A Jeffrey Epstein accuser has filed a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew, alleging that he sexually abused her in London and New York, BBC News reports....
On Monday, August 9, Virginia Giuffre, 38, filed a civil case in federal court in New York, formally accusing the British royal of engaging in sexual acts with her in 2001, knowing she was under 18 and "that she was a sex-trafficking victim".
Per Politico, due to the nature of the alleged crime, Giuffre is asking for "punitive damages" and a "trial by jury." The damages sought in the court filing have not been specified.
The lawsuit states, per BBC News: "Twenty years ago Prince Andrew's wealth, power, position, and connections enabled him to abuse a frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her. It is long past the time for him to be held to account."
According to the suit, brought under the Child Victims Act, the "extreme and outrageous conduct" continues to cause the alleged victim "significant emotional and psychological distress and harm".
"In this country, no person, whether president or prince, is above the law, and no person, no matter how powerless or vulnerable, can be deprived of the law's protection," the documents continued.
Giuffre told BBC in 2019 that she was coerced into performing sexual acts with Prince Andrew when she was 17 after being trafficked by convicted sex offender Epstein. The disgraced financier died by suicide in a federal Manhattan jail in 2019.
That year, the Duke of York denied Giuffre's allegations, telling BBC Newsnight that they "never happened".
He said: "It didn't happen. I can absolutely categorically tell you it never happened. I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever."
In a separate statement, Prince Andrew continued to deny the damning claims, saying: "I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein.
"His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathize with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.
"I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required."
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