Epstein accusers say they’re compiling listing of his associates

[ad_1] Watch: Epstein survivors communicate publicly outdoors US Capitol

Victims of Jeffrey Epstein gave emotional accounts of sexual abuse on Wednesday, as they spoke on the steps of the US Capitol and referred to as for lawmakers to launch extra information in regards to the convicted intercourse offender.

One of many girls, Lisa Phillips, mentioned the group had begun compiling a confidential listing of Epstein associates who they are saying have been concerned in abuse

"We'll confidentially compile the names everyone knows have been frequently within the Epstein world," she mentioned. "It is going to be finished by survivors, and for survivors."

The occasion was organised by US lawmakers who're calling for extra information from the Epstein investigation to be launched publicly.

In the course of the two-hour information convention, 9 feminine Epstein accusers detailed their experiences and abuse by the hands of the disgraced financier.

Ms Phillips urged the Division of Justice to launch all of the paperwork and data it has from the investigation, including that many victims have been afraid of repercussions in the event that they went public with names themselves.

A lawyer for the accusers added that they're afraid of being sued or attacked as a result of "no one protected them the primary time".

Marina Lacerda, talking publicly for the primary time, mentioned she labored for Epstein from the age of 14 till she was 17, when the disgraced financier decided she was "too outdated".

"I used to be certainly one of dozens of ladies that I personally know who have been compelled into Jeffrey's mansion... in New York Metropolis once we have been simply youngsters," she mentioned.

"A buddy of mine within the neighbourhood instructed me that I might make $300 to present one other man a therapeutic massage," Lacerda mentioned, whereas turning into visibly emotional. "It went from a dream job to the worst nightmare."

Annie Farmer, who's now 46, mentioned she was taken to New Mexico aged 16 to spend a weekend with Epstein. Her sister was additionally flown there and reported the abuse, she mentioned, however nothing was finished.

"We nonetheless have no idea why that report wasn't correctly investigated, or why Epstein and his associates have been allowed to hurt tons of, if not hundreds, of different women and younger girls," she mentioned.

Chauntae Davies addressed a query in regards to the relationship between Trump and Epstein, saying the intercourse offender's "largest brag eternally was that he was superb mates with Donald Trump".

"He had a framed image of him on his desk, with the 2 of them," she mentioned.

Watch: Epstein sufferer, Marina Lacerda, speaks publicly for the primary time

Trump was a buddy of Epstein, however mentioned they fell out within the early 2000s as a result of the financier poached staff from the spa in Trump's Florida golf membership.

"It is a Democrat hoax that by no means ends," Trump instructed reporters within the Oval Workplace on Wednesday when requested in regards to the close by information convention.

He mentioned "no one is ever happy" with the information which have been launched, including that the decision for extra releases is a distraction from his report in workplace.

"Actually I feel it is sufficient," Trump mentioned.

On Tuesday night, 33,000 pages and a number of other movies have been made public by the Home Oversight Committee, which has subpoenaed the Justice Division and Epstein property. Most of these, nonetheless, have been already within the public area.

The highest Democrat on the committee, Robert Garcia, mentioned: "Do not let this idiot you".

"After cautious assessment, Oversight Democrats have discovered that 97% of the paperwork acquired from the Division of Justice have been already public. There isn't a point out of any shopper listing or something that improves transparency or justice for victims," he mentioned.

It's believed that the Division of Justice has about 100,000 pages of fabric on Epstein.

The discharge on Tuesday adopted final month's publication of the US Division of Justice interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, who was an confederate of Epstein.

Within the transcripts - which run to 300 pages, some closely redacted - Maxwell mentioned that whereas she believed Trump and Epstein have been pleasant "in social settings", she did not assume they have been shut mates.

Two members of the Home, Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democrat Ro Khanna of California, are attempting to pressure a vote on compelling the justice division to launch all paperwork within the case.

They have been gathering signatures on Wednesday and can want 218 to pressure a vote. That may imply two Republicans would want to help the plan.

"It is shameful this has been referred to as a hoax. This isn't a hoax," Massie mentioned. "There are actual victims to this prison enterprise and the perpetrators are being protected as a result of they're wealthy and highly effective."

The White Home and Republican congressional leaders oppose the discharge of the entire information, saying that it might expose the identities of victims who don't wish to go public.