New Allegations Arise in Epstein Investigation in France
Approximately ten new alleged victims have stepped forward in a French inquiry into the activities of the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to prosecutors on Sunday.
The investigation into human trafficking began after the U.S. Justice Department released a new set of documents in January related to Epstein, a financier who died in prison in 2019 while facing charges for trafficking minors for sexual exploitation.
A French magistrate is looking into crimes that may have occurred in France or involve French individuals who facilitated Epstein’s actions.
Laure Becuau, Paris’ lead prosecutor, revealed that roughly 20 victims have come forward since authorities encouraged individuals to speak out in February. Some of these individuals were already known to investigators, but, interestingly, she noted that several were newcomers. “There are about 10 victims,” she remarked.
“Our priority is to listen to these victims,” she stated, acknowledging that some are currently outside France, and efforts are underway to arrange meetings when they can travel to Paris.
Aside from interviewing victims, investigators are also delving into Epstein’s files and will seek names mentioned by those coming forward. Becuau noted, “We have also re-examined Mr. Epstein’s computer, phone records, and address book,” and indicated that they would seek international assistance.
French authorities searched Epstein’s lavish Parisian apartment in September 2019, shortly after he was found dead in his New York jail cell the previous month.
Among those already known to investigators was a woman who had been in contact with Gerard Marie, former head of the European Model Agency, and the late modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel during the ongoing investigation.
In March, 15 women urged France to investigate Marie for potential ties to Epstein. Investigators officially closed another case involving accusations against Marie for sexual abuse in the 1980s and 1990s, citing that it was too late to press charges.
Brunel was arrested by French authorities in 2020 on charges of abusing minors and providing victims for wealthy Americans but was found dead in prison in 2022.
Two former models shared with AFP that a model scout named Daniel Sheard had groomed them, one for Epstein in the 2000s and the other for Marie in the 1990s.
Currently, “no one potentially involved has been questioned” in this new human trafficking investigation, noted Becuau.
For context, Epstein had pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges involving the prostitution of minors and served a mere 13 months in prison before being placed on probation.
