Jeffrey Epstein's Alleged Victim Accusing New York Academy Of Art Of ‘Victim Blaming’

One of the alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein has slammed the New York Academy of Art for its recent report and accused the nonprofit of “victim blaming.”

The NYAA recently came out with a report saying that the alleged victim, Maria Farmer, and her sister falsely accused the organization of leading them to Epstein, who sexually abused them in their younger days. According to Page Six, Farmer came forward and claimed that Epstein forced her and her fellow students to play with a variety of sex toys.

Farmer also accused Eileen Guggenheim, the trustee of the Academy at the time, of compelling her to sell the painting called “The Rape” to Epstein for less than its actual price.

In its report, the organization insisted that the NYAA and Guggenheim were not responsible for introducing Maria and her sister Annie to the financier. The nonprofit also suggested that Guggenheim did not play a role in forcing Maria to sell her painting to Epstein.

Maria has claimed on numerous occasions that Epstein abused her and her sister multiple times when they were in New York.

“Farmer alleged that she reported her abuse — which occurred a year later in 1996 in Ohio — to Guggenheim, but that Guggenheim did nothing to assist her. A number of these allegations are contradicted by Farmer’s own sworn statements, as well as by other witness testimony,” the NYAA’s statement read.

The academy concluded its statement by saying that Farmer’s allegations are “untrue” and Guggenheim should keep her position.

“Based on the findings of the investigation, the Board of Trustees now believes that critical aspects of Farmer’s allegations against Guggenheim are untrue.”

The report sent shockwaves through Farmer’s family, forcing Annie to criticize the academy for such a report. In a statement given to the media outlet, Annie explained that all the other organizations that had relations with Epstein are doing “self-examination” after the controversy while the NYAA has decided to “protect” itself from everything.

Annie also claimed that the organization is now “retreating” to the shameful act of “victim-blaming.”

“Since Epstein’s arrest almost one year ago, we have watched as other institutions with ties to Epstein have engaged in critical self-examination to do an accounting of how their organizations benefited from the predator he was. The Academy is retreating to the tired and intolerable act of victim-blaming, and it’s wrong at many levels,” Page Six quoted Annie, as saying.

On the other hand, Farmer’s lawyer revealed that the organization never “contacted” his clients while making the report.

Epstein, 63, allegedly sexually exploited as many as a “dozen” underaged girls from 2002 to 2005. The alleged sexual exploitation occurred in New York and Florida and involved girls that were as young as 14 years old, according to prosecutors. A search in Epstein’s home found nude photos of what appeared to be underage girls. Epstein was arrested the same day after he flew back from France, CNBC reported.

Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to the procurement of minors for prostitution and felony solicitation of prostitution. He was sentenced to 13 months behind bars.

In July 2019, Epstein was arrested again on federal charges for the sex trafficking of minors in Florida and New York. He committed suicide in jail on Aug. 10, 2019.

(This story has been corrected)