The Palm Beach Police Department’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, conducted from late 2005 through 2006, was one of the most thorough local investigations in the entire case. The work of Detective Joseph Recarey and his supervisors produced a substantial evidentiary record that was then largely set aside by prosecutors.
Detective Joseph Recarey
Recarey led the investigation hands-on, conducting victim interviews, executing search warrants, developing surveillance techniques, and building the victim identification network through referral interviews. He documented at least 36 victims, the youngest believed to be 14.
The Evidence Gathered
The PBPD investigation produced: sworn victim testimony; photographs and videos seized from the mansion; financial records documenting cash payments to young women; phone records; employee testimony; and expert analysis of evidence seized during a search warrant execution.
The Search Warrant
PBPD executed a search warrant at Epstein’s Palm Beach estate and seized evidence including photographs and videos. The materials were significant enough that investigators believed they documented criminal activity.
Chief Michael Reiter’s Role
PBPD Chief Michael Reiter later wrote a letter directly to the U.S. Attorney’s office expressing concern that State Attorney Krischer was not pursuing the case appropriately — an extraordinary, unprecedented step. Reiter’s letter essentially asked federal authorities to override the state prosecutor’s decision-making.
The Result
Reiter’s letter contributed to the FBI opening a federal investigation. The investigative work by PBPD effectively enabled the federal case, even though the federal case then produced the problematic NPA rather than a more robust prosecution.
Recarey’s Legacy
Recarey is now widely regarded as one of the few figures in the early Epstein case who acted with full professional integrity. He built a sound evidentiary case; the system failure occurred at subsequent stages.