c/o Inner City Press, Adam Klasfeld & The Independent
Day four of the trial begins with a new witness — Paul Kane, director of finance of New York’s Professional Children’s School.
The school is an independent day school on West 60th St in Manhattan serving grades six to 12.
1440GMT
AUSA: Look at Government Exhibit 721. Do you recognize it?
Kane: An enrollment application for a student.
AUSA: Don't say the name. Is it an accurate copy?
Kane: Yes.
Maxwell's lawyer: Objection - hearsay!
AUSA: It's a business record.
Judge Nathan: Overruled.
Maxwell's lawyer: Can I question the witness?
Judge Nathan: Go ahead.
Maxwell's lawyer: The Professional Children's School doesn't verify the accuracy of the info on the form, does it?
Kane: I think they do.
Maxwell's lawyer: All of it?
Kane: That, I don't know.
Maxwell's lawyer: So the info--
AUSA: Your Honor, may I?
Judge Nathan: You may.
AUSA: What happens to info coming in?
Kane: Contact the family by phone, then invite them to tour the school and have a conversation.
AUSA: Does the School rely on the form?
Kane: Yes.
Sidebar, document is in
AUSA: What grade was the person applying for?
Kane: 12th. Due to "move to New York."
AUSA: Who's listed as person of financial responsibility?
Kane: Mister Jeffrey Epstein.
AUSA: Thanks. No further questions.
Maxwell's lawyer: You have no idea if Mr. Epstein actually paid.
Kane: I do not.
Maxwell's lawyer: And for the mother, does it say unemployed?
Kane: It says self-employed. As an interior decorator.
Maxwell's lawyer: And who is the listed agent?
AUSA: Objection!
Judge Nathan: Just make the jurors look at it.
Maxwell's lawyer: Look at the name in the corner. And the name of the prior principal. You don't have to say them for the record. No further questions.
Judge Nathan: Thank you Mr Kane. Next US witness. It's Doctor Lisa Rocchio.
Doctor Lisa Rocchio: I have a Masters and PhD from U of Rhode Island.
1515GMT
After a long presentation of credentials, Rocchio is in as an expert.
AUSA: Did you interview anyone in this case?
Rocchio: No.
AUSA: Does your pay depend on outcome of the trial?
Rocchio: No.
AUSA: What is grooming?
Rocchio: Strategies to get children into sex. I've seen grooming in the Boy Scouts through a special camping trip. Or jewelry, anything to make the children feel they are appreciated.
AUSA: How common is it for a child to be repeatedly abused by the same perp?
Rocchio: Very common. It's by people close to the child.
AUSA: What is a grooming environment?
Rocchio: The perp develops trust with people around the child, for example with the parents
Sidebar
1557GMT
AUSA: Are victims of child sexual abuse likely to report it to the police?
Rocchio: No.
AUSA: How do they talk about it?
Maxwell's lawyer: Objection - no foundation.
Judge Nathan: I'll sustain. Can you re-phrase?
AUSA: What is the long term impact?
Rocchio: They are at higher risk for adverse outcomes.
AUSA: Nothing further.
Judge Nathan: Let's take our break.
Recess
1653GMT
Maxwell's lawyer: Doctor Rocchio, you have a $45,000 contract for this, correct?
Rocchio: Yes.
Maxwell's lawyer: If one had a brain injury, it might be hard to remember, right?
AUSA: Objection.
Judge Nathan: Sustained.
Maxwell's lawyer: Alcohol would harm recall too, yes?
AUSA: Objection.
Judge Nathan: Sustained.
Maxwell's lawyer: Are you familiar with confabulation?
AUSA: Objection!
Judge: Overruled.
Maxwell's lawyer: It's filling in the gaps.
AUSA: Objection.
Judge: Sustained.
Maxwell's lawyer: My grandfather liked to take me to the Bronx Zoo. Was that grooming?
Next US witness is Juan Patricio Alessi. A former housekeeper to Jeffrey Epstein who worked at Epstein’s house in Palm Beach, Florida.
AUSA: Where do you come from?
Alessi: Quito, Ecuador.
AUSA: When did you move to Florida?
Alessi: Early 1984. I worked for a wealthy family in Palm Beach, I was a maintenance guy. Then I worked for Mister Jeffrey Epstein
AUSA: How did you meet Epstein?
Alessi: I was working on Mister Wexner's mother's house.
AUSA: Who is in this photo?
Alessi: Mr. Jeffrey Epstein.
AUSA: When Mr. Epstein was in Palm Beach, where did you sleep?
Alessi: I had a room there.
AUSA: Who else worked there?
Alessi: I brought my wife to help me. And other girls.
AUSA: How did things changed after Ms. Maxwell got involved?
Alessi: Things were less cordial. Less conversation. I was not allowed to see Mr. Epstein anymore, unless he asked me question. Ms. Maxwell said, Don't look at his eyes, "look at another part of him."
1734GMT
And with that, and a blue print of the house on the screens, Judge Nathan says: The jurors' lunch has arrived. Let's break.
Recess
1845GMT
Alessi is describing Epstein's Palm Beach home in great detail. Presumably it will become relevant in the testimony of Survivor / Witnesses 2, 3 and 4.
AUSA: Pull up Gov Exhibit 297. Mr. Alessi what is this?
Alessi: The 2d floor. That is toward Mr. Epstein's bedroom. There was a huge bathroom.
AUSA: And what's that other bathroom?
Alessi: That's Ms. Maxwell's bathroom.
AUSA: But they both came off the master bedroom?
Alessi. Yes.
AUSA: Where did Ms. Maxwell sleep in the Palm Beach house?
Maxwell's lawyer: Objection!
But it's allowed.
Alessi: She slept in Mr. Epstein's bedroom.
AUSA: How many times did you see females by Mr. Epstein's pool?
Alessi: 100s.
AUSA: How often were they topless?
Alessi: 75% of the time.
AUSA: How about Little St. James?
Alessi: I was on a cruise with my wife to St. Thomas. They picked us up & showed us Little St. James. It was huge.
AUSA: Did you visit any Ms Maxwell property?
Alessi: Her townhome in London. She invited us. It had a red front door
AUSA: What conversations did you have with Ms. Maxwell about this booklet?
Alessi: I told her I could not do this checklist, with all my other work.
AUSA: Show them Gov Exhibit 606.
AUSA: How long is this book?
Alessi: 58 pages.
AUSA: What is it?
Alessi: List of what were supposed to do to maintain the house.
Now Maxwell's lawyer will question Alessi about the book of instructions.
Maxwell's lawyer: When you left, you didn't have this in your possession did you?
Alessi: No I did not.
Maxwell's lawyer: But this book was created after you left, at least by the date on it.
Maxwell's lawyer: We object to 606.
AUSA: He identified pages.
Judge Nathan: I'm overruling the objection. 606 is admitted.
AUSA: We you recognize the address at the bottom?
ALessi: Mr. Epstein's residence.
AUSA: There's a reference to the JE and the GM telephone directories. What were they?
Alessi: Books with hundreds and hundreds of names. Directions and addresses.
Alessi: They were 2 inches thick. Full of names.
AUSA [for some reason turning away from the 2 black books, at least for now] Let's turn to page 23, about Ms. Maxwell's desk. What does it say?
Alessi: Please the directory to the right of the phone.
Assistant US Attorney: What is this?
Alessi: Instructions for serving breakfast. Sometimes at 5 am.
AUSA: Who else worked there?
Alessi: Chefs. My wife. Ms Maxwell's assistant. Then Sarah Kellen.
Alessi: Two females seemed to be underage.
AUSA: Don't say their names. Jurors, look at the binders under your chairs. GX 12.
1944GMT
Alessi: Can I have a cup of water?
Then: AUSA: Is that name the person we'll call Jane?
Alessi: Yes. I met Virginia Roberts too.
AUSA: When you met Jane how old was she?
Juan Alessi: Appeared 14 or 15. She was beautiful, beautiful eyes, long brunette hair, very pleasant. Three times she was there with her mother. Then, without her mother. Many times.
AUSA: How would Jane get to the house?
Juan Alessi: I would pick her up, and the direction of Mr. Epstein or Ms. Maxwell.
AUSA: When did you meet Ms Virginia Roberts?
Alessi: I was at Mar-A-Lago with Ms. Maxwell. I waited in the car like the driver
Alessi: It was a hot day. Ms. Maxwell said, Stop, John, Stop. I did and Ms Maxwell went up to this girl.
AUSA: Where was this girl?
Alessi: She was coming down the ramp.
AUSA: How did she look?
Alessi: Young.
Alessi: Then by 5 pm I saw her [Virginia Roberts] back at the house.
AUSA: Show Exhibits 113 and 114 only to the witness and parties... How old did you think Ms Roberts was?
Alessi: 14 or 15.
AUSA: Did Ms. Maxwell ever instruct you to pick up Ms. Roberts?
A: Yes.
AUSA: Did you ever see Ms. Roberts at Mr. Epstein's home with luggage?
Alessi: Yes. I drove them to the plane.
AUSA: How many massages would Mr. Epstein get a day?
Alessi: Before I left, three a day. I called whoever they told me to call.
AUSA: Did the phone books we discussed have names for massage in them?
Alessi: Yes.
AUSA: Did you see Jane's name in it?
Alessi: Yes. The books were updated twice a year.
AUSA: What did you do with them, when new ones were made?
Alessi: Just throw them away.
AUSA: I have a physical exhibit, GX 52. May I approach the witness? Do you recognize it?
AUSA: What is it?
Alessi: It is the directory.
AUSA: Did you review it last night?
Alessi: I did.
AUSA: Every page?
Alessi: Yes.
AUSA: How many names?
Alessi: Many. Many. Many.
AUSA: Is this the same you saw when you were that or a later version?
Alessi: A later version.
2013GMT
AUSA: Pull up Exhibit 52a. It is a sealed exhibit.
Judge Nathan: Let's take a break.
Assistant US Attorney: We are not offering the full exhibit 52 [the black book].
Recess
2100GMT
AUSA: Is Sarah Kellen in this version?
Objection - leading.
Judge Nathan: I'll overrule that.
Sidebar
Maxwell's lawyer: As you sit here today, 19 years later, you have no idea where Exhibit 52 has been?
Maxwell's lawyer: You said the book was two inches thick. But Exhibit 52 is a quarter inch thick, correct?
Alessi: Yes.
Maxwell's lawyer: The book you were talking about was from New York, right?
Alessi: Yes.
Maxwell's lawyer: And the PostIt notes weren't there, right?
Alessi: Right.
AUSA: Did you take messages for Mr. Epstein? How?
Alessi: If he didn't want to talk the call. Or wasn't there.
Maxwell's lawyer: There are a number of pages without dates next to the names. Do you know that?
Alessi: I guess so.
Judge Nathan: Exhibits admitted.
AUSA: They are sealed - not to be put on screens, binders only.
2130GMT
AUSA: What supplies did you buy for the massages?
Alessi: No oils, I was -
Maxwell's lawyer: Objection!
AUSA: Did Ms Maxwell give you supplies?
Alessi: Exotic oils for other countries.
AUSA: Was Mr. Epstein's door open during the massages?
Alessi: Never. Afterward I went in with gloves.
AUSA: Why?
Alessi: To clean up.
AUSA: What did you see after the massages? Towels?
Alessi: Yes. But not all of the massages.
AUSA: Do any incidents stand out in your mind?
Alessi: I found a large dildo.
AUSA Comey: What did you do with it?
Alessi: Wash it up.
AUSA: Where did you put the dildo?
Alessi: In Ms. Maxwell's bathroom. In a basket.
AUSA: How did you know where to put it?
Alessi: I knew everything going on in the house.
AUSA: What else was in the basket?
Alessi: I saw pornographic tapes.
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AUSA: How often did you see the dildo?
Alessi: At least five times.
AUSA: And the other one, the massager, did the ball at the end vibrate?
Alessi: Yes. I would put it at the top of Mr. Epstein's dresser.
AUSA Comey: What photos were in the house?
Alessi: Photos of Mr Epstein and Ms Maxwell with important people.
AUSA: Like who?
Alessi: Donald Trump. The Pope, I think, Fidel Castro.
AUSA: Were there photographs of naked women?
Alessi: Yes. But those were kept in Ms. Maxwell's desk.
AUSA: Why did you leave Mr Epstein's employ?
Alessi: I was sick and tired.
AUSA: Did you sign a non-disclosure agreement?
Alessi: Yes. About both of them.
[CONTINUED IN COMMENT]
[Extra Details c/o Adam Klasfeld]
Today's first witness was Paul Kane, director of finance from NYC's Professional Children's School.
He was there to introduce about an application for a 12th grade student, which stated "financial responsibility" by Jeffrey Epstein. This testimony, brief and clerical, paved the way for the second witness: government expert Lisa Rocchio, a clinical psychologist who spoke about the grooming process.
She spoke about, among other things, how perpetrators find ways to access victims that won't be questioned. Jurors remained attentive during her testimony. On direct, Rocchio delivered testimony largely to them, and they maintained eye contact largely throughout.
— Especially as she described the "five stages" of grooming. They roughly break down to:
One female juror nodded as she got to number three.
Ghislaine Maxwell's trial resumes with testimony from Juan Alessi, who was in charge of running Jeffrey Epstein's house. This morning, he told jurors Maxwell told him Epstein "didn't like to be looked at in the eyes."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey, daughter of ex-FBI director James Comey, continues her direct examination. Alessi is describing Epstein's Palm Beach house, using a blueprint of it submitted into evidence. How it looks from the outside. Earlier, Alessi said he was the one who painted it pink for Epstein.
They've moved from the drawing of the first floor of the house to one of the second floor. Telling jurors he'll be turning 72 within weeks, Alessi is from Quito, Ecuador. Referring to Maxwell, Alessi said: "She called me 'John.' Mr. Epstein called me 'John.' My name is 'Juan."
"She was a pretty girl," Alessi said of Maxwell. "Tall. Brunette." He recalled Maxwell being with Epstein "95%" of the time. Alessi described his relationship with Epstein as initially "cordial." When Maxwell came in, it turned "professional." He says Maxwell told him: "Jeffrey doesn't like to be looked at in the eyes."
Hours were long, between 5 a.m. to 9 to 10 p.m., he testified. When he first identified Maxwell this morning, he appeared to struggle for a moment. Maxwell's face was obscured by a face mask, but as their eyes met, she nodded at him.
"I think she is with the black sweater," he said, correctly. Epstein and Maxwell were exacting, he indicated. "The cars had to be immaculate," he said. "The house had to be run like a five-star hotel." That was the morning session.
Now, back to the afternoon, they just finished their tour of the house — basically, scene setter testimony. Alessi on Maxwell: She would sleep in Mr. Epstein's bedroom." Alessi said he'd see "many, many, many, many" "females" in Epstein's house.
Most of them appeared to be in their late 20s, 20s, he said. Asked if he saw "females" by the pool, he replied "hundreds of times." Asked what percentage of the time they were topless, he said about 75% to 80% of the time. Asked how many times he flew on Epstein's plane, Alessi initially responded "none" — then corrects himself. He did take a ride on Epstein's first plane, the Hawker.
Alessi complained about the lengthy checklist of tasks they had him perform, which he said was made for 10 men, not one and a half. He called it "very degrading" to him.
On cross-examination, Pagliuca clarifies the date he left Epstein's employment, in 2002. On redirect, AUSA Comey leads Alessi through the checklist described earlier.
"See nothing. Say nothing," one bullet said. "Respect their privacy." Asked what he understood that meant, Alessi replied: "I was supposed to be blind, deaf [...] to say nothing."
"Never disclose" Mr. Epstein or Ms. Maxwell's "whereabouts or activities," another bullet point said, according to Alessi.
Important bullet point:
—"Check fence for holes where Max can get out." That's Maxwell's "Yorkie."
Remember "Jane's" testimony?
She testified when she met Maxwell, she was walking with a "cute little Yorkie." Among stationary that Alessi was expected to tend to:
"Two sizes of Ghislaine Maxwell and Lady Ghislaine notepads."
Ghislaine Maxwell's father Robert Maxwell named his yacht the "Lady Ghislaine." Alessi is now talking about two girls whom he said appeared to be underage.
Q: Who did you meet first, Jane or Virginia?
A: Jane.
His description of her: Strikingly beautiful girl. Blue eyes. Long brunette hair. Tall. Very pleasant. Alessi testifies he saw Jane with Maxwell and Epstein, when she wasn't there with her mother. Alessi says he remembers picking up Jane in the school of the arts.
Flashback to Jane's testimony on Weds.:
"Q. And you also remember this Latin American driver for Mr. Epstein driving you up to the airport, correct? A. Correct."
Analysis: Alessi has been corroborating multiple parts of Jane's testimony on the witness stand, on redirect. Asked if he ever remembers Maxwell, Epstein and Jane going to the movies, Alessi replies: "Yes, they went to the movies." Alessi testifies about seeing Virginia Giuffre at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's club.
Alessi on Virginia Roberts: "She looked young. She had blonde hair, and she had a long white uniform, like the nurses."
Alessi says that Epstein received "up to three massages per day." Asked when Epstein would get his massages, he replies the morning, the afternoon and after dinner.
"After the movies," he adds. Alessi testifies he remembers seeing Jane's name in the directory. AUSA Comey has Alessi examine the directory. Afternoon recess.
Quick clarification and correction:
Pagliuca earlier was not engaged in cross-examination. There was a voir dire over an exhibit. This is still direct examination.
AUSA Comey's questioning continues. Pagliuca appears to be challenging the admission of an exhibit in a voir dire. Before trial, Maxwell's defense team challenged the admission of Government Exhibit 52, alleging it was "clearly altered."
Alessi describes cleaning up after Epstein's massages. "I remember finding a large dildo."
Q: What did it look like?
A: It looked like a huge man's penis, with two heads.
Alessi says that he put it in Maxwell's bathroom, in a basket, because that's where it was. (There's a lot of other colorful testimony that I won't tweet out until I can properly contextualize.)
Asked about why he left, Alessi responds: "I was sick and I was also very, very tired of the job." Alessi admits (on direct) that he stole money from Epstein's house at a time his marriage was on the rocks and he was financially struggling.
Q: About how much money did it take?
A: It was about $6,300.
He says he paid it back, and he never saw Epstein again.
Direct examination concludes.
Rather than start cross with 13 minutes remaining, trial adjourns for the day.