What to Know
- One of Jeffrey Epstein's accusers urged other women to come forward with allegations against the wealthy financier as he faces sex charges
- "You are not alone, and this was not your fault," Courtney Wild told reporters as she said victims won't get justice until they speak out
- Wild's remarks came a day after she appeared in Manhattan federal court and urged a judge to deny Epstein bail
One of Jeffrey Epstein's accusers urged other women Tuesday to come forward with allegations against the wealthy financier as federal authorities prosecute him on sex charges.
Courtney Wild told reporters at a news conference in New York that Epstein "will never stop sexually abusing children until he is in jail."
"We will not get justice until you speak out," Wild said, addressing anyone who believes they have been abused by Epstein. "You are not alone, and this was not your fault."
Wild's remarks came a day after she appeared in Manhattan federal court and urged a judge to deny Epstein bail. She said Epstein started sexually abusing her when she was 14 in Palm Beach, Florida.
An email was sent to Epstein's attorney seeking comment.
Epstein's legal team did not address Tuesday's events, but they did write to the judge in the case to explain why a passport from the 1980s with their client's picture but not his real name was found in a safe at his house.
"Epstein – an affluent member of the Jewish faith – acquired the passport in the 1980s, when hijackings were prevalent, in connection to Middle East travel," they wrote. "The passport was for personal protection in the event of travel to dangerous areas, only to be presented to potential kidnapers, hijackers or terrorists should violent episodes occur."
They claim the prosecution never offered any evidence to suggest that Epstein ever used the document.
Epstein has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and sex trafficking charges brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan. Wild's accusations are not part of that indictment.
Epstein's attorneys have argued that the new charges should not have been filed because he signed a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami more than a decade ago.
Local
Wild's attorney, Brad Edwards, said his client was first identified as a victim of Epstein in 2005 but was not consulted about the once-secret non-prosecution deal that allowed Epstein to plead guilty to lesser state charges.
He said he was surprised by Epstein's recent arrest.
