US lawmaker urges King Charles to meet Epstein victims during Capitol visit

US Rep. Ro Khanna on Monday urged King Charles to meet privately with survivors of late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell during his US visit.

"As author of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, I respectfully ask that you privately meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s and Ghislaine Maxwell’s abuse, so they may speak to you directly about the ways powerful individuals and institutions failed them.

"Survivors want this meeting," Khanna wrote in the letter to the king.

King Charles is expected to address a joint meeting of Congress the week of April 27.

Khanna said his request comes in light of recent developments in the UK, including renewed scrutiny of individuals and institutions with ties to Epstein and his network.

"As you are aware, this is not solely an American matter. Epstein's network had significant ties to the United Kingdom through Ghislaine Maxwell, through Epstein's relationships with British public figures, and through the social and political circles in which he operated," he added.

Last month, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following recent Epstein revelations.

The former prince has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.

Epstein was found dead in his New York City jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. In 2008, he pleaded guilty in a court in the state of Florida of procuring a minor for prostitution, but critics call the relatively minor conviction a “sweetheart deal.”

His victims have alleged that he operated a sprawling sex trafficking network that was used by members of the wealthy and political elite.

Epstein’s case has remained a politically charged issue in the US, with lawmakers and victims’ advocates from across the spectrum demanding greater transparency about his network of associates and any individuals who may have facilitated his crimes.