More than 170 individuals connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein are poised to have their identities disclosed in the coming weeks, following a ruling by a New York judge.
The revelation comes as a result of a defamation lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein victim, against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former associate and convicted child trafficker, The Independent reports.
On Monday, Judge Loretta Preska ordered the unsealing of a cache of secret documents linked to the case, which will reveal the names of 177 individuals previously only referred to as John Doe or Jane Doe.
The decision is set to take effect on January 1, 2024, with a 14-day window for potential appeals, the New York Post adds.
In addition to the disclosure of names, Judge Preska also ruled that certain Epstein victims mentioned in the documents should remain anonymous, as revealing their identities could infringe upon the privacy of alleged minor victims of sexual abuse who have not publicly spoken about their experiences.
The defamation lawsuit was initiated by Ms. Giuffre in 2015, after Ghislaine Maxwell accused her of lying about being sexually abused as a minor.
The case reached a settlement in 2017 and was placed under a protective seal. It played a role in the subsequent criminal investigation that resulted in Maxwell's conviction for child sex trafficking in December 2021 and her 20-year prison sentence.
Maxwell's legal team had previously contested the release of the names but dropped their objection in early 2022. Judge Preska, in previous rulings, emphasized the need to balance the public's right to access information with the potential "annoyance or embarrassment" that individuals might face.
The unsealed documents are expected to shed further light on Epstein's extensive sex trafficking and abuse network.
They may include emails, depositions, and other legal records. Notably, during Maxwell's trial, longtime Epstein pilot Larry Visoski testified that he had flown prominent figures such as Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and actor Kevin Spacey on Epstein's private jet, known as the "Lolita Express".
In a recent disclosure, presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged having flown on Epstein's jet twice during the 1990s.
Epstein was found dead in his cell while in custody and awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. His death was ruled a suicide.
Since then, his estate has been embroiled in legal battles with entities like JP Morgan, the US Virgin Islands, and numerous victims. Ms. Giuffre reached a civil sexual assault lawsuit settlement with Prince Andrew in February 2022.
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