Virginia Giuffre, the woman at the centre of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal, has described in her posthumous memoir how she was recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell while working at Mar-a-Lago at the age of 16. The extract details her early encounters with Maxwell, who she later learned was a key figure in Epstein's network.
Giuffre, then known as Jenna, was working as a spa attendant at the Florida resort when she was approached by Maxwell. The British socialite expressed interest in Giuffre's ambition to become a masseuse and offered her an opportunity to work for a wealthy friend, later revealed to be Epstein. Giuffre recalls Maxwell's warm demeanour and expensive attire, contrasting with her own modest background.
She writes that Maxwell's driver, Juan Alessi, later testified that Maxwell ordered him to stop upon spotting Giuffre due to her 'young' appearance. Giuffre describes feeling targeted by an 'apex predator' as Maxwell ingratiated herself into her life.
The memoir goes on to detail how Giuffre was trafficked to powerful men, including Prince Andrew, whom she has accused of sexual assault. The extract, however, focuses on the initial grooming process and her struggle to understand the exploitation she endured.
