The Department of Justice is refusing to reveal the names of two Jeffrey Epstein associates who received large cash payments from the convicted sex offender just before his 2019 arrest.
Court filings show Epstein wired $100,000 to one associate and $250,000 to another in late 2018. Both individuals had been granted protection under his 2008 non-prosecution agreement.
One of the recipients was “named and featured prominently” in the Miami Herald’s reporting on Epstein’s sweetheart deal, prosecutors said.
The second recipient was identified as an employee in Epstein’s indictment who allegedly helped recruit and schedule victims at his homes in Palm Beach and Manhattan.
Prosecutors argued that the timing of the payments showed Epstein was attempting to influence co-conspirators who might testify against him.
NBC News asked U.S. District Judge Richard Berman to release the names, saying Epstein is dead and no further charges are expected, per the Daily Mail.
But U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton denied the request. He said the two associates are “uncharged third parties who have not waived their privacy interests.” NBC has until September 12 to respond.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has not commented on the matter.
The controversy has reignited public interest in Epstein’s network. Questions