Sarah Ferguson's reputation faces renewed scrutiny as newly released documents reveal the late financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein transferred a substantial $150,000 to the former Duchess of York. The transaction, equivalent to approximately £109,000, occurred following a share sale and is detailed in account records from 2001, which also disclose Epstein's dividend payments and various purchases.
Financial Transactions and Embarrassing Revelations
The latest Epstein Files, released by the US Department of Justice, include a JPMorgan account transaction showing Epstein wired the significant sum to Ferguson. These documents further indicate that Epstein made $550,000 from sweep account sales, with the payment to Ferguson being one of several cash injections he provided to her.
In a particularly damaging email from 2009, Ferguson appeared to write to Epstein pleading for urgent financial assistance, stating: "I urgently need £20,000 for rent today. The landlord has threatened to go to the newspapers if I don't pay. Any brainwaves." This correspondence adds to the mounting evidence of their ongoing financial relationship.
Royal Connections and Event Invitations
The documents also shed light on Epstein's close connections with members and associates of the Royal Family. Emails reveal Ferguson attempted to organise for Epstein to attend the 50th birthday celebration of Prince Andrew, then Duke of York, at St James's Palace in 2010.
An email sent by Andrew's then private secretary Amanda Thirsk stated: "It will be suits and cocktail dresses, and you know me, mysterious mischief, so bring your presents, your presence and your humour." This invitation highlights the social access Epstein maintained within royal circles.
Reputational Damage and Continued Contact
Ferguson's reputation was severely damaged last year when it emerged she had maintained contact with Epstein even after his 2008 conviction for child sex offences. The former Duchess had previously praised Epstein as "the brother I have always wished for," comments that now appear particularly ill-judged given subsequent revelations.
The Epstein Files continue to heap embarrassment on both the former Duke and Duchess of York. Prince Andrew faces separate claims that Epstein arranged for one of his alleged sex slaves to spend the night at the Royal Lodge, with a woman claiming to have visited Andrew's then-home in the Windsor Great Park estate.
Legal Claims and Denials
US-based lawyer Brad Edwards, representing the woman, stated: "We're talking about at least one woman who was sent by Jeffrey Epstein over to Prince Andrew. And she even had, after a night with Prince Andrew, a tour of Buckingham Palace. Our client has suffered enough. As everyone knows, Andrew's power and access flowed directly from his status in the Royal Family, and that power enabled the conduct at issue."
Prince Andrew has consistently and strongly denied any wrongdoing regarding his friendship with Epstein. Meanwhile, representatives for Sarah Ferguson have been contacted for comment regarding the latest financial revelations, though no response has yet been made public.
The ongoing release of Epstein-related documents continues to expose the complex web of financial and social connections between the convicted sex offender and high-profile figures, with the latest revelations providing particularly damaging details about transactions involving members of the British Royal Family.
