Former model sues French state over delay in Epstein recruiter rape investigation

Following the death of modelling scout Daniel Siad in July, Ebba Karlsson is seeking compensation from the French justice system over its alleged "inaction" in the investigation of her rape allegation against him. 

The Swedish former model has accused Siad of raping her in the 1990s. 

Pointing to complaints she filed on several occasions, starting from 2020, her lawyers said Siad was never taken into custody or questioned, which they describe as “wrongful inaction by the public justice service”.

“Despite everything, it was not considered necessary to question Daniel Siad and he died on 20 July without ever having been interviewed by the police,” said Colomba Grossi, one of the lawyers representing Karlsson.

Siad was found dead at his home in Colombes, in the Paris region. His death ended the investigation into the allegations against him, although it did not affect the wider investigation by the Paris prosecutor's office into the Epstein case.

“It feels like a slap in the face because there was evidence against him and, on the day he died, we were told that there was not enough evidence to arrest him,” Grossi said.

French model recruiter with links to Epstein found dead near Paris

'Troubling deaths'

The organisation Innocence in Danger has brought a separate case against the state, citing "glaring inertia, excessive delays and a lack of transparency" in the public prosecutor's investigation into the French connections in Epstein's network. 

Lawyer Mathias Darmon said the organisation contacted the Paris prosecutor in July 2019, highlighting Epstein's links to France, including his “regular trips” to Paris and “his ongoing relationships with several intermediaries, recruiters or figures in the modelling industry based in France”.

Innocence in Danger points to "a troubling series of deaths among people linked to the case, including victims and key witnesses".

These include Siad and Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modelling agent and alleged Epstein recruiter who died by suicide in custody in February 2022.

Fashion capital Paris was 'epicentre' of Epstein network, new book claims

Earlier this year, following the publication of millions of documents relating to Epstein, the Paris prosecutor's office announced that specialist prosecutors had been appointed to examine possible offences involving French nationals. It also ordered “a full reanalysis of the Brunel investigation”.

Innocence in Danger is seeking €15,000 in damages over what it calls a “denial of justice” in the handling of the French side of the Epstein case.

Karlsson's lawyers are seeking €50,000, arguing that serious failings by the French state caused their client significant harm.

Initial hearings are expected to take place in 2027.

(with AFP)