More than 130 additional court files were unsealed on Friday in a lawsuit involving Jeffrey Epstein, providing yet more detail about the late millionaire financier’s sexual abuse of underage girls and interactions with celebrities.
The latest round of documents included excerpts of testimony from people who worked for Epstein, copies of phone messages he received — including one from Harvey Weinstein — and lots of legal memos from lawyers discussing who could potentially have been called as a witness if the lawsuit ever went to trial.
No blockbuster revelations were apparent. Lots of the records covered material that has been the subject of many past news stories about Epstein and his victims. But like other documents previously made public in lawsuits related to Epstein, they provide a window into the rarified world he inhabited.
The records are all related to a defamation lawsuit that one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre, filed in 2015 against the millionaire’s girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, who was accused by multiple women of helping Epstein recruit underage victims. The suit was settled in 2017. Maxwell was later prosecuted and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.
The records released on Friday include the 2009 deposition of a former housekeeper at Epstein’s home in Palm Beach, Florida, who talked about how much time the financier spent with Prince Andrew, the British royal who was a longtime friend of Maxwell’s.
Juan Alessi testified that Prince Andrew spent weeks with us and when he visited, he would receive daily massages at the mansion.
Alessi said Andrew would stay in the main guest bedroom, which he described as the blue room. He recalled seeing Andrew’s former wife, Sarah Ferguson, on one occasion, but added, I don’t think she slept in there.
Alessi also remembered seeing other celebrities including Donald Trump and a lot of queens and other famous people that I can’t remember.
Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago club is also in Palm Beach, would come over to Epstein’s home for dinner, Alessi said, but he never sat at the table, dining instead with Alessi in the kitchen. Asked whether Trump ever received massages, he said, No. Because he’s got his own spa.
Alessi, who worked at Epstein’s sprawling home from 1990 to 2002, previously testified at Maxwell’s 2021 trial that he saw many, many, many young adult female visitors, often lounging topless by the pool. He also admitted to stealing $6,300 from Epstein’s desk.
Prince Andrew was publicly criticised when photos emerged of him visiting Epstein in New York even after the financier was imprisoned in Florida for a sex crime.
Giuffre sued Andrew, accusing him of sexually abusing her when she was 17. Andrew said he didn’t remember ever meeting Giuffre. The lawsuit was settled in 2022 without ever going to trial, but the allegations damaged his public standing and led Andrew to withdraw from some royal duties.
One document unsealed on Friday contains copies of phone messages Epstein received, handwritten by staffers, in 2004, a year before police in Palm Beach started investigating allegations that he was paying underage girls for sex.
These new revelations from the unsealed court records shed further light on the disturbing actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates. While no major revelations emerged, the documents provide a deeper understanding of the inner workings of Epstein’s world.
The records released are part of a defamation lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend. The lawsuit was settled in 2017, but the documents offer more insight into Epstein’s pattern of sexual abuse and his connections to prominent individuals.
One notable deposition included in the records is that of Juan Alessi, a former housekeeper at Epstein’s Palm Beach mansion. Alessi testified to Prince Andrew’s frequent visits to the mansion, during which he would receive daily massages. Alessi also mentioned other celebrities such as Donald Trump, who would dine in the kitchen rather than at the table.
These revelations add to the public scrutiny surrounding Prince Andrew, who has faced criticism for his association with Epstein. Virginia Giuffre accused Andrew of sexually abusing her when she was 17. Though the lawsuit was settled, the allegations have significantly impacted Andrew’s reputation and led him to step back from certain royal duties.
The unsealed court records also provide copies of phone messages Epstein received in 2004, offering further evidence of his involvement with underage girls.
While these documents do not contain earth-shattering revelations, they contribute to a clearer understanding of Epstein’s activities and the network of individuals who enabled his abuse. The unsealed court records allow us to peer into the secretive world of Epstein and shed light on the justice system’s efforts to bring justice to his victims and hold his accomplices accountable.
