Model claims Epstein sexually assaulted her in 1997 but US police failed to press charges
A MODEL and actress who claims she was sexually assaulted by disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epstein in 1997 has waived her anonymity to demand police follow up a complaint she made at the time.
Alicia Arden said that she filed a report to police in Santa Monica, California, about the alleged assault but claims it was not investigated.
Ms Arden, who was 26 years old at the time and an aspiring model, said she was invited to “audition” for a Victoria’s Secret shoot at Shutters, a beachfront hotel.
Ms Arden, now 51, claimed that she was met in a room at the hotel by Epstein, who told her: “Let me manhandle you for a second.”
She said he then pulled her shirt up over her head and her skirt down and that while this was happening Epstein had touched her hips and buttocks. “I started to feel scared and I began to cry,” Ms Arden recalled.
After Epstein became distracted with his phone, Ms Arden said she managed to move away and began to leave the room, she told reporters.
Before she left, Ms Arden said Epstein, who died in a New York prison cell last August, put $100 on the table.
“I left the money in the hotel room and walked out … I felt violated and mistreated,” she said.
Gloria Allred, who represents Ms Arden, said her client was never contacted by police or prosecutors after she filed a report more than 20 years ago and was never told whether there had been an investigation.
“We’d like to know, first, what happened? Was there an investigation?
Was there not an investigation?,” Ms Allred said. “I don’t think Alicia should have to live with the unanswered question. Why was it apparently disregarded? Did they interview Mr Epstein? Did he decline to be interviewed? Did they take his words against hers? Or did they not do anything?”
A Santa Barbara Police spokesman said in a statement: “If the victim tells the detective they do not wish to prosecute, then the detective will close the case.”
Ms Arden denies telling police she asked them to drop the case.
More alleged victims of Epstein have come forward following the arrest of Ghislane Maxwell, the late billionaire’s associate. She was detained by the FBI on Thursday, accused of helping procure underage girls for him.