Epstein's lawyers discussed possible cooperation with prosecutors days before his death

Less than two weeks before Jeffrey Epstein's death in prison, his lawyers and federal prosecutors in Manhattan met and discussed possible cooperation, according to multiple documents from a package of recently released investigative files.

"On July 29, 2019, the FBI and (prosecutors) met with Epstein's lawyers, who discussed, in very general terms, the possibility of resolving the case and the defendant's cooperation," the FBI document titled "Summary and Timeline of the Epstein Investigation" states, according to the Guardian.

Another document, titled "Significant Notice Regarding the Jeffrey Epstein Case," which was not attributed to a specific agency, closely resembles this FBI memo and contains several more details.

"The defense did not make a specific proposal and did not indicate what the nature of Epstein's cooperation might be, if any," the document states.

"It is suggested that defense attorneys contact the SDNY if Epstein is willing to accept responsibility for his actions and/or have a specific proposal for resolving this case."

Epstein was arrested on July 6, 2019, on charges of sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. The indictment against Epstein alleges that he sexually abused "dozens of underage girls, inducing them to engage in sexual acts with him in exchange for money" between 2002 and 2005.

The indictment alleges that Epstein "worked with multiple employees and associates to provide a steady stream of underage victims whom he could abuse, and that he also paid some of those victims to recruit other underage girls to participate in similar sex acts for money."

Epstein has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He has unsuccessfully requested to be released to house arrest while awaiting trial.

On July 23, 2019, a few days before the aforementioned meeting with prosecutors, Epstein was found unconscious in his jail cell, according to multiple media outlets. While it was not clear how he sustained the injuries to his neck, two anonymous sources told New York's NBC News 4 that the injuries may have been self-inflicted.

Epstein appeared healthy during his court appearance on July 31, a week after the reported injuries and two days after the meeting described in the documents, the Guardian reports.

Epstein was found unconscious in his cell again on August 10 and pronounced dead at the hospital. Authorities said the cause of death was suicide.

Epstein, who had associates including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, had previously settled sexual assault charges about two decades before this case. Police in Palm Beach, Florida, questioned numerous underage victims in 2005 and 2006.

The FBI and the US Attorney's Office in South Florida investigated the allegations. The case ended with a controversial plea deal in 2008 that allowed him to avoid federal charges if he pleaded guilty to state prostitution charges.