[You possibly can watch “The Weekly” on FX, Hulu, and in these areas outside the U.S.]
Episode 22: ‘The Sizzling Checklist’
Producer/Director John Pappas
When an enormous bear of a person in flip-flops confirmed up with a bottle of Japanese whiskey promising to ship proof implicating a few of the world’s richest and strongest males in an epic cover-up of sexual misconduct, our reporters had been hooked.
The person glided by a pseudonym, Patrick Kessler, and he stated he had terabytes of video surveillance from Jeffrey Epstein’s residences and different supplies that, if true, would validate theories Epstein was engaged in an in depth blackmail operation. Kessler stated he would share all of it with The New York Instances.
As his outrageous story started to unravel, he illuminated one thing else: how two of America’s high attorneys thought of utilizing the promised trove of Epstein data.
This particular hourlong episode of “The Weekly” tells the wild story of 4 Instances reporters chasing one of many greatest tales of the yr – if solely it had been true. In the middle of their reporting, they get a uncommon glimpse into the secretive world of authorized settlements by which rich individuals are allowed to make damning proof disappear.
[Be part of the dialog about @theweekly on Twitter and Instagram. #TheWeeklyNYT]
Featured Reporters
Greater than a dozen New York Instances reporters have been investigating the Jeffrey Epstein case, together with a number of members of the Enterprise desk, led by Ellen Pollock. For this particular episode of “The Weekly,” the finance editor David Enrich and enterprise reporters Jessica Silver-Greenberg and Emily Metal teamed up with Jacob Bernstein of the Types desk to chase down a too-good-to-be-true lead within the Epstein case.
Who Is Patrick Kessler?
Among the many many uncommon issues about this episode — and our reporting on this story — is the truth that we regrettably nonetheless do not know who Patrick Kessler is. He appeared to seem out of the ether, and he continues to reside there.
From the primary time we met him, he insisted that he wouldn’t disclose his id. He agreed to take a seat for an on-camera interview — however provided that we obscured his face. We typically don’t grant anonymity to such characters, however on this case we thought it was justified as a result of it could enable us to share his voice and bodily define with viewers. Perhaps you’ll hear him and know who he’s.
We pushed him, generally gently and generally aggressively, to inform us. He at all times refused. He claimed to reside inside a three-hour radius of Washington, D.C., however we don’t know if that’s three hours by airplane, prepare or automotive. Even when it’s by foot it doesn’t assist a lot.
Many particulars he shared about his background didn’t maintain up after fact-checking. Even his clarification for his motives appeared dishonest. Ultimately, we will solely guess why somebody would make up an elaborate declare about surveillance movies and spend many hours over the course of a number of months partaking attorneys and journalists.
We’re keen to listen to your theories after you watch the episode.
THE FULL EPISODE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TIMES SUBSCRIBERS IN THE U.S. ON
MONDAY, Jan. 6
Full Protection
-
Accusations of sexual predation had adopted Epstein for years, although it wasn’t till his arrest in July that the scope of his abuse grew to become clear.
-
David Boies, lengthy thought of one of many high litigators within the nation, represents 5 of Epstein’s accusers who’re suing his estate for unspecified damages. They’re additionally making an attempt to increase the window when victims of intercourse crimes can carry civil claims to court docket.
-
Boies suffered “an unprecedented public relations disaster” after his longtime shopper Harvey Weinstein was branded a sexual predator and one other of his purchasers, the blood-testing agency Theranos, on whose board Boies served, was uncovered as a fraud.
[New York Instances subscribers within the U.S. can watch some full episodes of “The Weekly” on our website. Episodes are additionally out there on FX, Hulu, and in these areas outside the U.S.]
Senior Story Editors Dan Barry, Liz O. Baylen, and Liz Day
Producer Lizzie Blenk
Administrators of Pictures Adam Beckman and Jaron Berman
Video Editors Geoff O’Brien, Sean Frechette, and Marlon Singleton
Affiliate Producers Madeline Rosenberg, Lora Moftah, and Wesley Harris