Epstein Secrets

r the plain- tiffs to amend their pleadings. I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND In their amended complaint, Jeffrey E. Epstein ("Epsteinn and Financial Trust Company, Inc. ("Fr) (collectively "plain- tiffs") allege that Citibank, N.A. ("Citi- bank") and Citigroup, Inc. ("Citigroup"I [collectively "defendants"] misrepre

itch book" referenced in the amended complaint is the document that plaintiffs rely on is a disputed fact that precludes a Rule 12(bX6) dismissal. Financial Trust Co., 268 F.Supp.2d at 572. Nothing in any of the briefs have convinced me that the parties do not dispute which pitch book Epstein received, what disc

ed to meet Federal Rule of Civil Proce- dure 9(b)'s heightened pleading standard. I did, however, grant the plaintiffs leave to amend the complaint Financial Trust Co.' Citibank, 268 F.Supp.2d 661 (D.Vir- gin Islands 2003). H. LEGAL ANALYSIS A. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b) (1-31 In order to state a viable

e 12(b)(6) motion, I ac- cept all allegations in the complaint as true, and draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the non-moving party. In re Rockefeller Ctr. Props., Int, 311 F.3d 198, 215 (3d Cir.2002). "The inquiry is not whether plaintiffs will ultimately prevail in a trial on the merits, but whethe

On November 27, 2002, I issued an order restraining Citibank and Citigroup from pursuing their New York lawsuit pending decisions on these motions. Financial Trust Co., Inc. v. Citibank, N.A., Order, Civ. No. 2002-108 (D.V.I. Nov. 27, 2002). In light of subsequent events, however, I sua sponte vacated this prohibition.

73, 879-80 (3d Cir. 1995). Considering the totality of the circumstances surrounding this case, I make the following findings. First, Epstein and Financial Trust have selected this forum, and they are residents of the Virgin Islands with strong ties to this community. Epstein owns a seventy-acre island, and

an increased measure of protection for their reputations, and reduce[] the number of frivolous suits brought solely to extract settlements." In re Rockefeller Ctr. Props., Inc., 311 F.3d at 215 (quoting In re Burlington Coat Factory Sec. Litig., 114 F.3d at 1418). "Rule 9(b) requires a plaintiff to plead (1)

damages. Plaintiffs have thus alleged enough information to survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion on Case No. 08-80736-CV-MARRA P-000727 EFTA00228107 k Financial Trust Co. v. Citibank Civil No. 02-108 Memorandum Opinion Page 9 their fraud claims. C. The Mass .Mutual Investment Claims Although it is unclear from t

erentiate the counts between the Mass Mutual and AIG funds as defendant attempts to do. Case No. 08-80736-CV-MARRA P-000729 EFTA00228109 I .• Financial Trust Co. Inc. I. Citibank Civ. No. 2002-108 Memorandum Opinion Page 11 ENTERED this 30th day of December, 2004. FOR THE COURT: /s/ Thomas K. Moore Distri

d that would accompany 'the first paragraph of any newspaper story' - that is the 'who, what, when, where and how' of the events at issue.'" In re Rockefeller Ctr. Props., Inc., 311 F.3d at 217 (quoting In re Burlington, 114 F.3d at 1422). However, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has held that the "require

iled to meet Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b)'s heightened pleading standard. I did, however, grant the plaintiffs leave to amend the complaint. Financial Trust Co. v. Citibank, 268 F. Supp.2d 561 (D.V.I. 2003). For internal use only SDNY_GM_00064428 CONFIDENTIAL - PURSUANT TO FED. R.CON(F IDENTIAL DB-SDNY-00

by the person to whom it was made; (4) the intention that it should be acted upon; and (5) that the plaintiff acted upon it to his damages." in re Rockefeller Ctr. Props. Secs. Litig., 311 F.3d 198, 215 (3d Cir. 2002). Courts should apply Rule 9(b) with some flexibility and should not require plaintiffs to pl

d 873, 879-80 (3d Cir.1995). Considering the totality of the circumstances surrounding this case, I make the following findings. First, Epstein and Financial Trust have selected this forum, and they are residents of the Virgin Islands with strong ties to this community. Epstein owns a seventy-acre island, and h

Rule 12(b)(6) motion, I accept all allegations in the complaint as true, and draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the non-moving party. In re Rockefeller Ctr. Props., Inc., 311 F.3d 198, 215 (3d Cir.2002). "The inquiry is not whether plaintiffs will ultimately prevail in a trial on the merits, but whether