Topics: Jeffrey Epstein, Crime, News, US News, Donald Trump, Politics, World News
Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse and sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
A fresh batch of unsettling images from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate were released on Thursday (18 December) by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee.
This is the third cluster of pictures to be released by the group in recent weeks, following a previous two drops of disturbing photographs featuring a number of high-profile figures.
The photos include the criminal financier with a number of celebrities, diagrams of building plans, passports and text message exchanges, among other things.
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A statement by the Democrats explains that the photos 'were selected to provide the public with transparency into a representative sample of the photos received from the estate, and to provide insights into Epstein’s network and his extremely disturbing activities'.
It adds that the committee has thousands of images in its possession from the Epstein estate, which are 'both graphic and mundane,' reports the BBC.
A total of 68 images were published online in this latest release, including photographs of billionaire businessman Bill Gates posing with women whose faces have been redacted, as well as philosopher Noam Chomsky seen on board Epstein’s private jet.
However, it's important to note that appearing in the photos doesn't automatically equal any wrongdoing, and many of those featured have denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
Separate photos also show handwritten messages on a woman’s body including 'she was Lola in slacks' and 'she was Polly at school,' which appear to be quotes from the book Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov.
Among the worrying photos is a screenshot of a text message exchange on Whatsapp, which has some of the information redacted.
It's unknown who the text exchange was between but they are discussing if an 18-year-old Russian girl will be 'good for J'.
The sender wrote: "I have a friend scout she sent me some girls today. But she asks for 1000$ per girl. I will send you girls now. Maybe someone will be good for J?"
They then list the girl's name, height, weight and measurements, which are redacted. The message also indicates that this person would be travelling from a city in Russia.
This latest photo drop coincides with the looming deadline for the Epstein files to be released, which is expected to be today (Friday 19 December).
The US Department of Justice must make all files related to its investigation into Epstein public by today to comply with a legal deadline.
Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan, New York, in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges and his death was ruled a suicide.
US President Donald Trump signed legislation last month to ensure the release of the files, despite previously resisting disclosure and claiming the issue was a 'Democrat hoax'.
The files in question are said to include thousands of documents - which can include everything from flight logs from the disgraced financier's private jets, emails, estate records, court documents, as well as internal Department of Justice communications, and information about the investigation into his death in prison.
Thousands of documents are already in the public domain, including Epstein's contact book, client list, photos of his private island and as we say, a series of celebrity images from his estate.
House representatives have warned that the Department of Justice will be breaking the law if they don't release all of the files today, potentially opening themselves up to lawsuits.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.
You can also contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.
