Prince Andrew accuser’s settlement agreement with Jeffrey Epstein made public

Prince Andrew has argued the previously-confidential deal made between Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre in 2009 shields him from liability.

Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001.

Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001. Source: Supplied

This article contains references to child abuse and suicide.

A 2009 settlement agreement between late financier Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre was made public on Monday as part of Ms Giuffre's civil lawsuit against Britain's Prince Andrew, who has said the deal shields him from any liability.

The agreement between Epstein and Ms Giuffre contains a liability release for "any other person or entity" who could have been a defendant against claims by Ms Giuffre, the filing in federal court in Manhattan shows.

The deal also provided for Ms Giuffre to be paid $US500,000 ($A695,000).
Prince Andrew's lawyers on Monday declined comment on the filing.

Ms Giuffre in 2021 sued Prince Andrew, accusing him of forcing her to have sex more than two decades ago when she was under 18 at the London home of former Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

She said he also abused her at two of Epstein's homes.

Prince Andrew has repeatedly and strenuously denied Ms Giuffre's assertions and has moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing the 38-year-old is seeking a "payday" from her accusations against Epstein and his associates.

He told the BBC in November 2019 that he could not have had sex with Ms Giuffre at Maxwell's home because he had returned that night to his house after a children's party.

"I can absolutely, categorically tell you it never happened," Andrew said. "I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever."

The prince has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing.
Virginia Giuffre holds a photo of herself at age 16, when she says Jeffrey Epstein began abusing her sexually.
Virginia Giuffre holds a photo of herself at age 16, when she says Jeffrey Epstein began abusing her sexually. Source: Tribune News Service
The 61-year-old argued the previously-confidential agreement between Ms Giuffre and Epstein, whom she has accused of trafficking her for sex when she was a teenager, shields him from liability.

It will now be up to United States District Judge Lewis Kaplan to determine whether the clause in the 2009 pact blocks Ms Giuffre from suing Prince Andrew.

Attorneys for Ms Giuffre did not immediately reply to requests for comment on Monday.

A hearing over Prince Andrew's motion to dismiss the civil lawsuit is scheduled for Tuesday.

Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 at the age of 66 while awaiting trial on sex abuse charges.
Prince Andrew gave up many royal duties in November 2019, saying that his association with Epstein had become a "disruption to my family's work."

Ms Giuffre's lawsuit is separate from the criminal trial against Maxwell that concluded last week.

The 60-year-old was convicted of recruiting and grooming girls for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 2004.

Ms Giuffre's claims did not form the basis of any of the charges Maxwell faced and she did not testify for either side during the three-week criminal trial.

Anyone seeking information or support relating to sexual abuse can contact Bravehearts on 1800 272 831 or Blue Knot on 1300 657 380.

Readers seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25). More information and support with mental health is available at and on 1300 22 4636. 

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3 min read
Published 4 January 2022 7:14am
Source: Reuters, SBS



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