Virginia Giuffre has revealed that she is excited about the possibility that over 170 of Jeffrey Epstein's associates could be named in court.
As previously reported, more than 170 individuals connected to the late financier Epstein are set to have their identities disclosed in the coming weeks.
This revelation follows a ruling by New York Judge Loretta Preska in the context of a defamation lawsuit filed by Giuffre, a victim of Epstein, against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former associate and convicted child trafficker, as reported by The Independent.
On Monday, Judge Preska ordered the unsealing of a cache of secret documents linked to the case, which will bring to light the names of 177 individuals previously referred to only as John Doe or Jane Doe.
This decision is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024, with a 14-day window for potential appeals, according to the New York Post.
Judge Preska's ruling also addresses the privacy concerns of certain Epstein victims mentioned in the documents, emphasizing the need to keep their identities confidential to protect alleged minor victims of sexual abuse who have not publicly spoken about their experiences.
The news that the associates could have their identities revealed has gone down well with Giuffre who praised Senator Marsha Blackburn for welcoming the decision to reveal the 177 names.
She stated on X: “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 wouldn’t be possible without the Honourable Judge Preska."
The defamation lawsuit initiated by Giuffre in 2015 played a pivotal role in the subsequent criminal investigation that led to Maxwell's conviction for child sex trafficking in December 2021 and her subsequent 20-year prison sentence. The case reached a settlement in 2017 and was placed under a protective seal.
Maxwell's legal team, which had previously contested the release of the names, dropped their objection in early 2022. Judge Preska, in prior rulings, highlighted the delicate balance between the public's right to access information and the potential "annoyance or embarrassment" that individuals might face.
The unsealed documents are expected to provide further insight into Epstein's extensive sex trafficking and abuse network, potentially including emails, depositions, and other legal records.
Notably, during Maxwell's trial, Epstein's longtime pilot, Larry Visoski, testified about flying prominent figures such as Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and actor Kevin Spacey on Epstein's private jet, known as the "Lolita Express."
Epstein, arrested in 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking minors, was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City, officially ruled as suicide by hanging by the city’s medical examiner.
Since Epstein's death, various conspiracy theories have circulated online, given his known associations with powerful and political figures worldwide. The US Justice Department watchdog ruled that Epstein’s death resulted from 'negligence and misconduct' by officers at a New York federal prison.
