Politically connected sex offender Jeffrey Epstein settles suit, averting victim testimony

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A last-minute settlement has been reached in Florida in a long-running lawsuit involving a politically connected financier accused of sexually abusing dozens of teenage girls.

The deal came Tuesday just before jury selection was to begin, and for now, it means none of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein will be able to testify.

A lawyer for Epstein read an apology from him to attorney Bradley Edwards, who represents some victims. Edwards claimed Epstein tried to damage his reputation by suing him.

The 65-year-old Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state sex charges, served a year in jail and became a registered sex offender. But in a secret deal with federal prosecutors led by now-Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, Epstein avoided a possible life term, and victims weren’t heard from in court.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/04/jeffrey-epstein-settles-suit-testimony-1043176

[hlthe2b]

1. Once again, the monied buy their escape from "justice" and "consequences"...

[leftynyc]

7. This was a civil case

The ONLY "justice" or "consequence" you were going to see was money and that's what you got.

[hlthe2b]

8. Not at all. He settled to avoid the public testimony & record. THAT was the consequence he avoided

Some just don't get it....

And NO ONE here deserves you condescension. I would bet all of my fellow DUers know that this was a civil trial--some likely have personal experience that gives them the understanding you apparently DO NOT have.

[leftynyc]

9. I understand civil cases more than you do apparently

The victims didn't have to settle. Perhaps they didn't WANT to testify in public.

[hlthe2b]

11. Apparently you don't at all... You throw enough money at those who have none and they have no choice

and THAT is what you don't get. You think these women didn't WANT to testify? Good gawd. I don't know if some don't WANT to "get it" or simply refuse. It is shameful that you have no more understanding than you do for these victims or what it means to wait decades for even public acknowledgement of what happened. THAT, after having been denied the justice of an appropriate criminal sentence.

So, no... your attempt to claim special "understanding" FAILED-- both from a legal understanding and certainly from a societal one.

[leftynyc]

13. They most certainly DO have a choice

They chose the money over the trial. They could have had the trial and gotten money from the jury decision - they decided not to risk that OR decided they didn't want the publicity.

[hlthe2b]

15. You really don't have a clue or you at least seem to lack understanding at all.

And it is disgusting to see you disparage these women who waited decades for any semblance of voice and acknowledgement of what happened to them. Yes, the wealthy can pay to avoid consequences and that is exactly what happened.

[leftynyc]

20. Where EXACTLY did I disparage these women?

Deciding not to let epstein's lawyer tear their lives and reputations apart in court was THEIR decision to make, not yours. LYING about what I said doesn't help you at all.

[hlthe2b]

24. To suggest they were only out for money and that is why they did not opt to speak up in the trial

If that is not disparaging, I don't know what is. YOU SAID "They chose the money over the trial. "

These women were victims for decades with no voice, no one to believe them-- no outlet to tell their stories.. They don't deserve to have anyone imply they were "only out for money".

[leftynyc]

25. And exactly WHERE did I say they

were only out for money (which, by the way, was the ONLY compensation they COULD have gotten here). It appears you seem to be under the impression they could have gotten more than money here and you're simply wrong about that. Not everyone wants their lives torn apart by a lawyer in a courtroom and that's not a decision YOU get to make for these women because you want epstein hanging from a hook.

[hlthe2b]

26. Painting these women as anything but victims who finally had a chance to have their voice heard, but

only opted for the money is disgusting. I have little doubt these women felt they had few options (and their lawyers undoubtedly stressed to them that they might end up with nothing).

Power, whether it be wealth or position, or ability to hurt another is very hard to fight against and these women likely had little to fight back with. Implying that they were somehow not willing to hold out for their beliefs when a large settlement was offered IS DISPARAGEMENT. And, yes, shameful.

[leftynyc]

28. The ONLY person who implied

these women could be bought was YOU who claimed if you throw enough money at a woman, they will take it eventually so once again I stress, the only one who disparaged these women by implying they were not willing to hold out for their beliefs was YOU. And their lawyers were right - they COULD have ended up with nothing but their lives on the front page of the newspapers. That THEY decided this was the best course of action was their decision to make.

[hlthe2b]

32. No.. I believe they were convinced by their lawyers that this was the best choice.

and yes, if you have family and bills, and little security, one does have to consider a sure settlement.

It is not me judging them, but certainly you are.

Interesting that you have not a single criticism to offer against the perpetrator and predator, Jeffrey Epstein.

[leftynyc]

38. YOU are the only one here

questioning their decision and implying they HAD to take the settlement. Are you denying they could have ended up with nothing? I've already said my peace in the past about that pig epstein - the DA should be investigated and his bank accounts heavily scrutinized - that's concerning the criminal case. I don't feel the need to repeat myself because YOU don't like that I'm simply pointing out the reality of the situation regarding this civil case. Stop implying these women were bought because that make you look judgmental as you have zero idea why they made that decision.

[hlthe2b]

39. I am NOT questioning their decision. I bemoan that they had little options and little to no justice

YOU are the one implying they sold out. You have repeatedly done so and it is damned disgusting. It does say a lot about you, though.

[leftynyc]

42. They had the same option anyone

bringing a civil case always get. YOU are the one who said poor women will sell out for enough money - NOT ME, YOU. I'm quite content letting these women DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES that this was the best course of action for THEM.

[hlthe2b]

43. You defend the rich and powerful getting one system of justice while others get none.

and you call me "foolish".

[leftynyc]

46. Sigh

STOP putting words into my mouth. I'm not defending anyone but these women deserving the right to make a decision that best benefits them. You don't like our justice system? Become a freaking lawyer or lawmaker and try and change it. But stop howling at the moon and pretending someone else's choices are yours to make and judge. And STOP putting words into my mouth because you can't look at reality and accept it.

[onenote]

29. They made the same choice that every plaintiff has to make when offered a settlement

And its not purely about money.

Whenever you go before a jury, there is risk. So for these women it was not merely the risk that they'd get less money if they didn't settle, it's that they could lose entirely, in which case Epstein would be able to say he was vindicated and that the women were not truthful.

One can see why the women might not want to run that risk.

[Dorian Gray]

54. How did lefty

disparage the women?

He's (She's?) right. The women didn't have to settle. They chose to. Maybe because they didn't want to testify. Maybe because the settlement was what they wanted in the first place. How is that disparaging their characters? They suffered immensely at his hands, and taking a settlement is their right. That doesn't mean it isn't true that they didn't choose it.

And it's NOT their responsibility to make sure Epstein suffers consequences. But we can be sad that he didn't face more while at the same time understanding that in a civil suit, it's their right to take a settlement. And STILL feel great sympathy for those women who were mistreated when they were underage GIRLS!

[exboyfil]

12. I think the point is that Epstein already received a sweet heart deal

in the criminal proceedings. We were hoping for a societal redo through the civil case. As you pointed out the civil case is governed by the needs of the civil party. Anything we get on that front is secondary to the needs of the plaintiff.

[leftynyc]

17. He got away with disgusting behavior

and the DA should be ashamed and probably investigated - at least have his/her bank accounts scrutinized. But this is our system when it comes to civil cases. To imply the victims wouldn't have gotten anything from a trial is dishonest - they jury would have looked at the case and decided if they should be rewarded monetary compensation - looks like they either didn't want to take the risk or didn't want the sordid details public.

[hlthe2b]

27. Your condescension towards other DUers-- who know full well this was a civil case is beyond the pale

and your assumption you know more than others here obviously quite undeserved

[leftynyc]

30. I'm not sorry in the slightest

that YOU consider the truth of the situation condescending. This wasn't YOUR decision to make - it was the victim's decision and that YOU don't like their decision is too freaking bad.

[hlthe2b]

31. I never said they did not make a decision--only that they were left with few choices due to being

denied true justice. That you can not understand that, cannot or will not appreciate it, suggests a very low level of societal understanding or empathy for victims of rape and sexual abuse. Given that, I am not surprised at all that you feel no shame or regret for your attitude.

[leftynyc]

34. The ONLY thing they could have gotten

from this case was money so I have no freaking idea what you mean by "true justice". In my mind, true justice would have only come from a criminal case which this was not. I seem to have far more empathy for the victims since I'm not the one questioning their decision here.

[hlthe2b]

37. Again, you don't get it. They deserve the $$ but they also deserved their voices to be heard.

That they undoubtedly were forced to sign a non-disclosure for the sure settlement was good for Epstein, good for all the lawyers, but surely not good for them. If you knew anything about sexual assault and victimization, you would not be suggesting they only went to court for the $$. They wanted to be HEARD. That they were convinced to take a large settlement does not speak against them and their motivations for going to court. Only that their lawyers convinced them to do so.

[leftynyc]

40. YOU are the one

judging these women for their choice, not me. But go ahead and blame their lawyer for merely pointing out the truth - they could have ended up with nothing. They didn't HAVE to take the settlement which is something you seem to want to ignore. And you have zero idea what my history is regarding sexual abuse and victimization so you can stop making a fool of yourself on that score anytime now. You find reality hard - that's not my problem.

[hlthe2b]

41. No, you are the one who is judging them. I bemoan they received no real justice. You defend a system

that allowed the powerful and monied interests to escape justice and to pay to avoid further public shaming or accountability.

[leftynyc]

44. I'm defending their right

to make their own choice in the matter. You, apparently, think they should have turned down the money, put their lives on display and probably torn apart by the defense attorney all so epstein would get.....what? Embarrassed? Shamed? As if that's possible. The ONLY compensation they could have gotten here, given this was a civil case, was money.

[onenote]

48. They also could have gotten some additional vindication, but they also could have risked not getting

that either.

Juries are unpredictable. It is easy to see why plaintiffs often choose to avoid a trial that inherently has a degree of uncertainty to the outcome.

For those expressing outrage at this settlement: were you equally outraged when Bill Clinton paid Paula Jones $850,000 to settle her lawsuit against him?

[leftynyc]

51. Exactly

It was their choice to make. They could have ended up with nothing but their own reputations tarnished since it's impossible to further tarnish epstein's as everyone already knows he's a sewer dwelling scumbag. Nobody knows what a jury would have decided here. Settlements happen all day, every day. That's our justice system.

[Dorian Gray]

55. I think this is important

and stating that they had a choice and chose NOT to put their lives on the stand doesn't mean that we are criticizing them for that choice. I probably would have made a similar choice, knowing that my family and friends would all go through this with me.

Epstein (and all his friends who utilized his scummy island) deserves punishment for their actions.

These woman don't deserve condescension or pain or anything else. It's their decision to make. A civil suit is a civil suit. If they don't want to take it further, they have the right to take that settlement and find whatever peace that they can.

[leftynyc]

56. I'm guessing I would have

done the same thing. There was NO chance this case would have led to further criminal charges. I wouldn't ever presume to tell other women what they should have done or not done here.

[Dorian Gray]

57. Me either

I have so much empathy for what they've gone through, and I don't know what society expects from them here. There is no way to right the wrongs that have been done to them.

I do hope (For justice sake) people investigate how the original criminal complaint was pled down to what it actually was. Because that seems criminal!

[leftynyc]

58. Absolutely

I would be investigating the bank accounts of the DA that made that deal. Without conferring with the victims. Smells rancid to me. But the women? Whatever they want to do is fine with me and none of my business.

[louis c]

2. What the Fuck...

...I hope this settlement doesn't get everyone off the hook.

[brooklynite]

4. The criminal portion has already been adjudicated

[louis c]

6. I'm sure, if there are "dozens" of women involved, new charges from new complaintants can arise...

...and I'm aware of the statute of limitations, but if even one count falls inside the 7 year time frame, it becomes a continuous crime (just like RICO) that can bring all unadjudicated crimes into the charges.

[hlthe2b]

10. How is it so many don't get it? Yes, this was a civil case, but he paid it off to avoid the public

testimony. THAT--from multiple women ON THE RECORD-- was the consequence his money allowed him to avoid.

Again, some do not have a clue...

[mr_lebowski]

5. Sounds like a civil case, the prosecution is long over with ...

I'm assuming this is about damages ...

[mr_lebowski]

3. I sure as hell hope that means he settled for a F***TON of $$$

to be distributed to the victims?

[watoos]

14. There may have been hundreds of victims,

but this settlement only involved 2 women, correct? Maybe the publicity will get more women to come forward, or is it too late?

Guess we're not going to hear about whether Alan Dershowich got a massage?

[Eyeball_Kid]

19. Dersh is a scumbag and a pedophile.

How he has any credibility or standing with the media will always be perplexing. It leads me to think that there must be lots of media executives who are on the take, or who are just as amoral as Dersh and Trumpy.

[LanternWaste]

16. Trump said of Epstein in 2002...

"He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."

(NYMag.com, August 12, 2018)

[Eyeball_Kid]

18. Trumpy the Mushroom was shipping "young models" to Epstein's parties.

THAT'S the information that the settlement kept secret. It's contained in witnesses' testimony gathered in other litigation.

[Yavin4]

21. I think that he has immunity from any future criminal charges as well

Correct me if I'm wrong, but no other victim can bring charges in this matter.

[salin]

35. That doesn't sound right,

regarding victims who were not included in the first court case.

[SergeStorms]

22. Damn it!

This lying, decadent, child rapist is going to skate again?

This isn't right. These women - who were underage girls when these crimes took place - deserve their day in court to face the man who molested them!

Alexander Acosta should be investigated thoroughly. What did he receive from Epstein in return for his slap on the wrist (and a very light slap it was) for crimes that could have put him away for life as a sex offender?

This isn't right. Epstein deserves to have his balls put in a vise, and each girl he molested should get two full 360 degree turns on the handle. Squeeze those pitiful huevos until there's nothing left but a slimy glob of skin.

Is there no justice in the world anymore?

[leftynyc]

23. The victims had to approve the settlement

THEY decided to take the money rather than go to court where epstein's lawyer would have, no doubt, tried to impugn their reputations (the implication being they didn't deserve monetary compensation). That's not for anyone but the victims to decide.

[2naSalit]

33. Filthy bastard...

ETA: If he were to have to testify and info let out, it might expose the child sex trafficking ring that has many in DC scurrying about to keep the lid on it. It's been going on for some time, probably since they got caught (again) and stopped raping the Capitol pages.

[onenote]

49. Did you get that from InfoWars?

Or do you care to share a reliable source for your assertions.

[PaulX2]

36. The Original Settlement Was Illegal - Victims Were Not Informed - Can Be Thrown Out

This may not be over.

Someone needs to keep at it seeking REAL JUSTICE, not spending nights in the "special" jail cell.

Anyone here see Rachel?

[onenote]

45. Link?

Are you talking about the criminal case?

[leftynyc]

47. Jail was not an option in this case

This is a civil case. If you're talking about the criminal case, why is this the first we're hearing about this and where is your link to that charge?

[Marthe48]

50. I hope the victims have peace

I was hoping for epstein to be exposed in public and pay more than money. We need to make sure everything about him, except this, is forgotten.

[ancianita]

52. Isn't there such a thing as a mistrial in these cases? A new trial due to legal/judicial negligence

around informing the victims of the plea deal and outcome?

Seems to me that this civil trial should turn into a criminal case, anyway. Corroborated and proven pedophilia should be a crime anywhere and with anyone, no matter how much legal power they buy.

[Demonaut]

53. he should spend his last years in prison..and pay his victims