Justice Department files detail Epstein contacts with former prince Andrew
The files, made public as part of a court-ordered disclosure, include emails, investigative records and other materials compiled by US authorities during probes linked to Epstein and his associates
A newly released tranche of more than three million pages of documents from the US Department of Justice sheds further light on interactions between the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and a number of high-profile figures, including Britain's former Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
The files, made public as part of a court-ordered disclosure, include emails, investigative records and other materials compiled by US authorities during probes linked to Epstein and his associates. The documents do not, on their own, establish criminal wrongdoing by those named, says the BBC.
Contacts involving the Duke of York
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Emails dated August 2010 — two years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor — suggest Epstein invited a man believed to be former prince Andrew to meet a 26-year-old Russian woman. The individual, signing as "HRH Duke of York KG," expressed interest in the meeting and asked Epstein for "useful" information about her.
In a separate exchange the following month, an individual identified in the emails as "The Duke" suggested arranging dinner with Epstein and a redacted third party at Buckingham Palace to ensure "lots of privacy."
A document dated 2020 indicates that US authorities sought to interview the former prince because they believed he could be a witness to, or participant in, events relevant to their investigation. Investigators said they believed he might have had knowledge of Ghislaine Maxwell recruiting females for sex acts, while noting he was not a target of the investigation at that time. Andrew has consistently denied all wrongdoing.
Emails involving Sarah Ferguson
Emails from 2009 included in the release show Sarah Ferguson, the Duke of York's former wife, maintaining personal and professional contact with Epstein. Writing under the sign-off "The red Head," Ferguson described Epstein as a "spectacular and special friend" and a "legend."
In other correspondence, Ferguson thanked Epstein for being like a "brother" and discussed business ideas related to her personal brand and her company, Mother's Army. The exchanges took place while Epstein was under house arrest.
Broader scope of the release
According to the Justice Department, the disclosure includes approximately 2,000 videos, 180,000 images and hundreds of references to former US President Donald Trump.
The documents also mention a £10,000 payment from Epstein to the partner of British politician Peter Mandelson. Separate reports contained in the files state that Ghislaine Maxwell is set to testify before the US Congress, while House panels have voted to hold the Clintons in contempt over subpoenas connected to the Epstein investigation.
The records note that legal proceedings related to subpoenas and testimony remain ongoing, and that the emails and references included in the release do not by themselves indicate criminal conduct.
