- Investigators are reportedly probing an oceanic conservancy group founded by Ghislaine Maxwell —Jeffrey Epstein's close associate and alleged madam — for possible ties to Epstein.
- The New York Post reported that one girl who was identified as a member of the board of The TerraMar Project was also listed as a passenger on two different flights taken by Epstein's private plane in 2005.
- Filings reviewed by Business Insider show that Maxwell poured over $500,000 into the non-profit to keep it afloat. It was shuttered earlier this month, days after Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges.
- Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories.
Investigators are reportedly probing an oceanic conservancy group founded by Ghislaine Maxwell —Jeffrey Epstein's close associate and alleged madam — for possible ties to Epstein.
British-born socialite Maxwell, 57, has been the subject of allegations for years that she was Epstein's top accomplice and has been accused of recruiting victims and abusing them alongside the financier. She has not been named in the most recent indictment of Epstein and has denied any wrongdoing.
The New York Post reported that The TerraMar Project, which recent filings show appeared to have been kept afloat by more than $500,000 from Maxwell herself, has come into the crosshairs of the investigation as at least one young woman involved with the organization had contact with Epstein.
According to the Post, prosecutors say Epstein transported young women between properties in New York, Palm Beach, and the Virgin Islands on his fleet of private jets, referred to as the "Lolita Express," between 2002 and 2005.
The Post reported that a young woman identified as a member of the board of the TerraMar Project was also listed as a passenger on two different flights from JFK Airport taken by Epstein's private plane in 2005 when she was 19.
The woman also lived in a three-bedroom home in Teaneck, New Jersey that public records have traced back to Maxwell, according to the report.
The Post added that it is not clear at this time what the woman was doing on the flights and she did not return calls for comment. The report also cited an FBI source who would not confirm what the investigation into the charity is focused on.
The non-profit was shuttered earlier this month, days after Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges.
The nonprofit's stated intent, according to tax documents published on ProPublica and reviewed by Business Insider, was "to create a global ocean community to give a voice to the least protected, most ignored part of our planet — the high seas."
Its website now features a single statement: "The TerraMar Project is sad to announce that it will cease all operations. The website will be closed. TerraMar's mission has always been to connect ocean lovers to positive actions, highlight science, and bring conscious change to how to people from across the globe can live, work and enjoy the ocean. TerraMar wants to thank all its supporters, partners, and fellow ocean lovers."
Got tips? Email ecranley@businessinsider.com.
Read more:
Jeffrey Epstein reportedly visited the White House several times while Bill Clinton was president
Join the conversation about this story »
https://ift.tt/2JZsx71
Business and Marketing support on the best price; Hit the link now----> http://bit.ly/2EadkNl