A New York judge on Wednesday unsealed the identities of people linked in court documents to Jeffrey Epstein, the US financier who died by suicide in 2019 as he awaited trial for sex crimes.
The initial tranche includes 40 previously undisclosed documents with about 1,000 pages of depositions and statements, with the final library of documents expected to name prominent people.
Those named include a host of Epstein associates previously identified as John or Jane Does in a lawsuit brought against his partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, 62. It carries no allegation of complicity in Epstein's crimes.
Among the famous people in Epstein's orbit before he was exposed as a sexual predator were former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, singer Michael Jackson and magician David Copperfield, according to the accounts of his victims and other witnesses who were quoted in the newly released documents.
The disclosure is part of a defamation proceeding between Maxwell, sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison, and a plaintiff against the pair, Virginia Giuffre.
There were also repetitions of well-known stories about Britain’s Prince Andrew. He was sued by one of Epstein's victims, Ms Giuffre, who said she had sexual encounters with the prince when she was 17. Prince Andrew, who denied the allegations, settled the lawsuit in 2022.
Last month a judge listed in a 50-page document about 180 cases – under pseudonyms – ordering that their identities be made public within 14 days of the order.
The judge has not set a target for when all of the documents should be made public, but more are expected to be released in the next few days.
Some have objected to the disclosure of their identities in the case.
Lawyers for one person, “Doe 107”, wrote to the case judge arguing they could face victimisation in their home country and requested time to submit grounds for their name to remain sealed.
According to British media, Ms Giuffre's defamation claim against Maxwell dates back to 2016 and was settled the following year. But The Miami Herald then took legal action to access the file and investigate the Epstein network.
Several documents in the case were made public in 2019, days before Epstein died by suicide in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Maxwell and Epstein were a couple in the early 1990s before becoming professional collaborators and accomplices for almost three decades.
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Trial evidence shows British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and US financier Jeffrey Epstein. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP -
Maxwell and Epstein have been found guilty of sex charges related to underage girls. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP -
Britain's Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell at one of Epstein's properties. Maxwell used her "femininity to betray us" like she was "a wolf in sheep's clothing", one of Epstein's victims said before Maxwell's sentencing in New York. -
Epstein and Maxwell, who groomed and procured underaged girls for him. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP -
Epstein, Maxwell and French model agent Jean-Luc Brunel on the financier's private jet, the 'Lolita Express'. Brunel died in prison in February while awaiting charges including raping minors. Photo: Shutterstock -
Judge Alison Nathan and Ghislaine Maxwell in a courtroom sketch. Reuters -
Maxwell with Epstein. -
Maxwell gives Epstein a foot massage. -
In a courtroom sketch, FBI analyst Kimberly Meder testifies during Ghislaine Maxwell's sex-abuse trial about a photo, shown on video, of Maxwell massaging Epstein's foot at his home. AP -
This photo of Maxwell and Epstein was entered into evidence by the US Attorney's Office. Photo: US Attorney's Office / Reuters -
US Department of Justice evidence. -
Maxwell with Epstein. -
British socialite Maxwell was convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls. -
Maxwell and Epstein. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP -
Another trial evidence image of Maxwell and Epstein. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP -
Another evidence photo of Maxwell and Epstein. Reuters -
Maxwell reportedly dated Epstein and then became a recruiter of young girls for him. -
A photo of Maxwell living the high life entered into evidence by the US Attorney's Office. -
A photo issued by US Department of Justice shows the interior of one of Epstein's private planes. -
Epstein's third private plane. -
An aerial view of Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands. -
An advertisement for a massage therapist shown to the court during Maxwell's trial. -
A photo issued by US Department of Justice shows the massage room at Epstein's New York house. -
Another image of the massage room entered into evidence. -
Maxwell once tried for a career dealing with climate change. Getty / AFP -
Maxwell attends the 2014 Education through Music Children's Benefit Gala at Capitale in New York. The charity was started by Epstein. Getty / AFP -
Epstein's mugshot. He committed suicide in his cell in 2019. Photo: New York State Sex Offender Registry / AFP -
A headline from 'The Times' in a London store on December 30, 2021, the morning after a jury in New York found Maxwell guilty of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. AFP -
A selection of headlines from British newspapers. AFP -
Kevin Maxwell, Isabel Maxwell and Christine Maxwell, brother and sisters of Ghislaine, walk outside the courtroom after she was found guilty. Reuters -
Maxwell's lawyer, Christian Everdell, leaves the US Federal District Court after she was found guilty. EPA -
Laura Menninger and Jeffrey Pagliuca, members of Maxwell's legal team, after her guilty verdict. EPA -
Maxwell's lead lawyer Bobbi Sternheim leaves the US Federal District Court after her client was found guilty on five of six sex-trafficking charges. EPA -
A protester outside court when Maxwell made her first appearance in July 2020. AFP -
A protester outside Maxwell's trial. Getty / AFP -
A protester holds a placard during a rally in New York City for Epstein survivors. Reuters -
Demonstrators rally in solidarity with the Epstein and Maxwell survivors in New York City. AFP -
Sarah Ransome testified against Maxwell. AP
Epstein, a financier with a powerful network in the US and abroad, was accused of raping young girls, but his death by suicide in a New York prison in August 2019 halted his prosecution.
Fabricated lists and doctored photos of Epstein have circulated for years, fuelling speculation about the financier's potential associates.
The expected release of names from court documents reignited that frenzy.
Comedian Jimmy Kimmel threatened Aaron Rodgers with legal action after the American football star suggested the US late-night host could be on the list.
The baseless allegation echoed across platforms such as X, where numerous posts also drew actor Tom Hanks into the fold.
