LRT reviewed more than 600 released documents as part of the so-called Epstein files to build a picture of how one Lithuanian woman became entangled in the recruitment network of a convicted paedophile.
To ensure anonymity, LRT has decided not to publish the woman’s name, surname or profession. LRT repeatedly attempted to contact the woman by phone, email and via social media accounts, but received no response.
Introduced by another Lithuanian woman
Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender and financier who maintained close ties with some of the world’s most influential politicians, business figures and celebrities.
Following a highly controversial plea deal with prosecutors, he was convicted in Florida in 2008 of soliciting sexual services from a 14-year-old girl. He was sentenced to 13 months in prison and was released in 2009.
Ona (name changed) met Epstein after this, in 2010. According to the documents, she was introduced to him by another Lithuanian woman who, judging by her messages to the American, knew that he had been convicted and imprisoned.
Despite this, the woman wrote to Epstein in April 2010 saying she had found a girl, Ona, who might agree to work for him. “Take a look and tell me what you think. If you like her, I’ll do what I can to contact her and get what you need. Big kiss!” the Lithuanian woman wrote in an email.
After Epstein expressed interest, just a couple of days later, the woman wrote again with good news: Ona was interested in the offer and had asked about the working conditions and what exactly she would have to do.
“Also, she’s coming to New York on Tuesday, not just to visit but to look for work! Do you want to contact her directly or should I just explain to her what you want?” the woman wrote.
The correspondence suggests that Ona and Epstein met. Afterwards, when the woman who had introduced them asked what the US businessman thought of Ona and whether she had got the job, he replied: “She was just as you said, kind, thoughtful etc.”
Later, Ona and Epstein began exchanging emails, although there was no mention of any official work for Epstein.
By June, communication between Ona and Epstein had gone beyond formal exchanges. The young woman shared personal feelings with the US millionaire, saying she was sad that her friends were moving away and she was being left alone, without a shoulder to cry on.
Epstein replied: “You are smart, but you behave like a child; it’s time to grow up. [...] I told you that New York wouldn’t be easy, on the very first day we met. I want to help, but you will have to play your part.” He also added that she could have his shoulder whenever she needed it.
Ona and Epstein continued to correspond intensively by email, and documents released by the US Department of Justice show that meetings with Ona appeared repeatedly in Epstein’s diary. Sometimes they met alone, sometimes together with other girls. Meetings with her were also planned at his notorious New York apartment.
The young woman repeatedly thanked him for the communication, and Ona reminded in a letter in 2010 that he was welcome in Lithuania.
The Lithuanian woman herself showed initiative, often hinting that she would like to see Epstein. For example, in April 2011, Ona thanked Epstein for a pleasant conversation and promised to let him know if she came to Paris. “Will you have space to host two Cindarellas in your Paris castle?” Ona asked, receiving a curt reply from Epstein: “Yes.”
LRT also found a scheduled meeting in Epstein’s diary involving Ona, the renowned literary agent John Brockman and a third person identified as Josh. This suggests that Ona was drawn into the network and communicated with other influential figures.
Introducing to other women
The correspondence also reveals a broader network of girls. Documents examined by LRT confirm that Ona introduced Epstein to other Lithuanian women and helped coordinate meeting times and places with them.
“Hi, Jonė [name changed], I got your email address from Ona. Might you be able to come see Jeffrey this WEd. April13th at his home in NY?” Epstein’s assistant wrote to a new woman.
Epstein also asked Ona to tell other girls “the whole story” about him. The impression is that he wanted her to recommend him to other Lithuanian women.
“[Name redacted] is in Lithuania and wants to come to New York to study at Juilliard. I told her I would pay for her dorm. Before she searches Google and has a heart attack, please tell her the whole story,” Epstein wrote.
Among other things, Epstein asked Ona to help him find a personal assistant.
“I’m still looking for an assistant to help organise my meetings and travel, who would be available 24 hours a day… I understand that this doesn’t suit you personally. But I would really appreciate it if you could keep an eye out for someone who fits this description,” Epstein wrote to Ona.
“A very close assistant? 24 hours a day? Good luck! I’m joking – I’ll definitely keep an eye out,” she promised.
Taken together, the documents create a picture in which people who came to Epstein’s attention were encouraged to expand this network of girls.
For example, in another email chain found by LRT, Epstein tells another woman, Karolina (name changed): “Please bring me my wife.” She replies: “Ona and I spent the whole night looking for your future wife!”
When Epstein asks whether the search “was successful”, Karolina responds: “We know a few very sweet ones, but they are in Russia or Lithuania (Litvania).”
Other documents show that Karolina, like Ona, introduced girls to Epstein. In one email she writes: “I have a girl from Kyiv in New York for you.” After he gives the address of his apartment, Karolina replies: “She’s coming. She’s a top model in Kyiv and knows everyone. Have fun.”
However, the documents released by the US Department of Justice do not reveal what took place at these meetings.
What also stands out is that in her correspondence with Epstein, Ona makes ambiguous references to the Virgin Islands: “I hope you’re doing well on your ‘virgin’ island :)”.
The island owned by Epstein was dubbed “Paedophile Island” by locals. It functioned as a base for the widespread sexual crimes and trafficking of minors carried out by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Thai massage courses
The documents examined by LRT also highlight a power imbalance between Ona and Epstein. In their emails, they discuss the woman’s future and her prospects for study at length.
The correspondence often suggests pressure from him regarding her education. Following Epstein’s advice, the woman also begins attending ballet classes.
In May 2010, Epstein arranged meetings for the Lithuanian woman with an undisclosed individual connected to specific studies. However, he added that “between us, it would be good if Ona’s studies started in the autumn”.
The very next day he asked how the meeting with Epstein’s contact had gone. Ona replied that everything was fine, but that she would only be able to start her studies in the autumn.
“And what would you like to do… maybe other courses… Thai massage. I don’t want you to waste your time until autumn,” Epstein wrote, exerting pressure.
Various testimonies and documents confirm that the sex offender Epstein and Maxwell forced victims to perform massages, which eventually ended in sexual abuse.
In her emails, Ona also complained to Epstein about her financial situation and the high cost of her studies. At the same time, she asked him for favours – tickets to film premieres, parties and a visa to Dubai.
LRT found no information indicating that Epstein made any direct financial payments to Ona.
Flirting and affectionate words
At the beginning of their acquaintance, the Lithuanian woman told Epstein that she would not have sexual relations with him and that their communication was purely friendly. Later emails, however, give an impression of the much closer nature of their relationship.
In one email, for example, Ona tells him about her long working hours and how much and how hard she works: “I feel like a superwoman. I’ll soon become very slim… the way you like it hahaha. I like hard work and new experiences.”
In correspondence from 2011, the Lithuanian woman asks: “Is there anything I could do that would make your life even better?” She also sends Epstein a Valentine’s Day message: “I wish you crazy love and your favourite – as much sexy time as possible.”
LRT also found emails referring to Epstein’s Lithuanian roots.
Just a month after they met, Ona wrote that she had enjoyed how beautifully Epstein played the piano. She also described how she was having fun with other Lithuanian girls.
“I remember you said you’re partly Lithuanian, so if you want, come over, dress like a girl and practise your accent,” Ona jokes.
In another exchange, the Lithuanian woman shares an experience in which, due to visa misunderstandings, she had to spend a night in a place resembling a prison, where officials allegedly “undressed her with their eyes”.
Ona claims that she and Epstein now “have similar experiences”, likely referring to his earlier arrest. “Ona has become a bad girl, so you might start liking me,” she writes.
In another email, Epstein writes to his assistant: “Get Ona some perfume for her birthday. Wrap it well.” The assistant asks whether Epstein knows which perfume Ona likes most, to which he replies: “CK?”
The Lithuanian woman writes to Epstein to wish him a Merry Christmas, says how much she misses him, and on the last day of the year, Ona and Epstein exchange New Year greetings. “I hope you grow up at least a little this year…” he jokes. “Hahahaha, I love you, Jeff!” she replies.
At the same time, a clearer picture of how Epstein may have viewed Ona emerges from his other correspondence. The Lithuanian woman’s name appears in emails from unknown individuals in 2012 and 2016. These introduce new women to Epstein, suggesting that they are even better than Ona.
“Google (name redacted). I definitely recommend her, she’s at Ona’s level, but even younger and smarter,” reads a 2012 email from an unknown sender.
“Better than Ona and easy-going,” says another email.
“Jeffrey, this one is great, very beautiful like Ona, easy to talk to, not super smart, but loves massages,” reads the final comparison.
In 2019, Epstein died in prison while awaiting trial on charges of large-scale sex trafficking. For a long time, there were demands for the US Department of Justice to release the information it held on the sex offender, given that his connections included some of the world’s most influential figures.
Last week, the US Department of Justice released three million documents, stating that they were related to Epstein.
Survivors of sexual abuse, lawmakers and human rights advocates have criticised the US Department of Justice, saying it continues to withhold some documents.
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