Topline
Lawyers representing Virginia Giuffre, the woman suing Prince Andrew over claims he sexually abused her when she was being trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein, asked the court Friday for help getting testimony from the prince’s former assistant and a woman who says she saw Andrew at a nightclub with a young girl in 2001.
Prince Andrew The Duke of York arrives at the Headquarters of CrossRail in Canary Wharf on March 7, … [+]
Key Facts
Giuffre’s legal team filed a motion Friday with U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan requesting help securing overseas testimony from Shukri Walker, a woman who says she saw Prince Andrew dancing with a young girl in 2001 at Tramp nightclub in London.
Walker’s story appears to corroborate Giuffre’s account of the night she says Andrew sexually abused her at the home of Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking last month (Andrew claims he has no recollection of ever meeting Giuffre).
Giuffre’s attorneys are also seeking testimony from Robert Olney, Prince Andrew’s former equerry, a high-ranking member of the royal household who assists royal family members.
According to the filing, Olney likely has relevant information about Andrew’s relationship with Epstein, and notes that Olney’s name appears in Epstein’s infamous black book.
Key Background
On Wednesday, Kaplan ruled that Giuffre’s case against Andrew can move forward, rejecting an argument from the prince’s legal team that a $500,000 settlement between Epstein and Giuffre in 2009 shielded Andrew from the civil case going to trial. However, Kaplan noted the settlement — which contains language referring to “potential defendants” being protected from future lawsuits brought by Giuffre — may help Andrew’s case in court. The decision clears the way for Andrew to face an embarrassing trial and a discovery process that could potentially involve other members of the royal family. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing. Andrew can still avoid trial if he settles with Giuffre, but on Thursday her attorney David Boies indicated she was unlikely to accept a “purely financial settlement” with the prince. “I think it’s very important to Virginia Giuffre that this matter be resolved in a way that vindicates her and vindicates the other victims,” he told the BBC.
Tangent
On Thursday, Buckingham Palace announced Andrew will be stripped of his military titles and royal patronages. He has not performed any royal duties since 2019, when he stepped down as a working member of the royal family over backlash from his friendship with Epstein.
Further Reading
Queen Strips Prince Andrew Of Military Titles As Sex Abuse Trial Looms (Forbes)
Prince Andrew To Face U.S. Civil Sex Assault Trial (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2022/01/14/prince-andrews-accuser-seeks-testimony-from-his-former-assistant-in-sex-abuse-trial/