with it, or do•
FILTHY RICH
rERSON
t thing, okay? Now, you came
The question we have for you
ue cooperating with us and try
1st Jeff?
y going to help me in the long
Lilted to a second-degree felony,
What's going to keep me out of
p me out of trouble. I've already
ith that....
ed myself. I can go two ways. I
which is going to put me at —
second-degree felony against me.
ith it and maybe get myself some
What would the odds be of you
? Have you had any contact with
"act—
of 'em.... I had a phone call about
d I told my parents. Look, I swear
—like, no connection with him at
ch got my number changed. I have
lion with him. It stopped.
that's good. That's good that you
64
This is what we'd like to do: We would like to reach out to
some of your ex-friends and [unintelligible] talk to them.
Now, the question is, do we think that they are currently still
working for Jeff, in which case they would make a phone call
to Jeff? Or can we just kinda show up and, you know, have
you make a call as we're standing outside and say: "Hey, you
know, these guys wanna talk to you, and I've already told 'ern
everything?" Our goal is to make a better case against Jeff, all
right?
RECAREY: With your cooperation.
FRICK: Let me, let me get back to—past--the cooperation
thing, okay? There are lesser charges that can easily be filed:
leading to the delinquency of a minor, as compared to a
second-degree felony. You know what I mean? That's a mis-
demeanor.... First of all, I'll tell you straight up, okay, we're
not going to take you to jail today....
DOBBS: Not today.
FRICK: Well, you're—And here's the other thing: If you cooper-
ate and if we can—If you cooperate, whether we pull it off or
not— that's not up to you, that's up to us, okay? So what we
would do is if we ended up charging you with like a misde-
meanor, we'd give you a call, we'd say: "Hey, you gotta come
in, you know."
RECAREY: You sign it....
FRICK: That's our preference. You come in, you've been very
forthright with us, you've been very up front —
RECAREY: Very truthful.
FRICK: Do you want us to call your parents, or do you want to
deal with it, or do you —As far as we're concerned you're an
65
JAMES PATTERSON
adult, okay? You're nineteen. You do what you do. You know,
we can drop you off at the end of the block if you'd like. Or
we can cushion the blow beyond what—but again, you're
helping us at this point. We've been pretty forthright with
you on what is going on, our options for your future. And
what we'd like you to do obviously is make a couple of calls
with us this evening to talk to a couple of your, you know,
these other girls.
DOBBS: I'm not really on a ...Me and my parents really don't get
along right now..
FRICK: So you'd prefer that —
DOBBS: If they found out that I was—If they found out that I
was into some other stuff.... I'm actually stripping now.... So
they're not exactly happy with me at the moment, and I don't
want to do anything that's going to piss 'ern off even
furthermore.
Michael Reiter: Oc
Chief Reiter sifts
underage girls -
cured for Epste
on El Brillo. An arre
caught with a dime bo
She'd told Detectiv
very much like a rape
Soon Reiter will a5
more footwork to do,
his office.
Later that day, De
arrive at the home of
* Jenny's, Francine's, an(
dialogue have been cha
TERSON
fou do what you do. You know,
id of the block if you'd like. Or
yond what—but again, you're
've been pretty forthright with
r options for your future. And
iously is make a couple of calls
to a couple of your, you know,
and my parents really don't get
I was they found out that I
I'm actually stripping now.. .. So
.th me at the moment, and I don't
t's going to piss 'em off even
66
CHAPTER IS
Michael Reiter: October 3, 2005
Chief Reiter sifts through the evidence: information about
underage girls—six of them—whom Wendy Dobbs pro-
cured for Epstein. Phone numbers pulled from the trash
on El Brillo. An arrest report for Alison, the girl who'd been
caught with a dime bag of weed.
She'd told Detective Recarey about an encounter that sounded
very much like a rape.
Soon Reiter will ask a judge for a warrant. But not yet. There's
more footwork to do, and Reiter calls Detective Joe Recarey into
his office.
Later that day, Detective Recarey and Sergeant George Frick
arrive at the home of a girl named Jenny.* An older woman greets
* Jenny's, Francine's, and Kristina's names, some identifying details, and
dialogue have been changed.
67
JAMES PATTERSON
them at the front door and invites them inside. She introduces
them to her husband and daughter. Jenny is sixteen years old.
Sitting down at the dining room table, they see that she's ner-
vous. In between biting her lip and fidgeting, she tells them that
yes, she's been to Jeffrey Epstein's house.
Wendy took her there once. But nothing much happened.
She met Epstein's chef and spent some time in the kitchen is all.
Then she left.
"I get what you're asking," she says. "But really, I just want to
put the whole thing behind me."
"Okay," the officers tell her. "You have our numbers. But
Jenny, if you remember anything else, you'll find that we're very
good listeners."
One down. Five to go.
Detective Recarey and Detective Michael Dawson have better
luck the next day with Francine, a girl who tells them that a year
earlier, Wendy Dobbs—someone she knew from high school—
drove her to the house on El Brillo Way.
Francine would have been seventeen at the time.
Now she's willing to make a sworn statement. The officers
noted:
She was told she could make money working for Jeff. She was
told she would have to provide a massage for Jeff. . She was
brought to the kitchen area by (Dobbs]. They met with the
house chef who was already in the Kitchen area. Francine
stated [Wendy] would wait for her in the kitchen.
Just as she did wit
Francine upstairs and
the room, wearing onl
She kept her clothi
sometime during th,
and pulled her clos,
uncomfortable by ti
sion of the massage
"Do you have any
cers ask.
"No," says Francine
But she does have c
Sarah's been callirq
It could mean any r
that Epstein's caught IN
he's doing something
responsibility. This tr(
day, they get one more
her parents around she
It turns out that Jenny's
And, it turns out,
kitchen. Without her p
talk about it.
The first time she'd
says, Epstein had tried
FILTHY RICH
FERSON
:s them inside. She introduces
her. Jenny is sixteen years old.
table, they see that she's ner-
id fidgeting, she tells them that
house.
But nothing much happened.
some time in the kitchen is all.
e says. "But really, I just want to
"You have our numbers. But
g else, you'll find that we're very
ve Michael Dawson have better
a girl who tells them that a year
ne she knew from high school —
illo Way.
3eventeen at the time.
a sworn statement. The officers
money working for Jeff. She was
de a massage for Jeff. . . . She was
by (Dobbs]. They met with the
ly in the Kitchen area. Francine
for her in the kitchen.
68
Just as she did with Mary, a woman named Sarah had taken
Francine upstairs and into a bedroom. Then Epstein had entered
the room, wearing only a towel.
She kept her clothes on during the massage. She advised
sometime during the massage, Epstein grabbed her buttocks
and pulled her close to him. Francine said she was [made]
uncomfortable by the incident involving Jeff. At the conclu-
sion of the massage she was paid $200.00 for the massage.
"Do you have any formal training in massages?" the offi-
cers ask.
"No," says Francine.
But she does have one more thing to tell them.
Sarah's been calling Francine's cell phone.
It could mean any number of things. The police know already
that Epstein's caught wind of their investigation. Now it appears
he's doing something about it, or at least he's delegating the
responsibility. This troubles the cops. But then, on that same
day, they get one more break: Jenny calls and says that without
her parents around she's willing to make a sworn statement.
It turns out that Jenny's visited with Epstein several times.
And, it turns out, she'd done much more than sit in the
kitchen. Without her parents around, she's much more willing to
talk about it.
The first time she'd gone to the house on El Brill° Way, she
says, Epstein had tried to take off her shirt. She'd become upset,
69
JAMES PATTERSON
and this had led to a fight— a "verbal disagreement" —with
Epstein. •
She'd left without getting paid. Gone down to the kitchen
and told Wendy, "Let's go!"
"If you're uncomfortable," Wendy had told her, "tell him to
stop, and he will."
On the other hand, Wendy had also told her, "The more you
do, the more you get paid."
A few weeks later, she agreed to return to the house on El
Brillo.
Once again Sarah had taken Jenny upstairs and into the mas-
ter bedroom. Sarah had set up the massage table, laid out the oils
that Jenny would use.
Then Epstein had entered the room wearing only a towel.
Jenny had been wearing tight jeans. She had a tight belt on.
She kept the jeans on, though Epstein still made a grab for her
buttocks. Then he rolled onto his back and grabbed for her
breasts. Jenny became upset yet again. But this time, she was
paid two hundred dollars before leaving. She never did go back
to the house. But, like Francine, she has one more thing to tell
the detectives.
Another girl from her high school had been there on the day
of her second visit with Epstein. Kristina. And later, Kristina
told Jenny that she also had "a problem" with Epstein.
Girls seemed to be turning up all the time. And the detec-
tives were just getting started.
One girl leads Chief Reiter's team to another. And every time,
they hear the same story. The girls are approached by Wendy
70
A
1
Dobbs. They drive ove:
the kitchen—maybe sc
they're walked upstair
towel. Sometimes witl;
mend their friends, anC
None of the girls cc
been trained as a mass1
become a licensed mas:
eighteen years old, at
or GED.
7ERSON
FILTHY RICH
"verbal disagreement" —with
d. Gone down to the kitchen
.ndy had told her, "tell him to
ad also told her, "The more you
d to return to the house on El
•enny upstairs and into the mas-
e massage table, laid out the oils
e room wearing only a towel.
:it jeans. She had a tight belt on.
Epstein still made a grab for her
his back and grabbed for her
et again. But this time, she was
-e leaving. She never did go back
e, she has one more thing to tell
school had been there on the day
An. Kristina. And later, Kristina
problem" with Epstein.
g up all the time. And the detec-
team to another. And every time,
Le girls are approached by Wendy
70
Dobbs. They drive over to Epstein's house. After a short wait in
the kitchen—maybe some milk and cereal, if they feel hungry—
they're walked upstairs. Epstein's there, waiting, wearing his
towel. Sometimes with a vibrator. Sometimes the girls recom-
mend their friends, and for this they receive a commission.
None of the girls comes from money. And none of them has
been trained as a masseuse. Then again, how could they be? To
become a licensed massage apprentice in Florida, you need to be
eighteen years old, at least, and have a high school diploma
or GED.
She considered Epstei
further and further ur
telling him she had a I
CHAPTER 16
Cynthia: October 6, 2005
Three days after meeting with Francine, the police drive to
Boca Raton. They're there to see Cynthia Selleck, who's
eighteen years old.* But according to the probable-cause
affidavit that the Palm Beach PD is preparing in order to obtain
an arrest warrant for Epstein, Cynthia was sixteen when Wendy
Dobbs first took her to meet him.
During a sworn taped statement, she tells the police that
she'd met Wendy at her high school. She says that Wendy had
recruited her and prepped her for her first visit to Epstein's
house. And she says she'd ended up going to the house "a lot of
times to provide massages over the past two years." The affidavit
.-1
--
states:
* Cynthia SeHeck's name, some identifying details, and dialogue have been
changed.
72
Only recently, Cynt
clothes in the course of
"Jeff would try to get
sage," she tells the cops.
Still, Sarah had Cyi
would call whenever E1
appointment for "work."
Each time she went, .
door area. She woulo
massage table. [Cynt,
questions about hers4
player and would be al
The cops want to kno
[Cynthia] stated Epstei
massage she provided 1
October 1.
That's less than a wee
What the cops know i
What they're about to
FILTHY RICH
She considered Epstein a pervert, and he kept pushing to go
further and further until [Cynthia] explained she would keep
telling him she had a boyfriend.
CHAPTER 16
rith Francine, the police drive to
re to see Cynthia Selleck, who's
according to the probable-cause
) is preparing in order to obtain
ynthia was sixteen when Wendy
El.
ement, she tells the police that
chool. She says that Wendy had
T for her first visit to Epstein's
:d up going to the house "a lot of
the past two years." The affidavit
itifying details, and dialogue have been
72
Only recently, Cynthia says, did she begin to remove her
clothes in the course of giving Epstein massages.
"Jeff would try to get away with more and more on each mas-
sage," she tells the cops.
Still, Sarah had Cynthia's cell phone number, and Sarah
would call whenever Epstein was in Palm Beach to make an
appointment for "work."
Each time she went, Sarah would meet her at the kitchen
door area. She would bring her upstairs and prepare the
massage table. [Cynthia] advised Epstein would ask her
questions about herself Epstein knew she was a soccer
player and would be attending [a nearby] university.
The cops want to know: Did Epstein know her real age?
[Cynthia] stated Epstein did and didn't care. The most recent
massage she provided was on October 1, 2005.
October 1.
That's less than a week ago.
What the cops know now is that Epstein's still at it.
What they're about to learn seals Epstein's fate.
73
CHAPTER 17
Alison: October ii, 2005
After speaking with Cynthia, Detectives Recarey and Daw-
son meet up, once again, with Alison. It's been exactly one
month since her arrest, and once again, she's willing to talk.
They have no trouble obtaining her sworn taped statement.
Alison is eighteen, but she's been going to Epstein's house
since 2002. Things got off to a slow start, she says. She received
two hundred dollars for her first session, during which she had
her bra off but her underwear on. Still, at the end of the session,
Epstein had asked for her number.
Then the sessions got heavier. Much heavier, as Detective Recarey
already knew. [Alison] stated that during her many visits a routine was
established between her and Epstein, he wrote in his report.
She would enter the house and get naked in the bedroom. She
would then start with a back massage. Epstein would roll on
74
to his back and allow he
stated Epstein would the
the same time would ii
masturbate her with his
[Alison] explained 1
until he ejaculated. He
sager on her vagina unti
that during her frequen
age, [and Alison] stated
not to tell anyone her re
escalated within the how,
[Alison] to have interco
Marcinhova [sic. 1. [Alisor
using strap on dildos,
devices that Epstein had
them have intercourse (
ally, Epstein would then
intercourse and provide
cinkova. This occurred d
years of age.
[Alison] advised thi.!
years. The routine becc
assistant Sarah would tel
in the Town of Palm Be(
for her to visit and won.
new was introduced, ad(
offered for [Alison] to all(
sented to perform all the.
was an understanding wi
tion would occur with
FILTHY RICH
CHAPTER 17
hia, Detectives Recarey and Daw-
, with Alison. It's been exactly one
tnd once again, she's willing to talk.
her sworn taped statement.
e's been going to Epstein's house
slow start, she says. She received
Lrst session, during which she had
on. Still, at the end of the session,
['her.
r. Much heavier, as Detective Recarey
at during her many visits a routine was
em, he wrote in his report.
and get naked in the bedroom. She
ch massage. Epstein would roll on
74
to his back and allow her to massage his chest area. [Alison]
stated Epstein would then begin to masturbate himself and at
the same time would insert his fingers in her vagina and
masturbate her with his fingers.
[Alison] explained Epstein would continue this process
until he ejaculated. He would then utilize a vibrator/mas-
sager on her vagina until [Alison] climaxed. [Alison] advised
that during her frequent visits, Epstein asked for her real
age, [and Alison] stated she was sixteen. Epstein advised her
not to tell anyone her real age. [Alison] advised that things
escalated within the home as Epstein would instruct and pay
[Alison] to have intercourse with his female friend, Nada
Marcinkova [sic]. [Alison] explained the intercourse included
using strap on dildos, large rubber penisIsic] and other
devices that Epstein had at his disposal. Epstein would watch
them have intercourse and masturbate himself. Occasion-
ally, Epstein would then join in during the female on female
intercourse and provide oral sex to both [Alison] and Mar-
cinkova. This occurred during the time [Alison] was sixteen
years of age.
[Alison] advised this continued to escalate during two
years. The routine became familiar to [Alison]. Epstein's
assistant Sarah would telephone her every time Epstein was
in the Town of Palm Beach and would place appointments
for her to visit and work for Epstein. Each time something
new was introduced, additional monies were produced and
offered for [Alison] to allow the acts to happen. [Alison] con-
sented to perform all these acts but was adamant that there
was an understanding with Epstein that no vaginal penetra-
tion would occur with his penis. [Alison] explained that
75
JAMES PATTERSON
Epstein's penis was deformed. [She] explained that his penis
was oval shaped. [She] claimed when Epstein's penis was
erect, it was thick toward the bottom but was thin and small
toward the head portion. [She] called Epstein's penis
"egg-shaped." [She] stated Epstein would photograph Mar-
cinkova and her naked and having sex and proudly display
the photographs within the home. [Alison] stated during one
visit to Epstein's house in which she provided a massage to
Epstein, his female friend, Nada [sic] Marcinkova, was also
present. [Alison] provided the massage in which Marcinkova
and her would fondle each other's breasts and kiss for Epstein
to enjoy. Towards the end of this massage, Epstein grabbed
[Alison] and turned her over onto her stomach on the mas-
sage table and forcibly inserted his penis into her vagina:
[Alison] stated Epstein began to pump his penis in her
vagina. [She] became upset over this. She said her head was
being held against the table forcibly, as he continued to pump
inside her. She screamed "No!" and Epstein stopped. She told
him that she did not want to have his penis inside of her.
Epstein did not ejaculate inside of her and apologized for his
actions and subsequently paid her a thousand dollars for
that visit. [Alison] stated she knows he still displays her pho-
tographs through out the house.
What happened to Mary had been bad enough. But what hap-
pened to Alison was on a whole other level. She'd been caught
with some pot, sure. But that was hardly a felony offense. It didn't
make her a liar. And, in important respects, Alison's statement
had aligned with Mary's and with statements they'd been given
76
by other girls, including
Probably not. Almost ce
also in line with what di
Detective Recarey az
on the investigation that
It was enough, Reit(
search warrant.
CERSON
FILTHY RICH
ihe] explained that his penis
d when Epstein's penis was
Atom but was thin and small
;he] called Epstein's penis
tein would photograph Mar-
ving sex and proudly display
qe. [Alison] stated during one
:h she provided a massage to
la [sic] Marcinkova, was also
massage in which Marcinkova
breasts and kiss for Epstein
:his massage, Epstein grabbed
onto her stomach on the mas-
ted his penis into her vagina:
m to pump his penis in her
ver this. She said her head was
rcibly, as he continued to pump
1" and Epstein stopped. She told
o have his penis inside of her.
de of her and apologized for his
lid her a thousand dollars for
knows he still displays her pho-
ise.
been bad enough. But what hap-
ole other level. She'd been caught
vas hardly a felony offense. It didn't
Drtant respects, Alison's statement
with statements they'd been given
76
by other girls, including Wendy Dobbs. Could Wendy be trusted?
Probably not. Almost certainly not. But again, what she said was
also in line with what the police had heard from other girls.
Detective Recarey and his team had done exceptional work
on the investigation that Officer Pagan had started.
It was enough, Reiter decided, to cause a judge to issue a
search warrant.
77
CHAPTER 18
Michael Reiter: October 2005
0 n October 20, Palm Beach police officers execute a search
warrant, signed by Judge Laura Johnson, at Jeffrey Epstein's
home on El Brillo Way. Inside the house, an employee is
on the phone with Epstein. They ask him, politely, to hang up.
Then, guns drawn, they walk up the winding stairs to the home's
second story.
Detective Recarey remains outside and reads the warrant, out
loud, to Epstein's houseman while another officer videotapes them.
"This is your copy," Recarey says as he hands over the war-
rant. "When we are concluded, I will leave a list of what items
we've taken, okay? I would ask that you don't answer your tele-
phone. I know that the gentleman was having a conversation
with Mr. Epstein at the time. So I'm sure he's trying to call and
find out what's going on. He will be told what was going on as
soon as we're done. Okay?"
78
Inside the house, del
that Mary and other gir
naked young girls—in sc
Epstein. They also find n
names, dates, and numbe
Sometimes there are
hers: "I have girls for him
These notes are signe
Epstein's house has ;
the bedrooms look alma
off Epstein's bedroom, ti
holding strange machin(
find in a dermatologist's (
In a wood-colored ai
bottle of peach-flavored
soaps shaped like penis(
more Joy Jelly, and boxes
The officers find stacl
and other B-list movies.
They also find receipi
SlaveCraft: Roadmaps for
On the first floor, det
hidden in clocks. On th
photographs of Wendy
come from the camera in
The officers know wl
install them—in 2004,
had stolen a gun and $:
investigated that case.
man, Juan Alessi, for the
CHAPTER 18
05
:h police officers execute a search
Laura Johnson, at Jeffrey Epstein's
Inside the house, an employee is
.ey ask him, politely, to hang up.
p the winding stairs to the home's
putside and reads the warrant, out
ile another officer videotapes them.
says as he hands over the war-
I will leave a list of what items
k that you don't answer your tele-
Leman was having a conversation
So I'm sure he's trying to call and
will be told what was going on as
78
FILTHY RICH
Inside the house, detectives see the pink-and-green couch
that Mary and other girls had described. They see photos of
naked young girls—in some cases, girls they've spoken to about
Epstein. They also find message pads on which are written first
names, dates, and numbers for the girls.
Sometimes there are notes to go with the names and num-
bers: "I have girls for him." Or "I have 2 girls for him."
These notes are signed by one Sarah Kellen.
Epstein's house has a strangely antiseptic quality. Some of
the bedrooms look almost like doctors' offices. In the bathroom
off Epstein's bedroom, there's a massage table as well as stands
holding strange machines, which looked like something you'd
find in a dermatologist's office.
In a wood-colored armoire beside Epstein's bed, they see a
bottle of peach-flavored Joy Jelly. In the bathroom, there are
soaps shaped like penises and vaginas, bottles of Mango Mist,
more Joy Jelly, and boxes of tampons.
The officers find stacks of UFC videos and DVDs of Rock Star
and other B-list movies.
They also find receipts for books bought on Amazon, such as
SlaveCraft: Roadmaps for Erotic Servitude.
On the first floor, detectives are drawn to two secret cameras
hidden in clocks. On the computer hard drive, they see several
photographs of Wendy and other girls. These images appear to
come from the camera inside the clock behind Epstein's desk.
The officers know where the cameras are because they helped
install them—in 2004, when Epstein complained that someone
had stolen a gun and $2,700 from him. Detective Recarey had
investigated that case. But before he could arrest Epstein's handy-
man, Juan Alessi, for the theft, Epstein contacted a captain in the
79
JAMES PATTERSON
Palm Beach PD and prevailed upon him to have the investigation
called off.
Epstein had met Alessi at a luncheonette, he explained, and
Alessi had agreed to pay back the money. At the time, it made no
sense to prosecute: Epstein was a busy man. He was going to get
his money. But he did invite the police into his home to install
the cameras. This was a service that the Palm Beach PD provided
(though Epstein would be the only one with access to the foot-
age). But while they were there, the police had noticed a group of
attractive young women who seemed to be camped out at the
house.
The group included Sarah Kellen and Nadia Marcinkova.
None of the girls was a relative of Epstein— that fact had
caught the cops' attention.
And now, as the search continues, the cops see photographs
of the very same girls.
On Epstein's desk, the officers find Alison's high school
transcript.
The thing is, the detectives can't shake the feeling that the
Epstein house has been tidied up for their arrival. Shelves look
as though they've been emptied, and several photographs appear
to have been removed from the walls.
"[Judging] by the condition of the place to be searched,"
Chief Reiter will say in his deposition for B.B. vs. Epstein, "some-
one probably had cleaned it up a bit."
Maybe there's nothing too surprising about this. After all,
Reiter's team knows that Epstein's gotten wind of their investiga-
tion. What is surprising is that for a house that's been scrubbed,
there's so much left lying around.
In fact, the oddest thing about the search is that someone,*
80
appears to have gone
nating materials, but
It was as if the th
ister as wrong.
There's another feelii
that they themselves
First Reiter hears
yers have hired prii
checks.
A public-records
Reiter's own records.
Detective Recare)
and that his trash ha.
In his entire car(
that Reiter's seen or
ing his investigators.
ey's doing great wonl
and for good reason
Right now, more vic.
now that the warra)
interviewing Epstein
FILTHY RICH
ERSON
him to have the investigation
icheonette, he explained, and
noney. At the time, it made no
3u5y man. He was going to get
)olice into his home to install
at the Palm Beach PD provided
ly one with access to the foot-
Le police had noticed a group of
rned to be camped out at the
Lien and Nadia Marcinkova.
tive of Epstein— that fact had
.nues, the cops see photographs
.cers find Alison's high school
can't shake the feeling that the
ap for their arrival. Shelves look
, and several photographs appear
walls.
,n of the place to be searched,"
psition for B.B. vs. Epstein, "some-
a bit."
surprising about this. After all,
in's gotten wind of their investiga-
for a house that's been scrubbed,
ad.
about the search is that someone
80
appears to have gone through the house, gotten rid of incrimi-
nating materials, but left many clues behind.
It was as if the things the police were seeing didn't even reg-
ister as wrong.
There's another feeling the cops can't shake: the nagging sense
that they themselves are being investigated and tailed.
First Reiter hears through the grapevine that Epstein's law-
yers have hired private investigators to perform background
checks.
A public-records demand has been filed in an effort to obtain
Reiter's own records.
Detective Recarey tells Reiter that he, too, is being surveilled
and that his trash has been picked through.
In his entire career as a police officer, this is the first time
that Reiter's seen or heard of such a thing: a suspect investigat-
ing his investigators. But for the moment, he puts it aside. Recar-
ey's doing great work on the investigation. He's deeply invested,
and for good reason: the detective's got four kids of his own.
Right now, more victims are coming out of the woodwork. And
now that the warrant's been executed, there's no downside to
interviewing Epstein's servants.
81
CHAPTER 19
Detective Recarey, Probable-Cause Affidavit:
May 2006
On November 21, 2005 I interviewed Jose [sic] Alessi, a for-
mer houseman for Jeffrey Epstein. Alessi stated he was
employed for eleven years with Mr. Epstein, from approxi-
mately 1993 through 2004. Alessi stated he was the house
manager, driver and house maintenance person. It was his
responsibility to prepare the house for Epstein's arrival.
When asked about cooks or assistants, Alessi stated they
traveled with Epstein on his private plane. I asked Mr. Alessi
about the massages that have occurred at. Epstein's home.
Alessi stated Epstein receives three massages a day. Each
masseuse that visited the house was different. Alessi stated
that towards the end of his employment, the masseuses were
younger and younger. When asked how young, Mr. Alessi
stated they appeared to be sixteen or seventeen years of age
82
at the most. The m(
or bathroom. He kr
sage tables. I asked
massage. Alessi sta
of his employment
sager/vibrator and
sink after the mass(
almost always have
On January 4,
man, Mr. Alfredo I
ment, Mr. Rodrigu
Epstein for approxii
through May of 20C
included being the b
run errands for Ep
asked Rodriguez
Rodriguez stated E,
Epstein would have
massage in the aft
Rodriguez stated h(
and make them co
Epstein would meet
masseuses would or
kitchen area and of)
would then be encou
They would be taker
Rodriguez if any of
Rodriguez stated th
too young to be mass
direction, he deliver,
FILTHY RICH
CHAPTER 19
-Cause Affidavit:
-viewed Jose [sic] Alessi, a for-
42stein. Alessi stated he was
th Mr. Epstein, from approxi-
Oessi stated he was the house
laintenance person. It was his
e house for Epstein's arrival.
assistants, Alessi stated they
Private plane. I asked Mr. Alessi
ye occurred at Epstein's home.
three massages a day. Each
luse was different. Alessi stated
mployment, the masseuses were
ri asked how young, Mr. Alessi
ixteen or seventeen years of age
82
at the most. The massages would occur in Epstein's bedroom
or bathroom. He knew this because he often set up the mas-
sage tables. I asked if there were things going on other than a
massage. Alessi stated that there were times towards the end
of his employment that he would have to wash off a mas-
sager/vibrator and a long rubber penis, which were in the
sink after the massage. Additionally, he stated the bed would
almost always have to be made after the massage.
On January 4, 2006 I interviewed another former house-
man, Mr. Alfredo Rodriguez. During a sworn taped state-
ment, Mr. Rodriguez stated he was employed by Jeffrey
Epstein for approximately six months, from November 2004
through May of 2005. His responsibilities as house manager
included being the butler, chauffeur, chef, houseman [and to]
run errands for Epstein and provide for Epstein's guests. I
asked Rodriguez about masseuses corning to the house.
Rodriguez stated Epstein would have two massages a day.
Epstein would have one massage in the morning and one
massage in the afternoon everyday he was in residence.
Rodriguez stated he would be informed to expect someone
and make them comfortable until either Sarah Kellen- or
Epstein would meet with them. Rodriguez stated once the
masseuses would arrive, he would allow them entry into the
kitchen area and offer them something to drink or eat. They
would then be encountered by either Sarah Kellen or Epstein.
They would be taken upstairs to provide the massage. I asked
Rodriguez if any of the masseuses appeared young in age.
Rodriguez stated the girls that would come appeared to be
too young to be masseuses. He stated one time under Epstein's
direction, he delivered a dozen roses to [Mary's high school]
83
JAMES PATTERSON
for one of the girls that came to provide a massage. He knew
the girls were still in high school and were of high school age.
I asked Rodriguez about the massages. He felt there was a lot
more going on than just massages.
He would often clean Mr. Epstein's bedroom after the
alleged massages and would discover massagers/vibrators
and sex toys scattered on the floor. He also said he would
wipe down the vibrators and sex toys and put them away in
an armoire. He described the armoire as a small wood
armoire which was on the wall close to Epstein's bed. On one
occasion Epstein ordered Rodriguez to go to the Dollar rent a
car and rent a car for the same girl he brought the roses to, so
that she could drive her self to Epstein's house without inci-
dent. Rodriguez said the girl always needed rides to and
from the house.
Rodriguez produced a green folder which contained doc-
uments, and a note with Mr. Epstein's stationery with direc-
tion to deliver a bucket of roses to (Mary's] High School after
fa] high school drama performance. . . .
During the course of the investigation, subpoenas were
obtained for cell phone and home phone records from several
victims and witnesses along with the cell phone records of
Sarah Kellen. An analysis of these records was conducted
which found numerous telephone calls were made between
Sarah Kellen and the victims. These records indicate the
dates the calls were made are consistent with the dates and
times the victims/witnesses stated they were contacted. Spe-
cifically, the phone records showed Kellen called [Wendy
Dobbs] during the exact times and dates when [name
redacted] advised the incident occurred. Kellen also coordi-
84
nated the encounters
frame the girls stated
Pursuant to a
vate plane records fi
records show arrivai
Palm Beach Internati
pared to the cell phon4
ison found that all th
and the victims were
arrival or during the
Therefore, as Jeff
incidents was fifty on
course either with i
redacted], who were n
is sufficient probable
four counts of Unlawft
lation of Florida State
ony. As Epstein, who a
years of age, did use a
of [name redacted], a j
cient probable cause ti
ous Molestation, in vio
(5), a second degree fel
FILTHY RICH
ERSON
9rovide a massage. He knew
and were of high school age.
;sages. He felt there was a lot
s.
Epstein's bedroom after the
liscover massagers/vibrators
floor. He also said he would
toys and put them away in
armoire as a small wood
close to Epstein's bed. On one
guez to go to the Dollar rent a
girl he brought the roses to, so
Epstein's house without inci-
always needed rides to and
en folder which contained doc-
Epstein's stationery with direc-
s to [Mary's] High School after
nance....
investigation, subpoenas were
9me phone records from several
with the cell phone records of
).1 these records was conducted
phone calls were made between
ms. These records indicate the
re consistent with the dates and
stated they were contacted. Spe-
showed Kellen called (Wendy
times and dates when (name
nt occurred. Kellen also coordi-
nated the encounters with [name redacted] during the time
frame the girls stated they occurred.
Pursuant to a lawful subpoena I obtained Epstein's pri-
vate plane records for 2005 from Jet Aviation. The plane
records show arrival and departure of Epstein's plane at
Palm Beach International airport. These records were com-
pared to the cell phone records of Sarah Kellen. This compar-
ison found that all the phone calls Kellen made to [Dobbs]
and the victims were made in the days just prior to their
arrival or during the time Epstein was in Palm Beach.
Therefore, as Jeffrey Epstein, who at the time of these
incidents was fifty one years of age, did have vaginal inter-
course either with his penis or digitally with [names
redacted], who were minors at the time this occurred, there
is sufficient probable cause to charge Jeffrey Epstein with
four counts of Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor, in vio-
lation of Florida State Statute 794.05(1), a second degree fel-
ony. As Epstein, who at the time of the incident was fifty two
years of age, did use a vibrator on the external vaginal area
of [name redacted], a fourteen year old minor, there is suffi-
cient probable cause to charge him with Lewd and Lascivi-
ous Molestation, in violation of Florida State Statute 800.04
(5), a second degree felony.
84 85
PART II
The Man
Wit