A review of newly released US Department of Justice files has revealed how convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein built and exploited deep connections within the global modelling industry to reach young women, including teenagers, through scouts, agency insiders and recruiters, reports CNN.
Email exchanges reviewed by CNN show modelling scouts and industry figures regularly corresponding with Epstein, despite his lack of any official role in fashion.
In one message, a scout described a potential model as a “cute French girl” who would be “happy to meet you,” while also noting that a group of 16- and 17-year-old aspiring models from Scandinavia “will be ready for next year.”
Another recruiter referred to a 19-year-old Russian woman as “ready to travel,” while another praised a young model as the “best girl.”
In one of the emails, a recruiter wrote, “She’s a gift that I had been planning on giving you.”
CNN’s review of the DOJ material highlights what it describes as a mutually reinforcing relationship between Epstein and parts of the modelling world.
While Epstein provided financial support, contacts and assistance with US visas, some industry figures gave him access to young foreign women, several of whom later alleged sexual abuse.
The records suggest that even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex crimes, some modelling insiders continued to engage with him professionally, invited him to fashion events and maintained contact that reinforced his presence within the industry.
According to the files, at least six industry figures repeatedly attempted to connect Epstein with young models.
Some messages contained explicit or suggestive undertones, while others appeared to be framed as standard professional referrals.
Other individuals in the records also maintained friendly communication with him, despite his criminal conviction.
Several associates of Epstein later faced legal consequences. Among them was French modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, who had been accused of abuse by one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers.
Brunel died by suicide in a Paris prison in 2020 after being arrested on charges of raping minors, which he denied.
Other individuals mentioned in the DOJ files have not been accused of wrongdoing and have denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct.
Some said they believed Epstein was legitimately connected to the fashion industry due to his association with former Victoria’s Secret owner Les Wexner, whose financial affairs he once managed.
Modelling recruiter Daniel Siad, who arranged meetings between Epstein and several young women—including two who later told CNN they were abused—said he believed Epstein was legitimate.
He stated Epstein told him he had already “paid for his crimes.”
“I never heard anything from anyone I introduced to him who came back to me that they had a bad situation,” Siad said. “I believed this guy is a professional person.”
However, DOJ files indicate Siad’s communications went beyond professional scouting. In a 2018 message, he referred to sourcing a “good looking young assistant” for Epstein and repeatedly sent photographs of young women he encountered during international travel, some in suggestive poses.
Siad later described Epstein as a “chameleon” who misled him, saying he was initially introduced to Epstein as a casting director.
He also said Epstein separately requested help finding an assistant.
Investigations into Epstein’s wider network continue. A criminal probe launched in Paris this year is reviewing information linked to Siad, according to the city’s chief prosecutor.
Two former models have also spoken to French investigators about him, while Siad denies wrongdoing.
Advocacy groups argue the case highlights long-standing failures within the modelling industry to address exploitation.
“In some cases, the modeling industry is just a front for trafficking. I think that happens at the highest levels of business,” said Sara Ziff, founder of the Model Alliance.
Make my dream come true
Before his criminal notoriety, Epstein was known as a wealthy financier with close ties to retail magnate Les Wexner of Victoria’s Secret, who engaged him for investment advice in the 1980s.
That association, along with Epstein’s frequent attendance at fashion events and proximity to models, helped reinforce his perceived status within the industry.
Despite this image, Epstein held no formal role in modelling. However, DOJ files and law enforcement interviews show aspiring models often believed industry contacts had led them to him.
One of the earliest allegations dates back to a 1997 California police report.
A woman told investigators she believed Epstein could help her secure work with the lingerie brand linked to Wexner.
She said Epstein instead asked her to undress and inappropriately touched her. Authorities did not file charges at the time.
In the early 2000s, another woman from South Africa told CNN Epstein lured her to the United States by promising to advance her modelling career.
“He said he’d make my dream come true, but he turned it into a f**king nightmare,” said Juliette Bryant, who alleges she was abused by Epstein. She said no modelling opportunities ever materialised.
Epstein’s link to the industry strengthened through his relationship with Brunel, with whom he socialised extensively and who frequently travelled on his private jet.
Around 2005, Epstein provided Brunel a $1 million line of credit to establish MC2 Model Management.
Brunel had previously faced accusations of sexual misconduct but had not been criminally charged at the time.
MC2 aimed to represent high-fashion models as a boutique agency, according to internal documents.
Former models told Congress and CNN that MC2 became a gateway through which Epstein accessed young women.
Some said they were introduced to him through the agency and later abused.
Russian-born model Svetlana Pozhidaeva said she moved to the US expecting career advancement but instead became Epstein’s personal assistant after being introduced through recruiter Siad.
She said her modelling work diminished while she worked for Epstein and later endured years of abuse.
She also claimed MC2 continued to sponsor her visa despite knowing she worked for Epstein rather than as a model.
“I knew that I could not go anywhere else in terms of my employment. They knew that I was working for him and they kept renewing my visa,” Pozhidaeva said.
“There was definitely an arrangement between them.”
DOJ emails reportedly show communication between Epstein, his accountant, Brunel and MC2 president Jeff Fuller regarding Pozhidaeva, including discussions about visa extensions.
Another former model testified before a US House hearing that MC2 “controlled every aspect” of her life and directed her towards Epstein.
A third model told CNN she was housed in an apartment linked to Epstein and later said he groped her.
Fuller publicly denied any operational link between MC2 and Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. Fuller told the New York Post that Epstein had “no ownership or involvement in our company.”
However, internal emails show Fuller discussing finances with Epstein’s accountant and noting that they had “probably been pushing our courtesy” from Epstein “to an extreme.”
In a statement to CNN, Fuller said he never witnessed any abuse or received complaints.
“I never did,” Fuller said. “Being a parent and having two daughters myself – I’ve been in this business for a long time – I would have walked right out of the company if anyone would have ever come to me and said they were in a compromising situation.”
A former MC2 model rejected that explanation, saying it was unlikely he was unaware of what was happening.
“You can close your eyes, but I think it would have been really difficult for him to not know what was going on,” she said.
Emails also show Epstein maintained contact with other fashion industry figures after his conviction. Faith Kates, co-founder of Next Management, wrote in 2009, “I WILL ALWAYS LOVE AND BE THERE FOR YOU,” and later carried out multiple requests, including visa-related enquiries, travel updates and introductions.
She also exchanged favours with Epstein, including receiving gifts and arranging services and contacts. A spokesperson for Kates said she was “grossly misled” and described Epstein as a “master manipulator.”
Worldwide network
The DOJ files also outline Epstein’s global reach, showing how he relied on an international network of scouts and recruiters to identify young models across Europe, Africa and other regions.
One recruiter, Victoria Housez, wrote to Epstein in 2013 saying, “I can prepare the list of the girls,” and repeatedly shared information about teenagers and young women she believed had modelling potential.
Housez, who said she worked in Paris and had previously scouted for agencies including Next, also sent details of a model she said she had discovered at age 14.
In another message she wrote, “Very good personality, like her very much,” and offered to bring a model to meet him.
She did not respond to CNN’s requests for comment and has not been accused of wrongdoing. The files do not confirm whether Epstein met the women she referred, but they show he sent her several thousand dollars labelled as “gifts.”
Siad also maintained frequent contact with Epstein, sending photographs and arranging introductions. Epstein sometimes rejected candidates as “too old,” while approving others for meetings.
Former model Pozhidaeva said the scale of Epstein’s connections made him appear legitimate.
“He had an army of model scouts, photographers, owners of modeling agencies. He built this whole ecosystem,” she said.
DOJ documents also indicate federal investigators reviewed Siad’s role, with one record describing him as a “recruiter” identified by Brunel. Siad has denied knowledge of Epstein’s abuse.
“I don’t know his private life,” he said. “I realized very late that this guy was very dangerous.”
“I never abused any model in my life,” he added.
Continuing scrutiny
As the Epstein files continue to draw scrutiny, several individuals linked to him in the modelling industry have faced renewed attention.
Faith Kates retired from Next Management late last year as the email disclosures emerged, saying she intended to step back to focus on philanthropic work.
Next has said leadership was unaware of her full interactions with Epstein, although records show internal financial discussions involving his accountant and references to calls connected to the firm.
Meanwhile, legal investigations continue in multiple jurisdictions, including France, where authorities are examining allegations linked to Siad.
Former model Ebba Karlsson has filed a complaint in Paris accusing Siad of rape and human trafficking. She said she is now waiting for justice to proceed.
Another former model, Juliette, told CNN she also gave testimony to French authorities and alleged Epstein groped her after being referred through Siad.
Looking back, she said the modelling world should have recognised the risks far earlier, though she added that abuse was widespread beyond Epstein alone.
“Epstein was just one of the dangers I used to face,” she said.
