Bill Clinton Responds to Jeffrey Epstein Document Release

The reopening and public scrutiny of documents from a case involving the late sex offender has once again focussed attentions on a former U.S. president's relationship with the financier, primarily concerning allegations of visits made to Epstein's private island. A large number of unsealed files, including emails and deposition transcripts related to the settled lawsuit brought forth by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claims Epstein sexually assaulted her while she was underage are detailed. Accusations are also made that Epstein's girlfriend was complicit in these offenses. Clinton, as well as other influential figures, are mentioned in the documents. Angel Urena, Clinton's spokesperson, maintains that nothing has changed since his 2019 statement on the Epstein case. Urena has previously stated Clinton was unaware of Epstein's guilty plea to sex crimes in Florida and sex trafficking charges filed in 2019. Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting sex from a minor and served the majority of his 18-month prison term through a work release scheme. According to Urena, Clinton flew on Epstein's plane four times in 2002 and 2003, a travel arrangement linked to the Clinton Foundation. At the time of Epstein's death, which was ruled a suicide, Urena asserts Clinton had had no contact with Epstein for over ten years. Giuffre, who alleges that Clinton visited Epstein's island, has made no claims of any inappropriate conduct by Clinton. The documents include Johanna Sjoberg's deposition, who accuses another person of sexually assaulting her, a claim that was categorically denied. Sjoberg admitted knowledge of Epstein's links with Clinton but claimed she was unaware of their friendship until she read an article about their joint trip to Africa. She went on to claim that Epstein had told her Clinton was fond of young girls, although it must be stressed that Sjoberg confirmed she had neither met Clinton nor seen him on Epstein's island or in a helicopter allegedly operated by Maxwell. A report on this encounter was refuted by Giuffre under oath. The unsealed documents reveal that Giuffre denied ever sharing a helicopter with Clinton, flown by Maxwell, and refutes any prior admission made to reporter Sharon Churcher. Giuffre instead suggests her words had been misinterpreted, stating that she was only repeating what Maxwell had told her. Maxwell herself denied under oath that Clinton had ever dined on Epstein's island, calling it a '100% false claim', and, while admitting to travelling with Clinton, she could not recall further details about the trip. The document release comprises just the first of what is anticipated to be several batches, although it is important to note that appearances in the files does not infer participation in any illegal activities. Epstein, indicted in 2019 for running a sex trafficking ring involving underage girls, died by suicide while awaiting trial in jail. Maxwell was found guilty in 2021, and is now serving a 20-year prison sentence.