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Jeffrey Epstein 'found semi-conscious' in prison cell | Jeffrey Epstein 'found semi-conscious' in prison cell |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein was found semi-conscious in his prison cell on Thursday, US media reports say. | |
The 66-year-old, who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, was reportedly found sprawled on the floor with injuries to his neck on Wednesday. | The 66-year-old, who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, was reportedly found sprawled on the floor with injuries to his neck on Wednesday. |
The cause is unclear - neither suicide attempt nor assault has been ruled out. He has been at the New York facility since being denied bail last week. | |
Epstein has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. | Epstein has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. |
The US Bureau of Prisons issued a statement saying that Epstein was, as of noon local time (16:00 GMT), at New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center and "not in a local hospital as has been reported". | |
But it was not clear if he had been treated for injuries either at a hospital or the prison, with officials saying "we do not share information on an inmate's medical status or their conditions of confinement". | |
He was taken to a nearby hospital in Manhattan, reports say, but his condition has not been made public. Investigators are working to establish what happened. | |
What is he charged with? | What is he charged with? |
According to the indictment, the financier is accused of paying girls under the age of 18 to perform sex acts at his Manhattan and Florida mansions between 2002 and 2005. | |
Epstein, who was arrested on 6 July after landing in New Jersey on his private jet, avoided similar charges in a controversial secret plea deal in 2008, and instead pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. | Epstein, who was arrested on 6 July after landing in New Jersey on his private jet, avoided similar charges in a controversial secret plea deal in 2008, and instead pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. |
That plea deal has come under increasing scrutiny and, earlier this month, US Labor Secretary Alex Acosta resigned over his role in it. | |
Prosecutors also accuse Epstein of paying large amounts of money to two potential witnesses during the forthcoming trial. | Prosecutors also accuse Epstein of paying large amounts of money to two potential witnesses during the forthcoming trial. |
He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. If convicted, he faces up to 45 years in prison. | He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. If convicted, he faces up to 45 years in prison. |
He was denied bail last Thursday but his lawyers have appealed against the decision. | He was denied bail last Thursday but his lawyers have appealed against the decision. |
Who is Jeffrey Epstein? | Who is Jeffrey Epstein? |
New York-born Epstein worked as a teacher before moving into finance. | New York-born Epstein worked as a teacher before moving into finance. |
Prior to the criminal cases against him, he was best known for his wealth and high-profile connections. | Prior to the criminal cases against him, he was best known for his wealth and high-profile connections. |
He has long been surrounded by the rich and powerful, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and the UK's Prince Andrew. | He has long been surrounded by the rich and powerful, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and the UK's Prince Andrew. |
In a 2002 profile in New York Magazine, Mr Trump referred to Epstein as a "terrific guy". | In a 2002 profile in New York Magazine, Mr Trump referred to Epstein as a "terrific guy". |
"He's a lot of fun to be with," he said. "It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side." | "He's a lot of fun to be with," he said. "It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side." |
However, Mr Trump has said the pair fell out "12 or 15 years ago" and reiterated on Friday that he was "not a fan of Jeffrey Epstein". | However, Mr Trump has said the pair fell out "12 or 15 years ago" and reiterated on Friday that he was "not a fan of Jeffrey Epstein". |
Reports of Epstein's current wealth vary, with his Virgin Islands-based firm generating no public records. | Reports of Epstein's current wealth vary, with his Virgin Islands-based firm generating no public records. |
Epstein allegations span 17 years | |
2002: The earliest allegations of abuse covered by the current case take place. | |
October 2002: Donald Trump tells New York magazine he has known Epstein for 15 years, and that he is a "terrific guy.... it is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side". | |
2005: One of Epstein's alleged victims, aged 14, reports him to the police in Palm Beach - sparking the first investigation. | |
May 2006: Epstein is charged with unlawful sex acts with a minor. Later in the year, the case is referred to the FBI. | |
2007: A plea deal is struck with Alex Acosta, the US attorney in Florida. Instead of facing federal sex-trafficking charges, he pleads guilty to two charges of soliciting prostitution, including with a minor. | |
June 2008: Epstein is sentenced to 13 months in prison - a private wing of a county jail. He is also allowed to leave for work - up to 12 hours a day, six days a week. he does, however, have to register as a sex offender. | |
April 2017: Alex Acosta is appointed labor secretary by now-President Donald Trump. | |
November 2018: The Miami Herald publishes its explosive investigation into Epstein, the plea deal, and the dozens of women alleging abuse. | |
July 2019: Epstein is arrested in New York on new sex-trafficking charges, which he denies. Alex Acosta resigns. |
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