Christopher Anderson Recalls "Mafia-esque" Intimidation by Jeffrey Epstein Following 2015 Photo Shoot

Photojournalist Christopher Anderson reveals how Jeffrey Epstein sent an enforcer to intimidate him and shares photos of links to Prince Andrew.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 7:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Guardian

The Encounter at the Upper East Side Mansion

In 2015, Magnum photographer Christopher Anderson was commissioned by New York magazine to photograph Jeffrey Epstein for an intended profile by journalist Michael Wolff. At the time, Anderson admits he was unaware of Epstein’s 2008 conviction as a child sex offender, viewing him simply as a "rich and powerful man" with elite connections. The shoot, held at Epstein's Manhattan residence, was preceded by a mandatory meeting where Epstein reportedly attempted to "suss out" the photographer and negotiate image rights for $20,000. Anderson describes the atmosphere as deliberately unnerving, noting Epstein’s preoccupation with projecting an aura of untouchable power.

Allegations of Organized Intimidation

The professional relationship soured after the magazine article was canceled, leading to what Anderson describes as a "mafia-esque" campaign to secure the original image files. According to Anderson, Epstein’s long-time secretary, Lesley Groff, engaged in a series of aggressive email exchanges that culminated in a physical confrontation at Anderson’s studio. The photographer recalls a man named Merwin, described as wearing large black leather gloves, being sent to intimidate him into surrendering a hard drive containing the session's data. These interactions are now corroborated by approximately 3.5 million pages of evidence recently made public by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Documentary Evidence of Royal Financial Ties

Among the images Anderson managed to preserve on a secondary drive is a photograph of a printed email sitting on Epstein's desk. The document appears to reference a claim for $60,000 in unpaid wages for staff associated with Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson. The context suggests that the former royal couple may have been seeking financial assistance from Epstein to cover the outstanding debt. This detail adds further weight to the ongoing investigations into the depth of the financier's relationships with high-ranking international figures and his role as a potential intermediary in their personal financial affairs.