An investigative journalist has been approached to work on a potential book and movie about the mogul Jeffrey Epstein, who went from being a Palm Beach financier and friend of Bill Clinton to being jailed for soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008, the New York Post said on December 21.
Epstein allegedly owes $103, 500 to crisis management firm Sitrick & Co., which he hired after a wave of bad press in 2011 stemming from his rekindled friendship with Prince Andrew, the Post said. Epstein’s net worth has been called into question by Forbes.
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According to California Superior Court papers seen by the Post, Epstein retained the firm after reports Epstein and the British royal were seen strolling in Central Park, and neighbors also saw a “parade of stunning beauties…calling at Epstein’s door during the prince’s stay” at his $50 million Upper East Side house, the report said.
In 2008, Epstein served a 13-month sentence in Florida for soliciting a 14-year-old for prostitution. Andrew, who was known as a friend of the mogul before the jail term, had to publicly distance himself from Epstein after the 2011 visit and stepped down as a U.K. trade envoy as a result of their association months later, according to the Post.
It also emerged that the Duke of York stayed at Epstein’s home in Florida and flew with him in his private jet. Andrew’s ex-wife the Duchess of York had even been bailed out by Epstein when she got into debt, The Daily Mail said on December 20.
But after Epstein retained the spin-control company headed by Michael Sitrick, a fixer who’s been compared to Harvey Keitel’s character in “Pulp Fiction, ” to help get him out of the mess, wealthy Epstein apparently neglected to pay the firm the six-figure amount he racked up.
Court papers state: “On or about March 11, 2011, Epstein entered an oral agreement with (Sitrick) to provide consulting advice and public relations services concerning Epstein’s relationship with Prince Andrew.” The court ordered Epstein to pay the firm $155, 464, including attorneys’ fees, according to the Post report.
But Epstein recently countersued in Florida, claiming he’s never been properly served as his primary residence is now in the Virgin Islands.
Sources said a judge has ruled Epstein can now be deposed in the case no matter where he lives. Epstein’s lawyer Chester Brewer didn’t return calls, and Sitrick lawyer Lance Shinder declined to comment, the Post said.
Epstein was one of the wealthiest and well-connected men in America until he was jailed, the Mail said on December 20.
