Andrew teen sex writ sent by Royal Mail
LAWYERS for the woman accusing Prince Andrew of sex assault have been told they have one week to ‘find alternative means’ of serving legal papers on him – after a judge heard they tried to post them via the Royal Mail.
Virginia Giuffre, 38, has accused the Queen’s son of having sex with her three times when she was 17 – in London, New York and the British Virgin Islands.
She alleges she was used as an underage sex slave by the Duke of York’s billionaire financier friend Jeffrey Epstein and his then-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.
Andrew, 61 – being represented by high-profile Hollywood lawyer Andrew B Brettler – vehemently denies her claims.
Last month, she lodged a civil claim in the US against the duke for rape, sexual assault and battery.
Legal papers from her team were left with staff at the gates of his Windsor home last week. Her lawyers claim they have been sent ‘multiple ways’ – including the post and email.
Last night, the duke’s lawyers took part in a phone conference originally ordered by Judge Lewis Kaplan to set a timetable for the case.
But they told him: ‘We do contest the validity of service.’ And Mr Brettler told the judge the sex assault claim against
Andrew was ‘baseless,
non-viable and potentially unlawful’. His team is said to want the case thrown out on a technicality over a 2009 document Ms Giuffre signed in a secret settlement with Epstein. The papers are legally sealed and the prince’s legal team have asked for the document to be produced. Last night, Judge Kaplan scheduled a new hearing for October 13. Attorney Mr Brettler, 44, has carved out a successful career defending allegations arising from the #MeToo movement. His showbiz clients have included That 70s Show star Danny Masterson, producer and director Bryan Singer and musician Ryan Adams, the Hollywood Reporter said. There was no official comment from the duke’s legal team last night. Maxwell has also denied claims made against her.