Paris: A former French model has come forward with disturbing allegations against a French modelling scout. She claims he groomed her and introduced her to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in New York. Juliette G., now 43, shared her story with investigators as part of ongoing probes into Epstein’s network and its French connections.
Grooming Tactics Exposed in Detail
Juliette described how the scout, Daniel Siad, approached her on a Paris street in 2004 when she was just 21. He offered professional modelling opportunities in the United States. She accepted a plane ticket and arrived in New York with little information. Upon reaching a Madison Avenue address, she briefly met Epstein, whose name Siad had not mentioned earlier.
Transitioning to the troubling events that followed, Epstein took her passport, leaving her feeling trapped. He gave her money for shopping and later demanded to inspect her body under the pretext of modelling advice. Juliette said he groped her and suggested she work as an escort if she needed cash. She eventually retrieved her passport from a pile of others and escaped the situation.
Second Accuser Shares Similar Experience
Ebba Karlsson, a former Swedish model, also accused Siad of grooming her in 1990 when she was 20. She claimed he promised modelling success, took her to France, and then raped her. He later introduced her to modelling agent Gerald Marie, whom she also accuses of sexual assault. Both women say they want to help authorities identify accomplices in Epstein’s trafficking network.
Siad denies all the accusations through his lawyer. He argues he should not bear responsibility for the actions of others who are now deceased. French investigators continue to examine links between several modelling figures and Epstein’s crimes. Epstein died in custody in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.
These fresh allegations highlight the long shadow cast by the Epstein scandal. They also fuel the global reckoning with sexual abuse in the fashion industry that gained momentum through the MeToo movement. Victims now speak out years later, hoping to prevent similar exploitation of young aspiring models.
