List of more than 170 names linked to Jeffrey Epstein set to be released

A judge in New York has ordered that the names of around 170 people linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which are in documents that had been under wraps, be released to the public within weeks.

An Australian alleged victim of the disgraced financier has called it a “naughty list,” although it’s thought that as well as suspected accomplices of Epstein, the list could also include others such as innocent associates, victims and those only tangentially linked to him.

Some names on the list are already known.

The full list of names had been kept secret but Judge Loretta Preska, based in Manhattan, has ruled the documents be “unsealed in full” within two weeks.

It’s thought Prince Andrew’s name could be one of the 170 revealed.

Alleged victim Johanna Sjoberg had previously accused the royal of groping her when she was 21 at Epstein’s apartment.

The prince has denied the claims while Buckingham Place has said they are “categorically untrue”.
 

‘Naughty list’

Australian-American Virginia Giuffre, who has long said she was a victim of Epstein’s sex trafficking ring, celebrated the move on Twitter, now known as X.

“There’s going to be a lot of nervous people over Christmas and New Year’s -170 to be exact,” she wrote.

“Who’s on the naughty list?”

 

Finally we are hearing members of the US government senators about the need for transparency and a call to arms for accountability!! There’s going to be a lot of nervous ppl over Christmas and New Years, 170 to be exact, who’s on the naughty list? This would t be possible without… https://t.co/xVfFfQ0UMH

— Virginia Giuffre (@VRSVirginia) December 20, 2023

The ruling from Judge Preska is part of a defamation proceeding between Epstein’s former mistress, Ghislaine Maxwell, sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison, and Ms Giuffre, who now lives in Australia.

Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking and procuring victims for well-connected financier Epstein.

He died in a Manhattan jail in 2019 as he awaited a trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.

This week, Judge Preska listed in a 50-page document the cases of more than 170 people — under pseudonyms — ordering that their identities be made public by the first days of January.

In her ruling, she noted that a number of the names had already been identified by the media or Maxwell’s criminal trial.

Those on the list have until January 1 to put forward arguments as to why their names should redacted.

Judge Preska said some names would not be published, such as those belonging to child victims of Epstein.

Ms Giuffre’s defamation claim against Maxwell dates back to 2015 and was settled in 2017. That left the names and other documents sealed and unable to be accessed at the time.

Since then various court cases have ruled that the sealing of the documents went too far and have unsealed some of the information.

It may not be clear in the trove of names released in January why they are connected with Epstein.
 

The US’ ABC News has said some of the names may simply have been included in depositions, email or legal documents.

Others could be alleged victims of Epstein or linked to them.

Aside from the names, the documents could include more information on Epstein’s alleged crimes against women and girls.

Ms Giuffre settled a civil lawsuit with Prince Andrew in 2022 where she claimed he sexually assaulted her on three occasions when she was 17.

The prince paid millions of dollars to Ms Giuffre but has denied her allegations.