France’s Epstein probe identifies ‘potential recruiters’

France opened a human trafficking investigation after the U.S. Justice Department in January released the latest cache of files from its investigation into the disgraced financier.(AFP) — A French investigation into alleged human trafficking that allowed U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to commit abuses is pursuing several leads involving potential recruiters, a prosecutor said Thursday.Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau spoke after French modeling scout Daniel Siad, who was accused of helping Epstein traffic women, was found dead in his home in July before he could be questioned.“We have obtained other names of potential recruiters,” she told France Inter radio.“For us, the Epstein network is a labyrinthine network. To get out of it, it’s not just a single Ariadne’s thread you have to pull on, it’s dozens and dozens of threads,” she said.The case has so far led investigators to New York and “toward Saint-Tropez, toward Cannes,” she added.France opened a human trafficking investigation after the U.S. Justice Department in January released the latest cache of files from its investigation into the disgraced financier, who died in prison in 2019 while facing charges of trafficking underage girls for sex.Beccuau said 26 victims had been identified, including eight who still needed to be questioned because some live abroad.“Of these 26 victims, 13 had not previously appeared in any case,” she said.French authorities have previously investigated other French figures in the modeling industry.Magistrates previously dropped an investigation into sexual assault and rape allegations against Gerald Marie, the former European head of the Elite modeling agency who is now in his mid-70s, because the statute of limitations had expired.Several women have called for new investigations into him since the latest Epstein files were released.Marie denied wrongdoing last month, telling broadcaster RTL: “I have never raped anyone.”“I’ve always behaved consistently and properly with women. I love women. I can’t see myself forcing one,” he added.He said he met Epstein only once.French police also arrested modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel in 2020 following allegations that he procured women for the U.S. billionaire. Brunel was found dead in prison in 2022.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads