DOJ-OGR-00021427.pdf

Case 22-1426, Document 77, 06/29/2023, 3536038, Page255 of 258 SA-253 Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 204-3 Filed 04/16/21 Page 253 of 348 prosecutors and did not recall learning any information about Epstein's guilty plea until after the plea was entered on June 30, 2008. When asked whether she was concerned that her statements would mislead the victims, Villafaña told OPR: From my perspective we were conducting an investigation and it was an investigation that was going to lead to an indictment. You know, I was interviewing witnesses, I was issuing [legal process], ... I was doing all [these] things to take the case to a federal indictment and a federal trial. So to me, saying to a victim the case is now back under investigation is perfectly accurate. 4. February – March 2008: Villafaña Takes Additional Steps to Prepare for a Prosecution of Epstein, Arranges for Pro Bono Attorneys for Victims, and Cautions about Continued Delay In February 2008, Villafaña revised the prosecution memorandum and supplemental memorandum. Villafaña removed some victims known to Epstein from the PBPD investigation and others subject to impeachment as a result of civil suits they filed against Epstein, added newly discovered victims, and made changes to the proposed indictment. While the defense appealed the USAO's decision to prosecute Epstein to higher levels of the Department, Villafaña sought help for victims whom defense investigators were harassing and attempting to subpoena for depositions as part of Epstein's defense in civil lawsuits that some victims had brought against him, as well as purportedly in connection with the state criminal case. Villafaña reported to her supervisors that she was able to locate a "national crime victims service organization" to provide attorneys for the victims, and the FBI Victim Specialist contacted some victims to provide contact information for the attorneys.341 During this period, an attorney from the victims service organization was able to help Courtney Wild avoid an improper deposition. Villafaña also informed her supervisors, including Sloman, that "one of the victims tried to commit suicide last week," and advocated aggressively for a resolution to the case: "I just can't stress enough how important it is for these girls to have a resolution in this case. The 'please be patient' answer is really wearing thin, especially when Epstein's group is still on the attack while we are forced to wait on the sidelines." 5. March – April 2008: Villafaña Continues to Prepare for Filing Federal Charges Villafaña continued to revise the proposed charges by adding new victims and by removing others who had filed civil suits against Epstein. Villafaña also prepared search warrants for digital 341 The FBI Victim Specialist informed Villafaña that she spoke "directly to seven victims" and informed them of the pro bono counsel and explained that her "job as a Victim Specialist is to ensure that victims[] of a Federal crime are afforded their rights, information and resource referral." 227 DOJ-OGR-00021427