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Young Adults Refuse Contact Tracing after Party Linked to COVID-19 Cluster; Rockland County Executive, Ed Day, Discusses Issuing Subpoenas Against Party Goers Refusing Contact Tracing; Casinos in Atlantic City Reopen Today with Safety Precautions; Man's Family Savaged by COVID-19, Now He's Helping Others; Ghislaine Maxwell, Ex- Girlfriend and Alleged Accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein, Arrested. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired July 02, 2020 - 14:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[14:30:00]

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: Here to talk about his is Rockland County executive, Ed Day.

Ed, how did you come to the pointed where you say I'm issuing a subpoena to these people?

ED DAY (R), COUNTY EXECUTIVE, ROCKLAND COUNTY: Well, Brooke, first of all, thanks for having me on.

This is the historical reasons on why we acted the way we did. As a former NYPD commander, I used to hear excuses with regularity. But the reason why we got was because, at the end of the day, contact tracing is vital to interrupt the virus. We used that with the epidemic last year quite successfully.

And one would think, if you are in a situation where you could be getting sick or maybe kill them, since we had 667 people die in the county, you wouldn't work with us to help the virus from spreading.

So, after much conversation that was congenial and try to be convincing to speak to people, we got to a point where we said, you know something, under the statues of New York, the commissioner can issue an order, get a subpoena, and with those orders come a $2,000 per day fine if you fail to comply with the order.

BALDWIN: And today being the deadline, meaning this could be very expensive to them, $2,000 a day expensive. Have you heard from any of them since money talks?

DAY: It's amazing -- it's amazing how smart people got. Six people yesterday, two people today. Everybody is complying and helping us, which is all we're trying to have happen, was have them work with us.

We're not looking to be punitive here. But it gets to a point where the decision I have to make is I have to -- I am in charge of the protection of this county, 325,000 residents here. It's my responsibility to insure their health. And that's exactly what we did, thinking about the other people in the

county who don't deserve to be exposed to a virus and not know about it.

BALDWIN: From what I read, part of the issue is the small group, not small, but enough people to get folks sick, and some went to other parties and it grows and grows and grows.

I'm wondering, bigger picture, do you feel like local officials, county officials are talking to each other about this, that everyone's been on the same page about who might be infected and what to do about it?

DAY: Absolutely. It's an investigation run out of one central location, the Health Department. That is where the core of the investigation starts.

I was on the phone yesterday with the town supervisor where this happened. He, in turn, spoke to the police chief. Because we had heard rumblings about these same young people having parties over the Fourth of July weekend.

We made it clear also, during public comments, that, if we locate that party, you can rest assured the police will be there in force. They will force rules and regulations and laws. It will be done with strict enforcement, which means summons will be issued, no warnings. Potentially, arrests can be made, no warnings. And we're getting the message out loud and clear.

Again, we'd rather not do this. We'd rather go about our merry way and let people do what they're doing.

But you can't have people compromising the health and safety of the general populous. It's not something we can allow.

BALDWIN: I can hear that NYPD commander coming out in you. And it's appreciated.

(LAUGHTER)

BALDWIN: As a New Yorker, it's appreciated.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: We all need to be mindful.

Ed Day, thank you so much.

DAY: Thank you, Brooke. Appreciate it.

BALDWIN: You got it. You got it.

Breaking news in New York today. The former girlfriend of alleged sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, has just been arrested. We're live with details on her charges.

But first, see what Atlantic City casinos look like as they start to open their doors again.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:37:48]

BALDWIN: Casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, are reopening today ahead of the Fourth of July weekend. The reopenings come with a slew of health and safety precautions for guests and workers.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has been outspoken and supportive of these casinos reopening. He's touting the, quote, unquote, "enormous amount" of new safety protocols in place.

Let's go to Atlantic City to Brynn Gingras.

So, Brynn, what are the rules?

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, Brooke, it's hilarious. There's a craps table behind me. I don't know if you've ever play craps but it's a pretty interactive game with each other.

Now you can see partitions up between the players. It's hilarious. I was watching, someone rolled a good hand and they tried to high five each other but stopped themselves. But they're trying to keep their distance, as they play the game, in addition to the precautions that the hotel and casino are taking.

You see partitions up. Anytime a dealer has a new player at the table, they give them hand sanitizer.

On top of that, you can't even enter the building, Brooke, unless you go through a thermal scan. They check your temperature. If your temperature isn't a good one, they make you wait, drink water and see if it goes down, and then they allow you back in.

In addition, they're only allowing 25 percent capacity. For this holiday weekend, they're sold out but it's not entirely full capacity, only 25 percent.

And then another layer, Brooke, on top of that is, if you remember, today was the day New Jersey was supposed to have indoor dining. That's been reversed by the governor. So inside these casinos, you cannot eat, you cannot drink, you cannot smoke.

So, there's literally no reason to have your mask away from your face. And you have to wear masks, which is something the CEO of Hard Rock really stressed. I want you to listen to him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES F. ALLEN, CEO, HARD ROCK CAFE: Our word is caution. Wear your mask. Keep six/eight feet minimum. Don't become involved in large groups where you potentially increase your risk.

Wearing a mask reduces you chances by 66-some percent. We don't know why people don't want to wear masks. I know they're uncomfortable. But the reality is it's the right thing to do, not just for yourself but for others.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GINGRAS: And now you can see here, at the slots machines, they created social distancing by shutting down some of the slot machine to make sure people are separated. Again, there are so many layers of protection.

[14:40:07]

We've been inside. We've been talking to a lot of players. They're just happy to be back. And, to be honest, Brooke, people who work here are happy to be back as well.

Remember, this is an area pretty devastated by coronavirus, like everywhere. There are people in food distribution lines that we met at the casinos. Most employees are back at work and that's a good thing to hear as well as people being able to enjoy this in-door entertainment as well -- Brooke?

BALDWIN: No, I get it. And I'm back on no drinking, which you understand, right, because of health reasons. But you think about gambling and the free drinks, I wouldn't want that. But I think I know of other people who might. It's a heads up, if you're going to go gamble, that's what you do and that's it. You're going to be safe about it.

Brynn Gingras, thank you, in Atlantic City there.

The governor of California is urging cities in his state to cancel their fireworks shows this holiday weekend to stop the spread of coronavirus. So places like L.A. and San Francisco already have done that.

But in Washington D.C., the Trump administration is still planning a celebration on the National Mall. And 10,000 fireworks will be set off over this mile-long stretch. Several flyovers are scheduled as well.

The Interior Department is encouraging them to wear masks and will have a supply of more than 300,000 cloth masks to hand out, as well as handwashing stations.

The National Safety Council also issued a new warning this year that's a sign of the times. They point out that hand sanitizer is highly flammable. So, be sure to keep it away, if you're doing any fireworks or sparklers or anything like that.

A New York man lost his father to coronavirus and then he and his siblings had to battle it themselves. But now he has found a way to give back by feeding hundreds in need. He will join me live with his inspiring story next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:46:34] BALDWIN: His family was devastated by the coronavirus. But Tom Laughlin is finding a way to give back and help others who are hurting.

The men have transformed their catering company to feed families in the hard-hit neighborhood. And it was supposed to be the three-month project after their business closed. But with your help, they're hoping it can continue.

Gentleman, thank you so much for being here.

And, Tom, on your parents, I'm so sorry for your loss. You lost your mom on Valentine's Day, and I know that wasn't COVID related, and then your dad to coronavirus.

So, you and your siblings also got sick with COVID? How are you and your family doing?

TOM LAUGHLIN, CO-FOUNDER, COMPANY CATERED EVENTS: Well, everybody is fine now. We're past it. And you know, it was a hard time. It hit us pretty hard. Most of us were sick for about five weeks. So, everybody's on the other side of it now and looking forward now to better days and all that kind of stuff, thank God.

BALDWIN: Thank God is right.

Let's talk about better days.

Billy, during all of this, you two had to rework company cater. That was the catering business you two founded. And with donations, you've created company dinner.

BILLY DOVE, CO-FOUNDER, COMPANY CATERED EVENTS: Company dinners is we teamed up with an organization that's local in our area, called CLAH. It's the Community League of Washington Heights.

And with the help of really fabulous donations from really great clients and really, really great friends, we've been able to turn our catering company, where we were doing high-end events on Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue and cocktail parties for 1200 people, and so all of that is gone and we needed to refocus.

And so we were able to turn our kitchen into basically a food pantry for this organization. And what's been wonderful about it is that everyone that is receiving food from this program actually lives in the neighborhood.

And so there are no lines formed around the kitchen. People are able to pick up food with dignity and go home and have a wonderful dinner. And we're very, very proud of that.

BALDWIN: It's amazing.

I was looking at both of your resumes on your Web site. You guys are kind of fancy when it comes to food and your previous lifetime of this work. But given all of that, can you talk to me now about, what is the

feedback you've been getting from some of the folks and families you've been able to help out?

And specifically, Tom, for you, given everything you've gone through with your family, how has this helped put everything in perspective?

LAUGHLIN: I was at a point, when it all happened, things hit hard and quickly. And at the same time, personally for my family, things were getting hard with our business as well. And all of our events had either been, had all been canceled.

[14:50:02]

So it was the perfect storm of trying to figure out what we can do to make it better, and to get back and to give back and turn it into a positive thing.

And we were lucky enough in that we were -- we were going through different scenarios of, at the time, who needed it most, first-line responders and senior citizens, homebound. And all of those projects were being taken care of.

And then we found this project through CLAH. And the nice thing with the other programs, we probably would not have seen their faces when they'd come to pick up their dinners.

And the look on their faces and holding their hands on their heart as if, you know -- I mean it -- it's so rewarding, you know, that -- and puts everything into perspective, because that's what we're all here for.

BALDWIN: Doesn't it? Doesn't it? Yes.

Billy, let me end with you. For people watching, who are moved, how can people help you guys?

DOVE: You know what, you can go to our Facebook page, Company Catered Events and you can find a link there. You'll be able to contribute. All contributions are tax deferred, and tax deductible. Thank you. And so it's a win-win I think for everyone.

BALDWIN: Good on the two of you, thank you.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Yes, go ahead. Go ahead, quickly.

LAUGHLIN: The program, we initially started with a three-month program. We got a major funder, one of our clients, Elimination Fund, had donated to underwrite the program. And we're looking to extend it at least another three months. Because as you all know, hunger doesn't end and the situation economically is not ending.

So if there's anyone that wants to give a little bit, a lot, we're certainly open to it to make sure that we can extend the project even longer.

BALDWIN: You are doing a beautiful thing in Washington Heights in New York.

Billy Dove, Tom Laughlin, gentlemen, thank you.

LAUGHLIN: Thank you. Thanks for having us.

DOVE: Thank you so much.

BALDWIN: You got it.

Right now, the Dow -- take a look -- up just about 300 points here. Better-than-expected jobs report out this morning. And President Trump is touting that. And claiming that the pandemic is, his words, "under control." Let's fact-check that.

But, first, breaking news as the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein charged as an accomplice in an alleged scheme to trafficking and sexually abuse young women. We have those details ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:57:24]

BALDWIN: Breaking news. The former girlfriend of accused sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, has been arrested. We have heard a lot about Ghislaine Maxwell in connection with the Epstein investigation. She's expected to appear in court later today.

Federal prosecutors in New York charging her with six counts for allegedly conspiring with the disgraced financier to sexually abuse underaged girls. Epstein died by suicide while awaiting trial last year. The investigation into his accomplices is still ongoing.

CNN's Kara Scannell is outside federal court in New York.

Kara, prosecutors wrapped up a news conference. What did they say?

KARA SCANNELL, CNN REPORTER: Brooke, they're calling this a prequel, saying the new charges against Ghislaine Maxwell date back as far as 1994, almost 10 years earlier than they had previously charged Jeffrey Epstein with. Of course, Epstein died while in prison.

The case that's remaining is the one against Maxwell. Today, prosecutors charging her with six criminal counts, including two of conspiracy, two counts of perjury for lying under oath while participating in civil depositions, and one count of traveling -- enticing minors to travel for illegal sex, and also for the transportation of minors to engage in illegal sexual contact.

Prosecutors today saying Maxwell helped recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims, girls as young as 14 years old.

Here is acting U.S. attorney, Audrey Strauss, describing Maxwell's role. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AUDREY STRAUSS, U.S. ATTORNEY, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK: Maxwell enticed minor girls, got them to trust her, then delivered them into the trap that she and Epstein had set for them.

She pretended to be a woman they could trust. All the while, she was setting them up to be sexually abused by Epstein and, in some cases, by Maxwell herself.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCANNELL: Maxwell will be in court in New Hampshire in about a half hour from now. Prosecutors asking for her to be detained, saying she's a flight risk. She has no ties to the U.S., has 15 bank accounts and three passports.

We've not yet heard from Maxwell or her attorney, although, she has denied any wrongdoing.

Prosecutors, Brooke, say their investigation is continuing.

BALDWIN: We're going to follow it every step of the way.

Kara Scannell, thank you so much, in downtown Manhattan.

That's it for me. Thank you for being with me. We'll be back tomorrow, not quite the 4th. Tomorrow is the 3rd. Am I getting my dates right? It's 2020. That's what I know.

[15:00:00]

I'm Brooke Baldwin. Thanks for being with me.

Our coverage continues now on "THE LEAD" with Jake Tapper.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.