Former Epstein house manager Alfredo Rodriguez sentenced to 18 months

A former house manager to billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison today for hiding his boss’ journal, and later trying to sell it during a federal investigation into the sexual exploitation of minor women by Epstein.

Alfredo Rodriguez received the same prison sentence as his former boss, who served only 13 months of his 18-month sentence in the Palm Beach County Stockade for soliticiting a minor for prostitution and soliticiting prostitution.

Rodriguez, who entered the court in a blue jump suit and shackles, said he was sorry and asked for mercy from the court.

Rodriguez, 56, pleaded guilty to an obstruction charge in March. Rodriguez admitted attempting to sell the book containing the names and phone numbers of multitudes of Epstein victims for $50,000 to an attorney representing one or more Epstein victims in civil cases.

Assistant Public Defender Dave Lee Brannon argued that Rodriguez shouldn’t get a harsher sentence than Epstein.

“If this book had been produced when requested, Mr. Epstein’s sentence may have been significantly different,” said U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra. “There is some logic to the argument that Mr. Rodriguez shouldn’t be punished more severely than Mr. Epstein [who did] more egregious things than Mr. Rodriguez.”

After building a career as a house manager to the wealthy, Rodriguez has been unable to get work from other employers who don’t want anything to do with anyone associated with Epstein, Brannon said.

In addition, when Rodriguez packed his things after leaving Epstein’s employ, he’s not sure when he knew he actually had the book, Brannon said.

Brannon said there were multiple copies of “the book.”

“I don’t know when he realized he had the book,” Brannon said. “Mr. Rodriguez lived at Mr. Epstein’s estate.”

According to his plea agreement, Rodriguez had been interviewed by FBI agents in January 2007 regarding a grand jury investigation into Epstein and was asked to produce any information or evidence in his possession, which he failed to do.

After being interviewed twice in July and August 2009 by attorneys representing Epstein victims in civil lawsuits, Rodriguez contacted one of the attorneys and tried to sell the information. The attorney tried to get Rodriguez to turn over the lists voluntarily, but he refused.

Rodriguez will serve two years of probation after being released from prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Marie Villafana asked for a 24-month sentence. She said no copies of the book were found during a search of Epstein’s El Brillo Way home.

Rodriguez would have been eligible for a 15-20 month sentence for his cooperation, Villafana said. But Rodriguez drove to Miami and attempted to buy guns from an undercover police officer the day he pleaded guilty in this case, she said.

Charges are pending in that Miami-based case and he is expected to plead guilty to the charge of unlawful transportation of firearms.

Nearly two dozen young women have filed lawsuits against Epstein — the majority already settled for confidential amounts — all alleging Epstein paid them for massages and sex acts at his El Brillo Way home.

Rodriguez’s wife, Patricia Dunn, and stepson Christopher Dunn spoke on his behalf. They spoke of him being a good role model and who always did the right thing.

Christopher Dunn described his stepfather as “the biggest moral anchor in my life.”

Patricia Dunn said her husband is the last person she would have ever thought would be in this position. She described him as “honest and caring” and a great husband, father and friend. Rodriquez helped Dunn raise her two children as well as helping to raise three of his own.

“This is out of character for him,” she said. “He always told the children to do good, not turn away from your goals, and help others ... Please do not let this moment of weakness ruin his life and our lives.”

Rodriguez’s daughter, Cristina, who also was in the courtroom, wrote a letter of support. Rodriguez’s ex-wife, Martha L. Paniagua-Rodriguez, and his two grown children, Monica Rodriguez and Sergio Rodriguez, also wrote letters of support.

“Up to this incident and the gun incident, he’s led an exemplary life,” Marra said.