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Epstein/Maxwell/Prin ce Andrew

(345 Posts)
MawB Thu 02-Jul-20 15:11:11

The FBI has arrested British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, an ex-girlfriend of the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
She was reportedly arrested in New Hampshire on charges related to Epstein and is due in federal court later.
She has apparently denied any involvement in or knowledge of Epstein's alleged sexual misconduct.
Epstein died in prison on 10 August as he awaited, without the chance of bail, his trial on sex trafficking charges.
He was arrested last year in New York following allegations that he was running a network of underage girls - some as young as 14 - for sex. His death was determined to be suicide.

Well, I wonder if this “plot is thickening” ?

Grany Fri 03-Jul-20 09:53:51

The Royal Family

revoltingsubject.com/2020/06/28/the-royal-family-the-entertainment-division-of-the-tory-culture/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

TrendyNannie6 Fri 03-Jul-20 09:59:41

The plot thickens, bet there’s a few out there sweating under their collars, mentioning no names

tickingbird Fri 03-Jul-20 10:06:04

I just wonder why Clinton’s name doesn’t crop up more. He travelled on the ‘Lolita Express’ several times and was a close associate of Epstein and GM. Plus he’s a sleaze.

Alexa Fri 03-Jul-20 10:10:55

I hope a really clever social psychologist will write book about how very rich people feel entitled to have fun at others' expense.

Anniebach Fri 03-Jul-20 10:18:17

Do they feel entitled or is it - money buys what ever they want ,

Parsley3 Fri 03-Jul-20 11:57:50

Thank you, Grany for that link. The RF certainly sets the tone for the good old British class system and sense of entitlement.
As for Epstein’s friends, perhaps they really didn’t know that he was put on the NY sex offenders register in 2006. Still, whatever Andrew’s involvement was it will all be brushed aside. As a nation we are being groomed (politically) to ‘move on’ when something that we should be outraged about comes to light.

Oldwoman70 Fri 03-Jul-20 12:15:29

From what I have read - PA has "communicated" with investigators via his legal team (presumably sending statements), however, I believe the investigators want a face to face interview with him. They say they have offered to travel to UK to carry out the interview.

I'm not sure how much we can believe from either side, although I can't see why the investigators would lie about not being able to meet with PA

What is known is that PA was in the house when young girls were present, unless he spent the whole time alone in his bedroom I can't see that he didn't realise something unsavoury was going on

Rosalyn69 Fri 03-Jul-20 13:20:53

Has PA actually committed a crime?

Whitewavemark2 Fri 03-Jul-20 13:24:12

rosalyn that has yet to be established, but his behaviour is not helping his cause.

Purplepixie Fri 03-Jul-20 13:28:19

I think Andrew might be in the S****!!! Oh dear the plot thickens and we will all just have to wait and see when the stuff hits the fan.

JenniferEccles Fri 03-Jul-20 13:28:36

I was interested in Nicholas Witchell’s comment on the news last night when he mentioned that Andrew’s legal team and advisers includes some sort of image protection expert!

I honestly can’t see how he can emerge from this unscathed.

He had known the Maxwell woman for many years and I can’t believe he had no idea about what she and her vile husband were up to.

His reluctance to cooperate with the US investigation only makes the situation worse.

I feel so sorry for his parents.

Chewbacca Fri 03-Jul-20 13:37:04

I can’t believe he had no idea about what she and her vile husband were up to.

I didn't know that they were married? Are you sure JenniferEccles?

GillT57 Fri 03-Jul-20 13:37:13

Whether or not PA actually was involved in the 'grooming' or abuse or rape of under age girls, the basic fact remains that he did keep company with some seriously unpleasant people. One has to assume that he was discreetly warned of this, told of the rumours, either by friends or by palace officials, and has therefore just ignored the advice and recommendations to keep away from these ghastly people. There was a ghastly little man on Newsnight last night, who had, I believe, sorted out the plea bargaining for Epstein previously and got the charges dramatically reduced.

Oldwoman70 Fri 03-Jul-20 13:47:44

Gill PA visited Epstein AFTER he had been convicted and jailed for sex offences (under a very suspicious plea deal which reduced the charges). You have to question why he continued to associate with a known sex offender

trisher Fri 03-Jul-20 14:36:48

Oh come on Oldwoman70 PA only went to explain that he couldn't be Epstein's friend any longer and ask for the contact details of any girls still in the pipeline. He was just too nice to break up by phone.

Rosalyn69 Fri 03-Jul-20 14:44:26

Ok I agree his behaviour is disgraceful but if he hasn’t actually committed a crime then he’s under no obligation to answer questions is he? Guilty by association for sure but that’s just bad judgement.
I’m sure he’s a very unpleasant chap.

suziewoozie Fri 03-Jul-20 14:54:03

As a member of our sainted royal family, he should damn well give any help he can in bringing GM to justice. He can potentially provide evidence to help convict her - or even exonerate her. Why would he not? If I were present when a crime was being committed and could give evidence, I would- unless of course..........

luluaugust Fri 03-Jul-20 15:05:14

I suppose for P A it depends where he was as to whether he had sex with somebody underage. For instance in London they wouldn't be underage at 17 but in some States maybe 17 would be underage. I can't quite see the advantage of either side saying they have have spoken or not spoken or is there some hope that P A can still be kept out of it all.

Esspee Fri 03-Jul-20 15:30:25

One of the tabloids today ran a headline which I found amusing and I thought I would show you on this thread.
It said something like “Bet PA’s sweating now”
I must have seen it on the BBC pages but it has been dropped and I can’t find it anywhere.
Do any of you know which paper that was on?
Has it been censored?

suziewoozie Fri 03-Jul-20 15:39:40

There are two issues here which keep getting muddled. Firstly the question of Andrew providing a witness statement which may help bring GM to justice. Being a witness does not mean per se that you yourself have done something wrong. It could be argued it’s your moral and civic duty and the more so if you’re from a family that is supposed to lead the nation. Secondly, is Andrew himself possibly guilty of a criminal act? For example, sex with a trafficked woman ( regardless of her age). The problem for this sorry excuse for a man is that in doing the first, he may well implicate himself in the latter. Either way, it’s not a good look is it?

Oldwoman70 Fri 03-Jul-20 15:42:15

Rosalyn He is at the very least a witness and as such should be prepared to be interviewed as to what he saw and heard. By not agreeing to an interview he is merely causing speculation as to the reason for his reluctance.

Rosina Fri 03-Jul-20 15:43:09

I have no idea if Prince Andrew has been involved in anything illegal or unsavoury, obviously, but what I do find intensely disappointing is the behaviour of the American legal team who are now suggesting he must 'Behave like a man' and answer questions. This is not the educated language of a nation's legal system, it is gutter press tabloid fuelled inflamatory talk and has no place in a society where one might hope a fair trial might be involved. Any communication should be confidential and between solicitors - this is all so wrong.

welbeck Fri 03-Jul-20 15:45:14

i don't know the relevant law but, i think if the suggestion is that the teenager was trafficked for sexual purposes, then i don't think her age comes into it.
except of course it would be an even graver offence if she was also a minor at the time.
but being traffiked is the offence i think.

suziewoozie Fri 03-Jul-20 15:50:19

That’s my understanding welbeck. As for tge behaviour of the US prosecutors, I guess it comes from frustration - they been trying and failing for ages to get HM’s favourite son to cooperate and he’s used every trick in his well funded solicitors books to evade and avoid. So much for a ‘fair’ justice system.

EllanVannin Fri 03-Jul-20 15:58:11

No amount of protection is going to avoid opening a can of worms. Once Maxwell starts opening her mouth that'll be it, she'll be taking a few others with her.

I was reading about how royals and politicians used the same phone system as those who were involved in the biggest organised crime bust. Who on earth can be trusted any more ?