For years, the FBI analyzed Epstein's finances and correspondence, searched his properties and interviewed dozens of victims. According to an AP review of files, investigators collected extensive evidence that the billionaire molested minors. However, they did not confirm the existence of an organized structure of human trafficking serving “powerful principals”.
Did the FBI find evidence of human trafficking related to Epstein?
How many girls have been identified as Epstein's victims?
What was done about Virginia Giuffre's reporting?
Was there a list of Epstein's clients?
Payments “unrelated to criminal activity”
In one memorandum from 2025, the prosecutor pointed out that the seized videos and photos from Epstein's properties in New York, Florida and the Virgin Islands “did not depict victims engaged in abuse or incriminate other people.” Another memorandum from 2019 indicated that an analysis of bank accounts — including payments to entities linked to influential figures in science, finance and diplomacy — “did not demonstrate a link to criminal activity.”
The investigation was initiated in 2005 after a report from the parents of a 14-year-old girl who had been abused in Palm Beach, Florida. Police identified at least 35 girls whom Epstein paid $200 to $300 for sexual “massages.”
In 2008, according to a court settlement, Epstein served 13 months and was released from prison in 2009. After the publications of the Miami Herald, the case was reopened in New York. The businessman was arrested in July 2019, and a month later he allegedly committed suicide in custody. In 2021, his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for recruiting victims and participating in abuses.
The files show that agents also investigated sensational reports about accomplices. Last July The FBI concluded that “four or five” accusers named others, but “there was insufficient evidence to bring federal charges,” so the cases were turned over to local authorities, the AP writes.
Report by Virginia Giuffre
Particular attention was paid to the account of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who publicly claimed that Epstein “lent her” to wealthy friends, including former British Prince Andrew.
Investigators confirmed that Giuffre was a victim of Epstein, but found other elements of her account problematic. Two other victims denied being “devoted” to powerful men, and the 2019 memo noted: “No other victim described being explicitly directed to have sexual contact with other men by Maxwell or Epstein,” the AP reports.
Prosecutors tried to question former Prince Andrew but he refused. The civil dispute with Giuffre ended with an out-of-court settlement in 2022. Although the official amount was not disclosed, the media reported that Andrzej paid Giuffre an amount estimated at approximately £12 million (including a donation to a foundation supporting victims).
The seized materials included nude photos of women, including potentially minors, and a limited number of Internet images depicting child abuse, but, prosecutor Maurene Comey wrote, “we found no recordings” that would incriminate anyone other than Epstein and Maxwell. An analysis of transfers to over 25 women and an examination of relationships with close associates did not lead to any charges.
The documents also deny the existence of the mythical “customer list”. In correspondence from the turn of 2024/2025, the officers stated that such a list “did not exist”, despite public declarations by some politicians – according to files cited by AP.
