Attorneys for Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre have filed their preliminary requests for witnesses in her lawsuit accusing the British royal of sexually abusing her at age 17.
Just lately launched paperwork present that the prince’s authorized staff is looking for witness accounts from her husband, Robert Giuffre, and her psychologist, Judith Lightfoot, as a part of the civil case filed within the U.S.
Giuffre’s legal professionals, in the meantime, are looking for witness accounts from the prince’s former assistant and a lady who claims to have seen him at a London nightclub along with her throughout the time in query.
The lawsuit cleared a hurdle after a decide earlier this week refused Andrew’s request to have it dismissed.
Giuffre sued Andrew, 61, in August, saying she was coerced into sexual encounters with him in 2001 by Epstein and his longtime companion, Ghislaine Maxwell. Giuffre stated she was sexually abused by Andrew at Maxwell’s London residence, at Epstein’s New York mansion and at Epstein’s property within the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The prince has strenuously denied Giuffre’s allegations, telling the BBC in 2019 that intercourse with Giuffre “didn’t occur” and that he had “no recollection” of assembly her.
Just lately launched paperwork present that Andrew’s legal professionals argue Giuffre “might endure from false recollections,” and say she needs to be questioned about “principle of false recollections” together with different issues mentioned throughout her classes with Giuffre and any prescriptions she wrote for her.
Andrew’s legal professionals need Robert Giuffre to be questioned in regards to the circumstances underneath which the couple met round 2002 and their family funds. They need the testimony from the 2, who’re each Australian residents, by April 29 or as quickly as attainable after that.
Giuffre’s legal professionals, in the meantime, have filed related requests for Andrew’s aspect. They need testimony from his former assistant Robert Olney, whose title they are saying appeared in Epstein’s cellphone e-book underneath “Duke of York,” which they are saying signifies he knew about Andrew’s journey to Epstein’s properties.
Her legal professionals are additionally looking for testimony from Shukri Walker, who they are saying has been quoted in information stories speaking about how she noticed Andrew on the London nightclub Tramp throughout the time interval in query with a younger girl who might need been Giuffre.
The AP doesn’t usually determine individuals who say they’re victims of sexual assault until they select to return ahead publicly, as Giuffre has.
