Jeffrey Epstein allegedly wanted Sarah Ferguson to release a statement saying that he was “not a pedo”, newly released emails appear to show.
The US Department of Justice released files relating to the disgraced paedophile financier.
Among them are exchanges with someone referred to just as “Sarah”, whose email address is redacted, as well as discussions with others about “Fergie”.
The emails revealed in March 2011, the paedophile financier asked publicist Mike Sitrick to “draft a statement that in an ideal world Fergie would put out”.
Emails between Jeffrey Epstein and his publicist Mike Sitrick show the financier wanting Sarah Ferguson to release a statement
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The exchanges are all dated after Epstein was convicted in 2008 of prostituting minors.
On March 13, 2011, Epstein allegedly wrote to Mr Sitrick saying: “I think that Fergie can now say, I am not a pedo.. She was DUPED into believing false stories, by Civil Plaintiffs Attorneys from Florida.
“They represented themselves as law enforcement (fisten), and she was told horrible things and she reacted.
The alleged emails between Mike Sitrick and Jeffrey Epstein
|US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
“She now knows that what she was told was based on falsehoods, and fabrications designed to enhance their civil suit. She should put the newspapers on the offering of money for stories.”
Mr Sitrick appears to reply: “Agree, quite frankly, whatever her excuse, she needs to say she was mistaken, she apologises, feels terrible. Jeffrey is not a pedophile.
“The woman who was the source of the conviction for solicitation of prostitution for someone under 18 was 17-3/4 and she is very sorry.
Sarah Ferguson was previously photographed in the initial release of the Epstein files
|US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
“We need all those components. She created this problem. She needs to fix It and as I know everyone knows time is of the essence here.”
Epstein appeared to respond saying that they “cannot depend on her doing as we would wish… We need an alternative”, adding “Fergie and Hope is not sufficient.”
Mr Sitrick replies to Epstein saying: “The Fergie retraction is critical.
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“One of your good friends, a member of the Royal family, is calling you a pedophile.
“If gentle persuasion doesn’t work, it is my view that we need to turn up the heat even to the point of sending her a draft defamation lawsuit.
“As I said yesterday, this would be a major turning point and be picked up everywhere. This is about your name and your reputation.
Sarah Ferguson's inclusion in the files is not evidence of any wrongdoing,
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“You really can’t worry about her, in my view, you need to worry about you.”
Ms Ferguson's inclusion in the files is not evidence of any wrongdoing, and her inclusion in the files does not implicate anyone in Epstein's criminality.
The former Duchess of York has previously made clear her regret of knowing Epstein, saying: "I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf… I will have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again."
Ms Ferguson's representatives have been contacted for comment.
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