Epstein survivor speaks publicly for the first time: ‘He was very manipulative; it was like a cult'

Julia Molchanova, a survivor of convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, has shared her harrowing story for the first time, revealing the manipulation and control Epstein exercised over her life. Epstein allegedly created a facade of a design company and fake job opportunities to lure women into his web of abuse. Molchanova, who was 22 when she first met Epstein, was subjected to sexual abuse and was eventually forced to become Epstein's assistant.

She described her experience as akin to being in a cult, where Epstein controlled every aspect of her life, from her appearance and spending habits to her professional and personal relationships. In 2014, Epstein's lawyer helped register a company in Molchanova's name, but it served more as a means for Epstein to manage and control her finances.

Epstein's abuse continued long after his conviction in 2008, with the class-action lawsuit against Bank of America, in which Molchanova was a lead plaintiff, shedding light on Epstein's exploitation and the bank's complicity in facilitating his sex trafficking.