Former Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson made contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2009, while he was serving a 12-month jail term for soliciting a child for prostitution. The two exchanged emails and phone calls, with Epstein expressing admiration for Ferguson and telling her she should be running his company.
In a series of emails obtained by investigators, Ferguson signed off with the affectionate nickname "Love Sarah The Red Head.!!" Epstein responded by telling her she looked "great" and had read everything she gave him. He also praised her and told her she was a legend, prompting her to thank him for taking care of her.
Ferguson visited Epstein twice, first on May 5, 2009, and again on May 13. Plans were also made for her to visit him at his office on her way to Canada from Grenada, but these fell through. Epstein was due to meet his sex addiction therapist at his office that day.
A spokesman for Ferguson previously issued a statement expressing her regret for her association with Epstein and her first thoughts being with his victims. The spokesman acknowledged that Ferguson was taken in by Epstein's lies and cut off contact with him as soon as she became aware of the allegations against him. Ferguson then publicly condemned him, prompting Epstein to threaten to sue her for defamation.
