The International Recruitment Pipeline
Jeffrey Epstein’s victim recruitment was not limited to the United States. A substantial portion of Epstein’s victims were recruited internationally, particularly from Central and Eastern Europe, through a network of modeling agencies and talent scouts.
The Jean-Luc Brunel Connection
Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent and Ghislaine Maxwell’s associate, was the primary figure in the international recruitment pipeline:
- Brunel ran MC2 Model Management, partially funded by Epstein
- He had access to desperate young women from Eastern Europe seeking modeling careers
- Brunel would offer visa sponsorship and “opportunities” in the United States
- Women were then channeled to Epstein and his associates
Brunel was arrested in France in 2020 and died in his Paris prison cell in 2022 while awaiting trial.
The Eastern European Context
Economic vulnerability made Eastern European women ideal targets:
- Poland, Romania, Czech Republic — high youth emigration rates seeking Western opportunities
- Modeling was presented as a legitimate path to fame and financial security
- Visa sponsorship from Brunel or Epstein’s entities provided legal cover for entry
- Once in the US, women faced practical barriers to leaving (debt, language, immigration fears)
The French Investigation
French judicial authorities investigated Epstein and Brunel for:
- Recruiting minors through Brunel’s Paris-based modeling operations
- Bringing victims to Epstein’s Paris apartment
- Operating an international trafficking network that included French territory
The French investigation continued after Epstein’s 2019 death, ultimately charging Brunel before his 2022 death.
Patterns in International Recruitment
Common features of the international recruitment operation:
- Target girls aged 14–18 at modeling castings or through agents
- Promise visa sponsorship and paid modeling work in New York or Paris
- Arrange housing at Epstein-connected properties or Brunel’s managed apartments
- Gradually introduce performing “massages” or other acts for well-connected men
- Create debt bondage through rent, food, and “agency fees”