Epstein-connected John Does are about to be revealed to the public. What we know is as follows
As early as this week, the identities of several dozen individuals connected to Jeffrey Epstein are anticipated to come to light, potentially shattering the veil of secrecy that had protected a large portion of the alleged sex trafficker’s well-known network of acquaintances and business associates from public scrutiny.
More than four years have passed since Epstein, a convicted sex offender who yet maintained an elite company, passed away in jail while awaiting federal sex trafficking charges. The anticipated discoveries in a cache of court records have surfaced.
Many of Epstein’s accusers and friends had their names erased from court records for years, and they were only identified as John or Jane Does.
However, a federal court in New York ruled this month that the records be made public with over 200 identities unredacted. Certain names, such as those of accusers who were under eighteen, will not be revealed.
Numerous well-known individuals in the records have already been recognized by the media, and a few of them came to light during Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial in 2021. Maxwell is Epstein’s girlfriend, and she was found guilty of sex trafficking. She is currently serving a 20-year term in federal prison.
Even while there might not be anything shocking in the records, any fresh information on Epstein’s actions might lead to more legal action. Even with Maxwell incarcerated and Epstein dead, authorities might still go after other accomplices.
The disclosure highlights the fact that Epstein’s accusers still have no closure. In 2019, prosecutors filed an indictment against Epstein, claiming that he had sexually abused and preyed upon several girls, some of whom were as young as 14, at his residences in Palm Beach, Florida, and New York. Epstein committed suicide while he was awaiting trial. He might have received a four-decade jail sentence.
Being mentioned in court records does not always indicate misconduct. However, considering the gravity of the accusations made against Epstein and Maxwell, their erstwhile allies have been quick to disassociate themselves and condemn the purported offenses.
Epstein is a multimillionaire investor and consultant. Former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump are known to have had relationships with him, but none have been charged with any crime because of these relationships. In 2019, a representative for former President Hillary Rodham Clinton attested to her ride on Epstein’s private aircraft, but said she was unaware of the financier’s “horrible crimes.” Reporters have been informed by Trump that he has barred Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago resort; however, he has not disclosed the reason behind their breakup.
1 Dead in Shooting on I-95 in Foxborough
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has stated in interviews that he regrets having dinners with Epstein to talk about philanthropic endeavors. Epstein and Gates met many times starting in 2011, according to the New York Times. Gates has not faced any accusations of misconduct.
Prince Andrew of Britain and Virginia Roberts Giuffre came to a secret settlement in 2022 after the former accused the latter of forcing the latter to engage in sexual activities when she was a minor. Although Andrew, the Duke of York, refuted the accusations, he lost his military rank and is no longer permitted to refer to himself as “His Royal Highness” in any official setting.
In court records, Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, is accused of raping minor girls at Epstein’s New York residence. Black has refuted these claims. Although there was no proof that Black was connected to Epstein’s illegal actions, an independent 2021 investigation on Black’s behalf ordered by Apollo discovered that Black paid Epstein a total of $158 million for consultancy and other services between 2012 and 2017. Out of the three lawsuits filed against Black, one was dismissed.
Black said in March 2021 that he was leaving the company he oversaw due to concerns about his relationship with Epstein.
Black expressed sorrow for his connection with Epstein in a 2020 letter to Apollo shareholders, but clarified that their cooperation was limited to “estate planning, tax, and philanthropic endeavors.”
The US bank’s 15-year financial connection with Epstein was primarily orchestrated by Jes Staley, a former official at JPMorgan Chase who rose to the position of chief executive officer at Barclays. Regarding the connection, Staley was sued by JPMorgan in March.
A federal complaint initiated by the US Virgin Islands claimed that Staley and Epstein had exchanged sexually provocative emails, some of which featured images of young ladies. The matter was eventually resolved. Due to his deceitful statements to authorities on his relationship with Epstein, Staley was prohibited from holding key positions in the UK financial services sector in October.
Staley has refuted any misconduct.
In a statement sent to CNN at the time, Staley said, “There is no doubt that I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today if I had known who [Epstein] was.”
Cracking open the files
It’s unclear when the material will be released.
Judge Loretta Preska’s December 18 order permitted the people included in the records 14 days to file an appeal of the decision; following that, attorneys would “prepare the documents for unsealing.”
The opportunity to file an appeal was closed on Tuesday night, meaning the paperwork can be added to the court docket as soon as this week.
The individuals are listed in the 51-page order, numbered “J. Doe 003” through “J. Doe 187,” along with a justification for each listing’s sealing or unsealing.
One individual, known as Doe 107 in separate court records, who was not included in Preska’s order wanted to remain anonymous. They claim to have received hate mail and to be in fear of physical harm in their home country, which is outside of the United States. Preska gave Doe 107 till January 22 to discreetly provide supporting documentation for their allegation.
