office’s handling of the prosecution, which led to a plea to minor charges in state court, has been harshly criticized. Later that year, Acosta and Villafafia put together a plea bargain for Epstein, a multimillionaire money manager who sexually abused nearly three dozen teenage girls at his mansion in Palm

ttorney apparently intended that he never be given a full picture of the defendant’s conduct,” Hakes said. But nine months later, in September 2007, Villafafia was in the throes of thorny negotiations with Epstein’s lawyers. While an FBI investigation was ongoing, Villafafia discussed ways to quietly resolve

he United States Attorney's Office prepared negotiated lea agreements containing these charges. For example, in a September 18, 2007, email from AUSA Villafafia to Lefkowitz (attached hereto as Exhibit “H’), she attached the proposed plea agreement describing Epstein’s witness tampering as follows: "UNITED

been negotiated with Epstein’s attorneys that would block federal sussecution, To the contrary, AUSA Villafafia mentioned a possible indictment. AUSA Villafafia did indicate that federal investigators had concrete evidence and information that Epstein had sexually molested many underage minor females, includi

o house this guy instead of DOC [the Department of Corrections]?” Belohlavek: “Right.” Pucillo did not respond to a request for comment on the case. Villafafia, the lead federal prosecutor in Epstein’s case, was in the courtroom, but there’s no indication she objected to Epstein’s cozier jail accommodations.

o house this guy instead of DOC [the Department of Corrections]?” Belohlavek: “Right.” Pucillo did not respond to a request for comment on the case. Villafafia, the lead federal prosecutor in Epstein’s case, was in the courtroom, but there’s no indication she objected to Epstein’s cozier jail accommodations.

ttorney apparently intended that he never be given a full picture of the defendant’s conduct,” Hakes said. But nine months later, in September 2007, Villafafia was in the throes of thorny negotiations with Epstein’s lawyers. While an FBI investigation was ongoing, Villafafia discussed ways to quietly resolve

been negotiated with Epstein’s attorneys that would block federal prosecution. To the contrary, AUSA Villafafia mentioned a possible indictment. AUSA Villafafia did indicate that federal investigators had concrete evidence and information that Epstein had sexnatly molested many underage minor females, includi

ttorney apparently intended that he never be given a full picture of the defendant’s conduct,” Hakes said. But nine months later, in September 2007, Villafafia was in the throes of thorny negotiations with Epstein’s lawyers. While an FBI investigation was ongoing, Villafafia discussed ways to quietly resolve

thus rendered the agreement difficult, if not impossible, to unwind.” And that’s exactly what happened. HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_016453 --- PAGE BREAK --- Villafafia frequently showed her frustration. “T thought we had worked very well together in resolving this dispute. ... I feel that I bent over backwards to k