Proposed New York Legislation Targets Modeling Agencies Over Epstein Connections

New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie has introduced a sex trafficking bill aimed at holding modeling agencies and industry figures accountable for facilitating sexual abuse. The legislative proposal follows investigations detailing how executives at US modeling firms allegedly directed young models to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

According to records from the United States Department of Justice examined in the investigation, several industry figures maintained financial and professional ties with Epstein. In one case, a former model from Uzbekistan reported being sent by agency MC2 Model Management to photoshoots at Epstein's Florida residence in 2009. At the time, Epstein was serving a prison sentence for child sex offences but was granted daily work-release privileges at his home.

The former model stated that the agency’s management was aware of her location during the visits, where she reported being systematically assaulted. The agency's US president at the time, Jeff Fuller, subsequently established a new agency named The Source Models after MC2 dissolved its US branch in 2019. Department files indicate that 50 models were transferred to Fuller's new enterprise and that Epstein had provided 1 million dollars to MC2 in 2005. Fuller previously stated he had no knowledge of any abuse, while requests for comment sent to The Source Models yielded no response.

Department of Justice records further indicate that former model agent Ramsey Elkholy attempted to connect 34 women to Epstein. In a statement, Elkholy rejected allegations that he facilitated abuse, stating he had no knowledge of unlawful conduct at the time and believed Epstein’s account of his 2008 legal proceedings. Separately, an eastern European survivor reported being introduced by Epstein to Faith Kates, then-head of Next Management. Lawyers for Kates stated that she was misled by Epstein and denied that she had ever instructed models to undergo cosmetic procedures. Next Management did not respond to inquiries.

The proposed legislation by Senator Myrie seeks to expand law enforcement authority to investigate potential enablers who knew or should have known about abuse within the industry. This initiative challenges a prior assessment by the Department of Justice, which stated last year that no evidence had been uncovered to warrant further investigation against uncharged third parties. Sara Ziff, founder of the advocacy organization Model Alliance, noted that agencies often serve as the structural link between models and perpetrators. Legal representatives for victims similarly stated that scouts and assistants played critical roles in identifying targets and maintaining Epstein's access to victims.

Written by Thorben Thiede thorben.thiede@alpineweekly.com