Fake passport shows Epstein is flight risk, say prosecutors

JEFFREY EPSTEIN kept a fake passport in a safe filled with diamonds and piles of cash, prosecutors have claimed, as they argued before a judge yesterday to keep the registered sex offender behind bars ahead of his trial.

Epstein, 66, will find out on Thursday if he will be granted bail. His lawyers claim that he can remain under house arrest in his $77 million (£62 million) Upper East Side mansion, on a $100million bail, as he awaits trial on charges of sex trafficking of minors. They have offered to forfeit his passport and private jet.

Prosecutors argue that Epstein, a well-connected financier who counted the Duke of York, Donald Trump and Bill Clinton among his former friends, poses a significant flight risk.

They presented the expired passport, featuring Epstein’s photograph, a fake name and a given home address in Saudi Arabia as evidence of his likelihood of escaping. They also brought forward two of his accusers to testify of their fears of his being released.

Annie Farmer said she was 16 when she “had the misfortune” of meeting Epstein. She tearfully told the court that he behaved inappropriately, but did not give details.

Courtney Wild said she was abused by Epstein in Palm Beach, Florida, from the age of 14. She described him as a “scary person” and urged detention “for the safety of any other girls” out there.

Prosecutors said their case is getting “stronger by the day” after several more women contacted them to say he abused them when they were under age. They also said they believe Epstein might have tried to influence witnesses after discovering that he had paid a total of $350,000 to two individuals in the past year.

Judge Richard Berman said he needed more time to make a decision during a hearing Monday in New York.

Since his arrest on July 7, Epstein has been held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Manhattan.