Sarah Ferguson asked Epstein for business advice, documents reveal - USA Today

Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of former Prince and Duke of York Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, asked sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for business advice in the years before and after his 2008 Florida conviction for solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor for prostitution, according to documents released by the Justice Department.

The Epstein files, which the Justice Department has gradually released since Dec. 19, show that Ferguson had a close relationship with Epstein for years.

British authorities arrested Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19. Mountbatten-Windsor, who was already stripped of his royal titles because of his long-time relationship with Epstein, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Ferguson, who capitalized on the title Duchess of York for many years despite their divorce, has not made a public statement since the police detained the former prince Feb. 19.

Ferguson has previously said she regrets her friendship with Epstein. A spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment.

Business advice from jail

Over the spring and summer of 2009, Ferguson asked Epstein for advice about how to get a new venture, Mothers Army, off the ground, including asking him to have his lawyers trademark the name and which prominent women she should ask to be part of it.

In a July 2009 email, Ferguson confirms lunch plans with Epstein in Palm Beach less than a week after his release from jail, noting that she will be bringing her then-teenage daughters Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.

"It will be myself, Beatrice and Eugenie. Are we having lunch?"

In August 2009, Ferguson said various companies were interested in being part of the project and thanked him for helping, according to the documents. The effort did not take off.

"In just one week, after your lunch, it seems the energy has lifted. I have never been more touched by a friends kindness than your compliment to me in front of my girls," she said, according to the documents. "Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for."

Other emails with Epstein's associate David Stern from Sept. 2009 show that Epstein was set to own a majority stake in the women’s empowerment brand. It is not clear if Epstein went on to hold majority control.

In August 2011 when Ferguson asked for full control of Mothers Army, Epstein responded that he'd be happy to hand it over. He said he would look into making the transfer, but "we just want to be careful that there is no downside at the moment to have a transaction between you and I."

The request came shortly after several negative articles In Vanity Fair and the Daily Mail were published about Andrew's relationship with Epstein.