Michael Reiter

An FBI account of the 2019 interview, made public in 2026, reports that Reiter said he received a call from Donald Trump in July 2006 praising the investigation, claiming that many people knew about Epstein's behaviour and describing Maxwell as dangerous. Reiter confirmed the substance of his recollection to the media.

State of the evidence

Corroborated

Attribution

Directly implicated

After leaving the police, Reiter gives depositions and is questioned several times about the investigation. He criticises the outcome of the local proceedings, particularly the characterisation of the teenage girls as prostitutes and the discrepancy between the recommended charges and those pursued.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is a witness

In the context of the new federal Epstein case, the FBI questions Reiter about his recollections of the 2005-2006 investigation and individuals who might have possessed relevant information.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is a witness

In a 2009 deposition cited in the OPR report, Reiter recounts that, after the referral to the FBI, a Palm Beach town official allegedly criticised his decision, questioned the victims' credibility and told him, in substance, that Palm Beach dealt with its own problems.

State of the evidence

Documented

Michael Reiter heads the Palm Beach Police Department when the Epstein investigation begins following a report concerning a 14-year-old girl. Under his authority, the team led by Joseph Recarey expands the case to include numerous potential victims and gathers witness statements and physical evidence.

State of the evidence

Documented

Reiter's department submits a case file to local prosecutors recommending several serious charges, particularly relating to sexual activity with minors. The local judicial process nevertheless results in a considerably narrower indictment.

State of the evidence

Documented

Believing that the case is not being handled in proportion to the evidence gathered, Reiter writes to State Attorney Barry Krischer asking him to examine the unusual course of the case and whether he should recuse himself.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Reiter arranges for the case file to be forwarded to federal authorities. The DOJ's OPR later documents that the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office then open a federal investigation, particularly because of the number of victims, child pornography issues and possible political pressure.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated