France Opens Sweeping Investigations Into Epstein Network After Release of U.S. Files

French authorities have launched broad investigations into alleged human trafficking and financial crimes linked to contacts of the late convicted U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the publication of a substantial cache of documents detailing his activities.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau announced on Wednesday in an interview with France Info radio that the new inquiries would draw on publicly available documents as well as complaints submitted by child protection organizations. According to her office, one investigation will center on suspected human trafficking, while a separate probe will examine potential financial offenses, including money laundering, corruption and tax fraud.

Epstein, who died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, had previously been convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. His longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was later convicted in the United States of trafficking underage girls for sexual abuse over an extended period in connection with Epstein.

In an emailed statement, Beccuau’s office expressed hope that renewed public attention surrounding Epstein would prompt additional victims to come forward. It said it hoped publicity surrounding Epstein might encourage victims of trafficking who had not come forward previously to do so now.

A team of five prosecutors has been assigned to comb through the published files to determine whether any French nationals may have participated in sexual or financial crimes tied to Epstein’s network.

Authorities have already initiated a preliminary investigation into former culture minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline on suspicion of tax fraud. In addition, three other matters are under review, including allegations that French diplomat Fabrice Aidan transferred United Nations documents to Epstein. Aidan has denied the allegation.

The documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice include flight logs and emails suggesting that Epstein frequently traveled to Paris, where he owned a luxury apartment near the Arc de Triomphe.

“France has a key role in the matter as it is the only country outside the United States where Epstein owned property,” said Homayra Sellier of Innocence en danger, an advocacy group fighting child sexual abuse that has been urging French authorities to reopen their investigation.

French prosecutors had initially opened an inquiry into Epstein’s French connections in 2019, but the case was closed in 2023 after Jean-Luc Brunel, a central suspect and longtime associate of Epstein, died in a French prison.

Officials have cautioned that the available data remains incomplete, describing the renewed effort as “titanic work, without knowing what will come of it”.

On Tuesday, a panel of independent experts affiliated with the U.N. Human Rights Council raised the possibility of a “global criminal enterprise” linked to Epstein’s network, asserting that some of the alleged acts could amount to crimes against humanity.

By fLEXI tEAM