DEPOSITION OF RINALDO RIZZO Butler — Giuffre v. Maxwell
Rinaldo Rizzo worked as a butler and household employee at properties associated with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. His deposition in the Giuffre v. Maxwell case provided important corroborating testimony about the environment at Epstein's residences and the roles played by key individuals in maintaining the operation.
EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES: Rizzo testified that he and his wife were employed as household staff, with his duties including food service, household maintenance, and attending to guests at the properties. He described working at multiple Epstein-associated locations and interacting with both Epstein and Maxwell in the course of his employment. Rizzo stated that the household was tightly managed and that staff were expected to follow strict protocols regarding discretion.
WITNESSING DISTRESS: One of the most significant portions of Rizzo's testimony involved his account of witnessing a young woman in a state of visible distress at one of the properties. Rizzo described encountering a young female who was crying and appeared upset following a visit to Epstein's private quarters. He testified that this incident was deeply troubling to him and his wife, and that it contributed to their eventual decision to leave their employment. Rizzo stated that the young woman appeared to be in her teens and that her emotional state was unmistakable.
MAXWELL'S AUTHORITY: Rizzo described Ghislaine Maxwell as the person who exercised primary authority over household staff. He testified that Maxwell gave direct instructions to employees, managed the daily schedule, and coordinated the logistics of visitors to the properties. Rizzo characterized Maxwell as deeply involved in the operational management of Epstein's household and stated that she was the de facto manager who staff reported to on a daily basis.
VISITOR PATTERNS: Rizzo testified about observing a pattern of young female visitors to the properties. He described these visitors as appearing young, often arriving alone or being brought to the property by associates. He stated that the visits followed a regular pattern and that the household was organized around accommodating these visits, with specific preparations made before each arrival and cleanup procedures followed afterward.
INTERACTION WITH OTHER STAFF: Rizzo's testimony referenced other household employees and their observations, providing additional context for the environment within Epstein's properties. He described a culture of silence among staff, where employees understood that questioning the activities at the residence or discussing what they observed could result in termination. Rizzo stated that this culture of secrecy was reinforced by both Epstein and Maxwell and was understood as a fundamental condition of employment.
DEPARTURE FROM EMPLOYMENT: Rizzo testified that his decision to leave employment at the properties was motivated by his growing discomfort with the activities he observed. He described discussions with his wife about the troubling nature of what they witnessed and their conclusion that they could no longer remain in the household. Rizzo stated that the incident with the crying young woman was a tipping point that led to their departure.
CORROBORATIVE VALUE: Rizzo's deposition was considered significant because it provided an independent household employee's perspective on the atmosphere and activities at Epstein's properties. His account of the crying young woman offered emotional corroboration of victim testimony and demonstrated that the evidence of distress and coercion was visible to those within the household, undermining claims by Epstein and Maxwell that the activities at the residences were consensual.