How Modelling Agencies Allegedly Helped Jeffrey Epstein Access Young Women Even After His Conviction

A new BBC Eye investigation alleges that modelling-industry figures helped Jeffrey Epstein maintain access to young women after his 2008 conviction, while a proposed New York law seeks to strengthen accountability for alleged trafficking enablers.

An 18-year-old aspiring model has accused MC2 Model Management’s US branch of sending her to Jeffrey Epstein’s Palm Beach home for photoshoots in 2009, when Epstein was serving a jail sentence for sex offences against a minor. The woman, identified as Roza, says the assignments led to her becoming Epstein’s assistant and to years of sexual abuse.

Survivor Alleges Agency Sent Her to Epstein

Roza had arrived in the United States from Uzbekistan about a month earlier when MC2’s US branch sent her to Epstein’s Florida residence. She says the agency knew her destination and that the photoshoots became the route to employment as Epstein’s assistant.

“My agency’s job was to protect me, and they failed. In fact, they put me in danger. And for that, they should be held accountable,” Roza told the BBC World Service. Roza alleges Epstein raped her repeatedly after she began working for him. She also says the person behind the camera at the shoots was not a professional photographer, but Epstein’s then-girlfriend, Nadia Marcinko.

MC2 President Faces Allegations

Roza claims Jeff Fuller, then president of MC2’s US operation, knew about the assignments. “My agency knew exactly where I was. So Jeff knew exactly where I was going,” she said.

An expense statement provided by Roza suggests that Fuller booked her return flight from Palm Beach after her second photoshoot. Fuller had previously said he did not know Roza was going to Epstein’s house or that she was being abused; he did not respond to the latest allegations. DOJ files show Epstein gave MC2 $1 million in 2005. Two years later, the agency’s owners told a US publication that Epstein had no involvement in the company.

Emails Reveal Close Epstein Ties

A March 2012 email from Fuller to Epstein, found in the same federal files, illustrates the closeness of their professional relationship. Writing about another model, Fuller said: “Had it not been for you, we would have fired her months ago.”

He added: “And I would be careful as she blabs about things.” The message does not, by itself, establish that Fuller knew about or participated in Epstein’s abuse. MC2’s US branch was dissolved a month after Epstein’s second arrest in 2019. Fuller later established The Source Models, which received 50 former MC2 models, according to the inquiry; the agency did not respond to requests for comment.

Former Agent Denies Facilitating Abuse

The investigation also examined allegations involving former modelling agent Ramsey Elkholy, whom the records show had a close relationship with Epstein. It found that Elkholy tried to connect Epstein with 34 women, including an 18-year-old who was still in school. In one instance, Elkholy suggested that one of Epstein’s female assistants befriend the young woman before introducing her to Epstein. The woman later told the broadcaster that Epstein sexually abused her at their first meeting, when she was 19.

Elkholy denied knowing about or facilitating abuse. “I completely reject any allegation that I knew of or facilitated abuse of any kind,” he said, adding that he had “misguidedly believed” Epstein’s account of his 2008 legal case.

Next Management Director Faces Questions

Another survivor, identified as Simona, alleges Epstein raped her more than 200 times. She says Epstein introduced her to Faith Kates, then head of Next Management, when Simona was 20 and already signed to a New York modelling agency. Simona claims Kates suggested she undergo plastic surgery and sent details of a surgeon to Epstein. Kates’s lawyers denied that she had ever asked a model to have plastic surgery, saying Epstein was a “master manipulator” who had grossly misled her.

The documents also show Epstein asked Kates to meet five additional models. They do not establish how many of those meetings took place.

Industry Critics Demand Stronger Protections

Sara Ziff, founder of the Model Alliance, which campaigns for stronger protections for models in the US, criticised the industry’s role in connecting aspiring models with powerful men. “Often, [model agencies] are the problem. They are the link between the model and these predatory men,” she said. Sigrid McCawley, lead lawyer for more than 100 Epstein victims, said recruiters played a central role in identifying women for Epstein. “The [model] scouts were really critical because they were the ones who were identifying the type of woman that Epstein liked,” she said.

McCawley added that assistants allegedly used within Epstein’s network had little ability to refuse. “These young survivors were being abused regularly. Their livelihoods were being threatened… They had to do what they were being told to do,” she said.

New York Bill Targets Alleged Enablers

The findings have renewed scrutiny of whether existing law adequately addresses people who allegedly benefited from or facilitated trafficking. New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie has sponsored the Trafficking Survivor Recovery and Accountability Act, Senate Bill S9960B. The legislation would create criminal offences for benefiting from labour and sex trafficking ventures, establish civil remedies for survivors, and revive certain previously time-barred claims. It also provides for trial preference in qualifying revived actions.

Myrie said the proposed law would hold people accountable if they sent models to Epstein while knowing, or having reason to know, what he was doing. “You will be held accountable,” he told the investigation. The amended bill passed the New York Senate on June 2, 2026, and was delivered to the Assembly the same day. It had not become law yet.