What is document EFTA00013749?

This is an email exchange from October 23, 2007 between Jeffrey Epstein's defense attorney Jay Lefkowitz of Kirkland & Ellis and federal prosecutors. It shows ongoing negotiations about a letter to Judge Davis and an addendum to what appears to be the non-prosecution agreement that Epstein had signed just weeks earlier.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document names Jay Lefkowitz (Epstein's defense attorney and Kirkland & Ellis partner), Alexander Acosta (U.S. Attorney for Southern Florida at the time, referred to as 'Alex'), and references Jeffrey Epstein as the subject of the negotiations.

What does this document reveal?

This document reveals the close working relationship between Epstein's legal team and federal prosecutors during plea negotiations. It shows Lefkowitz actively trying to influence the content and timing of official correspondence to the court. The DOJ later found that Acosta exhibited 'poor judgment' in handling this case, and a federal judge ruled prosecutors violated victims' rights by concealing the deal.

Why is the Kirkland & Ellis connection significant?

The Kirkland & Ellis connection is significant because both Jay Lefkowitz (Epstein's attorney) and Alexander Acosta (the prosecutor) had worked at the same law firm. Acosta was an associate at Kirkland's Washington DC office from 1995-1997 while Lefkowitz was a partner. This prior relationship has been scrutinized as a potential factor in the unusually favorable plea deal Epstein received.

What was the outcome of the Epstein plea deal?

The 2007 non-prosecution agreement allowed Epstein to avoid federal sex trafficking charges and instead plead guilty to lesser state prostitution charges. He served only 13 months in county jail with work release privileges. In 2019, a federal judge ruled that prosecutors violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act by failing to notify victims of the deal.

What is document EFTA00013749?

This is an email exchange from October 23, 2007 between Jeffrey Epstein's defense attorney Jay Lefkowitz of Kirkland & Ellis and federal prosecutors. It shows ongoing negotiations about a letter to Judge Davis and an addendum to what appears to be the non-prosecution agreement that Epstein had signed just weeks earlier.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document names Jay Lefkowitz (Epstein's defense attorney and Kirkland & Ellis partner), Alexander Acosta (U.S. Attorney for Southern Florida at the time, referred to as 'Alex'), and references Jeffrey Epstein as the subject of the negotiations.

What does this document reveal?

This document reveals the close working relationship between Epstein's legal team and federal prosecutors during plea negotiations. It shows Lefkowitz actively trying to influence the content and timing of official correspondence to the court. The DOJ later found that Acosta exhibited 'poor judgment' in handling this case, and a federal judge ruled prosecutors violated victims' rights by concealing the deal.

Why is the Kirkland & Ellis connection significant?

The Kirkland & Ellis connection is significant because both Jay Lefkowitz (Epstein's attorney) and Alexander Acosta (the prosecutor) had worked at the same law firm. Acosta was an associate at Kirkland's Washington DC office from 1995-1997 while Lefkowitz was a partner. This prior relationship has been scrutinized as a potential factor in the unusually favorable plea deal Epstein received.

What was the outcome of the Epstein plea deal?

The 2007 non-prosecution agreement allowed Epstein to avoid federal sex trafficking charges and instead plead guilty to lesser state prostitution charges. He served only 13 months in county jail with work release privileges. In 2019, a federal judge ruled that prosecutors violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act by failing to notify victims of the deal.

EFTA00013749

An email exchange from October 23, 2007 between Jeffrey Epstein's defense attorney Jay Lefkowitz (Kirkland & Ellis) and prosecutors regarding a letter to Judge Davis during the controversial non-prosecution agreement negotiations.

This document captures a critical moment in the negotiations of Jeffrey Epstein's controversial 2007 plea deal. The email shows Epstein's attorney Jay Lefkowitz urgently requesting prosecutors not send a letter to Judge Davis before they could speak, noting they had 'only a few limited areas of disagreement.' The exchange reveals the close coordination between Lefkowitz and prosecutor Alexander Acosta's office during what would later be condemned as a 'sweetheart deal.' Lefkowitz mentions he is 'getting the appropriate signatures' for an addendum to the contract—likely referring to the non-prosecution agreement signed just weeks earlier on September 24, 2007.

Key Highlights

•Shows active negotiations between Epstein's lawyer and federal prosecutors over a letter to Judge Davis in October 2007
•Jay Lefkowitz, Kirkland & Ellis partner, had previously worked with prosecutor Alexander Acosta at the same law firm
•References an 'addendum to the contract' being signed—likely modifications to the September 2007 non-prosecution agreement
•Reveals Lefkowitz's pressure tactics: 'I would hope you would not send it out before we have a chance to speak'

Frequently Asked Questions

Books for Further Reading

Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

Dossier: The Secret History of Armand Hammer

Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

Julie K. Brown

Investigative journalism that broke the Epstein case open

Document Information

Bates Range

EFTA00013749

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Document Content

Page 1 - EFTA00013749

From Tb:"JayLetkowitz" Cm"AcosM,AdesAlSAIFLSY<Aukcosta4pusa.doj.gov> Subject: RE: Epstein Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:36:09 +0000 I mportance: Normal Jay, Can't speak tonight. Won't send it out tonight. I'll check with Alex in the morning and will call you then. From: Jay Lefkowitz [mailto Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 5:34 PM To: Cc: Acosta, Alex (USAF' S) Subject: Epstein - I have to leave the office shortly, but please let me know if you want to set up a time to speak regarding your letter to Judge Davis. As you can see from my email earlier, we actually only have a few limited areas of disagreement with your letter. I would hope you would not send it out before we have a chance to speak. Regarding the addendum to the contract, I am getting the appropriate signatures and will send them tomorrow. Best, Jay The information contained in this communication is confidential, may be attorney-client privileged, may constitute inside information, and is intended only for the use of the addressee. It is the property of Kirkland & Ellis LLP or Kirkland & Ellis International LLP. Unauthorized use, disclosure or copying of this communication or any part thereof is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by return e-mail or by e-mail to [email protected], and destroy this communication and all copies thereof, including all attachments. EFTA00013749