{
  "id": 12650448,
  "title": "British billionaire warned Epstein was a ‘sexual deviant’ decades before FBI closed in on the abuser",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/british-billionaire-warned-epstein-was-a-sexual-deviant-decades",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T15:00:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian US",
    "slug": "the-guardian-us",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/07/british-billionaire-epstein-jane-doe-4"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sir James Goldsmith, a British billionaire and prominent politician, expressed concerns about Jeffrey Epstein being a \"sexual deviant\" decades before the FBI's investigation into the financier. Goldsmith, who was knighted by the Queen in 1976, was wary of the American financier and even advised his daughter, Jemima, not to have any connection with him. The warning came in 1987, years before any allegations against Epstein surfaced. Epstein's network of young girls, who he allegedly solicited for sex, evolved into a global sex-trafficking ring that involved numerous powerful individuals. Sir James Goldsmith's ties to Hilton Head, South Carolina, add to the mystery surrounding Jane Doe 4, who claimed she was abused by Epstein in the 1980s. Goldsmith, who had hired a new chief executive for his US business operations, often visited the island, which was undergoing a development boom. Epstein, who had a deep fascination with Goldsmith and his family, was reportedly present on the island in the 1980s, which is potentially relevant to the alleged assault. Jane Doe 4's allegations echo the claims of over 1,000 victims that Epstein, who died in prison in 2019, abused them in various capacities.",
  "summary": "Sir James Goldsmith’s links to Hilton Head, South Carolina, adds to mystery of Jane Doe 4, who claimed she was abused by Epstein in the 1980s For Jeffrey Epstein , the billionaire Goldsmith family was a gateway to elite society and he wanted to be in their circle. The disgraced financier, who died in prison in 2019 facing sex-trafficking charges, longed for a billionaire’s lifestyle and…",
  "key_points": [
    "Sir James Goldsmith warned Epstein was a sexual deviant in 1987",
    "Goldsmith's daughter was advised not to connect with Epstein",
    "Epstein allegedly abused Jane Doe 4 in the 1980s"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}