Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton are among the more than 100 people named in newly-published legal documents linked to the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The disclosure of the first batch of court files include the names of victims, friends and associates of the sex offender and Ghislaine Maxwell – although many others will have no direct link to Epstein.
The millionaire financier, who socialised with royalty and celebrities, was accused of running a large network of underage girls for sex. While awaiting trial, he killed himself in his jail cell in 2019.
The legal documents relate to a defamation lawsuit brought against Maxwell in 2015 and were published under a judge’s order on Wednesday.
A second tranche of documents released on Thursday evening did not shed much new light on the case, and included many of the names previously made public. Further documents unsealed on Friday are currently being reviewed by The Independent.
Being named in these documents does not indicate any wrongdoing related to Epstein or anyone else. The list includes many of Epstein’s accusers and alleged victims, as well as people with only tangential connections to Epstein who were pulled into the lawsuit against Maxwell.
Prince Andrew appears prominently, with the documents mentioning a previously reported accusation that he groped Johanna Sjoberg (which he denies). Former US presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump are also named, with neither accused of wrongdoing.
Judges, court staff and legal represenatives are not included.
This story is still developing, and will be updated regularly as The Independent learns more.
