Four years after accused sex offender and billionaire Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in prison the U.S justice department has made stunning revelations in the case the Watchdog has cited prison failure as an important enabler in the accused taking the extreme step in July 2019.

Jeffrey Epstein: Prison created opportunity for suicide, says report

A scathing report from the US Justice Department watchdog has concluded that the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein was able to kill himself due to a “combination of negligence and misconduct" by the New York City federal jail authorities, as per reports.

'Negligence and misconduct’ by jail staff led to Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide

A US judge on Monday (June 26) approved JPMorgan Chase' USD 290 million settlement with women who say Jeffrey Epstein abused then and the bank turned a blind to the financier's sex trafficking. It is a preliminary approval. It was issued by US District Judge Jed Rakoff during a hearing in Manhattan federal court.

"This is a really fine settlement," Rakoff said.

He said that the settlement and a similar USD 75 million agreement with Deutsche Bank he approved earlier this month were "very large settlements" &nbsp;that would compensate Epstein's victims though not make up for abuses they suffered.

Epstein had been a client of JPMorgan client from 199 through 2013. In 2013, the bank terminated his accounts.

Victims of Epstein's sexual abuses, who are led by a former ballet dancer known as Jane Doe 1 said JPMorgan missed signs that Epstein was sexually abusing them. The bank, say the victims, stayed in touch with him even after his official departure.

Last week, victims' lawyers described the proposed all-cash settlement was &nbsp;"fair, adequate, reasonable" considering risks of further litigation and JPMorgan denying involvement in Epstein's sex trafficking.

This month, JPMorgan said in a statement that its association with Epstein "was a mistake and we regret it"

After he pleaded guilty in 2008 in Florida prostitution charge and registered as a sex offender, Epstein remained a JPMorgan client for five years.

<h2>The minimum guarantee issue</h2>

During the hearing on Monday, Judge Rakoff asked Jane Doe 1's lawyer David Boies why there was no minimum distribution for each victim. The judge asked the question noting that in the Deutsche Bank settlement, each victim was guaranteed at least USD 75,000.

Boies said that many victims in Deutsche Bank case were from Russia or Eastern Europe. It was difficult to call them. Boies said that minimum guaranteed amount was an incentive to come forward. He said that this was not the case in JPMorgan case.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jeffrey-epsteins-files-reveal-close-ties-to-duchess-of-york-calendar-indicates-meetings-598909">Jeffrey Epstein's files reveal close ties to Duchess of York, calendar indicates meetings</a>

Rakoff appointed Simone Lelchuk, a lawyer who specializes in administering settlements, to consider individual claims and determine payouts in the JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank cases.

This is not the only lawsuit JPMorgan is facing. The bank also faces a lawsuit over Epstein by the US Virgin islands. Epstein owned two neighbouring islands. Reuters reported that the the case is scheduled to go on trial on Octiber 23.

Epstein died at age 66 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. New York City's medical examiner called the death a suicide.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A US judge on Monday (June 26) approved JPMorgan Chase' USD 290 million settlement with women who say Jeffrey Epstein abused then and the bank turned a blind to the financier's sex trafficking.

A US judge on Monday (June 26) approved JPMorgan Chase' USD 290 million settlement with women who say Jeffrey Epstein abused then and the bank turned a blind to the financier's sex trafficking. It is a preliminary approval. It was issued by US District Judge Jed Rakoff during a hearing in Manhattan federal court. "This is a really fine settlement," Rakoff said. He said that the settlement and a similar USD 75 million agreement with Deutsche Bank he approved earlier this month were "very large settlements" that would compensate Epstein's victims though not make up for abuses they suffered. Epstein had been a client of JPMorgan client from 199 through 2013. In 2013, the bank terminated his accounts. Victims of Epstein's sexual abuses, who are led by a former ballet dancer known as Jane Doe 1 said JPMorgan missed signs that Epstein was sexually abusing them. The bank, say the victims, stayed in touch with him even after his official departure. Last week, victims' lawyers described the proposed all-cash settlement was "fair, adequate, reasonable" considering risks of further litigation and JPMorgan denying involvement in Epstein's sex trafficking. This month, JPMorgan said in a statement that its association with Epstein "was a mistake and we regret it" After he pleaded guilty in 2008 in Florida prostitution charge and registered as a sex offender, Epstein remained a JPMorgan client for five years. The minimum guarantee issue During the hearing on Monday, Judge Rakoff asked Jane Doe 1's lawyer David Boies why there was no minimum distribution for each victim. The judge asked the question noting that in the Deutsche Bank settlement, each victim was guaranteed at least USD 75,000. Boies said that many victims in Deutsche Bank case were from Russia or Eastern Europe. It was difficult to call them. Boies said that minimum guaranteed amount was an incentive to come forward. He said that this was not the case in JPMorgan case. Also Read | Jeffrey Epstein's files reveal close ties to Duchess of York, calendar indicates meetings Rakoff appointed Simone Lelchuk, a lawyer who specializes in administering settlements, to consider individual claims and determine payouts in the JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank cases. This is not the only lawsuit JPMorgan is facing. The bank also faces a lawsuit over Epstein by the US Virgin islands. Epstein owned two neighbouring islands. Reuters reported that the the case is scheduled to go on trial on Octiber 23. Epstein died at age 66 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. New York City's medical examiner called the death a suicide. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

JPMorgan Chase to pay 290 million in settlement with Epstein sexual abuse accusers

JPMorgan chase, one of the largest banks in the nation, has reached a landmark settlement in the class-action lawsuit filed by victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bank has agreed to pay a staggering 290 million dollars to address allegations of enabling epstein's sex trafficking activities while he was a client.

Jeffrey Epstein case: JP Morgan pays $290 million to Epstein victims

Closing the vault: JPMorgan chase's million-dollar settlement

JPMorgan Chase has reached a settlement with sexual abuse survivors of disgraced Hollywood financier Jeffrey Epstein, weeks after it was revealed that the biggest US bank had a longstanding relationship with him, the bank and lawyers for the survivors said in a statement on Monday. The financial services company will pay a total of $290 mn to the victims.

The settlement resolves one claim against the largest US bank in a proposed class action by women who say Epstein abused them, and by the government of the US Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned two neighbouring islands and allegedly abused survivors in his mansion.

<h2>JPMorgan Chase and Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse survivors: The lawsuit</h2>

According to a lawsuit filed in Manhatten federal court last November, JPMorgan ignored repeated warnings that Epstein was trafficking teenage girls and young women for sex. This continued even after he registered as a sex offender and pleaded guilty in a 2008 Florida case to soliciting prostitution from a teenage girl.&nbsp;

The lawsuit said that the bank overlooked red flags in Epstein's activity because it valued him as a wealthy client who had access to dozens of even wealthier people.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/where-is-jeffrey-epsteins-money-going-448444">Where is Jeffrey Epstein’s money going?</a>

Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges after it emerged that he trafficked young girls over a roughly 15-year period.

The number of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse survivors could potentially rise to more than 100.

"The parties believe this settlement is in the best interests of all parties, especially the survivors who were the victims of Epstein's terrible abuse," JPMorgan said.

Also watch |&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein 'Found Dead In Cell'

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Epstein was a JPMorgan client from 1998 until he was dismissed in 2013.

JPMorgan kept him aboard even after his 2006 arrest on prostitution-related charges and a related guilty plea two years later.

Epstein died in August 2019 at age 66 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. New York City's medical examiner called Epstein's death a suicide.

(With inputs from agencies)

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JPMorgan Chase has reached a settlement with sexual abuse survivors of disgraced Hollywood financier Jeffrey Epstein, weeks after it was revealed that the biggest US bank had a longstanding relationship with him, the bank and lawyers for the survivors said in a statement on Monday.

JPMorgan Chase has reached a settlement with sexual abuse survivors of disgraced Hollywood financier Jeffrey Epstein, weeks after it was revealed that the biggest US bank had a longstanding relationship with him, the bank and lawyers for the survivors said in a statement on Monday. The financial services company will pay a total of $290 mn to the victims. The settlement resolves one claim against the largest US bank in a proposed class action by women who say Epstein abused them, and by the government of the US Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned two neighbouring islands and allegedly abused survivors in his mansion. JPMorgan Chase and Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse survivors: The lawsuit According to a lawsuit filed in Manhatten federal court last November, JPMorgan ignored repeated warnings that Epstein was trafficking teenage girls and young women for sex. This continued even after he registered as a sex offender and pleaded guilty in a 2008 Florida case to soliciting prostitution from a teenage girl. The lawsuit said that the bank overlooked red flags in Epstein's activity because it valued him as a wealthy client who had access to dozens of even wealthier people. Also read | Where is Jeffrey Epstein’s money going? Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges after it emerged that he trafficked young girls over a roughly 15-year period. The number of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse survivors could potentially rise to more than 100. "The parties believe this settlement is in the best interests of all parties, especially the survivors who were the victims of Epstein's terrible abuse," JPMorgan said. Also watch | Jeffrey Epstein 'Found Dead In Cell' × Epstein was a JPMorgan client from 1998 until he was dismissed in 2013. JPMorgan kept him aboard even after his 2006 arrest on prostitution-related charges and a related guilty plea two years later. Epstein died in August 2019 at age 66 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. New York City's medical examiner called Epstein's death a suicide. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

JPMorgan to pay $290mn to settle lawsuit with Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking survivors

In what comes as a bombshell development, shocking details about disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein have emerged. The latest files obtained by DailyMail.com claim that the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, met with Epstein in the year 2010.&nbsp;

This was when the sexual offender was under house arrest.

The tainted financier's private calendars from March 2010 unveiled that he would accommodate the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, Ferguson, to his schedule.

As per reports, at that time Epstein still had five months of house arrest left for admitting to committing the crime of soliciting a minor for prostitution.

He served 13-month imprisonment for the offence and was further designated as a registered sex offender.

Epstein told his assistant: 'Duchess anytime'.

Following DailyMail.com's examination of Epstein's files, the publication noted that the famous names and world leaders who were previously not linked to him also featured in his emails and calendar entries.

Photos shared by Epstein's driver and housekeeper in February and March 2010 show Fergie and Andrew visiting the financier's New York mansion.

The report raises fresh concerns over the nature of Epstein's relationship with Sarah Ferguson, also known by the nickname Fergie.

The Epstein files suggest that the American financer knew intimate details about Fergie and Andrew's finances and boasted about it in front of JP Morgan.

<h2>Epstein blackmailing Gates</h2>

Earlier this week, a Wall Street Journal report claimed that Gates met Antonova around 2009 when she was in her 20s and they engaged in a romantic relationship. The two were involved while Gates was still married to his then-wife, Melinda French Gates.

In a YouTube video from the same year, Antonova recounted playing in a tournament with Gates. “I didn’t beat him [Gates] but I tried to kick him with my leg," said Antonova.&nbsp;

Epstein met Antonova three years later in 2013 and paid for her to attend software coding school. She was looking for financial backers for a bridge academy and Boris Nikolic, a top adviser to Gates at the time, pointed her to Epstein.&nbsp;

Later, in 2017, Epstein, who had learned about the affair, brazenly emailed Gates and requested reimbursement for the course. It was an implicit yet subtle threat from Epstein that he knew about Gates' business.&nbsp;

“The tone of the message was that Epstein knew about the affair and could expose it, the people said,” the Journal reported, adding that a Gates spokesperson said that the Microsoft founder “had no financial dealings with Epstein.”

Antonova told the Journal that she did meet Epstein but did not know who he was at the time, thinking he was just a “successful businessman" who "wanted to help”. &nbsp;

“Epstein agreed to pay, and he paid directly to the school,” she added. “Nothing was exchanged. I don’t know why he did that."

(With inputs from agencies)

 
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In what comes as a bombshell development, shocking details about disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein have emerged. The latest files obtained by DailyMail.com claim that the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, met with Epstein in the year 2010.

In what comes as a bombshell development, shocking details about disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein have emerged. The latest files obtained by DailyMail.com claim that the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, met with Epstein in the year 2010. This was when the sexual offender was under house arrest. The tainted financier's private calendars from March 2010 unveiled that he would accommodate the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, Ferguson, to his schedule. As per reports, at that time Epstein still had five months of house arrest left for admitting to committing the crime of soliciting a minor for prostitution. He served 13-month imprisonment for the offence and was further designated as a registered sex offender. Epstein told his assistant: 'Duchess anytime'. Following DailyMail.com's examination of Epstein's files, the publication noted that the famous names and world leaders who were previously not linked to him also featured in his emails and calendar entries. Photos shared by Epstein's driver and housekeeper in February and March 2010 show Fergie and Andrew visiting the financier's New York mansion. The report raises fresh concerns over the nature of Epstein's relationship with Sarah Ferguson, also known by the nickname Fergie. The Epstein files suggest that the American financer knew intimate details about Fergie and Andrew's finances and boasted about it in front of JP Morgan. Epstein blackmailing Gates Earlier this week, a Wall Street Journal report claimed that Gates met Antonova around 2009 when she was in her 20s and they engaged in a romantic relationship. The two were involved while Gates was still married to his then-wife, Melinda French Gates. In a YouTube video from the same year, Antonova recounted playing in a tournament with Gates. “I didn’t beat him [Gates] but I tried to kick him with my leg," said Antonova. Epstein met Antonova three years later in 2013 and paid for her to attend software coding school. She was looking for financial backers for a bridge academy and Boris Nikolic, a top adviser to Gates at the time, pointed her to Epstein. Later, in 2017, Epstein, who had learned about the affair, brazenly emailed Gates and requested reimbursement for the course. It was an implicit yet subtle threat from Epstein that he knew about Gates' business. “The tone of the message was that Epstein knew about the affair and could expose it, the people said,” the Journal reported, adding that a Gates spokesperson said that the Microsoft founder “had no financial dealings with Epstein.” Antonova told the Journal that she did meet Epstein but did not know who he was at the time, thinking he was just a “successful businessman" who "wanted to help”. “Epstein agreed to pay, and he paid directly to the school,” she added. “Nothing was exchanged. I don’t know why he did that." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Jeffrey Epstein's files reveal close ties to Duchess of York, calendar indicates meetings

Days after it was revealed that disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein blackmailed Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates for his alleged affair with a Russian bridge player, a Daily Mail report has claimed that the woman was connected to a Kremlin spy.

Days after it was revealed that disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein blackmailed Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates for his alleged affair with a Russian bridge player, a Daily Mail report has claimed that the woman was connected to a Kremlin spy. Mila Antonova, the woman with whom Gates had the alleged affair, was captured in a photograph, strolling near Wall Street with spy Anna Chapman who was arrested in New York City in 2010. The publication noted that the photo was likely clicked in 2009 or early 2010, the same period when Gates' alleged romance with the Russian player commenced. The tech billionaire refused to comment if he knew about any potential link between Antonova and Chapman, the daughter of a former KGB officer. The report raises fresh concerns over the nature of Epstein's relationship with Gates and whether the latter caved into the paedophile's pressure tactics and imparted crucial information to him which inadvertently could have ended up in Russian hands. Watch | Jeffrey Epstein threatened Bill Gates over alleged affairs Epstein blackmailing Gates Earlier this week, a Wall Street Journal report claimed that Gates met Antonova around 2009 when she was in her 20s and they engaged in a romantic relationship. The two were involved while Gates was still married to his then-wife, Melinda French Gates. In a YouTube video from the same year, Antonova recounted playing in a tournament with Gates. “I didn’t beat him [Gates] but I tried to kick him with my leg," said Antonova. ALSO READ | Did Jeffrey Epstein blackmail Bill Gates for affair with Russian woman? Shocking details revealed Epstein met Antonova three years later in 2013 and paid for her to attend software coding school. She was looking for financial backers for a bridge academy and Boris Nikolic, a top adviser to Gates at the time, pointed her to Epstein. Later, in 2017, Epstein, who had learned about the affair, brazenly emailed Gates and requested reimbursement for the course. It was an implicit yet subtle threat from Epstein that he knew about Gates' business. “The tone of the message was that Epstein knew about the affair and could expose it, the people said,” the Journal reported, adding that a Gates spokesperson said that the Microsoft founder “had no financial dealings with Epstein.” Antonova told the Journal that she did meet Epstein but did not know who he was at the time, thinking he was just a “successful businessman" who "wanted to help”. “Epstein agreed to pay, and he paid directly to the school,” she added. “Nothing was exchanged. I don’t know why he did that." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Bill Gates’ alleged Russian lover was in contact with a Kremlin spy: Report

JPMorgan Chase has hit back at the US Virgin Islands government after the latter brought in a lawsuit accusing the banking giant of empowering disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of teenage girls.&nbsp;

Lawyers representing the bank in the Manhattan federal court said the Virgin Islands was complicit in Epstein's act and that high-ranking officials of the country were bought off by him.

“He gave them money, advice, influence, and favours. In exchange, they shielded and even rewarded him,” providing lucrative tax breaks worth millions of dollars, they wrote.

“For two decades, and for long after JPMC exited Epstein as a client, the entity that most directly failed to protect public safety and most actively facilitated and benefited from Epstein’s continued criminal activity was the plaintiff in this case — the USVI government itself," the lawyers added.&nbsp;

Reflecting on the statements from the defence,&nbsp;the&nbsp;US Virgin Islands attorney general’s office said it was an attempt to deflect the blame.&nbsp;

“This is an obvious attempt to shift blame away from JPMorgan Chase, which had a legal responsibility to report the evidence in its possession of Epstein’s human trafficking, and failed to do so," read the statement.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/epsteins-private-islands-sold-to-billionaire-investor-for-60-million-588757">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands sold to billionaire investor for $60 million&nbsp;</a>

<h2>The lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase</h2>

The Virgin Islands government sued the bank&nbsp;in December last year, alleging that it knew about Epstein's predatory behaviour. It added that the bank turned a blind eye to evidence of human trafficking for over a decade as Epstein's account and the clients he brought to the bank made him extremely valuable.&nbsp;

Earlier, US Virgin Islands subpoenaed documents from billionaire Elon Musk&nbsp;as part of its lawsuit against the bank.&nbsp;Google co-founder Larry Page was also to be served the same legal document but the government failed to locate him.

The government said it had been unable to locate Page, who co-founded and co-owns Alphabet Inc, despite good faith attempts, which included hiring an investigative firm to search public record databases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/private-islands-owned-by-jeffrey-epstein-588779">WATCH |&nbsp;Private Islands owned by Jeffrey Epstein</a>

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<h2>Jeffrey Epstein - a monster</h2>

Epstein was accused of sexually exploiting dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida between 2002 and 2005.

However, the majority of his sexual exploits took place on the&nbsp;72-acre Little St. James Island which he purchased&nbsp;in 1998 for $7.95 million. He later bought the 160-acre Great St. James Island for $20 million in 2016.&nbsp;

Epstein was convicted in Florida in 2008 of paying young girls for massages but served just 13 months in jail under a secret plea deal. He died under mysterious circumstances at&nbsp;the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York in 2019, with the authorities terming it a 'suicide'.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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JPMorgan Chase has hit back at the US Virgin Islands government after the latter brought in a lawsuit accusing the banking giant of empowering disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of teenage girls.

JPMorgan Chase has hit back at the US Virgin Islands government after the latter brought in a lawsuit accusing the banking giant of empowering disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of teenage girls. Lawyers representing the bank in the Manhattan federal court said the Virgin Islands was complicit in Epstein's act and that high-ranking officials of the country were bought off by him. “He gave them money, advice, influence, and favours. In exchange, they shielded and even rewarded him,” providing lucrative tax breaks worth millions of dollars, they wrote. “For two decades, and for long after JPMC exited Epstein as a client, the entity that most directly failed to protect public safety and most actively facilitated and benefited from Epstein’s continued criminal activity was the plaintiff in this case — the USVI government itself," the lawyers added. Reflecting on the statements from the defence, the US Virgin Islands attorney general’s office said it was an attempt to deflect the blame. “This is an obvious attempt to shift blame away from JPMorgan Chase, which had a legal responsibility to report the evidence in its possession of Epstein’s human trafficking, and failed to do so," read the statement. ALSO READ | Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands sold to billionaire investor for $60 million The lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase The Virgin Islands government sued the bank in December last year, alleging that it knew about Epstein's predatory behaviour. It added that the bank turned a blind eye to evidence of human trafficking for over a decade as Epstein's account and the clients he brought to the bank made him extremely valuable. Earlier, US Virgin Islands subpoenaed documents from billionaire Elon Musk as part of its lawsuit against the bank. Google co-founder Larry Page was also to be served the same legal document but the government failed to locate him. The government said it had been unable to locate Page, who co-founded and co-owns Alphabet Inc, despite good faith attempts, which included hiring an investigative firm to search public record databases. WATCH | Private Islands owned by Jeffrey Epstein Jeffrey Epstein - a monster Epstein was accused of sexually exploiting dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida between 2002 and 2005. However, the majority of his sexual exploits took place on the 72-acre Little St. James Island which he purchased in 1998 for $7.95 million. He later bought the 160-acre Great St. James Island for $20 million in 2016. Epstein was convicted in Florida in 2008 of paying young girls for massages but served just 13 months in jail under a secret plea deal. He died under mysterious circumstances at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York in 2019, with the authorities terming it a 'suicide'. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

JPMorgan Chase hits back at US Virgin Islands after being blamed for Jeffrey Epstein’s sex crimes

As per a recent report, Bill Gates was blackmailed by an American financier Jeffrey Epstein. He threatened to expose Bill Gates' extra marital affair with Russian Bridge player Mila Antonova. What was his motive? What's the story? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Was Bill Gates blackmailed?

In what comes as a bombshell development, details about the relationship between disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates have emerged. It appears that Epstein threatened Gates and tried to blackmail the billionaire over his extramarital affair with a Russian bridge player, a new report by the Wall Street Journal has claimed.&nbsp;

Titled "Jeffrey Epstein Appeared to Threaten Bill Gates Over Microsoft Co-Founder’s Affair With Russian Bridge Player", the report claims that Gates met a woman named Mila Antonova around 2010 when she was in her 20s and engaged in a romantic relationship. The two were involved while Gates was still married to&nbsp;his then-wife, Melinda French Gates

In a YouTube video from the same year,&nbsp;Antonova recounted playing in a tournament with Gates.&nbsp;“I didn’t beat him [Gates] but I tried to kick him with my leg," said&nbsp;Antonova.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein threatened Bill Gates over alleged affairs

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<h2>The threat by Epstein</h2>

Epstein met Antonova three years later in 2013 and paid for her to&nbsp;attend software coding school. She was&nbsp;looking for financial backers for a bridge academy and&nbsp;Boris Nikolic, a top adviser to Gates at the time, pointed her to Epstein.&nbsp;

Later, in 2017, Epstein, who had learned about the affair, brazenly emailed Gates and requested reimbursement for the course. It was an implicit yet subtle threat from Epstein that he knew about Gates' business.&nbsp;

“The tone of the message was that Epstein knew about the affair and could expose it, the people said,” the Journal reported, adding that a Gates spokesperson said that the Microsoft founder “had no financial dealings with Epstein”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/epsteins-private-islands-sold-to-billionaire-investor-for-60-million-588757">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands sold to billionaire investor for $60 million&nbsp;</a>

The threat&nbsp;stemmed from the fact that Epstein was unable to convince Gates to participate in a&nbsp;multibillion-dollar charitable fund that he was attempting to establish with banking giant JPMorgan Chase.&nbsp;

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Meet Mila Antonova, the young bridge player who Bill Gates had an affair with in 2010. Jeffrey Epstein found out about this affair and used it as leverage against Bill Gates. Bill Gates began having private meetings with Epstein in 2011, but Epstein didn’t find out about the… <a href="https://t.co/4W6gTKx7WN">pic.twitter.com/4W6gTKx7WN</a>
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Antonova told the Journal that she did meet Epstein but did not know who he was at the time, thinking he was just a&nbsp;“successful businessman" who "wanted to help”.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I am disgusted with Epstein and what he did,” Antonova said while declining to comment on her alleged relationship with Gates.&nbsp;

“Epstein agreed to pay, and he paid directly to the school,” she added. “Nothing was exchanged. I don’t know why he did that.

The report added that Epstein also provided an apartment for Antonova to stay in New York City in 2014.&nbsp;

<h2>Epstein's modus operandi</h2>

Two years after the mail, Epstein was charged with sex trafficking a minor and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking&nbsp;by federal prosecutors. His confidant Maxwell Ghislaine would also be dragged in the case but Epstein would die months later in custody in an apparent suicide.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/virgin-islands-govt-unable-to-subpoena-googles-larry-page-in-jeffrey-epstein-lawsuit-590083">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Virgin Islands govt unable to subpoena Google's Larry Page in Jeffrey Epstein lawsuit</a>

The new details&nbsp;reveal how Epstein managed to hide in plain sight over the years whilst engaging in his paedophilic, voyeuristic tendencies. He used information that could compromise the top businessmen and political leaders and used it to fuel his sex-trafficking empire.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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In what comes as a bombshell development, details about the relationship between disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates have emerged.

In what comes as a bombshell development, details about the relationship between disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates have emerged. It appears that Epstein threatened Gates and tried to blackmail the billionaire over his extramarital affair with a Russian bridge player, a new report by the Wall Street Journal has claimed. Titled "Jeffrey Epstein Appeared to Threaten Bill Gates Over Microsoft Co-Founder’s Affair With Russian Bridge Player", the report claims that Gates met a woman named Mila Antonova around 2010 when she was in her 20s and engaged in a romantic relationship. The two were involved while Gates was still married to his then-wife, Melinda French Gates In a YouTube video from the same year, Antonova recounted playing in a tournament with Gates. “I didn’t beat him [Gates] but I tried to kick him with my leg," said Antonova. Watch | Jeffrey Epstein threatened Bill Gates over alleged affairs The threat by Epstein Epstein met Antonova three years later in 2013 and paid for her to attend software coding school. She was looking for financial backers for a bridge academy and Boris Nikolic, a top adviser to Gates at the time, pointed her to Epstein. Later, in 2017, Epstein, who had learned about the affair, brazenly emailed Gates and requested reimbursement for the course. It was an implicit yet subtle threat from Epstein that he knew about Gates' business. “The tone of the message was that Epstein knew about the affair and could expose it, the people said,” the Journal reported, adding that a Gates spokesperson said that the Microsoft founder “had no financial dealings with Epstein”. ALSO READ | Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands sold to billionaire investor for $60 million The threat stemmed from the fact that Epstein was unable to convince Gates to participate in a multibillion-dollar charitable fund that he was attempting to establish with banking giant JPMorgan Chase. Meet Mila Antonova, the young bridge player who Bill Gates had an affair with in 2010. Jeffrey Epstein found out about this affair and used it as leverage against Bill Gates. Bill Gates began having private meetings with Epstein in 2011, but Epstein didn’t find out about the… pic.twitter.com/4W6gTKx7WN — Erin Elizabeth Health Nut News 🙌 (@unhealthytruth) May 21, 2023 × Antonova told the Journal that she did meet Epstein but did not know who he was at the time, thinking he was just a “successful businessman" who "wanted to help”. “I am disgusted with Epstein and what he did,” Antonova said while declining to comment on her alleged relationship with Gates. “Epstein agreed to pay, and he paid directly to the school,” she added. “Nothing was exchanged. I don’t know why he did that. The report added that Epstein also provided an apartment for Antonova to stay in New York City in 2014. Epstein's modus operandi Two years after the mail, Epstein was charged with sex trafficking a minor and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by federal prosecutors. His confidant Maxwell Ghislaine would also be dragged in the case but Epstein would die months later in custody in an apparent suicide. ALSO READ | Virgin Islands govt unable to subpoena Google's Larry Page in Jeffrey Epstein lawsuit The new details reveal how Epstein managed to hide in plain sight over the years whilst engaging in his paedophilic, voyeuristic tendencies. He used information that could compromise the top businessmen and political leaders and used it to fuel his sex-trafficking empire. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Did Jeffrey Epstein blackmail Bill Gates for affair with Russian woman? Shocking details revealed

New details have emerged that reveal complex interactions between the infamous financier Jeffrey Epstein and billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates the convicted sex offender Epstein appears to have threatened Bill Gates and tried to blackmail him over his extramarital affair with a Russian bridge player this is as per a report published by The Wall Street Journal now according to the report Epstein had sent an email to Gates in 2017 in which he threatens Gates about his alleged Affair he did this after multiple failed attempts to convince gates to join his efforts to establish a large charitable fund with JP Morgan

Jeffrey Epstein threatened Bill Gates over alleged affairs

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe: The US Virgin Islands subpoenas documents from Elon Musk in JP Morgan's Jeffrey Epstein Case under the allegations that JP Morgan Chase benefited financially from Epstein's sex trafficking operations.

Musk subpoenaed in Epstein case | Prosecutor faults FBI's Trump-Russia probe

The US Virgin Islands subpoenaed documents from Elon&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;as part of its lawsuit against JPMorgan over the bank's knowledge of longtime client Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking, court documents showed Monday.

An unidentified woman and the US Virgin Islands brought separate suits against JPMorgan late last year, accusing the bank of facilitating crimes by the since-deceased Epstein by ignoring warnings and continuing to keep him as a client until 2013.

The bank has denied the allegations, and has filed its own suit against a former executive for his ties to Epstein.

The court documents released Monday say&nbsp;Musk, who is not accused of wrongdoing, "is a high-net-worth individual who Epstein may have referred or attempted to refer to JPMorgan."

The US territory requested on April 28 that&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;turn over any documents related to Epstein and JPMorgan, as well as "all Documents reflecting or regarding Epstein's involvement in human trafficking and/or his procurement of girls or women for commercial sex."

Virgin Islands legal staff had failed to hand-deliver the request to&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;or any of his legal representatives, the documents said, and instead requested to be able to pass them on to Tesla lawyers.

A similar document request had been issued in early April to Google co-founder Larry Page.

Epstein was convicted in Florida in 2008 of paying young girls for massages, but served just 13 months in jail under a secret plea deal.

Later facing charges of trafficking underage girls for sex, he killed himself in a New York jail in August 2019.

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The US Virgin Islands subpoenaed documents from Elon Musk as part of its lawsuit against JPMorgan over the bank's knowledge of longtime client Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking, court documents showed Monday.

The US Virgin Islands subpoenaed documents from Elon Musk as part of its lawsuit against JPMorgan over the bank's knowledge of longtime client Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking, court documents showed Monday. An unidentified woman and the US Virgin Islands brought separate suits against JPMorgan late last year, accusing the bank of facilitating crimes by the since-deceased Epstein by ignoring warnings and continuing to keep him as a client until 2013. The bank has denied the allegations, and has filed its own suit against a former executive for his ties to Epstein. The court documents released Monday say Musk, who is not accused of wrongdoing, "is a high-net-worth individual who Epstein may have referred or attempted to refer to JPMorgan." The US territory requested on April 28 that Musk turn over any documents related to Epstein and JPMorgan, as well as "all Documents reflecting or regarding Epstein's involvement in human trafficking and/or his procurement of girls or women for commercial sex." Virgin Islands legal staff had failed to hand-deliver the request to Musk or any of his legal representatives, the documents said, and instead requested to be able to pass them on to Tesla lawyers. A similar document request had been issued in early April to Google co-founder Larry Page. Epstein was convicted in Florida in 2008 of paying young girls for massages, but served just 13 months in jail under a secret plea deal. Later facing charges of trafficking underage girls for sex, he killed himself in a New York jail in August 2019. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US Virgin Islands subpoenaed Elon Musk over Jeffrey Epstein ties

The US Virgin Islands have summoned Elon Musk as part of its lawsuit against JP Morgan requesting documents from the billionaire under the allegations that JP Morgan Chase benefited financially from Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking operations.

The US Virgin Islands subpoenas documents from Elon Musk in JP Morgan's Jeffrey Epstein Case

The US Virgin Islands government is struggling to locate Google co-founder Larry Page to serve him a subpoena concerning a lawsuit against banking giant JPMorgan Chase for allegedly enabling Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring.

The US Virgin Islands government is struggling to locate Google co-founder Larry Page to serve him a subpoena concerning a lawsuit against banking giant JPMorgan Chase for allegedly enabling Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring. According to three-page court documents filed by the Virgin Islands government, the 50-year-old billionaire Google executive "is a high-net-worth individual who Epstein may have referred or attempted to refer to JPMorgan". The Virgin Islands stated that it had been unable to locate Page, who co-founded and co-owns Alphabet Inc, despite good faith attempts, which included hiring an investigative firm to search public record databases. “Our process server attempted service at the addresses identified by our investigative firm, but discovered the addresses were not valid for Mr. Page,” the documents said. Having been unable to reach Page, the government is now looking for an alternative. It has requested Manhattan federal court Judge Jed Rakoff to allow it to serve Alphabet Inc. as a substitute. ALSO READ | Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands sold to billionaire investor for $60 million Page is known to be a recluse who avoids the public eye. Legal documents accessed by US media have revealed that Page owns four islands and spent most of his time during the pandemic, hiding out on an island in Fiji. Notably, apart from Page, his fellow Google co-founder Sergey Brin, media tycoon Mortimer Zuckerman and Hyatt Hotels Chairman Thomas Pritzker have also been issued subpoenas. Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands The Virgin Islands government sued the banking giant last year in December, alleging that it knew about Epstein's predatory behaviour. It added that the bank turned a blind eye to evidence of human trafficking for over a decade as Epstein's account and the clients he brought to the bank made him extremely valuable. Epstein was accused of sexually exploiting dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida between 2002 and 2005. WATCH | Private Islands owned by Jeffrey Epstein × However, the majority of his sexual exploits took place on the 72-acre Little St. James Island which he purchased in 1998 for $7.95 million. He later bought the 160-acre Great St. James Island for $20 million in 2016. In the allegations against Epstein, it was said that he used to bring girls as young as 11 to the islands with his associates and used to sexually assault them. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Virgin Islands govt unable to subpoena Google's Larry Page in Jeffrey Epstein lawsuit

Two privately-owned islands belonging to Jeffrey Epstein, the tainted American financier and registered sexual offender, were sold to a billionaire investor Thursday. The two islands, Great St.James and Little St. James were abandoned after Epstein committed suicide in 2019 in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.&nbsp;

Stephen Deckoff, the founder of private equity firm Black Diamond Capital Management, bought the islands for $60 million, Forbes reported Wednesday. Deckoff paid approximately 50 per cent less for the two private islands than the price that was listed last year by Epstein’s estate.&nbsp;

According to a press release by Deckoff, he is planning to “develop a state-of-the-art, five-star, world-class luxury 25-room resort” on the islands that will become operational in 2025.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wagner-leader-says-ukraine-counter-offensive-has-begun-death-toll-from-kherson-shelling-rises-to-21-588678">Wagner leader says Ukraine counter-offensive has begun; Kherson shelling toll rises to 21</a>

"I've been proud to call the US&nbsp;Virgin Islands home for more than a decade and am tremendously pleased to be able to bring the area a world-class destination befitting its natural grace and beauty," Deckoff said in the release.&nbsp;

"There is simply no place in the world as special as the US&nbsp;Virgin Islands and I am humbled by the opportunity to share its splendour with visitors in a manner that will provide economic benefits to the region while respecting its culture, history and natural beauty."

In a conversation with Forbes, Deckoff revealed&nbsp;that he had never met Epstein and had never been to the islands before they went on the market. In March last year, the islands were listed for a combined price of $125 million.&nbsp;

Deckoff has ties with the US Virgin Islands and is aware of the unsavoury past of these islands. It was reported that Epstein used to use these islands to sexually abuse&nbsp;teenage girls. One island was even sometimes dubbed as the ‘Paedophile Island’.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-dismisses-donald-trumps-lawsuit-against-new-york-times-orders-him-to-pay-all-legal-fees-588698">US judge dismisses Donald Trump's lawsuit against New York Times, orders him to pay all legal fees</a>

The 72-acre Little St. James Island was repurchased by Epstein in 1998 for $7.95 million, which has a villa-style compound, a library, a cinema hall, a detached bath house and cabanas. He later bought the 160-acre Great St. James Island for $20 million in 2016.&nbsp;

In the allegation against Epstein, it was said that he used to bring girls as young as 11 to the islands with his associates and used to sexually assault them.&nbsp;

Jeffrey Epstein’s case&nbsp;

Jeffrey Epstein died of an apparent suicide in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell, where he was held while awaiting his trial for sex trafficking. The FBI raided Little St. James, where Epstein was believed to have his primary residence.&nbsp;

Epstein’s girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell was later found guilty of aiding his beau in the sex trafficking of young girls and was sentenced to prison for 20 years.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Two privately-owned islands belonging to Jeffrey Epstein, the tainted American financier and registered sexual offender, were sold to a billionaire investor Thursday.

Two privately-owned islands belonging to Jeffrey Epstein, the tainted American financier and registered sexual offender, were sold to a billionaire investor Thursday. The two islands, Great St.James and Little St. James were abandoned after Epstein committed suicide in 2019 in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Stephen Deckoff, the founder of private equity firm Black Diamond Capital Management, bought the islands for $60 million, Forbes reported Wednesday. Deckoff paid approximately 50 per cent less for the two private islands than the price that was listed last year by Epstein’s estate. According to a press release by Deckoff, he is planning to “develop a state-of-the-art, five-star, world-class luxury 25-room resort” on the islands that will become operational in 2025. Also Read | Wagner leader says Ukraine counter-offensive has begun; Kherson shelling toll rises to 21 "I've been proud to call the US Virgin Islands home for more than a decade and am tremendously pleased to be able to bring the area a world-class destination befitting its natural grace and beauty," Deckoff said in the release. "There is simply no place in the world as special as the US Virgin Islands and I am humbled by the opportunity to share its splendour with visitors in a manner that will provide economic benefits to the region while respecting its culture, history and natural beauty." In a conversation with Forbes, Deckoff revealed that he had never met Epstein and had never been to the islands before they went on the market. In March last year, the islands were listed for a combined price of $125 million. Deckoff has ties with the US Virgin Islands and is aware of the unsavoury past of these islands. It was reported that Epstein used to use these islands to sexually abuse teenage girls. One island was even sometimes dubbed as the ‘Paedophile Island’. Also Read | US judge dismisses Donald Trump's lawsuit against New York Times, orders him to pay all legal fees The 72-acre Little St. James Island was repurchased by Epstein in 1998 for $7.95 million, which has a villa-style compound, a library, a cinema hall, a detached bath house and cabanas. He later bought the 160-acre Great St. James Island for $20 million in 2016. In the allegation against Epstein, it was said that he used to bring girls as young as 11 to the islands with his associates and used to sexually assault them. Jeffrey Epstein’s case Jeffrey Epstein died of an apparent suicide in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell, where he was held while awaiting his trial for sex trafficking. The FBI raided Little St. James, where Epstein was believed to have his primary residence. Epstein’s girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell was later found guilty of aiding his beau in the sex trafficking of young girls and was sentenced to prison for 20 years. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands sold to billionaire investor for $60 million

JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co CEO Jamie Dimon will be interviewed under oath in connection with the bank's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the late sex offender and a former client, a lawyer involved in the litigation said on Tuesday.

The deposition is expected to occur in early May, according to Brad Edwards, a lawyer representing women who claim to have been sexually abused by Epstein and are suing the largest US bank for allegedly enabling the financier's sex trafficking.

JPMorgan declined to comment.

Epstein had been a JPMorgan client from 2000 to 2013, with the last five years coming after he had pleaded guilty to a Florida prostitution charge.

JPMorgan is defending in Manhattan federal court two lawsuits seeking damages over its dealings with Epstein: a proposed class action by Epstein's accusers and a case brought by the US Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned a home.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-appeals-to-overturn-sex-trafficking-conviction-567367">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein case: Ghislaine Maxwell appeals to overturn sex trafficking conviction</a>

The bank is also suing Jes Staley, a former private banking chief and later Barclays chief executive who had been friendly with Epstein.

JPMorgan wants Staley to reimburse it for eight years of compensation and damages it might incur in the other lawsuits. The Financial Times earlier reported Dimon's expected deposition.

Citing a person familiar with an internal JPMorgan probe, the newspaper said there was no record found of Dimon being in direct communication with Epstein or included in any discussion over retaining him as a client.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-wideangle-epstein-sex-files-unsealed-312785">WATCH |&nbsp;WION Wideangle: Epstein sex files, unsealed</a>

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On March 9, a federal judge ordered JPMorgan to give the US Virgin Islands documents concerning Dimon from 2015 to 2019, after Epstein had been dropped as a client, rejecting the bank's claim that the territory was on a "fishing expedition".

Deutsche Bank AG, where Epstein was a client from 2013 to 2018, is also being sued by the financier's accusers. 
Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell at age 66 in August 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co CEO Jamie Dimon will be interviewed under oath in connection with the bank's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the late sex offender and a former client, a lawyer involved in the litigation said on Tuesday.

JPMorgan Chase & Co CEO Jamie Dimon will be interviewed under oath in connection with the bank's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the late sex offender and a former client, a lawyer involved in the litigation said on Tuesday. The deposition is expected to occur in early May, according to Brad Edwards, a lawyer representing women who claim to have been sexually abused by Epstein and are suing the largest US bank for allegedly enabling the financier's sex trafficking. JPMorgan declined to comment. Epstein had been a JPMorgan client from 2000 to 2013, with the last five years coming after he had pleaded guilty to a Florida prostitution charge. JPMorgan is defending in Manhattan federal court two lawsuits seeking damages over its dealings with Epstein: a proposed class action by Epstein's accusers and a case brought by the US Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned a home. ALSO READ | Jeffrey Epstein case: Ghislaine Maxwell appeals to overturn sex trafficking conviction The bank is also suing Jes Staley, a former private banking chief and later Barclays chief executive who had been friendly with Epstein. JPMorgan wants Staley to reimburse it for eight years of compensation and damages it might incur in the other lawsuits. The Financial Times earlier reported Dimon's expected deposition. Citing a person familiar with an internal JPMorgan probe, the newspaper said there was no record found of Dimon being in direct communication with Epstein or included in any discussion over retaining him as a client. WATCH | WION Wideangle: Epstein sex files, unsealed × On March 9, a federal judge ordered JPMorgan to give the US Virgin Islands documents concerning Dimon from 2015 to 2019, after Epstein had been dropped as a client, rejecting the bank's claim that the territory was on a "fishing expedition". Deutsche Bank AG, where Epstein was a client from 2013 to 2018, is also being sued by the financier's accusers. Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell at age 66 in August 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

JPMorgan's CEO Jamie Dimon to face court music in Jeffrey Epstein case

Years after the death of Jeffrey Epstein, horrific details about the sexual abuse linked to the American billionaire continue to emerge. Now, Jes Staley, the former boss of Barclays, has been accused of having discussions with Epstein on photographs of young women in sexually suggestive poses. He allegedly exchanged over 1,200 emails with the American financier, according to a lawsuit filed in the United States, reports have said. These emails allegedly included messages about “women who they referred to by the names of Disney princesses that Epstein [allegedly] procured for Staley”.

While Staley has denied the claims against him, the US Virgin Islands (USVI) lawsuit has also accused JP Morgan Chase, his ex-employer, of helping Epstein's trafficking of women and girls, a report published by British news website The Guardian has pointed out. Staley is not a party to the new lawsuit.&nbsp;

Despite the house arrest of the financier in 2008 in a related case, according to the allegations highlighted in the report, the American banking giant continued to communicate with Epstein. “On 8 January 2009 – around the time of Staley’s scheduled visit to Palm Beach – Epstein wired $2,000 from his JPMorgan account to a woman with an eastern European surname,” reads the suit.&nbsp;

This is the latest in the series of allegations after it was claimed that JP Morgan "personally observed" the former client's misconduct.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-claims-jeffrey-epstein-was-murdered-555514">Ghislaine Maxwell claims Jeffrey Epstein was murdered</a>

In 2021, Staley quit Barclays amid anger related to a British regulatory probe if the bank had been transparent about its relationship with Epstein. Stressing that he was "friendly" with Epstein, Staley has said in the past that he did not have a clue about his alleged crimes and ended the friendship before taking over as Barclays boss. In a report on the UK investigation, The Wall Street Journal pointed out amid the backlash that Staley provided an incomplete picture of his friendship with Epstein.&nbsp;

One of the purported conversations between Staley and Epstein has been highlighted in the suit when Staley allegedly wrote to the billionaire: “That was fun. Say hi to Snow White.” “[W]hat character would you like next?” Epstein allegedly responded. “Beauty and the Beast," was the response.&nbsp;

Epstein died from suicide in 2019 by hanging in a jail. &nbsp;

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Years after the death of Jeffrey Epstein, horrific details about the sexual abuse linked to the American billionaire continue to emerge. Now, Jes Staley, the former boss of Barclays, has been accused of having discussions with Epstein on photographs of young women in sexually suggestive poses.

Years after the death of Jeffrey Epstein, horrific details about the sexual abuse linked to the American billionaire continue to emerge. Now, Jes Staley, the former boss of Barclays, has been accused of having discussions with Epstein on photographs of young women in sexually suggestive poses. He allegedly exchanged over 1,200 emails with the American financier, according to a lawsuit filed in the United States, reports have said. These emails allegedly included messages about “women who they referred to by the names of Disney princesses that Epstein [allegedly] procured for Staley”. While Staley has denied the claims against him, the US Virgin Islands (USVI) lawsuit has also accused JP Morgan Chase, his ex-employer, of helping Epstein's trafficking of women and girls, a report published by British news website The Guardian has pointed out. Staley is not a party to the new lawsuit. Despite the house arrest of the financier in 2008 in a related case, according to the allegations highlighted in the report, the American banking giant continued to communicate with Epstein. “On 8 January 2009 – around the time of Staley’s scheduled visit to Palm Beach – Epstein wired $2,000 from his JPMorgan account to a woman with an eastern European surname,” reads the suit. This is the latest in the series of allegations after it was claimed that JP Morgan "personally observed" the former client's misconduct. Also read: Ghislaine Maxwell claims Jeffrey Epstein was murdered In 2021, Staley quit Barclays amid anger related to a British regulatory probe if the bank had been transparent about its relationship with Epstein. Stressing that he was "friendly" with Epstein, Staley has said in the past that he did not have a clue about his alleged crimes and ended the friendship before taking over as Barclays boss. In a report on the UK investigation, The Wall Street Journal pointed out amid the backlash that Staley provided an incomplete picture of his friendship with Epstein. One of the purported conversations between Staley and Epstein has been highlighted in the suit when Staley allegedly wrote to the billionaire: “That was fun. Say hi to Snow White.” “[W]hat character would you like next?” Epstein allegedly responded. “Beauty and the Beast," was the response. Epstein died from suicide in 2019 by hanging in a jail. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Startling claims: Barclays ex-boss Jes Staley, Jeffrey Epstein shared sexualised photos of young girls

JP Morgan benefitted from Jeffrey Epstein’s sex crimes, as per a lawsuit filed by the attorney general of the US Virgin Islands earlier this week. The charges levelled against the bank also mention that it helped Epstein conceal the sexual abuse of underage girls at his property on Little St. James. JP Morgan failed to report Jeffrey Epstein’s suspicious activities, as per the lawsuit, which added, “JP Morgan knowingly, negligently and unlawfully provided and pulled the levers through which recruiters and victims were paid and was indispensable to the operation and concealment of the Epstein trafficking enterprise.”

<h2>Who was Jeffrey Epstein?</h2>

In Jeffrey Epstein’s own words, he was a sexual offender. He was accused of operating a vast network of underage girls for sex. He was a former financer and long-time partner of British ex-socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking charges. In August 2019, Epstein apparently committed suicide in his jail cell in New York, where he was held without bail while he waited for the trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

Watch:&nbsp;JP Morgan &amp; Co sued over fees for Cryptocurrency

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<h2>What is US Virgin Islands’s lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein aimed at?</h2>

The lawsuit is aimed at requiring JP Morgan chase to surrender the profits it earned through dealings with Jeffrey Epstein and pay an unspecified amount of cash in penalties and damages to the government. As per New York Times, Jeffrey Epstein remained JP Morgan’s client for more than 15 years. He was ejected as a client by the bank only in 2013 after a number of employees and groups sounded an alarm over legal and reputational risks.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jp-morgan-chase-is-ends-its-business-with-kanye-west-525476">JP Morgan Chase is ending its business with Kanye West</a>

The lawsuit filed by US Virgin Islands against JP Morgan follows one month after two of Epstein’s accusers filed complaints against JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank for allegedly minting millions of dollars in profits off of their relationships with him and his criminal enterprise.

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JP Morgan benefitted from Jeffrey Epstein’s sex crimes, as per a lawsuit filed by the attorney general of the US Virgin Islands earlier this week. The charges levelled against the bank also mention that it helped Epstein conceal the sexual abuse of underage girls at his property on Little St.

JP Morgan benefitted from Jeffrey Epstein’s sex crimes, as per a lawsuit filed by the attorney general of the US Virgin Islands earlier this week. The charges levelled against the bank also mention that it helped Epstein conceal the sexual abuse of underage girls at his property on Little St. James. JP Morgan failed to report Jeffrey Epstein’s suspicious activities, as per the lawsuit, which added, “JP Morgan knowingly, negligently and unlawfully provided and pulled the levers through which recruiters and victims were paid and was indispensable to the operation and concealment of the Epstein trafficking enterprise.” Who was Jeffrey Epstein? In Jeffrey Epstein’s own words, he was a sexual offender. He was accused of operating a vast network of underage girls for sex. He was a former financer and long-time partner of British ex-socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking charges. In August 2019, Epstein apparently committed suicide in his jail cell in New York, where he was held without bail while he waited for the trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. Watch: JP Morgan & Co sued over fees for Cryptocurrency × What is US Virgin Islands’s lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein aimed at? The lawsuit is aimed at requiring JP Morgan chase to surrender the profits it earned through dealings with Jeffrey Epstein and pay an unspecified amount of cash in penalties and damages to the government. As per New York Times, Jeffrey Epstein remained JP Morgan’s client for more than 15 years. He was ejected as a client by the bank only in 2013 after a number of employees and groups sounded an alarm over legal and reputational risks. Also Read | JP Morgan Chase is ending its business with Kanye West The lawsuit filed by US Virgin Islands against JP Morgan follows one month after two of Epstein’s accusers filed complaints against JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank for allegedly minting millions of dollars in profits off of their relationships with him and his criminal enterprise. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

JP Morgan chase lawsuit: US Virgin Islands accuses the bank of aiding Jeffrey Epstein's sex crimes

Two women who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse have filed lawsuits against Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan, alleging that the banks profited from Epstein's sexual exploits and ignored all red flags about their client. The two suits were filed in New York on Thursday. According to reports, the women are seeking class-action status and unspecified financial damages.

The women, who were not identified in the court filings, have cited US federal anti-sex trafficking laws in the matter.

The lawsuit was first reported by Wall Street Journal. "We believe this claim lacks merit and will present our arguments in court," Deutsche Bank said in a statement. Representatives for JPMorgan declined to comment.&nbsp;

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Epstein took his own life in the Metropolitan Correctional Center on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His longtime associate, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping to recruit and groom underage girls over the course of at least a decade.&nbsp;

In the lawsuits, the women accused the banks of "providing the requisite financial support for the continued operation of Epstein’s international sex trafficking organization" in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).&nbsp;

"Epstein’s sex-trafficking venture was not possible without the assistance and complicity of a financial institution—specifically, a banking institution—which provided his operation with an appearance of legitimacy and special treatment to the sex-trafficking venture, thereby ensuring its continued operation and sexual abuse and sex-trafficking of young women and girls," the Deutsche Bank lawsuit says.

The woman in the Deutsche Bank lawsuit claims that after she moved to New York in 2003, she was trafficked for sex by Epstein for 15 years. It claims that sometimes Epstein would pay her directly in cash for sex acts.

It states that Epstein turned to Deutsche Bank after he cut off ties with JP Morgan around 2013.

As per claims in the lawsuit filed against JP Morgan Chase, the woman has been described as a former ballet dancer who was abused by Epstein and his associates between 2006 and 2013. It alleges that JP Morgan knew that Epstein was using its accounts for trafficking and was aware of "Epstein's well-documented criminal history".

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Two women who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse have filed lawsuits against Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan, alleging that the banks profited from Epstein's sexual exploits and ignored all red flags about their client.

Two women who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse have filed lawsuits against Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan, alleging that the banks profited from Epstein's sexual exploits and ignored all red flags about their client. The two suits were filed in New York on Thursday. According to reports, the women are seeking class-action status and unspecified financial damages. The women, who were not identified in the court filings, have cited US federal anti-sex trafficking laws in the matter. The lawsuit was first reported by Wall Street Journal. "We believe this claim lacks merit and will present our arguments in court," Deutsche Bank said in a statement. Representatives for JPMorgan declined to comment. Also Read | Prince Andrew’s return to public life is jarring for Jeffrey Epstein victims Epstein took his own life in the Metropolitan Correctional Center on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His longtime associate, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping to recruit and groom underage girls over the course of at least a decade. In the lawsuits, the women accused the banks of "providing the requisite financial support for the continued operation of Epstein’s international sex trafficking organization" in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). "Epstein’s sex-trafficking venture was not possible without the assistance and complicity of a financial institution—specifically, a banking institution—which provided his operation with an appearance of legitimacy and special treatment to the sex-trafficking venture, thereby ensuring its continued operation and sexual abuse and sex-trafficking of young women and girls," the Deutsche Bank lawsuit says. The woman in the Deutsche Bank lawsuit claims that after she moved to New York in 2003, she was trafficked for sex by Epstein for 15 years. It claims that sometimes Epstein would pay her directly in cash for sex acts. It states that Epstein turned to Deutsche Bank after he cut off ties with JP Morgan around 2013. As per claims in the lawsuit filed against JP Morgan Chase, the woman has been described as a former ballet dancer who was abused by Epstein and his associates between 2006 and 2013. It alleges that JP Morgan knew that Epstein was using its accounts for trafficking and was aware of "Epstein's well-documented criminal history". (With inputs from agencies)

Jeffrey Epstein victims sue Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan alleging cover-up

Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for trafficking teenage girls. However, in a first-ever interview since being incarcerated, Maxwell has called disgraced Prince Andrew her 'dear friend'.

Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for trafficking teenage girls. However, in a first-ever interview since being incarcerated, Maxwell has called disgraced Prince Andrew her 'dear friend'. “I feel so bad for him. Yes, I follow what is happening to him. He is paying such a price for the association (with Jeffrey Epstein). I consider him a dear friend...I care about him,” said Maxwell in a rare interview with Daily Mail. When reminded that Prince Andrew and his lawyers rejected the claims that he was friends with her, Maxwell says, "I accept that this friendship could not survive my conviction." Read more: Timeline: Ghislaine Maxwell sex-trafficking scandal While Maxwell remains in prison, Prince Andrew has been able to avoid facing the judicial music, primarily due to the family he belongs to. However, in recent times, even that family has started distancing itself from the Duke of York. As reported by WION, in the aftermath of Queen Elizabeth II's demise, the royal family website had demoted Prince Andrew to the bottom of the royals' list. As for Maxwell, she continues to maintain that meeting Epstein was the biggest mistake of her life. “I said in my court statement that meeting Epstein was the greatest mistake of my life. And obviously, if I could go back today, I would avoid meeting him, and I would make different choices.” Epstein was accused of sexually exploiting dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida between 2002 and 2005. Read more: Ghislaine Maxwell becomes 'bffs' with notorious double-murderer in jail After Epstein's alleged suicide, Maxwell was arrested in the United States and charged with sex trafficking minors for him on July 2, 2020. After a very public trial where Maxwell became the face of Epstein's sex-fuelled empire, she was handed a 20-year prison sentence by a court in New York in June, earlier this year. WATCH | Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years of prison × Although her lawyers asked the court for leniency due to trauma, judge Alison Nathan decided to hand out the sentence that was suggested by the US Probation Office. Earlier, the prosecutors in the case asked the court for a sentence between 30 and 55 years (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'He's a dear friend', says Ghislaine Maxwell about Prince Andrew in a rare prison interview

Ghislaine Maxwell has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. She faced accusations that she facilitated sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein. She recruited underage girls who were sexually abused by Epstein. The story of the case begins more than 20 years ago.

Ghislaine Maxwell gets two-decade jail sentence: A timeline

Ghislaine Maxwell was handed a 20-year prison sentence by a court in New York on Tuesday for helping Jeffrey Epstein in sexually abusing girls. The Manhattan federal court announced the judgement after a long-drawn case, and this means that the 60-year-old will be spending a majority of her remaining life in prison. Maxwell, who is the daughter of late Robert Maxwell, was found guilty on five out of the six counts brought against her including sex trafficking of minors. The court found her guilty of helping her then-boyfriend Epstein in sexually abusing minor girls.

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Although her lawyers asked the court for leniency due to trauma, judge Alison Nathan decided to hand out the sentence that was suggested by the US Probation Office. Earlier, the prosecutors in the case asked the court for a sentence between 30 and 55 years, according to AFP.

"Today's sentence holds Ghislaine Maxwell accountable for perpetrating heinous crimes against children," Damian Williams, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, said.

"This sentence sends a strong message that no one is above the law, and it is never too late for justice," he added in the judgement that marked a temporary end to the high-profile scandal.

Maxwell was arrested in 2020 and she has been in prison ever since. Epstein, who was arrested earlier, killed himself in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for crimes he committed in New York.

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Maxwell’s lawyers tried to point out that Epstein’s death should be affect their client’s case.

"Ms Maxwell cannot and should not bear all the punishment for which Epstein should have been held responsible," the defence lawyers argued in front of the court.

However, the judge was convinced that she played a role in grooming minors for Epstein and even the defence lawyers agreed that Maxwell "was an adult who made her own choices."

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Ghislaine Maxwell was handed a 20-year prison sentence by a court in New York on Tuesday for helping Jeffrey Epstein in sexually abusing girls. The Manhattan federal court announced the judgement after a long-drawn case, and this means that the 60-year-old will be spending a majority of her remaining life in prison.

Ghislaine Maxwell was handed a 20-year prison sentence by a court in New York on Tuesday for helping Jeffrey Epstein in sexually abusing girls. The Manhattan federal court announced the judgement after a long-drawn case, and this means that the 60-year-old will be spending a majority of her remaining life in prison. Maxwell, who is the daughter of late Robert Maxwell, was found guilty on five out of the six counts brought against her including sex trafficking of minors. The court found her guilty of helping her then-boyfriend Epstein in sexually abusing minor girls. Also read | Russia would halt its offensive as soon as Ukraine surrenders: Kremlin Although her lawyers asked the court for leniency due to trauma, judge Alison Nathan decided to hand out the sentence that was suggested by the US Probation Office. Earlier, the prosecutors in the case asked the court for a sentence between 30 and 55 years, according to AFP. "Today's sentence holds Ghislaine Maxwell accountable for perpetrating heinous crimes against children," Damian Williams, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, said. "This sentence sends a strong message that no one is above the law, and it is never too late for justice," he added in the judgement that marked a temporary end to the high-profile scandal. Maxwell was arrested in 2020 and she has been in prison ever since. Epstein, who was arrested earlier, killed himself in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for crimes he committed in New York. Also read | French parliament elects Yael Braun-Pivet as first ever woman speaker Maxwell’s lawyers tried to point out that Epstein’s death should be affect their client’s case. "Ms Maxwell cannot and should not bear all the punishment for which Epstein should have been held responsible," the defence lawyers argued in front of the court. However, the judge was convinced that she played a role in grooming minors for Epstein and even the defence lawyers agreed that Maxwell "was an adult who made her own choices." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK socialite Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years in prison over sex trafficking

Two Caribbean islands that once belong to Jeffrey Epstein has been put up for sale, according to a new report. According to the Wall Street Journal, Great St James and Little St James are the two islands in Epstein’s global property portfolio and they have been listed for a price of $125m.<o:p></o:p>

Great St James spans for more than 160 acres and according to the court records reviewed by WSJ, Epstein bought it in 2016 for around $20m. It is largely untouched as it contains a small collection of structures and Christmas Cove, a marine preserve.

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On the other hand, Little St James spans for 70 acres and was bought way back in 1998. The island has four guest villas, a helipad, a private dock, two pools, three private beaches, a gym and a tiki hut.<o:p></o:p>

According to the report, in 2020, US Virgin Island officials, including the attorney general, alleged that Epstein lured women and girls – some as young as 11 – to Little St James, where he “trafficked, raped, sexually assaulted and held captive” his victims, according to court documents.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rescue-team-find-human-remains-at-the-chinese-plane-crash-site-465135">Rescue teams find human remains at the Chinese plane crash site</a>

The proceeds from the possible sale of these two islands will go towards the estate’s resolution of outstanding lawsuits and costs of estate operations, an attorney for the Epstein estate, told WSJ.<o:p></o:p>

Already, $121m of Epstein’s estate has been used to compensate the late financier’s victims through the Epstein victims’ compensation program, he added. Over the years, Epstein had close relationships with powerful figures including Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew.<o:p></o:p>

Two Caribbean islands that once belong to Jeffrey Epstein has been put up for sale, according to a new report. According to the Wall Street Journal, Great St James and Little St James are the two islands in Epstein’s global property portfolio and they have been listed for a price of $125m.

Two Caribbean islands that once belong to Jeffrey Epstein has been put up for sale, according to a new report. According to the Wall Street Journal, Great St James and Little St James are the two islands in Epstein’s global property portfolio and they have been listed for a price of $125m. Great St James spans for more than 160 acres and according to the court records reviewed by WSJ, Epstein bought it in 2016 for around $20m. It is largely untouched as it contains a small collection of structures and Christmas Cove, a marine preserve. Also read | More than half of Ukrainian children displaced by war, says UN On the other hand, Little St James spans for 70 acres and was bought way back in 1998. The island has four guest villas, a helipad, a private dock, two pools, three private beaches, a gym and a tiki hut. According to the report, in 2020, US Virgin Island officials, including the attorney general, alleged that Epstein lured women and girls – some as young as 11 – to Little St James, where he “trafficked, raped, sexually assaulted and held captive” his victims, according to court documents. Also read | Rescue teams find human remains at the Chinese plane crash site The proceeds from the possible sale of these two islands will go towards the estate’s resolution of outstanding lawsuits and costs of estate operations, an attorney for the Epstein estate, told WSJ. Already, $121m of Epstein’s estate has been used to compensate the late financier’s victims through the Epstein victims’ compensation program, he added. Over the years, Epstein had close relationships with powerful figures including Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew.

Caribbean islands owned by Jeffrey Epstein put up for sale to boost victims’ fund

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates has called Jeffrey Epstein "evil personified," and slammed ex-husband Bill Gates for having met him multiple times.

Late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was involed in human trafficking and killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex abuse charge.

A socialite and donor, his network of relationships extended from former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton to British Prince Andrew.

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"I wanted to see who this man was, and I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door," she told CBS Mornings in an interview.

Melinda said meeting Epstein was "abhorrent," and afterward she had "nightmares."

"Any of the questions remaining about what Bill's relationship there was, those are for Bill to answer, but I made it very clear how I felt about him," said French Gates.

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The billionaire formerly donated the majority of her wealth to the charitable organisation, which fights global poverty, disease, and inequity.

The Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, of which Gates is co-chair, is part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a major project between governments and international organisations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/where-is-jeffrey-epsteins-money-going-448444">Also read |&nbsp;Where is Jeffrey Epstein’s money going?</a>

They had finalised their divorce in August, and have continued their work together at the foundation. French Gates’ future there, though, remains unknown - she could leave her position within two years if she and her former husband decide they can no longer work together.

The Wall Street Journal revealed that Bill Gates's March 2020 departure from Microsoft occurred during an investigation into an affair he had with an employee in 2000.

''I believe in forgiveness. I thought we had worked through some of that,'' she said about Bill's affair with a Microsoft employee.

''I gave every single piece of myself to this marriage. I was committed from the day we got engaged to the day we ended it,'' she added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates has called Jeffrey Epstein "evil personified," and slammed ex-husband Bill Gates for having met him multiple times. Late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was involed in human trafficking and killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex abuse charge.

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates has called Jeffrey Epstein "evil personified," and slammed ex-husband Bill Gates for having met him multiple times. Late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was involed in human trafficking and killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex abuse charge. A socialite and donor, his network of relationships extended from former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton to British Prince Andrew. "I wanted to see who this man was, and I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door," she told CBS Mornings in an interview. Melinda said meeting Epstein was "abhorrent," and afterward she had "nightmares." "Any of the questions remaining about what Bill's relationship there was, those are for Bill to answer, but I made it very clear how I felt about him," said French Gates. Also read | MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates donate $40 million to gender equality projects The billionaire formerly donated the majority of her wealth to the charitable organisation, which fights global poverty, disease, and inequity. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, of which Gates is co-chair, is part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a major project between governments and international organisations. Also read | Where is Jeffrey Epstein’s money going? They had finalised their divorce in August, and have continued their work together at the foundation. French Gates’ future there, though, remains unknown - she could leave her position within two years if she and her former husband decide they can no longer work together. The Wall Street Journal revealed that Bill Gates's March 2020 departure from Microsoft occurred during an investigation into an affair he had with an employee in 2000. ''I believe in forgiveness. I thought we had worked through some of that,'' she said about Bill's affair with a Microsoft employee. ''I gave every single piece of myself to this marriage. I was committed from the day we got engaged to the day we ended it,'' she added. (With inputs from agencies)

Melinda Gates calls meeting Epstein 'abhorrent', slams ex-husband Bill's friendship with him

Britain's Prince Andrew has reached a settlement with sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre.

Attorney David Boies, who represents Giuffre, said in a filing in Manhattan federal court that lawyers on both sides were informing the judge that a settlement in principle has been reached and they’ll request a dismissal of the lawsuit within a month.

As part of the agreement, the British royal will make a "substantial donation" to a charity established by Giuffre that supports sex trafficking victims, Boies said.

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Giuffre had accused Andrew of assaulting her when she was 17 at the London home of socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, while she traveled with financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew, 61, has denied Giuffre's accusations that he forced her to have sex more than two decades ago at a London home of former Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and abused her at two Epstein properties.

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The prince "never intended to malign Ms. Giuffre's character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks," the filing said.

"Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms. Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others," the filing added.&nbsp;

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"He pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims."

Last month Andrew was stripped of his honorary military titles and charitable roles after New York Judge Lewis Kaplan denied his plea to dismiss Giuffre's case.

In December, Maxwell was convicted of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, exposing a murky world of sex trafficking among the rich and powerful.

Epstein killed himself at age 66 in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. 
&nbsp;

Britain's Prince Andrew has reached a settlement with sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre. Attorney David Boies, who represents Giuffre, said in a filing in Manhattan federal court that lawyers on both sides were informing the judge that a settlement in principle has been reached and they’ll request a dismissal of the lawsuit within a month.

Britain's Prince Andrew has reached a settlement with sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre. Attorney David Boies, who represents Giuffre, said in a filing in Manhattan federal court that lawyers on both sides were informing the judge that a settlement in principle has been reached and they’ll request a dismissal of the lawsuit within a month. As part of the agreement, the British royal will make a "substantial donation" to a charity established by Giuffre that supports sex trafficking victims, Boies said. Giuffre had accused Andrew of assaulting her when she was 17 at the London home of socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, while she traveled with financier Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew, 61, has denied Giuffre's accusations that he forced her to have sex more than two decades ago at a London home of former Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and abused her at two Epstein properties. Also see | Virginia Giuffre: Who is she and what are her allegations against Prince Andrew? Where is she now? The prince "never intended to malign Ms. Giuffre's character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks," the filing said. "Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms. Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others," the filing added. Also see | From Prince Andrew to Prince Harry, these British Royals lost their titles. Know why "He pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims." Last month Andrew was stripped of his honorary military titles and charitable roles after New York Judge Lewis Kaplan denied his plea to dismiss Giuffre's case. In December, Maxwell was convicted of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, exposing a murky world of sex trafficking among the rich and powerful. Epstein killed himself at age 66 in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Prince Andrew reaches settlement with sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre

When Jeffrey Epstein died, he left behind an estate with an estimated value of $600 million. There were vast financial holdings, a private jet and palatial properties including an island hideaway, a grand Manhattan mansion and a 7,600-acre New Mexico ranch.

But taxes, property upkeep and temperature-controlled storage for his art collection — as well as $121 million in settlements to more than 135 women who accused him of sexually abusing them when they were young — have since cut into the size of Epstein’s estate. It is now worth about one-third of its value when the financier, 66, hanged himself in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges 2 1/2 years ago.

The biggest continuing expense is legal costs: $30 million so far to law firms brought in to clean up Epstein’s affairs. Lawyers have helped hand out settlements, liquidate assets and sift through the complicated holdings of a man who once set up his own offshore bank.

The work won’t be finished anytime soon. The estate must still resolve a civil fraud lawsuit, brought by the attorney general of the Virgin Islands, who claims Epstein used the territory to facilitate a criminal enterprise by bilking it out of more than $70 million in tax revenue. And Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of Epstein who was convicted of sex-trafficking charges last month, has sued the estate to recoup her legal fees.

Not until all that is over will the estate dispense whatever is left, according to the terms of a secret trust that Epstein set up and named in a will drawn just two days before he died.

The details of the trust are not public. But Karyna Shuliak, Epstein’s girlfriend and the last person he spoke to on the phone before killing himself, will be one of the main beneficiaries, The New York Times previously reported. Shuliak, a native of Belarus, is a dentist who shared an office on the island of St. Thomas with Epstein’s Southern Trust Co. A lawyer for Shuliak declined to comment.

The estate has paid $9 million to the lawyers who established and oversaw the victims restitution fund, and $21 million to at least 16 law firms for services and expenses, according to a review of quarterly financial statements filed by the estate in Superior Court in the Virgin Islands.

Five firms — Troutman Pepper, Hughes Hubbard &amp; Reed, White &amp; Case, McLaughlin &amp; Stern and Kellerhals Ferguson Kroblin — have each taken in fees that exceed the nearly $900,000 average award to victims from the compensation fund. A lawyer for nine accusers who submitted claims took issue with the size of those legal bills.

“It is appalling that lawyers divvying up the estate of Jeffrey Epstein are profiting more than his victims,” said Florida lawyer Spencer Kuvin, who has been seeking compensation for some of Epstein’s accusers for more than a decade.

Daniel Weiner, a lawyer with Hughes Hubbard, which has billed the estate more than $6 million, said it was wrong to compare the legal fees and the settlement amounts. He said the estate’s executors, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, had put no limitations on the amount of money handed out by the restitution fund, which an independent administrator oversaw.

The victims who participated, he added, were able to avoid litigation costs that could have reduced the amount they received. (Victims’ lawyers are being paid out of the awards; a one-third share is typical.)

Weiner said he would not discuss whether Indyke and Kahn, who were longtime advisers to Epstein, would ultimately receive any proceeds from the estate through the trust.

“The trust Mr. Epstein created before his death has not and will not be funded, if ever, until every single claim against the estate has been resolved,” Weiner said in a statement. “Public curiosity as to contingent beneficiaries who may never receive anything from that trust cannot justify violating their legitimate privacy interests.”

Although the estate’s legal expenses continue to grow, William LaPiana, a professor at New York Law School and a trust and estates expert, said the costs were, so far, fairly typical.

LaPiana said it is not unusual for legal fees in complex estates that involve extensive litigation to approach 5% of the estate’s initial value. The legal fees unrelated to the compensation fund currently represent about 3.5% percent of the estate’s beginning valuation.

“I don’t believe a court would yet decide that the admittedly large fees are excessive,” he said.

The fees are just one component of the long list of costs that have whittled away at the fortune that Epstein built primarily by providing financial and tax advice to a small group of wealthy men. Among them were two billionaires: Leon Black, a founder of the private equity firm Apollo Global Capital, and Leslie Wexner, founder of a retail empire that once included Victoria’s Secret.

The estate’s tax bill alone was roughly $180 million. Upkeep of the properties — two tropical islands, the ranch and a Paris apartment are still unsold — has cost millions more. The estate is also paying about $15,000 a month to store Epstein’s art collection in a temperature-controlled warehouse in Long Island City, according to court filings. More routine expenses include roughly $390 a month to Verizon for phone services and about $154 a month to Dish for satellite TV services, the filings show.

Cash has come in as assets have been sold off: $66 million from the sale of Epstein’s former homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, although that was well below their asking prices. A Gulfstream jet, one of three planes Epstein owned, was sold in late 2020 for $10 million, some $7 million less than the estate had valued it.

In August, the estate sold its half interest in a yacht club on St. Thomas for $4.6 million. A few months earlier, it sold Epstein's Sikorsky helicopter, generating $1.5 million. Other asset sales have netted more modest sums: In September, the estate got $985 for an “Ikea green shag rug” and outdoor furniture from Epstein’s island home.

The value of the estate is now roughly $185 million, and the litigation with the Virgin Islands has the potential to wipe out much of that.

Denise George, the territory’s attorney general, filed a civil fraud complaint against the estate two years ago, contending that Epstein improperly received a tax benefit that allowed him to finance sex trafficking. That wrongly deprived the territory — where the poverty rate is roughly twice the national average — of badly needed revenue, George said. She is seeking to recoup tens of millions in lost revenue, plus punitive damages.

George’s office retained a law firm, Motley Rice, to handle much of its investigation. Motley Rice’s compensation will ultimately be based on any judgment or recovery in the case, the attorney general’s office said.

The two sides began settlement talks last year, although the parties are not close to a deal, said two people briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks are confidential.

Sandra Goomansingh, a spokesperson for George, declined to comment on whether the parties were engaged in settlement negotiations. Weiner also declined to comment on settlement talks.

The size of any settlement depends, in part, on how much money Epstein’s two islands off St. Thomas can fetch at sale. His estate valued the properties at about $20 million, according to the most recent quarterly report. But a local real estate agent said they could go for much more.

The agent, April Newland, who specializes in selling high-end properties, said she had shown the islands to a number of interested buyers, including several cryptocurrency investors. Newland said getting both for just $20 million would be a “steal.”

“There is a market for private islands,” she said. “And once they start marketing them, they will go.”

When Jeffrey Epstein died, he left behind an estate with an estimated value of $600 million. There were vast financial holdings, a private jet and palatial properties including an island hideaway, a grand Manhattan mansion and a 7,600-acre New Mexico ranch.

When Jeffrey Epstein died, he left behind an estate with an estimated value of $600 million. There were vast financial holdings, a private jet and palatial properties including an island hideaway, a grand Manhattan mansion and a 7,600-acre New Mexico ranch. But taxes, property upkeep and temperature-controlled storage for his art collection — as well as $121 million in settlements to more than 135 women who accused him of sexually abusing them when they were young — have since cut into the size of Epstein’s estate. It is now worth about one-third of its value when the financier, 66, hanged himself in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges 2 1/2 years ago. The biggest continuing expense is legal costs: $30 million so far to law firms brought in to clean up Epstein’s affairs. Lawyers have helped hand out settlements, liquidate assets and sift through the complicated holdings of a man who once set up his own offshore bank. The work won’t be finished anytime soon. The estate must still resolve a civil fraud lawsuit, brought by the attorney general of the Virgin Islands, who claims Epstein used the territory to facilitate a criminal enterprise by bilking it out of more than $70 million in tax revenue. And Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of Epstein who was convicted of sex-trafficking charges last month, has sued the estate to recoup her legal fees. Not until all that is over will the estate dispense whatever is left, according to the terms of a secret trust that Epstein set up and named in a will drawn just two days before he died. The details of the trust are not public. But Karyna Shuliak, Epstein’s girlfriend and the last person he spoke to on the phone before killing himself, will be one of the main beneficiaries, The New York Times previously reported. Shuliak, a native of Belarus, is a dentist who shared an office on the island of St. Thomas with Epstein’s Southern Trust Co. A lawyer for Shuliak declined to comment. The estate has paid $9 million to the lawyers who established and oversaw the victims restitution fund, and $21 million to at least 16 law firms for services and expenses, according to a review of quarterly financial statements filed by the estate in Superior Court in the Virgin Islands. Five firms — Troutman Pepper, Hughes Hubbard & Reed, White & Case, McLaughlin & Stern and Kellerhals Ferguson Kroblin — have each taken in fees that exceed the nearly $900,000 average award to victims from the compensation fund. A lawyer for nine accusers who submitted claims took issue with the size of those legal bills. “It is appalling that lawyers divvying up the estate of Jeffrey Epstein are profiting more than his victims,” said Florida lawyer Spencer Kuvin, who has been seeking compensation for some of Epstein’s accusers for more than a decade. Daniel Weiner, a lawyer with Hughes Hubbard, which has billed the estate more than $6 million, said it was wrong to compare the legal fees and the settlement amounts. He said the estate’s executors, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, had put no limitations on the amount of money handed out by the restitution fund, which an independent administrator oversaw. The victims who participated, he added, were able to avoid litigation costs that could have reduced the amount they received. (Victims’ lawyers are being paid out of the awards; a one-third share is typical.) Weiner said he would not discuss whether Indyke and Kahn, who were longtime advisers to Epstein, would ultimately receive any proceeds from the estate through the trust. “The trust Mr. Epstein created before his death has not and will not be funded, if ever, until every single claim against the estate has been resolved,” Weiner said in a statement. “Public curiosity as to contingent beneficiaries who may never receive anything from that trust cannot justify violating their legitimate privacy interests.” Although the estate’s legal expenses continue to grow, William LaPiana, a professor at New York Law School and a trust and estates expert, said the costs were, so far, fairly typical. LaPiana said it is not unusual for legal fees in complex estates that involve extensive litigation to approach 5% of the estate’s initial value. The legal fees unrelated to the compensation fund currently represent about 3.5% percent of the estate’s beginning valuation. “I don’t believe a court would yet decide that the admittedly large fees are excessive,” he said. The fees are just one component of the long list of costs that have whittled away at the fortune that Epstein built primarily by providing financial and tax advice to a small group of wealthy men. Among them were two billionaires: Leon Black, a founder of the private equity firm Apollo Global Capital, and Leslie Wexner, founder of a retail empire that once included Victoria’s Secret. The estate’s tax bill alone was roughly $180 million. Upkeep of the properties — two tropical islands, the ranch and a Paris apartment are still unsold — has cost millions more. The estate is also paying about $15,000 a month to store Epstein’s art collection in a temperature-controlled warehouse in Long Island City, according to court filings. More routine expenses include roughly $390 a month to Verizon for phone services and about $154 a month to Dish for satellite TV services, the filings show. Cash has come in as assets have been sold off: $66 million from the sale of Epstein’s former homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, although that was well below their asking prices. A Gulfstream jet, one of three planes Epstein owned, was sold in late 2020 for $10 million, some $7 million less than the estate had valued it. In August, the estate sold its half interest in a yacht club on St. Thomas for $4.6 million. A few months earlier, it sold Epstein's Sikorsky helicopter, generating $1.5 million. Other asset sales have netted more modest sums: In September, the estate got $985 for an “Ikea green shag rug” and outdoor furniture from Epstein’s island home. The value of the estate is now roughly $185 million, and the litigation with the Virgin Islands has the potential to wipe out much of that. Denise George, the territory’s attorney general, filed a civil fraud complaint against the estate two years ago, contending that Epstein improperly received a tax benefit that allowed him to finance sex trafficking. That wrongly deprived the territory — where the poverty rate is roughly twice the national average — of badly needed revenue, George said. She is seeking to recoup tens of millions in lost revenue, plus punitive damages. George’s office retained a law firm, Motley Rice, to handle much of its investigation. Motley Rice’s compensation will ultimately be based on any judgment or recovery in the case, the attorney general’s office said. The two sides began settlement talks last year, although the parties are not close to a deal, said two people briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks are confidential. Sandra Goomansingh, a spokesperson for George, declined to comment on whether the parties were engaged in settlement negotiations. Weiner also declined to comment on settlement talks. The size of any settlement depends, in part, on how much money Epstein’s two islands off St. Thomas can fetch at sale. His estate valued the properties at about $20 million, according to the most recent quarterly report. But a local real estate agent said they could go for much more. The agent, April Newland, who specializes in selling high-end properties, said she had shown the islands to a number of interested buyers, including several cryptocurrency investors. Newland said getting both for just $20 million would be a “steal.” “There is a market for private islands,” she said. “And once they start marketing them, they will go.”

Where is Jeffrey Epstein’s money going?

Virginia Giuffre: Who is she and what are her allegations against Prince Andrew? Where is she now?

After a United States judge denied a plea by Britain's Prince Andrew to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit against him, the Royal Family removed his military links and royal patronages on Thursday (January 13).

After a United States judge denied a plea by Britain's Prince Andrew to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit against him, the Royal Family removed his military links and royal patronages on Thursday (January 13). Andrew's military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen and he will no longer be known as "His Royal Highness". The Palace said that the Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending the case as a private citizen. The statement didn't mention that he has been stripped of his HRH title but The Guardian reported that he will no longer use the style His Royal Highness in any official capacity. In 2019, the 61-year-old was forced to step down from public duties after he was linked to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. ALSO READ | 'Sex assault case fallout': Prince Andrew's military titles, patronages returned to Queen Elizabeth Here's everything you need to know about the case and what might happen next Who is Prince Andrew? Prince Andrew is the second son of Queen Elizabeth II. He has two daughters and remained unmarried since his 1996 divorce. The lawsuit and Epstein connection As per a sexual assault lawsuit filed by an American woman Virginia Giuffre, it was claimed that Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused her and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell trafficked her to Epstein's wealthy friends. She sued Andrew in August 2021 and her lawyers submitted a photo of her with Andrew and Maxwell as evidence. She claimed that she was sexually trafficked to Prince Andrew and he sexually assaulted her in 2001 when she was 17 and a minor under American law. Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied the accusations. ALSO READ | Boris Johnson's staff accused of hosting Covid rule-breaking parties on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral Court's ruling so far A United States judge on Wednesday (January 12) denied a plea by Prince Andrew to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit. Lewis Kaplan, the New York Judge in his ruling said that the British Royal's plea to dismiss the complaint brought by Giuffre was "denied in all respects". In the ruling, he further wrote: "Ms. Giuffre's complaint is neither 'unintelligible' nor 'vague' nor 'ambiguous'. "It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse." What's next for Prince Andrew? Prince Andrew's attorneys can ask the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Kaplan's decision. An appeal would definitely delay proceedings, giving some time to them. But, in case it fails then theoretically they could take the case to the US Supreme Court. There's also a way out for Prince Andrew; if the parties reach an agreement before the deposition takes place then the case is over. Will there be any criminal charges? It has been understood that no criminal charges can directly result from the lawsuit but the suit itself does not stop the government from filing a criminal case against Andrew if they believe a crime has been committed. Prince Andrew stripped of royal and military links The Royal Family removed Prince Andrew's military links and royal patronages and said he will no longer be known as "His Royal Highness". The move by the royal family means he will now lose all his royal connections. Which titles did he lose? Andrew was honorary colonel of the Grenadier Guards, whose soldiers guard Buckingham Palace in their distinctive bearskin hats and red tunics. Royal patronages are associations with charities and other organisations.Prince Andrew's other British honorary military titles were: Honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth; colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment; colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps; commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm; royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers; deputy colonel-in-chief of the Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths’ Own) and royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. ×

Prince Andrew's trials and tribulations: The sex assault case saga so far

A United States judge on Wednesday denied a plea by Britain's Prince Andrew to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, as per court documents.&nbsp;

Lewis Kaplan, the New York Judge in his ruling said that the British Royal's plea&nbsp;to dismiss the complaint brought by Giuffre was "denied in all respects".&nbsp;

In the ruling, he further wrote: "Ms. Giuffre's complaint is neither 'unintelligible' nor 'vague' nor 'ambiguous'. "It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-claims-in-south-china-sea-gravely-undermines-rule-of-law-us-state-department-study-444266">Biden administration imposes first sanctions on North Koreans over missile tests</a>

Accuser Giuffre has claimed that Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused her and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell trafficked her to Epstein's wealthy friends.

She has also alleged that she was sexually trafficked to the Royal when she was underage. She sued Andrew in August 2021 and her lawyers submitted a photo of her with Andrew and Maxwell as evidence.&nbsp;

Giuffre said that Andrew&nbsp;sexually assaulted her in 2001 when she was 17 and a minor under American law.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-claims-in-south-china-sea-gravely-undermines-rule-of-law-us-state-department-study-444266">China's claims in South China Sea gravely undermines rule of law: US State Department study</a>

What's next for Prince Andrew?

Prince Andrew's attorneys can ask the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Kaplan's decision. An appeal would definitely delay proceedings, giving some time to them. But, in case it fails then theoretically they could take the case to the US Supreme Court.&nbsp;

A deadline of January 14 has been set for the parties to file "letters rogatory," which are formal requests for assistance from a court in one country to another court in a foreign country.&nbsp;

There's also a way out for Prince Andrew; if the parties reach an agreement before the deposition takes place then the case is over.&nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)

A United States judge on Wednesday denied a plea by Britain's Prince Andrew to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, as per court documents.

A United States judge on Wednesday denied a plea by Britain's Prince Andrew to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, as per court documents. Lewis Kaplan, the New York Judge in his ruling said that the British Royal's plea to dismiss the complaint brought by Giuffre was "denied in all respects". In the ruling, he further wrote: "Ms. Giuffre's complaint is neither 'unintelligible' nor 'vague' nor 'ambiguous'. "It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse." ALSO READ | Biden administration imposes first sanctions on North Koreans over missile tests Accuser Giuffre has claimed that Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused her and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell trafficked her to Epstein's wealthy friends. She has also alleged that she was sexually trafficked to the Royal when she was underage. She sued Andrew in August 2021 and her lawyers submitted a photo of her with Andrew and Maxwell as evidence. Giuffre said that Andrew sexually assaulted her in 2001 when she was 17 and a minor under American law. ALSO READ | China's claims in South China Sea gravely undermines rule of law: US State Department study What's next for Prince Andrew? Prince Andrew's attorneys can ask the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Kaplan's decision. An appeal would definitely delay proceedings, giving some time to them. But, in case it fails then theoretically they could take the case to the US Supreme Court. A deadline of January 14 has been set for the parties to file "letters rogatory," which are formal requests for assistance from a court in one country to another court in a foreign country. There's also a way out for Prince Andrew; if the parties reach an agreement before the deposition takes place then the case is over. × (With inputs from agencies)

What's next for Britain's Prince Andrew as US court denies plea to dismiss sex assault case?

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