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How Jeffrey Epstein Used Victoria's Secret Billionaire for Cash & Women; WSJ: Feds Subpoena Pilots Who Worked for Jeffrey Epstein; U.S.-Born Teen Detained by ICE Told: You Have No Rights; ICE Breaks Car Window to Arrest, Deport Undocumented Migrant. Aired 2:30-3p ET
Aired July 26, 2019 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:30:00] ERICA HILL, CNN HOST: We learned that federal prosecutors, in a new filing, are investigating so-called "uncharged individuals." That was disclosed as part of a request that all of the parties involved stay quiet about information that's been handed over to prosecutors.
Joey, is there anything we can glean from that?
JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: There's quite a bit there. The fact is the chickens are coming home to roost, right?
First, let's talk about the pilots. You have a person who has a private plane who is flying frequently in a variety of ways, a variety of jurisdictions, what is he doing? Where is he flying? Who is he traveling with? Who are the associates? Who are the women, if any? Who are the young girls, if any? It gives you a timeline with regard to piecing together what his activities are.
Remember, Erica, they're also being tight lipped about this. And as much as the judge has an order saying, look, defense attorneys are allowed to evaluate and view this information, but we, as the media, are not allowed to review it.
HILL: Right.
JACKSON: Because you certainly want to reserve the right to a fair trial but you also want to investigate. What the federal government does is they charge you with crimes, as they charged him. But while they charge you, and after they charge you, they continue to investigate to build a case, to make it rock solid, to corroborate, that is, to support the allegations of the indictment, which, as we know, are very serious.
HILL: They don't want that getting out. They don't anybody tipped off, obviously, or in any way to harm the case.
Kara, in terms of this relationship that we're learning more about, this connection between Epstein and Wexner, what was the real connection there?
KARA SCANNELL, CNN REPORTER: Erica, this is new reporting from the "New York Times." We had known Wexner and Epstein had a close relationship that has even mystified some of Wexner's friends. The "New York Times" is reporting that this relationship went much deeper than a lot of people realized.
Wexner had given Jeffrey Epstein power of attorney in 1991. That means Epstein had the ability to sign off on his tax returns. He was able to borrow money in the name of Wexner and to hire and fire people. That's a really big responsibility that he was getting. This shows the level of trust that existed between these men.
What we also learned in "The Times" reporting is that Epstein had came to obtain a number of properties that Wexner once owned, including a mansion in New York as well as another property. He had obtained a plane that Wexner had once owned. You're seeing this close relationship and these transactions occurring between these two men.
What we also learned from the reporting and what CNN has also learned is that Epstein was using this relationship with Wexner as a way to gain access to women.
According to a police report filed in 1997, a woman told the Santa Monica Police Department that she had met with Epstein in a hotel in Santa Monica under the guise of interviewing with him to be a model for the Victoria's Secret catalog. According to these allegations in the report, Epstein had groped her. This is one of the earliest allegations we had seen of Epstein.
It's different from the allegations he's been charged with but it shows how he was trying, at least according to these allegations, to use this relationship and his proximity to the Victoria's Secret company to try to gain access to women.
HILL: Kara, before I let you go, do we know any more about the number of women who have come forward, alleged victims?
SCANNELL: Prosecutors said in court last week they have heard from a number of women. They didn't put a number on it. But they said people said they were possible victims and also witnesses to Epstein. This is something that prosecutors have not detailed any further.
But we do -- we heard from some lawyers that have represented accusers in the past, in these Florida cases. They said, since Epstein was arrested, one lawyer said he had four women come forward. Another said five. They were still looking to corroborate some of these allegations. And prosecutors also said they were looking to corroborate this.
It seems the charges, the new charges and new information that's unfolding has brought a number of individuals forward. That's something prosecutors are looking to see if they have any corroborating evidence in these cases.
HILL: Kara Scannell, Joey Jackson, thank you, both.
JACKSON: Thanks, Erica.
[14:34:01] HILL: How did an American citizen end up in the custody of Border Patrol and ICE? You'll hear from the Dallas-born teenager who was detained by his own country, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HILL: The president is calling out Sweden, saying the country has, quote, "Let our African-American community down in the United States by not freeing ASAP Rocky, who's being held on assault charges." In response, the spokesperson for the prime minister notes that all people in that country are equal before the law.
It's a sharp contrast to the president's seeming indifference to anther nation's legal system, Saudi Arabia, and the murder of journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S. resident.
It is also glaring when you consider the case of another American's detention right here at home.
Eighteen-year-old Francisco Galicia was born in Dallas, picked up and detained by Border Patrol, and later ICE, despite having his Texas I.D. and birth certificate with him when he was picked up. He spent weeks in detention. Finally, freed earlier this week. So far, no comment from the White House, on this case.
CNN's Nick Valencia spoke with Galicia.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Francisco Galicia is home at last, but the reminders of his detention are never far away. Sitting in his south Texas home, the 18-year-old Americans says what he wept through should never have happened, even if immigration officials allege he's partly to blame.
(on camera): Immigration officials say that there was confusion about your status because there was conflicting documents. Do you think that this was about the documents or do you think that this was about something else?
[14:40:07] FRANCISCO GALICIA, U.S. CITIZEN (through translator): They thought they were superior. They looked at us with such distaste. I think it was like a certain type of racism.
VALENCIA (voice-over): For three weeks he slept on the concrete with nearly 70 others who were doing the same.
(on camera): They didn't even treat you like human beings?
GALICIA: No.
VALENCIA (voice-over): He survived off bologna sandwiches and says every three to four days he was given a wet wipe to clean himself.
(on camera): You didn't shower at all?
GALICIA: No. (INAUDIBLE) for 23 days.
VALENCIA: You didn't shower for 23 days? GALICIA (through translator): For 23 days with a bad diet. I lost nearly 30 pounds.
VALENCIA (voice-over): In his 27 days in custody, Galicia said no one ever believed he was American. At one point, tired of trying to explain himself, he considered self-deporting to Mexico.
(on camera): They just mess with your mind.
GALICIA: Si.
VALENCIA: How? Explain.
GALICIA (through translator): The truth, threatening me that they were going to press charges, charges for falsifying documents, the whole time insulting me that how could I not know where I was from?
VALENCIA (voice-over): This all started on June 27th when Galicia, along with his brother and two friends, left their home in Edinburg and head north. They were stopped at a checkpoint in Falfurrias, about 100 miles north of the border, while on their way to Ranger College in central Texas for a soccer camp.
Galicia, who was born in the U.S. but grew up in Mexico, was carrying documents proving he was an American, but he also carried a tourist visa that mistakenly listed his birth country as Mexico.
"This individual provided conflicting reports regarding status of citizenship after being apprehended. Situations including conflicting reports from the individual and multiple birth certificates can and should take more time to verify," CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a joint statement Wednesday.
Galicia thinks border agents would have believed he was American if not for his broken English.
(on camera): There are going to be people that watch this interview and say that you live in the United States, you're an American, you should be speaking English. What do you -- you smile. What do you say to those people?
GALICIA (through translator): I don't speak English, but I'm going to learn it and I'll speak it later.
VALENCIA: Is this more of a reason to learn English now?
GALICIA (through translator): I have to learn it to talk to everyone, and everyone so that the next time this happens they'll believe me.
VALENCIA (voice-over): Somehow he's able to laugh about his time in custody, which he said ended after media picked up his story. But just a few days removed from detention, he spends a lot of time thinking about those who aren't as lucky.
(on camera): Our president talks about how there's a lot of bad actors, a lot of -- a lot of people that are here to do harm among those that are coming to this country. But you're telling me you felt more scared being in the presence of the ICE officials and the officials -- immigration officials than you did with the migrants.
When you were -- when you were there, how many of the migrants would you say were here to do harm to the United States?
GALICIA (through translator): None. None wanted to come to do harm. All came in search for a better future.
VALENCIA: (voice-over): After being locked up with them, he now considers some of them friends. He keeps a handful of phone numbers on tiny pieces of paper he received from those friends while in the facility. He's calling families in Central America to tell them their loved ones are still alive.
GALICIA (through translator): To see the suffering of other people, it made me understand many things. One can live his life here in a certain way while others suffer.
VALENCIA (on camera): You speak for them now?
GALICIA (through translator): Yes. I mean I try to because they can't talk. I'm like their eyes and ears from there inside.
VALENCIA (voice-over): Walking outside, Galicia says the air to him smells fresher than before. Things look and feel different, too. And so does he.
Even though he lives on the border, prior to his detention, he never paid attention to the migrant crisis. Now he's lived it.
Nick Valencia, CNN, McAllen, Texas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HILL: Moments ago, Democrats making a big move toward the possible impeachment of President Trump.
[14:44:04] Plus, ICE agents violently smash a car window to get to an undocumented immigrant in front of his family. That man has now been deported.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HILL: A Mexican national caught living illegally in Kansas City, Missouri, has been deported by Immigration and Custom Enforcement Officials. It's the tactic and method that was used in his arrest and in taking him into custody that is sparking community outrage. The man was forcibly removed from his car after an ICE agent bashed in the driver's-side window. And his children were in the car, sitting in the backseat.
His girlfriend recorded the incident.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ICE AGENT: Cover your face, cover your eyes, OK?
(CROSSTALK)
FLORENCIO MILLAN, UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANT: I understand what you're trying to do --
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED ICE AGENT: You got to -- you can do it the hard way or easy way, it's up to you.
MILLAN: (INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED ICE AGENT: Are you going to get out or not?
MILLAN: You're not able to do that.
(BREAKING GLASS)
CHEYENNE HOYT, GIRLFRIEND OF FLORENCIO MILLAN: Flor don't. Flor? Flor, don't.
(CROSSTALK)
HOYT: They got him on the ground.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: This is not the first time Florencio Millan has been deported. Immigration rights activists are criticizing the level of force that was used there. Now his girlfriend is speaking out about those moments.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[14:50:07] HOYT: He asked if he could say good-bye to his son. And that's when the ICE agent had stated, after what you put us through, no, you're lucky you're being able to talk to her.
And at that point, I just thought, what did you put us through. What did you put my kids through? At that point, you didn't care what my kids thought. You heard my son cry, "Don't take my dad."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Katie Moore is a reporter with "The Kansas City Star" who has been covering the story and joins us with more.
Obviously, very strong reaction to the arrest, as we know. What more can you tell us about how this unfolded?
KATIE MOORE, REPORTER, "THE KANSAS CITY STAR": As you noted, his girlfriend recorded the incident and that night the video on Facebook went viral, there was a lot of outrage from community activists Monday night and going into Tuesday when a rally was organized in support of her and the family. They had criticized the level of force that was used in terms of smashing out the window and doing it in front of the children.
HILL: In terms of that, too, there's been a question talking about the local police and taking them to task over their involvement. What is the law, in terms of local police assisting ICE in situations like this?
MOORE: In Missouri, municipalities are not allowed to adopt sanctuary policies. And the local police do have to cooperate with federal agents.
This week, the Kansas City Police Department chief has reiterated they don't locally enforce immigration laws. And he emphasized they did not work with removing the man from the car. He wasn't in the car when he was taken into custody.
HILL: What is ICE using in terms of tactics?
MOORE: ICE said they made those moves because the man wouldn't get out of the car. And that's basically what they had to do.
HILL: Katie Moore, I appreciate you joining us with more background. Thank you.
MOORE: Thank you.
HILL: A disturbing photo. Three fraternity members posing with guns -- that sign they're in front of is a tribute to Emmett Till. It is riddled with bullet holes. Just ahead, we'll be joined by a cousin of Emmett Till.
Plus, the Woodstock 50 Festival. Fifty years. Supposed to be a big celebration. Well, big trouble at this point. Jay-Z and John Fogerty pulling out of the show. We'll tell you why.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:57:27] HILL: Fighting fire, saving lives, that's a hard-enough job on its own. Doing that without the right equipment is not only dangerous, it can be terrifying. In one fire department in a small Mexican town, that's exactly what they had to do. When a fire chief in Newton, Iowa, heard that these heroes were saving lives while putting their own at risk, he knew he had to help.
CNN's Ryan Young has more on his decision to go "BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
911 DISPATCHER: Newton fire is needed from --
RYAN YOUNG, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Newton, Iowa fire chief, Jarrod Wellik, has been answering emergency calls for more than 20 years.
CHIEF JARROD WELLIK, NEWTON, IOWA FIRE DEPARTMENT: All of our people have their own set of gear. YOUNG: Now running this small-town department, Chief Wellik collected more than $90,000 of essential firefighting gear to donate to a small town in Mexico.
WELLIK: This project was something that we put together because we recognize how important it is for us to protect our people here, no different than it is in Mexico or any other country.
YOUNG: Reaching out to fellow fire chiefs, equipment came pouring in.
WELLIK: We had three different departments come forward and say this is an awesome project. We can't -- we can't wait to give you stuff.
YOUNG: Local restaurant owners, Kim Lopez and her father, helped to connect Chief Wellik with a department in Jalisco, Mexico, the town where Lopez's parents are from.
KIMBERLY LOPEZ, DELIVERED EQUIPMENT TO MEXICO: Yes, you can see stuff spilling out because it's so much.
YOUNG: They are driving their packed SUV more than 1,800 miles -- a 27-hour trip to deliver all the equipment.
LOPEZ: They both know what it takes to help other communities.
WELLIK: I can't imagine going to a fire and trying to help others without the proper gear. These people put their lives on the line every day to protect people and they're not even protected themselves.
YOUNG (on camera): It's almost like their armor?
WELLIK: This is your barrier between you and the heat and the smoke and the bad stuff.
YOUNG (voice-over): The lifesaving equipment would have been headed for a landfill. After 10 years, U.S. regulations from the National Fire Protection Association requires used gear to be retired.
WELLIK: Gear, when it reaches 10 years, a lot of people will say it's actually seasoned. And so, that means that it's kind of come into its own and it's actually more protective.
The coats are pretty heavy.
YOUNG: A set of turnout gear is also expensive.
WELLIK: A complete set of gear, including helmet, is about $2,500.
YOUNG: This small Iowa fire department is getting its chance to make a world of difference.
WELLIK: It's about giving to the brotherhood. That's what we call it in the United States. The fire services of brotherhood.
The fact that they don't have the resources available to purchase new equipment, anytime we can help out a fellow brother or sister we're going to -- we're going to give.
YOUNG: Joining together two fire departments across borders.
[15:00:06] Ryan Young, CNN, Newton, Iowa.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
