Joseph Recarey
Joseph Recarey was a detective with the Palm Beach Police Department who became the lead investigator in the Epstein case after the first victim complaint was filed in 2005.
The Investigation
Recarey conducted a thorough, professional investigation. He interviewed victims, identified additional victims, gathered physical evidence, and documented the scale of Epstein’s abuse operation. His investigation identified at least 36 young women who may have been victimized.
Gathering Evidence
Recarey’s investigative methods included victim interviews, surveillance, interviews with household staff, and detailed documentation of Epstein’s properties and routines. The picture that emerged was of a systematic, organized operation.
Referral for Prosecution
Recarey’s investigation produced a case that he forwarded to the Palm Beach State Attorney’s office and separately briefed to federal authorities. His findings justified serious sex trafficking charges.
Frustration with the Outcome
Recarey, by multiple accounts, was frustrated by the plea deal outcome. He had done the investigative work that should have resulted in significant prison time; instead Epstein received 18 months, served as 13 months with work release.
Later Testimony
Recarey died in 2018, before the 2019 federal prosecution. He had given testimony in civil proceedings that documented his investigation.