A federal judge on Thursday denied bail to wealthy investor Jeffrey Epstein, citing the potential danger he poses to the public and the risk Epstein will flee to avoid prosecution for child sex trafficking charges.
The decision by Judge Richard Berman means that the 66-year-old Epstein will remain in jail pending trial in the case, where he faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted.
“I doubt any bail package could overcome dangerousness .... to community,” Berman said during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, agreeing with the recommendation by prosecutors to keep Epstein locked up.
Berman said that risk was “the heart of this decision” to deny the financier release on bond.
He noted that two women who claim they were abused by Epstein gave “compelling testimony” at a court hearing Monday, where they had expressed “fear for their safety.”