Epstein Emails Reveal Pressure Campaign on Sarah Ferguson
Newly released documents from the US Department of Justice have revealed disturbing details about Jeffrey Epstein's attempts to manipulate public perception following his conviction for sex crimes involving minors. Among the most striking revelations is Epstein's apparent campaign to pressure Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, into releasing a public statement declaring he was "not a pedo" and that she had been "duped" into believing false allegations about him.
Coordinated Public Relations Effort
The documents, which total more than three million pages released by American authorities, include email exchanges that paint a picture of a coordinated public relations effort to rehabilitate Epstein's reputation after his 2008 conviction for prostituting minors. The communications show Epstein working closely with publicist Mike Sitrick to craft what they described as a "critical" retraction statement they wanted Ferguson to issue.
In one particularly revealing email dated March 13, 2011, Epstein wrote to Sitrick outlining his vision for the statement: "I think that Fergie can now say, I am not a pedo.. She was DUPED into believeing false stories, by Civil Plaintiffs Attorneys from Florida." Epstein claimed Ferguson had been misled by attorneys representing his victims and suggested she should expose newspapers for offering money for stories about him.
Royal Connections and Business Discussions
The documents reveal multiple layers to Epstein's relationship with Ferguson, including:
- Discussions about Ferguson's potential to "organise tea in Buckingham Palace apts.. or Windsor Castle" in 2009
- Epstein asking about the possibility of Ferguson's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, meeting an unnamed person in London in July 2010
- Business conversations where Ferguson thanked Epstein for helping with her "Sarah Ferguson brand" and discussions with major retailers including Target
- An August 2009 email where Ferguson wrote to Epstein: "Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for"
Increasing Pressure Tactics
As the email exchange progressed, Sitrick became increasingly forceful in his recommendations to Epstein about how to handle Ferguson's reluctance. The publicist suggested that if "gentle persuasion doesn't work", they should consider sending Ferguson a draft defamation lawsuit to increase pressure.
"The Fergie retraction is critical," Sitrick wrote. "One of your good friends, a member of the Royal family, is calling you a pedophile... You really can't worry about her, in my view, you need to worry about you. She certainly isn't concerned about your or your reputation."
Broader Royal Implications
The documents also shed light on the wider royal connections to the Epstein scandal. They show Epstein received and sent multiple news articles related to Ferguson's divorce from Prince Andrew and her financial difficulties. Prince Andrew has faced serious allegations of his own regarding his relationship with Epstein and has paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault claim with Virginia Giuffre, a woman he claims never to have met.
The continuing revelations about royal connections to Epstein have had significant consequences, including King Charles officially stripping his brother Andrew of both his HRH style and his prince title. This action meant Sarah Ferguson reverted to using her maiden name rather than her duchess title.
The documents reveal the particular awkwardness of Ferguson's position, given that she had written to Epstein after his conviction calling him a "supreme friend" despite having publicly disowned him in media statements. This contradiction has drawn criticism and increased scrutiny of her relationship with the convicted sex offender.
The former Duchess of York has been contacted for comment regarding these latest revelations from the US Department of Justice document release.
