Prince Andrew's Accuser Virginia Roberts Says 'Others Must Be Held Accountable' After Ghislaine Maxwell Trial: 'I Have Faith That They Will Be'
After Ghislaine Maxwell — who was pals with Jeffrey Epstein — was found guilty of five child sex trafficking charges, Virginia Roberts, who is currently suing Prince Andrew for allegedly raping her when she was 17 years old, was thrilled about the news.
“My soul yearned for justice for years and the jury gave me just that. I will remember this day always," she tweeted. “Having lived with the horrors of Maxwell’s abuse, my heart goes out to the many other girls and young women who suffered at her hands and whose lives she destroyed. I hope that today is not the end but rather another step in justice being served. Maxwell did not act alone. Others must be held accountable. I have faith that they will be.”
The only count Maxwell was found not guilty of was enticing a minor to travel to engage in sex acts. Following the trial, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams made a statement about the heinous acts.
"A unanimous jury has found Ghislaine Maxwell guilty of one of the worst crimes imaginable — facilitating and participating in the sexual abuse of children. Crimes that she committed with her long-time partner and co-conspirator, Jeffrey Epstein," he said. "The road to justice has been far too long. But, today, justice has been done. I want to commend the bravery of the girls - now grown women — who stepped out of the shadows and into the courtroom. Their courage and willingness to face their abuser made this case, and today's result, possible."
In the documents, which were obtained by The Royal Observer, Roberts claims that the royal "sexually abused Plaintiff in Epstein’s New York mansion in this District."
"On another occasion, Prince Andrew sexually abused Plaintiff on Epstein’s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Little St. James," the documents state. "During each of the aforementioned incidents, Plaintiff was compelled by express or implied threats by Epstein, Maxwell, and/or Prince Andrew to engage in sexual acts with Prince Andrew, and feared death or physical injury to herself or another and other repercussions for disobeying Epstein, Maxwell, and Prince Andrew due to their powerful connections, wealth, and authority."
However, Andrew has maintained his innocence, saying, "It didn't happen. I can absolutely categorically tell you it never happened. I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever."
Andrew's trial is expected to occur sometime between September and December 2022.
