US Authorities: Zero Collaboration from Prince Andrew in Epstein Investigation

The prosecutor who is leading the case against the Jewish businessman, who has ended his life, said Queen Elizabeth's son did not respond to inquiries made at his request. The prince was close to Epstein and retired from public life because of the affair

US Authorities: Zero Collaboration from Prince Andrew in Epstein Investigation

United States authorities said British Prince Andrew provided "zero cooperation" in the investigation against businessman Jeffrey Epstein and his partners on suspicion of trafficking in women and minors. Federal Prosecutor Joffrey Berman said at a news conference outside Manhattan's Epstein estate that the FBI and federal prosecutors contacted Queen Elizabeth's son's lawyers, asking him to question his relationship with the Jewish billionaire.

The prosecutor did not say when the appeal was made to the prince. "As of Monday, Prince Adro provided zero cooperation," Berman said during the press conference sponsored by the Safe Horizon organization working to expand legal protection for victims of sexual assault. Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

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Prince Andrew at a ceremony marking 75 years of Belgian liberation from the Nazis, November 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

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In November, Andrew stated he would be willing to help "any law enforcement agency with its investigations, if needed." He announced a retirement from public life because of the affair and ties to Epstein, who was a convicted pedophile.

Law enforcement officials told Reuters last month that the FBI investigation was focused on Gislen Maxwell, a longtime Epstein firm, and other officials suspected of being involved in the trafficking of minors. The British celebrity was not charged with any criminal offense as of this stage. Epstein, who committed suicide at the age of 66, was friends with Andrew and other prominent figures, including Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton.

He put an end to his life last August, just over a month after he was arrested and charged with trafficking dozens of minors, including 14-year-old girls, between 2002 and 2005, at least. The lawsuit said he recruited the same girls for massages, which became sexual in nature. He denied the allegations against him. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to a solicitation of prostitution in a case filed against him in Florida. He was serving a 13-month prison sentence, but many thought it was too easy.

Epstein's "pedophilia island"

Convicted pedophile. Jeffrey Epstein (Photo: AP)

Jeffrey Epstein. September 21, 2019 (Photo: AP)