Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘madam’ Ghislaine Maxwell ‘sexually abused two sisters and threatened to kill them if they exposed abuse’
JEFFREY Epstein's ex-girlfriend is alleged to have sexually abused two sisters while working to recruit young girls for the paedophile billionaire's sex ring.
Ghislaine Maxwell has long been known to be a former partner and associate of Epstein, who killed himself earlier this month while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking.
The British socialite has also featured in numerous accounts given by Epstein's victims, cast as an "aggressive assistant" who would allegedly scout for and offer help to vulnerable youngsters.
She has now been accused of "violently groping" Maria Farmer, who was 25 when she met Maxwell and Epstein in 1996, as well as her sister Annie, who was 16.
Maxwell has always denied any wrongdoing.
Lawyers for Maxwell and Epstein did not respond to request by the New York Times for comment on their article.
Speaking to the , Farmer says she was introduced to the pair at her graduation show from the New York Academy of Art, where she had enrolled in 1993 after moving to New York to pursue a career as an artist.
She says Epstein later called her to offer her a job acquiring art on his behalf and managing the entrance to a townhouse he was renovating.
She says she was introduced to Epstein's "odd life", often seeing young women passing through for what Maxwell described as modelling auditions for lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret.
Farmer says Maxwell was a reassuring presence to young women in the company of the powerful financier, but that she would often leave his house saying she had to "go get girls for Jeffrey” and would refer to recruits as "nubiles".
"They had a driver, and he would be driving along, and Ghislaine would say, 'Get that girl,'" said Farmer.
"And they’d stop, and she’d run out and get the girl and talk to her."
'NO REASON FOR HER TO TOUCH ME THAT WAY'
Maria says the pair also became interested in her 16-year-old sister Annie, offering to help her while she was applying for university places.
Annie alleges multiple occasions on which Epstein began groping her while the group were watching films, and that one morning he came into her room and got into bed with her saying that he wanted a cuddle.
She also recalled an occasion on which Maxwell repeatedly asked her if she wanted a massage.
Annie eventually agreed and removed her clothes, but after beginning the massage normally, Maxwell allegedly had Annie lie on her back before pulling down a sheet covering her and massaging her chest.
Annie said of the incident: “I don’t think there was any reason for her to be touching me that way.”
'WATCH YOUR BACK'
Maria stopped seeing Epstein and Maxwell after one evening in Ohio on which, while all three were watching television, the pair allegedly began groping her, commenting on her body, and twisting her nipples to the point of bruising.
She says she left and barricaded herself in another part of the house, only to discover that three nude photos of herself, Annie, and another sister she used for figurative painting were missing.
She phoned a number of friends and family members in a panic, prompting her father to drive to the estate from Kentucky to collect her.
She alleges she later received phone calls from Maxwell threatening to burn all her art and telling her her career was over.
Maria filed a report with the NYPD about the alleged Ohio assault and the stolen art, but was referred to other agencies, including the FBI, because the incident had taken place in a different jurisdiction.
She says she spoke with an FBI agent but received little support and was not told whether any action would be taken.
In 2003, the sisters gave an interview about their experience to Vanity Fair.
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The magazine didn't publish the quotes, but word about the interview got out, and Maria alleges Maxwell again began calling her, on one occasion telling her: "Better be careful and watch your back".
"I know you go to the West Side Highway all the time.
"While you’re out there, just be really careful because there are a lot of ways to die there."
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