New Lawsuits in Millionaire Teen Sex Scandal
Two new lawsuits allege financier Epstein sexually assaulted underage girls.
April 22, 2008— -- Two more young women have filed lawsuits against Palm Beach millionaire Jeffrey Epstein, claiming the 52-year-old financier sexually assaulted them when they were 15-year-old high school students.
Epstein, well-known in New York and Palm Beach social circles and a once-close friend of President Bill Clinton, is already facing two other similar lawsuits and is awaiting trial in July after pleading not guilty to a felony criminal charge of soliciting prostitution.
His alleged exploits with teenage girls have filled the gossip pages of New York tabloids and been the topic of wicked whispers in Palm Beach.
According to the two new lawsuits, Jeffrey Epstein "engaged in a plan and scheme in which he gained access to primarily economically disadvantaged minor girls in his home, sexually assaulted these girls, and then gave them money." For each session, the lawsuit alleges, the girls were paid "generally $200 to $300" per "massage" session.
"They were both underage girls who were brought over to Jeffrey Epstein for these massages, and we allege that up in his house that they were then sexually assaulted," said Miami attorney Jeffrey Herman, who represents both Jane Doe No. 4 and Jane Doe No. 5.
Epstein's lawyer, Guy Lewis, said his client "did absolutely nothing wrong" and will contest the lawsuits in court. "These additional copycat lawsuits have absolutely no merit," Lewis said.
According to the new lawsuits, Epstein lured the teenage girls to his Palm Beach mansion, where they were "directed by Epstein to remove her clothes and give him a massage," the suits allege.
On later visits, which lasted "for approximately three years," according to the lawsuit, Epstein directed teenager Jane Doe No. 4 to "remove all her clothes" and perform certain sexual acts. [Read complaint.]
In addition to Guy Lewis, a former U.S. attorney in Miami, Epstein has hired some of the country's top lawyers and private detectives to help prepare his defense in the civil and criminal matters.
"These ladies have admitted to lying to Epstein, as well as lying to the police, about their ages and their conduct," said Lewis about the four lawsuits.
Epstein's legal troubles began three years ago when complaints by the mother of a 14-year-old girl led the Palm Beach Police Department to begin an investigation.
More than 90 pages of police documents from that investigation, obtained by ABC News, allege underage girls were recruited by an assistant to Epstein.
A state grand jury indicted Epstein on a charge of soliciting a prostitute but did not charge him with the more serious charge of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
Epstein, once a math teacher at an elite private school in New York, became rich as a financial adviser to the wealthy.
His friendship with former President Clinton began after Clinton left office. Epstein lent his private 727 jet to Clinton for the former president's 2002 trip to Africa.
Epstein has contributed more than $100,000 to Democratic candidates.