A previously unseen email, photographed on the desk of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has emerged, casting new light on the financial entanglements of Sarah, Duchess of York, and raising further questions about her relationship with the late financier.
Unpaid Debts and a Mysterious Printout
The finances of the former Duchess of York have long been under scrutiny. She has previously admitted to borrowing money from Epstein, a decision she later called a "gigantic error of judgement." However, this new evidence suggests deeper financial woes.
The image was shared by photographer Christopher Anderson, who took portraits of Epstein for a since-killed New York Magazine article. Among the photos from Epstein's home, taken in 2015, is a clear shot of a printed email chain dated February 2011 lying on his desk.
The correspondence appears to be between John O'Sullivan, Sarah Ferguson's former personal assistant, and Amanda Thirsk, then-Prince Andrew's private secretary. In it, O'Sullivan details a dispute over $59,933 in unpaid wages and fees owed to him by the Duchess.
"I have expressed my concern to you that despite all our concerted efforts I still remain unpaid," the alleged email reads. O'Sullivan states he had reduced the original sum of $72,596 as part of an agreement, which he claims was accepted by both the Duke and Duchess of York via email.
A cryptic, one-word response from someone identified as "the Duke" is included in the thread: "Er?".
Epstein's Bizarre Involvement and Lasting Fallout
The presence of this email printout on Epstein's desk years after it was sent presents a significant mystery. It remains unclear how or why Epstein obtained it, and whether he was involved in the financial dispute.
This revelation follows previous reports that Sarah Ferguson remained in contact with Epstein long after publicly disavowing him in 2011. She has admitted to taking £15,000 from him to pay a staff member, though some reports allege he "bankrolled" her for over a decade.
The fallout from her association has been severe. Charities severed ties with her, and her public brand was labelled "toxic." Biographer Andrew Lownie told the Mirror that her private emails to Epstein, sent after her public condemnation, revealed a "cynical side."
Key Figures in the Email Drama
John O'Sullivan worked as Fergie's PA from 1996 to 2010. Reports in 2011 confirmed he was among her largest private creditors, owed £75,000, but eventually settled for just £18,750.
Amanda Thirsk was Prince Andrew's long-serving private secretary and a trusted advisor. She left her role after the fallout from his disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview and now works in the private sector.
The photographer, Christopher Anderson, described a threatening encounter with Epstein over the portrait rights, claiming the financier sent a bodyguard to intimidate him. He recently rediscovered the images, including the email photo, on an old hard drive.
A spokesperson for Sarah Ferguson declined to comment. Buckingham Palace also did not respond to requests for comment.
