A group of twelve women who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, alleging that the FBI failed to adequately investigate Epstein’s sex-trafficking crimes dating back to the 1990s.
In the lawsuit representing the twelve women, it is claimed that Epstein’s actions were well-known in elite circles, yet the FBI neglected to address the issue. “Jeffrey Epstein’s penchant for teenage girls was an open secret in the high society of Palm Beach, Florida and the Upper East Side of Manhattan, which the FBI disregarded,” reads the lawsuit on behalf of 12 Jane Does.
“Epstein orchestrated an illegal sex trafficking ring for the elite, and the FBI failed to investigate the abuse adequately, failed to interview the victims, failed to investigate the crimes, and did not follow routine procedure or offer victim assistance notwithstanding credible reports and tips,” the lawsuit asserts.
The lawsuit contends that the failure of the FBI to investigate Epstein and his alleged co-conspirators correctly resulted in the victimization of all twelve women involved. Moreover, it accuses current FBI Director Christopher Wray of failing to rectify these past failures despite requests from Senator Marsha Blackburn.
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According to the lawsuit, Epstein and his alleged co-conspirators engaged in the abuse of young women and underage girls from 1996 until he died in 2019. It further alleges that Epstein targeted girls as young as 14 and recruited individuals from Palm Beach Community College for illicit activities.
While Epstein’s client list remains undisclosed, a federal judge recently allowed allegations against various high-profile individuals associated with Epstein to be unsealed. The lawsuit also details instances of intimidation and threats allegedly made by Epstein to prevent victims from coming forward.
Epstein reportedly used violent threats, such as “You’re going to die; I’m going to break your legs,” to intimidate victims into silence. Despite allegations of child sex trafficking dating back to 1996, including reports from Epstein accuser Maria Farmer, the FBI allegedly ignored these claims.
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Even when Epstein was arrested in 2005, the FBI failed to investigate the matter thoroughly. Furthermore, evidence suggesting additional victims was reportedly disregarded. The lawsuit also criticizes the lenient plea deal Epstein received in 2008, which allowed him to serve only 13 months in jail with daily work release privileges.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs argue that the FBI’s repeated failures enabled Epstein to continue his criminal activities for nearly 25 years. The lawsuit concludes by highlighting the risk faced by the victims, who have used pseudonyms to protect their identities due to fears of retaliation from Epstein’s wealthy and powerful associates.
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The FBI has declined to comment on the pending litigation. Jeffrey Epstein died in a federal jail cell in New York in 2019 while awaiting trial on additional sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide, although questions remain about the circumstances.
Senator Blackburn has demanded the release of unredacted records related to Epstein’s activities, while Senator Dick Durbin has impeded her efforts for a congressional subpoena.
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