Sex Suit Targets Pervy Financier

OCTOBER 17--In what may be the first of many similarly tawdry lawsuits, a New York City woman claims that wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused her when she was a 16-year-old aspiring model. Epstein "repeatedly lured" the woman, Maximilia Cordero, to his Manhattan mansion with promises that "he and his wealthy friends would help...with her modeling career," according to a lawsuit filed yesterday in New York State Supreme Court.

The complaint, a copy of which you'll find here, alleges that Cordero, pictured at left, visited Epstein's Upper East Side home several times in 2000 and engaged in "bizarre and unnatural sex acts" at Epstein's request. Cordero, who was known professionally as Ava, contends that, as a minor, she was unable to lawfully consent to these sexual activities. Cordero claims that Epstein, 54, told her, "I love how young you are. You have a tight butt like a baby," and repeatedly asked her to return with her teenage friends, since "I love girls your age."

Epstein, who was arrested last year in Florida on state charges, is reportedly set to plead guilty to a felony count of soliciting sex from underage girls at his Palm Beach estate.

According to Cordero, now 23, during her first visit to Epstein's Manhattan home, the money manager forced her to perform oral sex, and subsequently told her on several occasions, "I would love for you to come with me to Thailand to pick up other girls your age."

Cordero's lawsuit, which does not specify monetary damages, contends that Epstein's alleged criminal sexual behavior resulted in significant "pain and suffering" and physical and emotional injuries, which are not detailed in the complaint. (5 pages)