Newly released documents reveal Jeffrey Epstein pressured Sarah Ferguson to publicly deny he was a paedophile, claiming she had been "duped" by false allegations. The emails, published by the US Department of Justice on Friday as part of more than three million Epstein-related documents, expose the disgraced financier's efforts to rehabilitate his image after his 2008 conviction for prostituting minors.
In a March 2011 email to his publicist Mike Sitrick, Epstein outlined his desired narrative. He wrote: «I think that Fergie can now say, I am not a pedo.. She was DUPED into believeing false stories, by Civil Plaintiffs Attorneys from Florida.»
Sitrick responded that a retraction was critical, warning: «One of your good friends, a member of the Royal family, is calling you a pedophile.» He suggested threatening Ferguson with a defamation lawsuit if "gentle persuasion" failed, stating: «This is about your name and your reputation. You really can't worry about her.»
Warm correspondence despite conviction
The documents reveal Ferguson maintained a warm relationship with Epstein even after his release from jail in 2009. In an August 2009 email, Ferguson thanked Epstein for helping advance her business ventures, including discussions with Target, Tommy Hilfiger, and NBC.
She concluded: «I have never been more touched by a friends kindness than your compliment to me infront of my girls. Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for.»
In February 2010, Ferguson, alongside daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, invited Epstein to celebrate Andrew's 50th birthday at St. James's Palace in London. Epstein declined, replying he was «not able» to attend.
Wider scandal context
The revelations add to ongoing scrutiny of Epstein's connections to prominent figures. Ferguson's former husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the King's brother, faced allegations of sexually assaulting Virginia Giuffre, which he denied. He paid millions in 2022 to settle a civil claim and stepped down from royal duties in 2019 after a BBC Newsnight interview.
The King subsequently stripped Andrew of his HRH style and prince title. Ferguson's spokesperson claimed last year that her past statements about Epstein were made "in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats."
The documents note that appearing in the files does not indicate wrongdoing.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
