PALM BEACH POLICE CHIEF LETTER Chief Michael Reiter to State Attorney Barry Krischer — 2006
Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter sent a pointed letter to Palm Beach County State Attorney Barry Krischer expressing frustration with what he characterized as the inadequate prosecution of the Epstein case.
CONTEXT: Following Detective Joseph Recarey's extensive investigation that identified approximately 40 potential underage victims with substantial physical and testimonial evidence, State Attorney Krischer presented the case to a grand jury. However, critics — including law enforcement officers involved in the investigation — alleged that Krischer presented a deliberately weakened version of the evidence, resulting in only a single charge of solicitation of prostitution, a misdemeanor.
KEY STATEMENTS: Chief Reiter's letter expressed the police department's position that the evidence supported far more serious charges and that the State Attorney's handling of the case was inadequate given the scope of documented criminal activity. He requested that Krischer recuse himself from the case due to the perceived conflict between the evidence gathered and the charges pursued.
REFERRAL TO FBI: Following the State Attorney's insufficient response, Chief Reiter took the extraordinary step of referring the case directly to the FBI, bypassing the local prosecutor. This referral led to the federal investigation that identified 36 underage victims and resulted in federal prosecutors preparing a 53-page indictment.
SIGNIFICANCE: This letter represents a critical turning point in the Epstein case — the moment when local law enforcement, frustrated by prosecutorial inaction, escalated the matter to federal authorities. It also established a documented record of resistance within the justice system to adequately pursuing the case.