What is document EFTA00016172?

This is an official court letter from U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman to Judge Richard Berman, filed on July 17, 2019, as part of Jeffrey Epstein's bail proceedings in the Southern District of New York. It directly responds to claims made by Epstein's defense about a suspicious Austrian passport found in his Manhattan home.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document mentions Jeffrey Epstein (the defendant), Geoffrey S. Berman (U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York), Richard M. Berman (the presiding federal judge), and references Prince Andrew indirectly through the address of the U.S. Attorney's office on Saint Andrew's Plaza. The United Kingdom is mentioned as one of the countries Epstein traveled to using the passport.

Why was this passport significant to the case?

The passport was a key piece of evidence demonstrating Epstein was a flight risk. Prosecutors argued that someone with foreign identity documents, substantial hidden assets, and unexplained international connections posed an extreme risk of fleeing prosecution. The next day, Judge Berman denied Epstein bail.

What did Epstein's lawyers claim about the passport?

Epstein's defense claimed he obtained the passport in the 1980s for 'personal protection' as a wealthy Jewish American traveling in the Middle East during a time of frequent hijackings. They argued a friend gave it to him with a non-Jewish name to use if confronted by 'kidnappers, hijackers, or terrorists.' However, they claimed he never actually used it—a claim directly contradicted by this document.

What is document EFTA00016172?

This is an official court letter from U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman to Judge Richard Berman, filed on July 17, 2019, as part of Jeffrey Epstein's bail proceedings in the Southern District of New York. It directly responds to claims made by Epstein's defense about a suspicious Austrian passport found in his Manhattan home.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document mentions Jeffrey Epstein (the defendant), Geoffrey S. Berman (U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York), Richard M. Berman (the presiding federal judge), and references Prince Andrew indirectly through the address of the U.S. Attorney's office on Saint Andrew's Plaza. The United Kingdom is mentioned as one of the countries Epstein traveled to using the passport.

Why was this passport significant to the case?

The passport was a key piece of evidence demonstrating Epstein was a flight risk. Prosecutors argued that someone with foreign identity documents, substantial hidden assets, and unexplained international connections posed an extreme risk of fleeing prosecution. The next day, Judge Berman denied Epstein bail.

What did Epstein's lawyers claim about the passport?

Epstein's defense claimed he obtained the passport in the 1980s for 'personal protection' as a wealthy Jewish American traveling in the Middle East during a time of frequent hijackings. They argued a friend gave it to him with a non-Jewish name to use if confronted by 'kidnappers, hijackers, or terrorists.' However, they claimed he never actually used it—a claim directly contradicted by this document.

EFTA00016172

A July 2019 court letter from U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman to Judge Richard Berman, disputing Jeffrey Epstein's defense claims about an expired Austrian passport found in his Manhattan safe.

This is an official Department of Justice court filing from July 17, 2019, submitted during Epstein's bail proceedings. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman directly refutes claims made by Epstein's defense team that he never used the suspicious Austrian passport. The letter reveals the passport contained entry and exit stamps proving it was used to travel to France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia during the 1980s. Prosecutors also note that Epstein's legal team had failed to explain how he obtained the foreign passport or whether he held citizenship in another country.

Key Highlights

•Prosecutors proved Epstein's Austrian passport was actively used, contradicting his lawyers' claim that it was never utilized
•The passport contained travel stamps from France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia from the 1980s
•Epstein's defense never disclosed how he obtained the foreign passport or whether he was a citizen of another country
•This document was filed one day before Judge Berman denied Epstein bail, calling his proposal 'irredeemably inadequate'

Frequently Asked Questions

Books for Further Reading

Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

Julie K. Brown

Investigative journalism that broke the Epstein case open

Filthy Rich: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

James Patterson

Bestselling account of Epstein's crimes and network

Relentless Pursuit: My Fight for the Victims of Jeffrey Epstein

Bradley J. Edwards

Victims' attorney's firsthand account

Document Information

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EFTA00016172

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Page 1 - EFTA00016172

U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney Southern District of New York The Silvio J. Mollo Building One Saint Andrew's Plaza New York, New York 10007 July 17, 2019 VIA ECF The Honorable Richard M. Berman United States District Judge Southern District of New York United States Courthouse 500 Pearl Street New York, New York 10007 Re: United States v. Jeffrey Epstein, 19 Cr. 490 (RMB) Dear Judge Berman: The Government respectfully submits this letter to briefly respond to one aspect of the defendant's July 16, 2019 letter (ECF No. 24), and to provide the Court with additional information regarding the defendant's foreign passport. The defendant's July 16, 2019 letter asserts: "[A]s for the Austrian passport the government trumpets, it expired 32 years ago. And the government offers nothing to suggest—and certainly no evidence—that Epstein ever used it." (ECF No. 24 at 7). In fact, the passport contains numerous ingress and egress stamps, including stamps that reflect use of the passport to enter France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia in the 1980s. The Government further notes that the defendant's submission does not address how the defendant obtained the foreign passport and, more concerning, the defendant has still not disclosed to the Court whether he is a citizen or legal permanent resident of a country other than the United States. Cc: All counsel of record (Via ECF) Respectfully submitted, GEOFFREY S. BERMAN United States Attorney By: /s Assistant United States Attorneys Southern District of New York Tel: EFTA00016172