Paris prosecutors say roughly 10 previously unknown suspected victims have come forward since France opened a probe into Jeffrey Epstein and his network. Laure Beccuau, the city’s top public prosecutor, told RTL Radio that about 20 people in total contacted authorities after she publicly urged potential victims to come forward in February; some were already known to investigators, while “around 10” were new to the inquiry.
France created a specialised magistrates’ task force in February to examine alleged crimes committed on French soil or involving French nationals after the US Justice Department released a large set of documents from its Epstein investigation — the so‑called Epstein files. The files, which are heavily redacted, prompted renewed scrutiny of possible links and allegations in several countries.
Beccuau said some alleged victims live abroad and investigators are arranging meetings in Paris to take statements when possible. She also said teams are combing the Epstein files and searching material seized from Epstein — including a computer, telephone records and address books — and will seek international cooperation where needed. So far, she added, none of the people who could be implicated in the probe have been formally questioned; investigators want to fully map Epstein’s ties in France before interviewing suspects.
Among people already known to investigators are alleged victims of Jean‑Luc Brunel, a modelling agent who had been charged with rape of minors and was accused of procuring young women for Epstein; Brunel died by suicide in custody in 2022. Gerald Marie, a former executive at Elite modelling agency, is also facing similar allegations and denies wrongdoing. French media report a possible recruiter named Daniel Siad is under investigation in Paris following complaints.
The names of a number of high‑profile figures appear in the US documents; prosecutors emphasise that a mention in the Epstein files does not by itself establish criminal conduct. Still, the revelations have had wide repercussions: France’s former culture minister Jack Lang resigned in February from his role at the Arab World Institute after his name appeared repeatedly in the files; he denies any wrongdoing.
The Epstein affair has reverberated globally. The US Justice Department’s release of millions of documents — though many were redacted — has led to scrutiny of figures named in the files in countries including the United Kingdom, Norway and the United States. The files have referenced, among others, former US president Donald Trump and former president Bill Clinton; public mention does not equal proof of criminal conduct. In the UK, controversy has surrounded the appointment of an Epstein associate as ambassador; in the royal sphere, the scandal contributed to former Prince Andrew relinquishing some public roles and facing investigation in the US. In Norway, Crown Princess Mette‑Marit apologised for past ties, and other Norwegian public figures named in the files have said they are cooperating with inquiries.
Beccuau said the French probe is continuing its review of documents and evidence and coordinating international assistance as it seeks to identify victims, corroborate allegations and determine whether further charges should be brought.