Relentless Pursuit
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Jose Lorenzo: This book really could not have happened without you. This project took even more of Brittany’s time than her crazy work life already does. Thank you for being an amazing husband to Brittany. She could not be the incredible lawyer and person she is without you. And thanks for being such a wonderful friend to me.
Jesse Smatt: Thank you for always being a sounding board and helping to protect my family.
Chad Mayes: My lifelong best friend. When there was nobody else I could talk to, you were there. The same way you have always been and the same way it will always be.
Janet Rodriguez: My secret weapon. Until now. Your opinions and ideas helped win many trials and got me through some of the toughest times in the Epstein saga. I’m not going to let you retire from cutting forever.
Marie Villafaña: My biggest regret with this book is that I was not able to completely explain the unfair position in which your former office placed you. I am hopeful you will one day tell that story. Until then, thank you for believing in the victims and trying, with both hands tied behind your back, to bring down Jeffrey Epstein. I know the truth—you were a hero to this case who had to hang out there as a scapegoat. Anyone who knows you knows you are a kindhearted prosecutor who tried to do right.
Jim Hill: Nobody stuck with the story longer or worked harder to get it right. Your dedication did not go unnoticed by me or any of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims for whom you clearly showed compassion and integrity in journalism.
Michele Dargan: You were the first reporter to expose the truth as it was happening. Anyone who does their homework would find that the “news” of Epstein’s abuse was not recently reported for the first time. You did it years ago, before it was a popular cultural topic.
Julie Brown: Thank you for having the courage to finally publish what other major publications would not. You made the public listen when all other journalists were scared.
Paul Cassell: For those who know you, you are the Wizard of Oz, the most brilliant legal thinker and writer. Without you, the CVRA case would not have made it very far. You were the not-so-secret weapon. If anyone must litigate against the United States government and a billionaire at the same time, they either need a large team of lawyers or simply Paul Cassell. My friend, forever.
Jay Howell: You were not only an inspiration for this book, but also for my career. Thank you for all that you do and all you have done representing the rights of crime victims.
Stan Pottinger: Thank you for encouraging me to write this book. I would have never done it without you convincing me that it needed to be written. Even though I am pretty sure that you are not (at least any longer) in some special investigations unit, you will always be our 007. I look forward to the next bad guy we get to take down together. Thank you for your dedication to bringing Epstein to justice and for just being a great friend. We are looking forward to celebrating many more birthdays with you.
Seth Lehrman and Matt Weissing: Thanks for always standing by me from the very beginning. There are few people I can always count on, but I know I can always count on you.
Steve Jaffe: From the first day we met, you believed in me. Your encouragement played a big role in the outcome. Thanks for that.
Jack Scarola: At my most vulnerable point, you volunteered to defend me so that I could continue my pursuit. I appreciate you more than you will ever know.
Earleen Cote: Sorry to always make you so nervous for me. But thank you for caring. Especially given that you know worrying isn’t going to stop me. I owe so much to you, including the courage (or insanity) to finish what I started.
David Boies: You selflessly jumped into this fight full steam ahead and never cowered at any time. I was honored to have been in the trenches with you and look forward to the next fight.
Sigrid McCawley: You live up to the Superwoman name. Your passion and commitment are unparalleled. We will always be there when you need us because you are always there for everyone else.
Meredith Schultz: While you may not have received the credit you deserve, your contribution was undeniable. Another genius behind the curtain to whom we all owe so much.
Mike Satz and Broward County State Attorney’s Office: Thanks for giving me the opportunity to become a trial attorney. You provided me with the foundation. I hope I have made you proud.
Mom: Thank you for keeping me in line, teaching me what is fair, and making me believe there is no limit on what can be done if you put your heart into it. I love you.
Dad: Thanks for being tough on me, and spending time with me fishing and playing sports. Thanks for coaching me and teaching me that there is no substitute for preparation and hard work. Winning is fun. Losing is not. So, winning isn’t everything as long as you are okay being unhappy. Most of all, thank you for teaching me how to be a good father. And to never be scared of anyone. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Travis and David Edwards: From the day you were born, I would jump in front of a train for you. That is still true today and I know it goes both ways. While we don’t live close, you are both always in my thoughts. Love you both.
Granny: You are the most selfless person I know. You deserve credit for everything and expect it for nothing. You are a role model whose lessons will live forever. The fact that you were able to put up with Papa and his antics for so many years is nothing short of amazing. I miss him with you every day, but I am so happy to still have you in my life.
Jennifer Bergstrom: Mel’s first call was a good one. I thought when you heard we put the book together in a month that you would run scared. Thanks for giving us a shot.
Aimée Bell: Without you believing in me, Brittany and I could not have done this. Your encouragement (and strict deadlines) always kept us going.
Mel Berger: The best agent in the world. From the first day we spoke, I knew you were the one. Looking forward to our next one together.
Max Meltzer: The same way I couldn’t do it without Brittany, we appreciate you being a part of the team with Aimée. Thank you for the hours that you put into this for us.
Sally Marvin: You were a real pleasure to work with, especially getting me to pay attention to publicity—the part of the process that is outside my natural comfort zone.
Elisa Rivlin: Your legal precision was greatly appreciated.
The New York assistant U.S. attorneys, FBI, and NYPD joint task force agents and victim advocates: From beginning to end, you handled every aspect of the investigation and prosecution perfectly, with professionalism and appropriate delicacy. You will never know how much you meant to the lives of so many people, not only the many victims but also to parents, attorneys (including especially me), and the public. You helped to restore faith in the criminal justice system and upheld the Crime Victim’s Rights Act.
Dera: My trusted man’s best friend. Through thick and thin, you were there. You listened when nobody else would. There was never a run you would not go on, and not a trial room you would not watch guard over. Because of you, I was always safe. To the greatest dog to live—thank you for being with me, until your end.
Epstein might have had a dream team of lawyers, but we had a legal dream team as well. Nothing could have been possible without an extraordinary legal team. It was an honor and pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with those who also tirelessly fought for the victims tirelessly refusing to give in. That team consisted primarily of Paul Cassell, Sigrid McCawley, Brittany Henderson, David Boies, Stan Pottinger, Meredith, Jay Howell, Jack Scarola, David Vitale, Karen Terry, Pete Skinner, Dan Crispino, Tom McCawley, Matt Weissing, and Bill Berger. Anyone in the legal profession knows, no legal team can be successful without an excellent support staff. Ours included Maria Kelljchian, Beth Williamson, Shawn Gilbert, Christina Fitch Escobar, Maria Cardenal, Iris Zambrano, Sandy Perkins, Linda Carlson, and Julius Williams.
To my many other clients, I would like to thank you individually and for some of you I have a lot to thank you for but understand and respect your desire to maintain yo
ur anonymity. Still, you know who you are. I am honored to have represented you and am always here for you if you need me.
Finally, a special thanks to Annie Farmer, Josh Roberts, Manny and Terry Perez, Clara Moran, Shawn Gilbert, David Keller, Raymond Robin, Bob Josefsberg, Adam Horowitz, Heather Riley, Amy Robach, Jorge Font, Chuck Lichtman, Meg Garvin, Gary Farmer, G. Michael Keenan, Bruce Rogow, Dave Parello, Janette Perez, Nikki Perez, Tracy and Don Henderson, Brandon and Tyler Henderson, Ginger Oliver, Police Chief Michael Reiter, and Detective Joe Recarey.
RESOURCES
Many people have asked what they can do to help support victims—both of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates as well as of sexual assault in general. Two nonprofit organizations that Brittany and I are affiliated with are working toward this goal.
Victims Refuse Silence is the organization founded by Virginia Roberts in 2014. It is a nonprofit organization designed to help survivors break the silence associated with sexual abuse all around the world.
More information can be found at the organization’s website, https://www.victimsrefusesilence.org/ or on its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/victimsrefusesilence/.
Stand with Epstein Victims is the nonprofit that Brittany and I founded in 2019 to raise money to help victims of Jeffrey Epstein. Jeffrey Epstein spent many years victimizing young women who have spent their lives recovering from his abuse. During those same years, institutions of higher education and research accepted financial donations from Mr. Epstein despite his involvement in publicly known sexually abusive conduct. We started Stand with Epstein Victims to provide those institutions and individuals who accepted such donations a nonprofit organization that will make sure the funds are used exclusively to make a difference in the lives of Epstein’s many victims. Recognizing the great need for financial assistance, we are now accepting donations from the public in general. In order to ensure a fair and transparent distribution of funds received, an independent volunteer oversight committee will equally divide all proceeds among confirmed victims of Jeffrey Epstein.
More information can be found at www.StandWithEpsteinVictims.com where donations can also be made.
Additionally, we’d like to call attention to two incredible organizations that victims of sexual violence can turn to at any time.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest antisexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which can be reached by phone at 800.656.HOPE (4673), or through a confidential online chat system at https://www.rainn.org/get-help.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and support to get help and stay safe. The hotline can be reached at 1-888-373-7888, by text at 233733, or through a confidential online chat system at https://humantraffickinghotline.org/chat.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
BRADLEY J. EDWARDS is a prominent boardcertified civil trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who specializes in representing victims of violent and sexual crimes. In addition to obtaining some of America’s largest jury verdicts, he prosecuted the landmark Crime Victims’ Rights case, Doe v. United States, pro bono for more than ten years. He has published on the topic of crime victims’ rights in nationally recognized journals and speaks across the country on the representation of victims and survivors.
BRITTANY HENDERSON is a trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who is committed to making a difference both in the courtroom and in the community. She has obtained nearly $100 million in jury verdicts and settlements in her short career as an advocate for crime victims. Additionally, she is the cofounder of two nonprofit organizations for sexual abuse survivors.
FOR MORE ON THESE AUTHORS:
SimonandSchuster.com/Bradley-J-Edwards
SimonandSchuster.com/Brittany-Henderson
SimonandSchuster.com
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