The recently disclosed filings, comprising more than 250 pages, reveal that one accuser, Sarah Ransome, initially asserted having seen sex tapes recorded by the disgraced financier, Jeffrey Epstein. However, Ransome later expressed a desire to retract these allegations.
During an interview on Tuesday, she clarified her stance, asserting her belief in the existence of such videos. This release marks the fourth occasion where records related to victim Virginia Giuffre’s case against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend, have been made public. The lawsuit, initiated in 2015, concluded with a settlement in 2017.
Maxwell, who was convicted of aiding Epstein in abusing young girls, is currently appealing her 20-year sentence.
In the unveiled documents on Monday, Ms. Ransome, through emails, claimed to have witnessed sex tapes in Epstein’s possession featuring figures like Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Sir Richard Branson. However, a 2019 report by The New Yorker disclosed Ransome admitting to fabricating these claims. In a recent interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, after the documents’ release, Ransome stated she retracted her claims due to threats against her family. She emphasized the existence of unreleased videos, causing apprehension among those aware of their content.
One undated email from the disclosed files includes Ransome asserting, “When my friend had sexual intercourse with Clinton, Prince Andrew and Richard Branson, sex tapes were in fact filmed on each separate occasion by Jeffery [sic].” Ms. Ransome, who alleges abuse by Epstein during her time as an aspiring model and fashion student, also claimed in a message that Donald Trump had engaged in sexual activities with her friend at Epstein’s New York home. The BBC has reached out to the implicated individuals for comment.
Photographs provided by Ransome to Giuffre’s lawyers, depicting girls and young women on Epstein’s private island, are also included in the court documents. Despite Ransome’s withdrawal of her tape-related claim, citing concerns for her family, the emails remain part of a court filing aiming to challenge her credibility. These documents were submitted by a firm representing Epstein’s former lawyer, Alan Dershowitz. Ransome had previously accused Dershowitz of sexual misconduct, a claim he vehemently denies. Ransome received a settlement in 2018 after suing Epstein and Maxwell. She alleged recruitment into Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring by Maxwell in 2006.
It’s important to note that Ms. Giuffre, a witness in the case, accused Prince Andrew but made no claims of wrongdoing by Clinton, Trump, or Sir Richard. Last week, three other batches of sealed Epstein court files were released, providing a few new details. Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 and faced sex-trafficking charges, took his own life in 2019 while awaiting trial.
