Prince Andrew could be dragged into Jeffrey Epstein probe, lawyer claims as it emerges Royal ‘partied at paedo billionaire’s mansion AFTER jail release’
A LAWYER representing Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers claims Prince Andrew may be dragged into the case – as it’s revealed the paedo hosted a party in the Duke’s honour AFTER he was released from jail.
Billionaire Epstein, 66, this week pleaded not guilty to child sex trafficking charges in New York and could face 45 years in prison if found guilty.
The Duke of York, 59, has previously faced criticism over his relationship with the child abuser and was pictured walking in Central Park with him in December 2010.
That snap was taken during Andrew’s four-day stay at Epstein’s $77m mansion in Manhattan – shortly after the banker had been freed from prison after a previous child sex trafficking conviction in Florida.
Speaking with The Sun Online, attorney Spencer Kuvin, who represents three of Epstein’s accusers, says high profile pals of the sex offender such as the prince should be “worried” about the investigation.
He said: “I would think Prince Andrew should be very nervous right now because Epstein is pinned down and anyone and everyone that was in his inner circle – including Prince Andrew – should be worried because he now may be willing to turn over information to keep himself out of jail for a very long time.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesman told the Daily Mail: “The Duke of York has not visited any home of Mr Epstein or met with him since December 2010 when the photograph in Central Park was taken.”
It is understood it is unlikely Prince Andrew will be named in the case.
According to , Epstein threw a star-studded bash in the prince’s honour during his controversial stay with the criminal.
There were reportedly 15 people at the party including journalist Katie Couric, comedienne Chelsea Handler, former Clinton communications chief George Stephanopoulos and alleged sex offender Woody Allen.
The party took place two months after the engagement of Prince William and his now-wife Kate – and the wedding was the hot topic of conversation amongst the guests.
According to the report, broadcaster Ms Couric told Andrew that she would be covering the wedding for CBS and is said to have asked him: “If I mail your BlackBerry, will you give me the details on what is happening inside?”
According to the party was arranged by Epstein pal and event organiser Peggy Siegal who wanted to meet the Duke.
Prince Andrew has faced scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein – who he holidayed with in Thailand in 2001 and invited to stay at Windsor Castle and the Queen’s Sandringham estate.
The Duke was pictured with his arm around the waist of Virginia Giuffre – a woman who claims she was Epstein’s underage sex slave.
And in explosive US court papers, she claims she was forced to sleep with Epstein's friends – however the allegations were later struck from the record as being "immaterial and impertinent".
Prince Andrew has strongly denied any involvement with Mrs Giuffre.
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Epstein’s mansion on the Upper East Side of Mahattan, where the party reportedly took place, was raided by cops last weekend.
Officers found pictures of naked women some of whom appeared to be underage, prosecutors said.
The billionaire hedge fund manager is accused of maintaining a “vast network of underage victims” – some as young as 14.
He faces 45 years in jail if found guilty on all counts.
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