US Congressman Identifies Woman in Prince Andrew Photo as Sex Trafficking Victim
A woman photographed beneath Prince Andrew inside Jeffrey Epstein's New York mansion has been formally identified in United States proceedings as a victim of sex trafficking, according to a prominent US lawmaker. The revelation emerged during a heated congressional hearing where California congressman Ted Lieu confronted Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Department of Justice's handling of Epstein-related cases.
Congressional Confrontation Over Unprosecuted Royal
During the Department of Justice Oversight Committee hearing, Representative Lieu displayed the now infamous photographs showing Prince Andrew grinning while positioned over an unidentified female. The congressman demanded to know why American authorities have never prosecuted the former royal despite what he described as clear evidence of criminal involvement.
"We are looking at a sex trafficking victim under the federal Victims Trafficking Protection Act," Lieu declared during the exchange. "Not only is Jeffrey Epstein guilty, but anyone who patronised Epstein's sex operation is also guilty of a crime. That's why I find it absolutely despicable that you sought to protect Epstein's clients, like former Prince Andrew."
Legal Framework and Congressional Pressure
The confrontation centered on the federal Victims of Trafficking Protection Act, which criminalizes not only trafficking itself but also knowingly benefiting from participation in such operations. Lieu's intervention significantly increased political pressure on the Department of Justice regarding its July 2025 memo that stated investigators had not uncovered sufficient evidence to pursue uncharged third parties.
During the hearing, which included victims of Epstein in the gallery, Lieu challenged Bondi directly: "These two photos staring you in the face are evidence of a crime, and more than enough evidence to predicate an investigation against former Prince Andrew. So I ask you, Attorney General Counsel, why did you shut down this investigation last July? And why have you not prosecuted former Prince Andrew?"
Photographic Evidence and Previous Legal Proceedings
While US authorities have previously described women connected to Epstein's circle as victims under federal trafficking laws, this marks the first official identification of the specific woman photographed beneath Prince Andrew as a trafficking victim in formal proceedings. The image places Andrew inside Epstein's New York property alongside a confirmed victim of the convicted sex offender.
This development follows years of controversy surrounding Prince Andrew's association with Jeffrey Epstein. The former Duke of York has never been charged with any criminal offense in the United States, with US prosecutors previously stating they found no basis to bring charges against him. Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied any wrongdoing throughout the various investigations and allegations.
Historical Context and Civil Settlement
In 2022, Prince Andrew reached an out-of-court civil settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who had filed a lawsuit in New York alleging sexual assault. The settlement explicitly stated it was not an admission of liability. Giuffre, who died last year, had alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew in multiple locations when she was 17 years old.
The photograph of Andrew and Giuffre, taken inside Ghislaine Maxwell's London home, previously served as central evidence in public scrutiny of his links to Epstein. Now this newly discussed image from Epstein's New York mansion adds another layer to the ongoing controversy, showing Andrew with a different identified trafficking victim.
Epstein Case Background
Jeffrey Epstein died in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell was later convicted of sex trafficking offenses and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. The Department of Justice has maintained that its comprehensive review did not uncover sufficient evidence to pursue additional individuals beyond those already prosecuted.
Congressman Lieu's public identification of the woman in the photograph as a trafficking victim represents a significant escalation in political pressure regarding the Epstein investigation's scope and the Department of Justice's decisions regarding potential co-conspirators. The hearing highlighted ongoing questions about whether all individuals who benefited from Epstein's operation have faced appropriate legal scrutiny.
