Paris Prosecutors Establish Special Team to Probe French Connections in Epstein Scandal
In a significant development, the Paris prosecutor's office announced on Saturday the formation of a dedicated team of magistrates. This specialized unit will meticulously analyze evidence that may implicate French nationals in the crimes of convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move comes amid growing international scrutiny following the release of documents by US authorities, which have revealed Epstein's network extended to prominent French figures.
Re-examination of Jean-Luc Brunel's Case
The prosecutor's office confirmed it will thoroughly re-examine the case of former French modelling agency executive Jean-Luc Brunel, a close associate of Epstein. Brunel was found dead in his cell at a Paris prison in 2022 after being charged with raping minors. His case was subsequently dropped in 2023 following his death, with no other individuals charged.
Investigations revealed Brunel was "a close friend of Jeffrey Epstein" who allegedly offered modelling jobs to young girls from impoverished backgrounds. Prosecutors stated he engaged in sexual acts with underage girls in multiple locations, including the United States, the US Virgin Islands, Paris, and the south of France. Ten women made accusations against Brunel, with several describing being coerced into drinking alcohol and subjected to forced sexual penetration.
Collaboration and Investigative Framework
The newly formed team will work closely with prosecutors from the national financial crimes unit and police authorities. Their primary objective is to open investigations into any suspected crimes involving French nationals linked to Epstein's activities. The prosecutor's office emphasized the aim is "to be able to extract any piece that could be usefully reused in a new investigative framework."
Specific Cases Under Review
The prosecutor's office disclosed it has been requested to examine three new specific cases involving French individuals:
- French Diplomat Fabrice Aidan: At the request of the French foreign ministry, an investigation is underway to gather evidence regarding his reported appearance in the cache of Epstein-related documents. "An investigation is under way to gather various pieces of evidence that could substantiate this report," the office stated.
- Model Recruiter Daniel Siad: A Swedish woman filed a complaint accusing Siad, who had close ties to Epstein, of "sexual acts that she describes as rape and that may have been committed in France in 1990."
- Conductor Frédéric Chaslin: A complaint has been filed alleging acts of sexual harassment allegedly committed in 2016.
Impact on French Public Figures
The latest release of Epstein files has already impacted French public figures. Former minister Jack Lang resigned from his position as head of the Arab World Institute after his name appeared in the statutes of an offshore company founded by Epstein in 2016. Lang denied any wrongdoing, expressing he was "shocked" by the association.
Concurrently, the office of the national financial prosecutor opened a preliminary investigation for "aggravated tax fraud and money laundering" against Lang and his daughter Caroline Lang. This announcement prompted Lang's resignation from the cultural body.
It is important to note that being mentioned in the Epstein documents does not inherently indicate any offence has been committed. The special team's work will focus on substantiating allegations through rigorous legal processes.
Broader Context
Jeffrey Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for trafficking children, with US authorities ruling his death a suicide. The establishment of this French investigative team underscores the ongoing global repercussions of his crimes and the determination to hold all accomplices accountable, regardless of nationality.
