This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/world/europe/paris-epstein-investigation.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Paris Prosecutor Opens Investigation in Jeffrey Epstein Scandal | Paris Prosecutor Opens Investigation in Jeffrey Epstein Scandal |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| PARIS — Prosecutors in France said on Friday that they had opened a preliminary investigation into the scandal surrounding the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in connection with possible offenses such as rape, the sexual assault of minors and criminal conspiracy. | PARIS — Prosecutors in France said on Friday that they had opened a preliminary investigation into the scandal surrounding the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in connection with possible offenses such as rape, the sexual assault of minors and criminal conspiracy. |
| Rémy Heitz, the Paris prosecutor, announced the investigation after “exchanges” with the United States authorities, he said. | Rémy Heitz, the Paris prosecutor, announced the investigation after “exchanges” with the United States authorities, he said. |
| Mr. Heitz did not reveal whether his office had received any specific accusations against Mr. Epstein, but said in a statement that the investigation would aim to “uncover potential offenses” committed against any French citizens in France and abroad. | Mr. Heitz did not reveal whether his office had received any specific accusations against Mr. Epstein, but said in a statement that the investigation would aim to “uncover potential offenses” committed against any French citizens in France and abroad. |
| He said the inquiry was not targeting specific individuals, but would look into whether there had been French perpetrators. | He said the inquiry was not targeting specific individuals, but would look into whether there had been French perpetrators. |
| One of the major figures linked to Mr. Epstein is Jean-Luc Brunel, a former French modeling agent, who has been accused by some of Mr. Epstein’s victims of procuring young girls for him and other abuse. (In 2015, Mr. Brunel strongly denied involvement, “directly or indirectly,” in Mr. Epstein’s crimes.) | |
| Mr. Epstein also owned an apartment in an upscale northwestern neighborhood of Paris near the Arc de Triomphe. He killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell this month after being accused of sexually abusing and trafficking dozens of girls over many years. | Mr. Epstein also owned an apartment in an upscale northwestern neighborhood of Paris near the Arc de Triomphe. He killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell this month after being accused of sexually abusing and trafficking dozens of girls over many years. |
| It was not immediately clear how long the Epstein investigation would last. Under French law, prosecutors can open preliminary investigations but must hand over to specialized magistrates many of the most serious cases involving crimes such as murder and rape. The magistrates, who have broad investigative powers, can place defendants under formal investigation. | It was not immediately clear how long the Epstein investigation would last. Under French law, prosecutors can open preliminary investigations but must hand over to specialized magistrates many of the most serious cases involving crimes such as murder and rape. The magistrates, who have broad investigative powers, can place defendants under formal investigation. |
| But not all preliminary investigations reach that stage, and prosecutors can drop cases if they do not uncover firm evidence of wrongdoing. | But not all preliminary investigations reach that stage, and prosecutors can drop cases if they do not uncover firm evidence of wrongdoing. |
| Two French ministers — Marlène Schiappa, the junior minister for gender equality; and Adrien Taquet, the junior minister for child protection — said in a statement this month that Mr. Epstein’s death had left “many unanswered questions” and that it was “fundamental” that a French investigation be opened. | Two French ministers — Marlène Schiappa, the junior minister for gender equality; and Adrien Taquet, the junior minister for child protection — said in a statement this month that Mr. Epstein’s death had left “many unanswered questions” and that it was “fundamental” that a French investigation be opened. |
| The ministers later clarified that they did not have knowledge of incriminating evidence against Mr. Epstein, but were merely seeking a “clarification.” | The ministers later clarified that they did not have knowledge of incriminating evidence against Mr. Epstein, but were merely seeking a “clarification.” |