Paris prosecutors open two Epstein-linked probes and call on victims to come forward

Paris prosecutors launch two investigations into Epstein-linked crimes, urging victims to come forward following newly released evidence.

Paris prosecutors opened on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) two new investigations into potential sex abuse crimes and financial wrongdoings linked to Jeffrey Epstein following the release of millions of files of the millionaire financier and convicted sex offender, and called on possible victims to come forward.

Paris prosecutor Laurence Beccuau said the investigations are seeking to use the files released by the U.S. administration, media reports and new complaints that are being filed.

“All that data … some will shed light on others to be able to get a well-informed, very broad, panoramic view,” Ms. Beccuau said on France Info news broadcaster.

One investigation will focus on sex abuse crimes, the other on financial wrongdoing, each involving specialized magistrates, she added.

The move comes after the release by the U.S. Justice Department of more than three million pages of documents, as well as thousands of videos and photos related to Epstein, who died behind bars in 2019.

“These publications will inevitably reactivate the trauma of certain victims,” she said. “We are convinced that some [victims] are not necessarily known to us, and that perhaps these publications will lead them to come forward.”