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personpersonJason RichardsJason RichardsFederal Bureau of Investigation special agent stationed in Palm Beach during the earlier Epstein investigation.← All People
Law enforcementFederal Bureau of Investigation

Jason Richards

Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent stationed in Palm Beach during the earlier Epstein investigation.

AppearedFederal Criminal Trial
56 lines·5 proceedings·2 mentions

About

FBI Special Agent Jason Richards testified for the defense on Day 12 about his work in the 2006-era Epstein investigation, FBI interview practices, and the preparation and review of FD-302 reports. He identified his initials on JR-1, a report marked for identification that documented details from a 2007 interview of Carolyn. Richards said he did not independently remember the interview at the time of trial and used the report as a reference.

On cross-examination, Richards agreed that an FD-302 summarizes the results of an interview rather than providing a verbatim report or transcript. He also testified that Carolyn had not reviewed the report or confirmed its accuracy.

On redirect, Richards said he recorded interview information as accurately as he could and agreed that he could testify under oath about what interviewees told him.

Trial Record (5)

FederalFederal Criminal TrialNov 29, 2021 – Dec 29, 2021Called by defense

FBI Special Agent Jason Richards testified for the defense about FBI interview practices and an FD-302 documenting a 2007 interview of Carolyn. His examination addressed his reliance on the report, its nonverbatim nature, Carolyn's lack of review, and his approach to recording interview information.

Day 12

DirectJason Richards — DirectJason RichardsJeffrey S. Pagliuca5highlights47lines spoken

Summary

Defense established the foundation for an FBI report from Richards's 2007 interview of Carolyn and elicited two recorded details from that account.

Highlights (5)

Quote“What we try to do is listen to get the details as accurate as possible.”— Jason RichardsRichards described the stated aim of FBI witness interviews.Open in transcript →
testimony highlightRichards described FBI witness-interview practices, including taking notes, preparing an FD-302, and reviewing it for accuracy before finalization.Open in transcript →
Quote“302, that's FD-302. That's the standard FBI investigative report form.”— Jason RichardsRichards identified the form used to document the interview.Open in transcript →
evidence eventDefense displayed JR-1 for identification; Richards recognized his initials and said they reflected his review of the report for accuracy at the time.Open in transcript →
Show all 5 highlights
testimony highlightUsing the report, Richards confirmed that it recorded Carolyn's statement that she obtained Epstein's phone number from a telephone book and that Epstein returned her call.Open in transcript →
CrossJason Richards — CrossJason RichardsMaurene Comey3highlights6lines spoken

Summary

Richards said the FBI 302 was an unconfirmed summary rather than a verbatim transcript of Carolyn's interview.

Highlights (3)

testimony highlightRichards explained that an FBI 302 is a summary of interview results rather than a verbatim account or transcript.Open in transcript →
Quote“It's a summary of the results of our interview.”— Jason RichardsRichards distinguished the FBI interview report from a verbatim or witness-approved account.Open in transcript →
testimony highlightRichards confirmed that neither FBI agents generally nor he in this instance asked Carolyn to review and confirm the 302 report's accuracy.Open in transcript →
RedirectJason Richards — RedirectJason RichardsJeffrey S. Pagliuca2highlights3lines spoken

Summary

Richards qualified his confirmation that he recorded interview information accurately before the defense called Amanda Young.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightRichards qualified his confirmation that he recorded interview information accurately, answering that he did so "as best as I can."Open in transcript →
Quote“As best as I can.”— Jason RichardsRichards qualified his confirmation that he recorded interview information accurately.Open in transcript →

Day 15

Day 19

ProceduralJury Note Request and Counsel Conference1highlightMentioned

Summary

The jury requested several witness transcripts and clarification about the deliberation schedule.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Highlights (1)

jury eventJudge Nathan relayed the jury's request for transcripts of Shawn, Cimberly Espinosa, Amanda Young, and Jason Richards, along with a fifth name whose surname she could not read, and directed counsel to begin gathering the materials.Open in transcript →