The financier and figure of the American jet-set Jeffrey Epstein, accused of sexual assault on minors, was found inanimate, Saturday, August 10, in his cell New York, before his death is pronounced in a hospital. His death, currently described as "apparent suicide" by the New York Attorney, immediately sparked many theories of conspiracy because of his many connections in circles of power. On the other side of the Atlantic, this affair is making headlines.
- Charges of sexual assault on minors
Jeffrey Esptein died in prison a month after his arrest on July 6, at a New Jersey airfield while returning from France. The one who made his fortune in the 1980s by founding his own financial management company was accused of sex trafficking and conspiracy for sex trafficking, charges punishable by forty-five years in prison. His trial was scheduled to open at the earliest in June 2020.
This case brought to light a sprawling network of college and high school students who were recruited to satisfy the sexual appetite of this former professor of mathematics.
It is in the secret of its sumptuous properties of Palm Beach, New York or its private island in the British Virgin Islands that the facts would have taken place. According to investigations by the US authorities and multiple court actions of alleged victims - dozens of girls, some as young as 14 years old, followed each other in these places.
To ensure a continuous flow, he had commissioned an army of recruiters, often just older than their targets, who approached smoothly, presenting Jeffrey Epstein as a benefactor. But these massage sessions almost always turned to forced sex. Young girls from "underprivileged backgrounds" are the typical profile of recruits that the Manhattan federal prosecutor, Geoffrey Berman, described as a "canvas" in "constant expansion".
- A first plea-guilty agreement
Jeffrey Epstein had previously been targeted by similar charges in 2007 in Florida. No fewer than 40 victims were identified. Thanks to a plea bargain, he avoided a trial and was sentenced to 13 months in prison during which he was allowed to leave his cell during the day to go to his office. His name was also included in the sex offender file.
A certain Alexander Acosta was Florida Attorney at the time. Appointed Labor Secretary by Donald Trump, the former lawyer resigned in the week following Jeffrey Epstein's second incarceration.
- International personalities
Hundreds of pages of court documents, released Friday (9 August), confirmed that Jeffrey Epstein has long been a staple of New York nightlife and was close to many personalities, including Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump or Prince Andrew, son of Queen Elizabeth II.
According to the same documents, a certain Virginia Giuffre, who had brought a civil action, quotes several personalities with whom she was forced by Jeffrey Epstein to have sex. They include a former Maine senator, a MIT scientist, a Harvard law professor, and a former governor of New Mexico. All have denied.
- Links with France
State Secretary Marlène Schiappa (Equality between women and men) and Adrien Taquet (Child Protection) on Monday (August 12th) called for an inquiry into the Jeffrey Epstein affair in France.
"The US investigation has highlighted links with France, it seems to us fundamental for the victims, an investigation is opened in France so that all the light is made," write the two ministers in a statement, without giving more details at this stage.
In a letter addressed to the public prosecutor of Paris and reproduced on the site of L'Obs, the association Innocence in danger indicates to have sent him an alert on July 23, in the wake of the arrest of the financier. In this letter, she points out that "France is concerned by this issue since investigations conducted by the FBI reveal several people of French nationality". One of these people would be the leader of a famous modeling agency.
Innocence in danger quotes a "reliable source" according to which "several victims of the prostitutional network created by Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplices are also of French nationality".
- Theories of conspiracy
While awaiting the results of his autopsy, speculation is rife around his death, which some on social networks call murder. Jeffrey Epstein had invited many powerful in his private jets or at his parties. Some of them might find themselves, if not in the sights of justice, at least embarrassed at the approach of his trial.
Donald Trump himself encouraged the wildest theories, retweeting a video claiming that Epstein "had information about [former President] Bill Clinton" and implying that this would be related to his death.
Died of SUICIDE on 24/7 SUICIDE WATCH? Yeah right! How does that happen? JefferyEpstein had information on Bill Clinton & now he's dead
I see #TrumpBodyCount trending but we know who did this!
RT if you're not Surprised #EpsteinSuicide #ClintonBodyCount #ClintonCrimeFamily pic.twitter.com/Y9tGAWaAxX
Many politicians have demanded explanations from the prison administration and the Ministry of Justice. The prison where Epstein was located, the Metropolitan Correctional Center, is considered one of the safest in the country.
US Justice Minister William Barr himself said on Saturday scared, and announced the opening of two investigations, one of the FBI, the other of the services of his department, on the circumstances of death of the detainee. Without waiting for their results, anonymous prison officials told Sunday to some media that the procedures planned for the surveillance of Jeffrey Epstein were not respected. Rounds scheduled every 30 minutes had not occurred, he was alone in his cell while the rule is that they are two. In addition, the guards in charge of his surveillance were both working overtime. This information only fed the different theories of conspiracy.
With AFP and Reuters