The Investigation
Journalist Vicky Ward spent significant time investigating Jeffrey Epstein for Vanity Fair magazine under editor Graydon Carter. Her investigation was conducted in the early 2000s, before the Palm Beach police case began.
The Published Article
Ward’s article appeared in Vanity Fair in 2003. It was a profile of Epstein that portrayed him as a mysterious, brilliant financial figure. The article was largely favorable or neutral.
The Removed Sections
Ward later wrote and spoke about the fact that sections of her article specifically the parts that included accounts from women who said Epstein had assaulted them were removed before publication.
The Abigail and Annie Farmer Accounts
Ward has said that Annie Farmer and her mother were among those who gave her accounts that were removed. Their experiences would have provided the first mainstream reporting of Epstein’s victim pattern.
Graydon Carter’s Response
Graydon Carter has disputed aspects of Ward’s account. He has stated that editorial decisions were made on journalistic grounds.
The Long Consequence
If Ward’s full investigation had been published in 2003, the pattern might have been exposed years before the 2005 Palm Beach police report. The suppression represents a significant journalistic failure with real consequences for victims.