Epstein assistant says trees were shipped to private island and describes financier’s ‘loving relationship’ with teen

Former aide says Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell acted like ‘a couple’ and ‘were a little flirty’

As the 11th day of Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial got underway, the former executive assistant to Jeffrey Epstein, Cimberly Espinosa, testified that she booked massages for him as well as Ms Maxwell, and that sand and palm trees were shipped to his private island.

When asked if “Jane”, an anonymous witness accusing Epstein of abuse, ever visited the office where she worked, Ms Espinosa said she did, and that “Jane” was “probably 18” years old.

Ms Espinosa said she “thought it was a loving relationship” and that Jane’s mother told her that “Jane was Jeffrey’s goddaughter”.

“Jane” has testified that she was 14 years old when she was first abused by Epstein.

Ms Maxwell has been charged with two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for illegal sexual activity, one charge of sex trafficking of a minor and one charge of sex trafficking conspiracy. She also faces two charges of perjury that will be tried at a later date. She has denied all wrongdoing.

Epstein died by suicide in August 2019 in his Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex crimes charges.

The executive assistant claimed that Jane “was treated with the utmost respect” and that she was “considered” to be “family of Jeffrey’s”.

Ms Espinosa, who worked for Epstein between 1996 and 2002, also testified that sand and palm trees were shipped to his private island to add to the beaches.

She said the island had its own firefighters and fire truck, adding that Epstein’s favourite bread and butter would also be flown in. She said Emmy Tayler, Ms Maxwell’s former assistant, would take care of the dog and carry her handbag.

Ms Espinosa said she and Ms Maxwell got the island fit for use.

“I attribute my career right now as an executive assistant to what I learned working for Ghislaine,” she said.

“We even shipped in sand and palm trees and all kinds of things to get the island to what [he] wanted it to be,” she later added. “He wanted more sand on the beach”.

The former executive assistant also said that she signed a non-disclosure agreement as part of her work.

She added that Ms Maxwell and Epstein behaved like a “couple” when she began working for them but by the early 2000s, the British socialite had started seeing other men.

“I thought they were a couple,” she said. “Just their interaction together. They were a little flirty.”

“They would not show up at the office around the same time, leave together. Things like that,” the former assistant said when asked how the relationship changed.

Ms Espinosa spoke in strong support of Ms Maxwell, saying that she never saw her or Epstein behave improperly around young girls, The New York Daily News reported.

She left her job in 2002, saying that it was time for her to go back to California.

The prosecution asked Ms Espinosa if she ever worked in any of Epstein’s homes, such as the mansion in Palm Beach, Florida. She said she hadn’t.