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Public Corruption Unit
Organization
147
Total Mentions
147
Documents
47
Connected Entities
The Public Corruption Unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) prosecuted both Jeffrey Epstein's 2019 indictment and Ghislaine Maxwell's subsequent case, appearing in 147 documents primarily as internal government correspondence and press releases.
The unit appears in official prosecutorial documents including press releases, internal correspondence between Assistant U.S. Attorneys, case updates, and bail opposition filings. Documents show the unit's chiefs and deputy chiefs coordinating the investigation and prosecution of Epstein and Maxwell between 2019-2021. The assignment to the Public Corruption Unit was notable because sex trafficking cases don't typically go to that unit—legal experts noted that its involvement suggested potential angles against public officials, possibly related to the controversial 2008 Florida plea deal that gave Epstein lenient treatment.
Key Highlights
- •Prosecuted both the July 2019 Jeffrey Epstein indictment and the 2020 Ghislaine Maxwell case that resulted in her 20-year prison sentence
- •The unit's involvement raised speculation about investigating public officials connected to Epstein's 2008 Florida plea deal, as sex trafficking cases don't normally go to Public Corruption
- •Documents show extensive coordination between unit chiefs, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Audrey Strauss, and FBI investigators throughout the investigation
- •Former federal prosecutor Elie Honig noted: 'They do NOT run out of Public Corruption – unless there is some potential angle against a public official'
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Links
Books for Further Reading
Public Corruption in the United States (Routledge Series on Practical and Evidence-Based Policing)
Handbook on Corruption, Ethics and Integrity in Public Administration (Elgar Handbooks in Public Administration and Management)
Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story
Julie K. Brown
Investigative journalism that broke the Epstein case open
Document Mentions (20 of 147)
1 mention
Cc: Subject: PCU Monthly Updates Date: Fri, 07 May 2021 15:05:20 +0000 Attachments: PC_Unitr _Short_Form_Update.5.7.21.docx See attached. Chief, Public Corruption Unit U.S. Attorney's Offfice for the York EFTA00030985
Page: EFTA00030985 →1 mention
determined by the judge. Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD. This case is being handled by the Office's Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys and are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is p
Page: EFTA00024537 →BOP_Epstein_Records_Part_3_of_4
1 mentionSource: Bureau of Prisons FOIA
he US Attorney ' b)(6); (b)(7)(C) if"' ._[ ______ ....,1...,hief, Public Corruption Unit, SDNY l (b)(6;; (1>)(7)(C) I ..... ______ ___, Chief, Public Corruption Unit, SDNY .... r_ l(6_) _(b-X7_)~_> _____ ~1 AUSA .... r _)(6-);-'b-)(7-)(C_> __ _.....1 A USA Please inform me of their arrival so that I may gre
Page: BOP_Epstein_Records_Part_3_of_4_p541 →Sponsored
1 mention
na. Happy to chat further if that would be helpful, but otherwise will have the team send you an email shortly so you can approve. Thanks, Chief, Public Corruption Unit U.S. Attorney's Offfice for the Southern District of New York Tel: Cell: EFTA00019491
Page: EFTA00019491 →1 mention
ou may have collected as part of your review. If you have some time later today or early next week for a call, please let us know. Thanks, Chief, Public Corruption Unit U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York Tel. EFTA00031992
Page: EFTA00031992 →1 mention
vailability for trial if you have a couple of minutes to discuss. Let me know when is convenient and I'll give you a call, thank you. Deputy Chief, Public Corruption Unit U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of New York Desk Cell EFTA00027174
Page: EFTA00027174 →Sponsored
1 mention
From: To: Cc: Subject: Epstein Date: Fri, 01 Mar 2019 19:33:42 +0000 Importance: Normal ■— Fo■ we spoke t contact info is: Deputy Chief, Public Corruption Unit U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York he National Coordinator for Child Exploitation and Interdiction, in ODAG. Her EFTA00
Page: EFTA00009883 →1 mention
determined by the judge. Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD. This case is being handled by the Office's Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys , , and are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations. The defenda
Page: EFTA00016169 →1 mention
determined by the judge. Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD. This case is being handled by the Office's Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys and are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is p
Page: EFTA00021822 →Sponsored
1 mention
determined by the judge. Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD. This case is being handled by the Office's Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys and are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is p
Page: EFTA00028739 →1 mention
20:23:47 +0000 https://www.foxnews.com/politicsibarr-confirms-doj-wants-prince-andrew-to-provide-some-evidence-in-epstein- investigation Co-Chief, Public Corruption Unit U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New EFTA00023773
Page: EFTA00023773 →1 mention
e U.S. Attorney, the Deputy U.S. Attorney and the Chief of the Criminal Division and some combination of the Chief Counsel , the Counsel the two Public Corruption Unit chiefs ), the line assistants, and/or FBI investigative and supervisory personnel. We will be prepared to discuss that meeting with you via phone w
Page: EFTA00017009 →Sponsored
1 mention
determined by the judge. Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD. This case is being handled by the Office's Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys and are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is p
Page: EFTA00027852 →1 mention
lso now been filed with the court and is thus a public document. Please let us know if we can pass on anything else that might be of use. Co-Chief, Public Corruption Unit U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York EFTA00017939
Page: EFTA00017939 →1 mention
determined by the judge. Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD. This case is being handled by the Office's Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys and are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is p
Page: EFTA00031854 →Sponsored
1 mention
determined by the judge. Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD. This case is being handled by the Office's Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys and are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is p
Page: EFTA00031522 →1 mention
From: To: Subject: Epstein Date: Thu, 09 May 2019 20:41:16 +0000 Importance: Normal Would you swing by when you have a second? Co-Chief, Public Corruption Unit U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York Tel EFTA00017960
Page: EFTA00017960 →1 mention
guys please send me our filings on bail when you can? Want to provide to Civ Div, so please let me know if anything was filed under seal. Co-Chief, Public Corruption Unit U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York EFTA00032554
Page: EFTA00032554 →Sponsored
1 mention
hose conversations. Do you have time later this week for a quick call? If so, please let us know what might work for you. Thanks very much, Chief, Public Corruption Unit U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York Tel. EFTA00015897
Page: EFTA00015897 →1 mention
gnation is necessary. We'd also ask that this page not be widely disseminated outside of those at EOUSA who already have access. Thank you, Chief, Public Corruption Unit U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of New York EFTA00029022 --- PAGE BREAK --- THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE 'A UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS Cyberse
Page: EFTA00029022 →Sponsored
Connected Entities(20 of 47)
Jeffrey Epstein
PersonAmerican sex offender and financier (1953–2019)
132 docs132 co-mentions
Ghislaine Maxwell
PersonBritish socialite and sex trafficker, daughter of Robert Maxwell, accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein
93 docs93 co-mentions
WJ
William F. Sweeney Jr.
Person75 docs75 co-mentions
Audrey Strauss
Person74 docs74 co-mentions
New York City Police Department
OrganizationMunicipal police force in the United States
73 docs73 co-mentions
New Hampshire
LocationState of the United States of America
73 docs73 co-mentions
DS
Dermot Shea
Person73 docs73 co-mentions
MR
Marc Rich
PersonAmerican commodities trader (1934–2013)
73 docs73 co-mentions
Alison J. Nathan
Person72 docs72 co-mentions
the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Organization67 docs67 co-mentions
District Court for the Southern District of New York
Organization64 docs64 co-mentions
YouTube
OrganizationAmerican video-sharing platform owned by Alphabet Inc.
13 docs13 co-mentions
U.S. Attorney's Office
Organization11 docs11 co-mentions
FBI
Organization9 docs9 co-mentions
Geoffrey S. Berman
Person7 docs7 co-mentions
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Organization7 docs7 co-mentions
DOJ-OIG
Organization4 docs4 co-mentions
AU
Audrey
Person4 docs4 co-mentions
JM
Jim Margolin
Person3 docs3 co-mentions
Richard M. Berman
PersonAmerican judge
3 docs3 co-mentions