Epstein Hid Computers in Storage Units Across Palm Beach County

Financial records and emails suggest Epstein paid private investigators to conceal evidence before police raid.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 3:18pm

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Financial records and newly surfaced emails indicate that Jeffrey Epstein paid private investigators to remove computers from his Palm Beach mansion and hide them in storage units across Palm Beach County and beyond before a police raid in 2005. The computers, which prosecutors believed contained evidence related to Epstein's sex-trafficking operation, were never recovered by the FBI.

Why it matters

This case highlights Epstein's efforts to conceal evidence and obstruct investigations into his criminal activities. It raises questions about the extent of his efforts to cover up his crimes and the effectiveness of law enforcement in holding him accountable.

The details

When Palm Beach police raided Epstein's mansion in 2005, they found that three computers were missing, with only loose wires and keyboards left behind. Newly surfaced documents indicate that Epstein had private investigators remove the computers and lock them in storage units across Palm Beach County and beyond. Epstein continued making monthly payments to one such storage facility until 2019, the year he died in his Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

  • In 2005, Palm Beach police raided Epstein's mansion and found that three computers were missing.
  • Epstein made monthly payments to a Royal Palm Beach storage facility until 2019, the year he died.

The players

Jeffrey Epstein

An American financier and convicted sex offender who was accused of sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls.

Paul Lavery

A private investigator who allegedly took the three computers from Epstein's home and delivered them to another private investigator.

Bill Riley

A private investigator who allegedly received the computers from Lavery and stored them in a locked storage unit.

David Kleiman

A computer-forensics expert who was hired by Epstein's attorney to make copies of the computers.

Roy Black

Epstein's attorney who hired Kleiman to make copies of the computers.

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What they’re saying

“Over the weekend I learned that plaintiff's counsel are looking to get from me the computers and paperwork I took from Jeff's house prior to the Search Warrant. I have them locked in storage and would like to know what to do with them.”

— Bill Riley, Private Investigator

“I took the items that were given to me.”

— Paul Lavery, Private Investigator

What’s next

The FBI has not confirmed whether any of Epstein's storage units were ever searched, and the records do not indicate what happened to the materials inside the lockers after Epstein's death. The extent of the FBI's investigation into the hidden computers and their contents remains unclear.

The takeaway

This case highlights Epstein's extensive efforts to conceal evidence and obstruct investigations into his criminal activities, raising concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in holding him accountable. It underscores the need for thorough and persistent investigations to uncover the full scope of such complex criminal operations.