After Epstein's death, investigation weighed potential charges against co-conspirators

An 86-page "prosecution memo" from 2019 was among the new DOJ disclosures.

When the central target of their investigation took his own life in jail, federal investigators sought to widen their aperture into who else might have helped Jeffrey Epstein commit his crimes, according to documents included in the Department of Justice's release Friday.

The late sex offender and wealthy financier’s far-reaching web of influence, and his roster of employees, helped make possible both his lavish lifestyle and -- allegedly -- his sex trafficking scheme. Following Epstein’s jail cell suicide in August 2019, prosecutors redoubled their efforts to identify those who were privy to, and enabling of, his abuse – and who they could potentially charge.

Four months after Epstein’s death, federal prosecutors laid out the evidence and allegations they had gathered in a confidential "prosecution memorandum" sent to the then top-prosecutor in New York, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman – to analyze "the extent to which certain of Epstein's associates and employees may or may not be criminally liable for their conduct during their employment with Epstein."

"Epstein created a vast network of underage victims — as young as 14 — in locations including New York and Palm Beach," the December 2019 memo states.

"In creating and maintaining a network of minor victims whom he abused, Epstein worked with others, including employees and associates who facilitated his exploitation of minors by, among other things, contacting victims and scheduling their sexual encounters with Epstein, both in New York and in Florida," the memo said.