In 2015, ABC News investigative reporter Amy Robach completed extensive reporting on Jeffrey Epstein that included an interview with Virginia Giuffre and documentation of allegations against multiple prominent figures, including Prince Andrew.
Why the story was killed:
According to Robach’s own account (captured in a hot mic recording released by Project Veritas in November 2019), ABC News chose not to air the story following pressure from Buckingham Palace representatives. The Palace was reportedly concerned about coverage implicating Prince Andrew, and ABC was simultaneously courting access for a royal interview.
ABC News disputed elements of how the decision was characterized. The network stated the story as prepared did not meet broadcast standards at the time — that additional corroboration was needed.
The 2019 leaked video:
The hot mic recording showed Robach expressing deep frustration about the killing of the story. She described having “everything” she needed and stated that the story’s subjects did not face consequences because the story never aired.
The timeline cost:
Epstein was arrested in July 2019 — four years after the 2015 ABC story was suppressed. Critics and victims’ advocates have argued that the suppression contributed to the delay in charges and may have allowed continued exploitation during that period.
The episode became a widely cited example of how institutional incentives — in this case, access journalism trade-offs — can suppress accountability reporting even when the underlying evidence is solid.