Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.
Amid the millions of pages of Epstein files that were released last week, we now have a disturbing reason why the disgraced sex offender was banned from Xbox Live.
The paedophile financier was first arrested in 2008 following sexual offences charges and was later due to be brought before a federal court in 2019 as a shocking number of allegations came to light.
Before he could face justice, the 66-year-old was found dead in his prison cell, with Ghislaine Maxwell the only close associate of Epstein's to face criminal charges in the years since.
Advert
The latest release only provides more evidence linking some of the world's elite to the convicted sex offender, albeit with the caveat that a mere mention in the files doesn't necessarily point towards any wrongdoing.
Although Epstein was first jailed in 2008 for soliciting underage sex, he was released a year later until he was hit with federal sex trafficking charges in 2019.
Certainly, the US billionaire was enjoying some time on his games console, as the latest release of Epstein files revealed that he had an Xbox Live account that was subsequently banned for a disturbing reason.
Friday's file release revealed that he created the account in October 2012, but just over a year later, Microsoft took the decision to ban him.
A warning from earlier in the day suggested that he was suspended due to 'harassment, abuse or threats to other players'.
“This conduct has been determined to be severe, repeated, and/or excessive," it read.
Later in the day, it became clear that he'd been banned as part of an agreement with the New York State Attorney General’s office, which made it clear that sex offenders should all be banned by Microsoft, in an attempt to keep other gamers, especially children, safe online.
“This message is to notify you that Xbox LIVE has permanently suspended the Xbox LIVE account associated with this email address,” said the notice sent to Epstein’s 'jeevacation' email address on Dec. 19, 2013.
“This action is based on the New York Attorney General’s partnership with Microsoft and other online gaming companies to remove New York registered sex offenders from online gaming services to minimize the risk to others, particularly children.
"As a result, any Xbox LIVE account associated with this email address will not be able to connect to Xbox LIVE.”
Epstein was permanently registered as a sex offender in 2008 and also served 13 months in prison.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates also featured in the latest release, with emails from Epstein alleging he had contracted a STD after having sex with 'Russian girls', something the tech mogul has since branded as 'absolutely absurd and completely false'.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.
Topics: Jeffrey Epstein, Microsoft, Gaming
James Moorhouse