France ramps up scrutiny of Epstein ties with a new prosecutorial task force, signaling intensified European accountability amid U.S. file releases.
New Paris Task Force Details
Announced Saturday by the Paris prosecutor’s office:
- Special magistrates team to analyze U.S.-released Epstein documents for French nationals’ involvement.
- Close collaboration with national financial crimes unit and police to launch probes on suspected crimes.
- Goal: Extract reusable evidence for fresh investigations.
This builds on prior cases, targeting Epstein’s French network.
Focus on Jean-Luc Brunel and Key Figures
- Jean-Luc Brunel (ex-modeling exec, Epstein associate): Case re-examined after his 2022 Paris jail suicide (ruled dropped in 2023). Accused of raping minors in U.S., Virgin Islands, Paris, and south France; supplied poor girls via “modeling jobs.” 10 women alleged alcohol-laced assaults and forced sex.
- Jack Lang (ex-culture minister): Resigned Arab World Institute presidency after name surfaced in Epstein’s 2016 offshore company statutes (he denies wrongdoing, called it “shocking”). National financial prosecutors opened probe for aggravated tax fraud and money laundering involving him and daughter Caroline.
- Three new complaints:FigureAllegationStatusFabrice Aidan (senior diplomat)Ties in U.S. files (per Foreign Ministry request)Evidence-gathering investigation underwayDaniel Siad (model recruiter, Epstein-linked)Rape (per Swedish woman’s 1990 France complaint)Received complaintFrédéric Chaslin (conductor)Sexual harassment (2016 allegation)Received complaint
Mentions in files aren’t proof of crimes, but they trigger reviews—echoing Europe’s pattern of swift resignations and probes (e.g., UK’s Prince Andrew, Mandelson).
This fits the broader contrast: France joins UK, Norway in proactive enforcement, while U.S. figures like Trump and Lutnick face less immediate heat. How do you see this evolving for other countries’ Epstein probes?
