Lithuanian Figures Linked to Jeffrey Epstein in Newly Released Documents
– Newly released documents from the US Justice Department related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein include correspondence with several prominent Lithuanian figures, according to media reports. The Justice Department has made public approximately 3.5 million pages of material tied to Epstein following a court order, though many documents are heavily redacted.
Among those identified in the records are Lithuanian businessman Valdas Petreikis, model Ditė Antanaitytė, and violinist Justina Auškelytė. Epstein, a US financier, was convicted of sexually exploiting minors and died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His case previously exposed ties to numerous influential figures worldwide.
Financial Ties and Inheritance
The documents reveal that Petreikis was introduced to Epstein by his wife, Simona. In a email, Simona Petreikė wrote to Epstein that her husband had organized events in Lithuania for seven years and sought to elevate those projects with investment from Epstein. She also expressed the importance of her friendship with Epstein, stating that his investments in her studies and career had been transformative.
Financial records show that in , a foundation operating in the US Virgin Islands linked to Epstein transferred 75,000 euros to a Vilnius-based company, Fors projektai, with Petreikis listed as the sole shareholder at the time, according to Lithuania’s business registry. The organization Baleto Teatras (Ballet Theatre) received $18,000 in and another $10,000 on .
Condemnation and Refusal of Inheritance
Lithuanian MP Petreikis has unequivocally condemned Epstein’s crimes and stated that accepting any inheritance from him “cannot even be considered.”
Epstein’s Lithuanian Ancestry
Correspondence released as part of the documents indicates that Epstein claimed his grandparents were from Lithuania.
Broader Context of Released Documents
The release of these documents is part of a larger effort to provide transparency related to Epstein and his associates. The Justice Department confirmed on , that more than three million pages of records, alongside over 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, have been made public. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the release.
The newly disclosed files also name other prominent individuals, including former US President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. However, authorities have emphasized that inclusion in the documents does not indicate wrongdoing, and no charges have been brought against those named in connection with the release.
Other Lithuanian Connections
Reports indicate that other Lithuanian figures are also mentioned in the released documents, though details remain limited due to redactions. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the connections between Epstein and individuals in Lithuania.
It’s important to note, as stated by the BBC, that being named or pictured in the files is not an indication of wrongdoing, and many of those identified have expressly denied any wrongdoing.