Mr. Epstein sent the money to the potential witnesses in late November and early December, 2018, shortly after the Miami Herald published an investigative report about a secret deal he had reached with the authorities in Florida to avoid federal prosecution, prosecutors said…

The prosecutors said Mr. Epstein wired $250,000 to one of his employees and $100,000 to a second person. Both were identified in the government’s memorandum as possible co-conspirators.

The payments and their timing, the prosecutors wrote, suggests Mr. Epstein was trying to “influence co-conspirators” who might provide information against him in light of the allegations in the Miami Herald series.