Financier Jeffrey Epstein will have to wait until Thursday to find out whether he is granted bail. Today in a federal court in New York, prosecutors argued that with his fortune, private planes and connections he is a flight risk. They also said that there is a possibility of witness intimidation. Some of those potential witnesses, Epstein accusers, spoke during the bail hearing.
The first bail hearing was last Monday, but Epstein attorneys argued they wanted more time to establish their argument that the registered sex offender should be released pending trial. NY Magazine writes:
In exchange for his release, Epstein’s lawyers offered his $77 million Manhattan townhouse and private jet as collateral for his bond. As part of the proposal, he would agree to surrender his passport, ground his jet, undergo electronic monitoring, and remain under self-financed house arrest in his Manhattan mansion.
And this came out in court today.
In a written submission Friday to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman, prosecutors revealed new information about their investigation and why they perceive Epstein as dangerous.
They said several additional women in multiple jurisdictions had identified themselves to the government, claiming Epstein abused them when they were minors. Also, dozens of individuals have called the government to report information about Epstein and the charges he faces, prosecutors said.
But Julie K. Brown, the Miami Herald reporter who reignited the Epstein investigation, recounts this bizarre defense in the courtroom:
In one exchange, Epstein’s lawyer, Martin Weinberg said: “It’s not like he is an out-of-control rapist,” to which judge Richard Berman replied “How do you know that?”
The judge says he will announce his decision on bail Thursday morning.