What is document EFTA00031722?

This is an internal FBI email chain from January 27, 2020, showing communications between FBI agents and prosecutors in the immediate aftermath of U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman's surprise press conference at Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan mansion. The emails reveal that even those working on the Epstein investigation were caught off guard by the event and Berman's public comments about Prince Andrew's lack of cooperation.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document mentions Prince Andrew (regarding his cooperation with the investigation), Jeffrey Epstein, 'Geoff' (U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman who held the press conference), Safe Horizon (the victim services organization that organized the event), and several FBI agents from the New York field office whose names are redacted.

What does this document reveal?

The document reveals that FBI agents and prosecutors working on the Epstein case were not informed in advance about the January 27, 2020 press conference where Berman publicly stated Prince Andrew had provided 'zero cooperation.' The emails show law enforcement officials scrambling to catch up, with one noting that 'up the chain of command may be a different story' - suggesting internal friction about the surprise public announcement regarding an active investigation.

What was the press conference about?

The press conference was held outside Epstein's Manhattan mansion in connection with Safe Horizon, a victim services nonprofit, to discuss a new New York law making it easier for people to sue over childhood sexual abuse. During the event, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman responded to a reporter's question about Prince Andrew and stated that despite the Duke's public offer to cooperate, he had provided 'zero cooperation' to investigators.

Why is this document significant?

This document provides rare insight into the internal dynamics of the Epstein investigation, showing that major public announcements were made without coordinating with field agents. It demonstrates tension between leadership decisions and the investigators actually working the case, and confirms the chaotic circumstances surrounding one of the most newsworthy moments of the Epstein investigation - the public calling out of Prince Andrew.

What is document EFTA00031722?

This is an internal FBI email chain from January 27, 2020, showing communications between FBI agents and prosecutors in the immediate aftermath of U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman's surprise press conference at Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan mansion. The emails reveal that even those working on the Epstein investigation were caught off guard by the event and Berman's public comments about Prince Andrew's lack of cooperation.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document mentions Prince Andrew (regarding his cooperation with the investigation), Jeffrey Epstein, 'Geoff' (U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman who held the press conference), Safe Horizon (the victim services organization that organized the event), and several FBI agents from the New York field office whose names are redacted.

What does this document reveal?

The document reveals that FBI agents and prosecutors working on the Epstein case were not informed in advance about the January 27, 2020 press conference where Berman publicly stated Prince Andrew had provided 'zero cooperation.' The emails show law enforcement officials scrambling to catch up, with one noting that 'up the chain of command may be a different story' - suggesting internal friction about the surprise public announcement regarding an active investigation.

What was the press conference about?

The press conference was held outside Epstein's Manhattan mansion in connection with Safe Horizon, a victim services nonprofit, to discuss a new New York law making it easier for people to sue over childhood sexual abuse. During the event, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman responded to a reporter's question about Prince Andrew and stated that despite the Duke's public offer to cooperate, he had provided 'zero cooperation' to investigators.

Why is this document significant?

This document provides rare insight into the internal dynamics of the Epstein investigation, showing that major public announcements were made without coordinating with field agents. It demonstrates tension between leadership decisions and the investigators actually working the case, and confirms the chaotic circumstances surrounding one of the most newsworthy moments of the Epstein investigation - the public calling out of Prince Andrew.

EFTA00031722 - EFTA00031723

Internal FBI email chain from January 27, 2020 showing FBI agents and prosecutors were caught off guard by U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman's surprise press conference at Epstein's mansion where he publicly accused Prince Andrew of providing 'zero cooperation' to the investigation.

This is a highly significant internal government document revealing the behind-the-scenes chaos within the FBI and SDNY following Geoffrey Berman's unexpected press conference outside Epstein's Manhattan mansion. The email exchange shows that even FBI agents working on the Epstein case were blindsided by their supervisors' decision to hold the event and make public comments about the active investigation. The document captures real-time reactions from law enforcement officials scrambling to understand what happened and why they weren't informed in advance. References to 'Geoff' answering questions about Prince Andrew confirm this relates to Berman's now-famous statement that the Duke of York had provided 'zero cooperation.'

Key Highlights

•FBI agents state they had 'no idea that there would be comments about the active investigation' at the press conference
•The press conference at Epstein's mansion was described as a 'complete surprise' that 'caught a lot of people off guard'
•Confirms the event was connected to Safe Horizon, the victim services organization
•Shows 'Geoff' (U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman) answered questions about Prince Andrew during the event
•Reveals internal tension: 'Up the chain of command may be a different story' suggests friction about the surprise announcement

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

Bates Range

EFTA00031722 - EFTA00031723

Pages

Document Content

Page 1 - EFTA00031722

From: To:' Subject: RE: Press Conference at Epstein's Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2020 00:20:47 +0000 (NY) (FBI)" <I Sam: hcre M. ditto. SSA- FBI New York On Jan 27, 2020 7:17 PM, ' < > wrote: I honestly cannot tell you how grateful and appreciative we are about our relationship with you (and with and — it's incredibly comforting and helpful to consistently be on the same page. Thanks as always, and we'll be in touch per usual. From: (NY) (FBI) < > Sent: Monday, January 27, 2020 19:14 To: Subject: RE: Press Conference at Epstein's I'm sure, not a problem, we've always been on the same page. Up the chain of command may be a different story©. SSA FBI New York On Jan 27, 2020 7:10 PM, " It was a complete surprise man. We've been dealing with all kinds of after-affects all day. From: (NY) (FBI) < > Sent: Monday, January 27, 2020 19:08 To: ) Cc: < E> Subject: RE: Press Conference at Epstein's > wrote: (NY) (FBI) Ok thanks for getting back to me. Just caught a lot of people off guard over here, sounds like it did with you as well. No worries, talk to you soon. SSA FBI New York On Jan 27, 2020 5:47 PM, " It wrote: This morning's press conference took us by surprise -- our supervisors did not say anything to us about it in EFTA00031722

Page 2 - EFTA00031723

advance, and in particular had no idea that there would be comments about the active investigation. Our understanding now is that the event was in connection with Safe Horizon, the victim services organization, and that Geoff answered at least ones question about the investigation, relating to Prince Andrew. We just heard from that he spoke to about it (I think earlier today?) so everybody is playing catch up. ----Original Message From: (NY) (FBI). Sent: Monday, January 27, 2020 15:28 To: Cc: (NY) (FBI) Subject: Press Conference at Epstein's MCF All, I have been getting some questions about the press conference that occurred today at Epstein's mansion, do any of you know that was about? Our media affairs department has been getting questions. In addition, our Victim Specialists have been fielding calls from irate victims who weren't notified. https://twittencom/AaronKatersky/status/1221833096686903299/photo/ 1 thanks, SSA- Squad C-20 Crimes Against Children/Huinan Trafficking FBI New York office mobile EFTA00031723