Who is Maria Farmer?

Maria Farmer is an American artist who worked briefly for Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in the mid-1990s. She is widely recognized as the first known person to report Epstein and Maxwell to law enforcement, filing a complaint with the FBI in 1996 after experiencing and witnessing abuse.

What Happened: In 1995–96, Farmer worked for Epstein at his New York mansion, assisting with artwork. She alleges that during this period Epstein sexually assaulted her, and she witnessed Maxwell recruiting young women. After the assault, she sought help from the FBI and the New York Police Department.

The FBI Complaint: Farmer says she told FBI agents about Epstein and Maxwell’s activities, naming Maxwell specifically. According to Farmer, authorities did nothing. She later said she was surveilled and intimidated following her complaint, forcing her to move multiple times.

Her Sister: Farmer’s younger sister, Annie Farmer, was separately victimized by Epstein while a teenager when visiting Zorro Ranch in New Mexico. Both sisters testified in the Maxwell trial. Annie Farmer was identified as “Minor Victim 4” in the indictment.

Public Role: Maria Farmer became a prominent public voice calling for accountability. She gave extensive media interviews, including with NBC News, and expressed frustration at institutional failures to act on early warnings. She has spoken about long-term health problems she attributes partly to the trauma and stress of the subsequent years.

Her 1996 complaint represents one of the earliest documented attempts to alert authorities to Epstein’s criminal activities — years before the Palm Beach investigation that finally triggered legal action.