Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, visited convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein twice at a fake office in Palm Beach, Florida, while he was on work release from a 12-month jail sentence for child sex offences. The office, which belonged to a sham company, was allegedly used by Epstein to abuse women, according to his victims.
Visits during work release
Epstein was jailed in 2008 for soliciting a child for prostitution but was soon granted a work release programme that allowed him to leave his cell for up to 12 hours a day. During this period, in April 2009, Ferguson emailed Epstein asking if she could visit for a 'quick cup of tea' during a layover in Florida. She signed off the email: 'Love Sarah The red Head.!!'
Two days later, Epstein responded, telling Ferguson she looked 'great' and that he had read 'everything you gave me'. He added that she should be running his company. Days later, Ferguson messaged him: 'My dear spectacular and special friend Jeffrey. You are a legend, and I am so proud of you. Thank you for looking after me so well.'
Second visit and planned trip
Ferguson reportedly called Epstein on May 5, 2009, and visited him for a second time on May 13. Plans were also made for her to visit Epstein at his office on her way from Grenada to Canada, but these fell through. Epstein was scheduled to meet his sex addiction therapist at the office that day.
Ferguson's statement
A spokesman for Ferguson previously told the BBC: 'The Duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims. Like many people, she was taken in by his lies. As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia.'
