Court Records
Case 9:08-cv-80381-KAM Document 50 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/25/2008 Page 1 of 7 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA JANE DOE NO. 2, CASE NO.: 08-CV-80119-MARRA N Plaintiff, vs. JEFFREY EPSTEIN, Defendant. JANE DOE NO. 3, CASE NO.: 08-CV-80232-MARRA Plaintiff, vs. JEFFREY EPSTEIN, Defendant. JANE DOE NO. 4, CASE NO.: 08-CV-80380-MARRA, Plaintiff, vs. JEFFREY EPSTEIN, Defendant. JANE DOE NO. 5, CASE NO.: 08-CV-8038I-MARRA Plaintiff, vs. JEFFREY EPSTEIN, Defendant. JOINT SCHEDULING AND DISCOVERY REPORT EFTA02741701 Case 9:08-cv-80381-KAM Document 50 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/25/2008 Page 2 of 7 Plaintiffs, Jane Doe No. 2, Jane Doe No. 3, Jane Doe No. 4 and Jane Doe No. 5, and Defendant Jeffrey Epstein, submit this Joint Scheduling and Discovery Reports in accordance with this Court's Order Requiring Counsel to Confer, file Joint Scheduling Report and file Joint Discovery Report, and S.D.Fla.L.R. 16.1(B)(2) and Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(f), as follows: I. DISCOVERY REPORT A. Disclosures Under Rule 26(a) The parties propose to exchange initial disclosures under Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a) on or before October 17, 2008. B. Conduct of Discovery 1. Discovery and Pretrial Deadlines The parties propose the following discovery and pm-trial deadlines: Joinder of parties and Amendment of pleadings Parties to exchange list of fact witnesses and expert witness summaries/reports required by S.D.Fla.L.R. 16.1E Mediation to be completed Completion of Discovery Dispositive Motions to be Filed Joint Pretrial Statement to be Filed pursuant to S.D.Fla.L.R. 16.1E Propose pre-trial conference Proposed Trial December 1, 2008 June 1, 2009 July I, 2009 August 1, 2009 August 20, 2009 September 25, 2009 October, 2009 November, 2009 The submission of one Joint Scheduling and Discovery Report for the four cases is not intended to be an agreement or admission regarding whether these cases should be consolidated for any purpose. See §II(D) below. 2 EFTA02741702 Case 9:08-cv-80381-KAM Document 50 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/25/2008 Page 3 of 7 Number of days estimated for jury trial 10 2. Subjects of Discovery and Whether Discovery Should be Phased or Limited to Particular Issues Plaintiffs' Position: There are no unusual issues at this time which require bifurcation or special restrictions on the scope of discovery or the subjects of discovery. Such issues may arise, however, as discovery continues. It is suggested that no restrictions on discovery be imposed at the outset of discovery. Defendant's Position: Any financial discovery, if allowed, relating to a punitive damage should be postponed until May 15, 2009. As well, as set forth in §D below, Defendant will request an order approving a confidentiality agreement governing access to and use of said information by Plaintiff and her attorneys until such time as documents/testimony is admitted at trial. C. Issues About Disclosure of Electronically Stored Information The parties do not know whether issues may arise concerning discovery of electronically stored information. At this time, such discovery may be produced in paper or electronic form, subject to further order of the Court as may be necessary as discovery proceeds. D. Issues About Claims of Privileae or Confidentiality Plaintiffs' Position: Plaintiffs request that their identities remain anonymous in this proceeding because they have alleged that they were victims of sexual misconduct as minors. Papers and exhibits filed with the Court should redact the names of the Plaintiffs or otherwise be filed under seal. Defendant's Position: Defendant may oppose anonymity in that Defendant will be prejudiced in defending himself and conducting his discovery without the ability to disclose Plaintiffs name(s), such as at depositions, subpoenaing medical/health related information, school 3 EFTA02741703 Case 9:08-cv-80381-KAM Document 50 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/25/2008 Page 4 of 7 records, etc. As well, Defendant's counsel has found that disclosure of a Plaintiff's name (who previously filed anonymously) oftentimes produces invaluable and otherwise relevant and material discovery. Defendant will request a confidentiality agreement with restrictions on any financial discovery which this court may allow. Defendant may assert his Fifth Amendment privilege in this matter. E. Limitations Imposed by the Discovery Rules Plaintiffs' Position: Plaintiffs request that the limitation of 10 depositions for each party under Fed.R.Civ.P. 30(a)(2) be removed. Plaintiffs intend to take the depositions of other minor victims of Defendant Epstein, who are numerous. There is no need at this time to alter other limitations imposed by the discovery rules. Defendant's Position: Defendant would request that the number of 10 deposition limit be imposed, pending a motion by either side setting forth justification for additional depositions. F. Other Orders that the Court Should Issue Under Rule 26(c) or Rule 16(b) and (c) No other orders appear necessary at this time except as set forth above. II. CONFERENCE REPORT A. Likelihood of Settlement The parties have not to date engaged in settlement discussions. They are, however, willing to explore the prospects for settlement through mediation or otherwise as the case proceeds forward. B. Likelihood of Appearance of Additional Parties It does not appear that additional parties will appear in this case. However, the parties reserve the right to join additional parties within the deadline set forth in §1(3), if appropriate. 4 EFTA02741704 Case 9:08-cv-80381-KAM Document 50 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/25/2008 Page 5 of 7 C. Proposed Time Limits Proposed time limits are set forth in the Discovery Plan, §I(B) above. D. Proposals for the Formulation and Simplification of Issues Plaintiffs' Position: It would be in the interests of judicial economy and efficiency to consolidate these cases at least for purposes of discovery. Plaintiffs have no other proposals for the formulation and simplification of issues at this time. Defendant's Position: Defendant is opposed to consolidation of the cases for any purpose at this time. Should Plaintiff file a motion, Defendant will consider the request and respond. E. Necessity or Desirability of Amendments to the Pleadings Plaintiff's filed Amended Complaints in each case on September 22, 2008. Plaintiffs do not believe at this time that further amendment will be necessary. The parties however reserve the right to amend pleadings within the deadline set forth in §1(3) above. F. Possibility of Obtaining Admissions of Fact and of Documents; Stipulations; Need for Advance Ruling on Admissibility of Evidence Plaintiffs' Position: Plaintiffs believe that Defendant Epstein's plea agreement is an admission of liability as to all Counts of the Amended Complaint. Plaintiff's request an early ruling by the Court on the affect of the plea agreement, which will simplify the issues. Additionally, Plaintiffs believe that it is appropriate to have an advance evidentiary ruling on similar fact evidence. If the parties know early in the case how similar fact evidence will be treated at trial, discovery can be more focused and efficient. Defendant's Position: Defendant expects that the parties will work together to arrive at admissions as the matter progresses. Defendant disagrees that Defendant's plea agreement is an admission as described by Plaintiff. Defendant does agree that having an advance ruling on similar fact evidence may be desirable, after motion and ability to brief and respond. 5 EFTA02741705 Case 9:08-cv-80381-KAM Document 50 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/25/2008 Page 6 of 7 G. Suggestions for the Avoidance of Unnecessary Proof and of Cumulative Evidence There are no suggestions at this time for the avoidance of unnecessary proof or of cumulative evidence. H. Suggestion on the Advisability of Referring Matters to a Magistrate Judge or It is suggested that discovery matters be referred to a Magistrate Judge. f. Preliminary Estimate of the Time Required for Trial It is estimated that the trial will require ten (10) days. J. Requested Date or Dates for Pre Trial Conference and Trial Dates are set forth in the proposed discovery plan §I(B) above. K. Other Information There is no other information that might be helpful to the Court at this early date regarding setting the case for status conference or pm trial conference. Dated: September 25, 2008. Respectfully submitted, By: s/ Jeffrey M. Herman Adam D. Horowitz, Esq. Jeffrey Marc Herman, Esq. Stuart S. Mermelstein, Esq. 18205 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 2218 Miami, FL 33160 [Phone Redacted] Fax: [Phone Redacted] [Email Redacted] [Email Redacted] [Email Redacted] Counsel for Plaintiffs Jane Doe #2 - #5 By: s/ Jack Alan Goldberger Jack Alan Goldberger Atterbury Goldberger & Weiss, P.A. 250 Australian Avenue South Suite 1400 West Palm Beach, FL 33401-5012 [Phone Redacted] Fax: [Phone Redacted] [Email Redacted] Counsel for Defendant Jeffrey Epstein By: s/ Michael R. Tein Michael R. Tein, Esq. Tein, P.L. 6 EFTA02741706 Case 9:08-cv-80381-KAM Document 50 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/25/2008 Page 7 of 7 By: s/ Robert D. Critton Robert D. Critton, Jr., Esq. Florida Bar No. 224162 [Email Redacted] Michael J. Pike, Esq. Florida Bar #617296 [Email Redacted] Burman, Critton, Luther & Coleman, 515 N. Flagler Drive, Suite 400 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 561/842-2820 Phone 561/515-3148 Fax Counsel for Defendant Jeffrey Epstein 3059 Grand Avenue, Suite 340 Coconut Grove, FL 33133 [Phone Redacted] Fax: [Phone Redacted] Counsel for Defendant Jeffrey Epstein [Email Redacted] 7 EFTA02741707