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By Sophie Clark
Live News Reporter
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Jeffrey Epstein's former lawyer said "there is no client list" and explained his perspective on the existence of Epstein videotapes and conspiracy theories involving the Israeli government.
Speaking with Chris Cuomo on his News Nation show CUOMO, on Monday, lawyer Alan Dershowitz said there is no client list but there is a redacted list of people accused of engaging in improper sexual conduct.
Dershowitz said he knows the names on that redacted list, telling Cuomo, "none of them are public figures who are currently in office."
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Why It Matters
The Department of Justice (DOJ)'s sudden pivot away from investigating Epstein's death and his alleged client list has created upheaval among MAGA voters and right-wing pundits.
What To Know
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in February that Epstein's so-called client list was "sitting on my desk right now to review." However, a memo released by the DOJ, first reported on by Axios on July 6, said there is no client list. Bondi later said she was referring to the Epstein file, not a list.
The alleged client list refers to a theory that Epstein, a convicted sex offender, had a list of people, many of them high profile, who were involved in his accused sex trafficking operations.
Despite promising to release the list as a campaign promise and backed up on this promise by several members of his administration, President Donald Trump is now saying on Truth Social, "Let's not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about."
Dershowitz, who has also represented Harvey Weinstein, Trump and O.J. Simpson, told Cuomo that the redacted FBI document containing allegations over client names is being held up in the Manhattan courts by judges who are not releasing the names in order to protect Epstein's alleged victims. He added that Bondi is not responsible for the list and could not disclose it.
When it comes to people believing there are sex tapes of Epstein and other clients with underage girls, Dershowitz told Cuomo that the only videotapes of Epstein's Palm Beach property come from security cameras installed to prevent burglaries. He claimed there are no sex tapes and no incriminating videos of any potentially illegal behavior.
Dershowitz also touched on what he called "Tucker Carlson's absurd allegations about the Mossad." He told Cuomo that this is something he specifically asked Epstein about when working as his lawyer, as he says those sorts of relationships could have helped Epstein to get a better deal. Epstein told him, "No."
According to Dershowitz, this is something he confirmed with his sources in Israel. He has many (contacts) as he represented Mossad during a case involving agents in Cyprus.
While speaking to an audience on Friday, Carlson accused Epstein of being a Mossad agent and accused the U.S. government of enacting a "cover-up" on behalf of the Israeli government. There is no evidence for this.
Dershowitz confirmed that Epstein had business dealings with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, but that was the extent of his ties to Israel.
Another point of contention between conspiracy theorists and the Trump administration is whether Epstein took his own life at the Metropolitan Detention Center in 2019.
His lawyer said he believes he did commit suicide, but "I believe it was assisted by jailers. It was not a suicide that he could have committed alone."
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What People Are Saying
Alan Dershowitz on CUOMO: "I can tell you with absolute certainty [Epstein] had no connection to Mossad."
What Happens Next
The DOJ does not appear to be involved in the Epstein case anymore. Dershowitz urged Bondi to make an appeal to the Manhattan courts to unredact the FBI list.
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