15 Women Urge French Prosecutors to Reopen Probe Into Gérald Marie Over Alleged Epstein Links

A group of 15 women alleging sexual violence in the modelling industry has formally requested the French judiciary to investigate Gérald Marie, former European director of Elite Model Management, citing potential links to financier Jeffrey Epstein. The women submitted a letter on Thursday to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, urging authorities to examine whether Marie was involved in wrongdoing connected to Epstein. Among them are Ebba P. Karlsson, a Swedish national based in the United States, and British journalist Lisa Brinkworth, who claim that renewed investigations into Epstein could justify reopening previously closed cases.

Brinkworth, who was working undercover for the BBC in 1998, alleges she was sexually assaulted by Marie in Milan during an investigation into modelling agencies. She filed a complaint in Paris in 2020, supported by testimonies from three former models, including Karlsson. However, the case was closed in February 2023 due to the statute of limitations, prompting Brinkworth to file an appeal. The women now argue that fresh inquiries launched by the Paris prosecutor’s office into Epstein—covering human trafficking and financial offences—could provide new grounds to revisit the allegations.

In their letter, the signatories claim to possess documents and emails indicating connections between Marie, the late modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, and Epstein, including links to MC2 and E Model Management agencies. Karlsson has also accused French model scout Daniel Siad of rape, alleging he later introduced her to Marie, who she claims also assaulted her. All but one of the women state the alleged incidents occurred in France, with two claiming they were minors at the time. The group has also approached US authorities, calling for a broader investigation into the alleged role of modelling agency executives in supplying young models to Epstein.

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