As of: February 16, 2024, 6:29 a.m
By: Bettina Menzel
Comments
Press
Split
A US politician holds up a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and former US President Donald Trump.
© Imago/CNP/Newscom/AdMedia
In 1996, the FBI received the first tips about Epstein's abuse.
The arrest only took place in 2019. Twelve victims are now suing the US Federal Police.
New York City – Twelve alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein accuse the FBI of inadequate investigations against the US millionaire.
The abuse scandal involving the businessman was exposed in 2019.
At that time, his network was revealed to be used to abuse minors.
More than two decades earlier - in 1996 - alleged victims had contacted the FBI with information, but the FBI did not initiate an investigation.
Lawsuit against FBI: Federal police apparently received numerous tips between 1996 and 2006
Epstein's abuse ring might have been exposed earlier.
The lawsuit filed by the twelve alleged victims accuses the FBI of having repeatedly received reports and tips about sexual crimes and human rights violations by Epstein and his accomplices between 1996 and 2006, but of failing to adequately investigate them.
As an example, the lawsuit cites the Palm Beach police's tip to the FBI in 2005 that a 14-year-old had been brought to Epstein's estate for sex.
Accordingly, the US Federal Police only initiated an investigation a year later.
“Gross negligence by the FBI” led to “continued sexual abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein,” according to the lawsuit.
Between 2006 and 2008, for example, the investment bank JP Morgan Chase contacted the FBI and expressed suspicion that Epstein's transactions worth millions of dollars could be linked to child prostitution.
The civil lawsuit should now “clarify once and for all the role of the FBI in Epstein’s sex trafficking ring,” according to the lawsuit filed in a court in New York City.
The twelve alleged Epstein victims are also demanding unspecified compensation.
“For more than two decades, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Jeffrey Epstein enabled the sex trafficking and sexual abuse of scores of children and young women by failing to do the job the American people expected of him,” it continued.
US court publishes list of names in Jeffrey Epstein abuse scandal
In January 2024, a US court published a list of names related to the Epstein case.
Between 150 and 180 people were named who had connections to the millionaire and his former lover Ghislaine Maxwell, including former US Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump.
However, it was emphasized that appearance on this list does not imply any wrongdoing.
Epstein, an influential investor with ties to high-profile figures in the U.S. and abroad, was arrested and charged in 2019 after revelations of his abuse ring.
However, a trial never took place because, according to authorities, the American committed suicide in his New York prison cell in 2019.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at his own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.