JUAN ALESSI — FULL DEPOSITION ON HOUSEHOLD OPERATIONS Giuffre v. Maxwell — Case No. 15-cv-7433, S.D.N.Y.
Juan Alessi, who served as the house manager at Jeffrey Epstein's Palm Beach estate at 358 El Brillo Way for approximately eleven years from the early 1990s through the early 2000s, provided one of the most detailed and damning depositions in the entire body of Epstein litigation. His testimony offered an insider's view of the daily operations of the household, the systems and protocols that facilitated Epstein's abuse, and the roles played by key individuals in maintaining the environment in which crimes occurred.
THE HOUSEHOLD MANUAL: Alessi described in detail a written household manual that governed every aspect of staff conduct at the Palm Beach residence. The manual contained explicit instructions requiring staff to maintain absolute discretion about the activities and visitors at the property. Staff were instructed to "see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing" — a directive Alessi said was enforced as a condition of continued employment. The manual also specified procedures for preparing the massage room before and after each visit, including setting up the massage table with particular oils and towels, and removing all evidence of the visit afterward.
DAILY OPERATIONS AND VISITOR PATTERNS: Alessi testified about a consistent daily pattern at the Palm Beach residence. Young women, many of whom appeared to be in their mid-to-late teens, would arrive at the property on a regular basis, often multiple times per day. Alessi described being instructed to greet these visitors, escort them to the second floor, and prepare the massage room for their arrival. He testified that he was directed to have specific items available, including massage oils, towels, and other supplies, and that he was instructed to clean the room thoroughly after each visit and ensure no personal items or evidence of the visit remained.
MAXWELL'S SUPERVISORY ROLE: Alessi described Ghislaine Maxwell as the de facto authority in the household who supervised staff, gave daily instructions, and managed the logistics of the property. He testified that Maxwell brought young women to the residence, was present during their visits, and participated in directing household activities related to the visits. Alessi characterized Maxwell as the person to whom he reported and from whom he received instructions about the management of the property and the handling of visitors.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Alessi testified about the cash-based payment system at the residence, describing how young women were paid in cash after their visits. He described seeing cash left on tables and being instructed by Epstein to give cash to visitors upon their departure. Alessi also testified about his own compensation and the financial incentives offered to staff to maintain discretion.
OBSERVATIONS OF SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS: Alessi's deposition identified numerous individuals he observed visiting the Palm Beach property, including associates and guests. His descriptions of the property layout, the identities and approximate ages of visitors, and the daily routines were independently corroborated by victim testimony, law enforcement evidence, and other witness accounts. This consistency made Alessi's deposition one of the most relied-upon sources in both the civil litigation and the criminal prosecution.
TRIAL TESTIMONY: Alessi subsequently testified at Ghislaine Maxwell's federal criminal trial in December 2021, where his account remained substantially consistent with his deposition testimony. His credibility was largely unchallenged by the defense, and his testimony was cited by prosecutors as among the most important corroborating evidence in the case.