Calgary New Jeffrey Epstein Accuser Says He Raped Her When She Was A Teenager | HuffPost Latest News - Action.News ABC Action News WestNet-HD Weather Traffic

Another woman stepped forward Wednesday with allegations against accused sex predator Jeffrey Epstein , saying the billionaire financier raped her when she was 15 after his associates recruited her with the promise of career help.

I just thought, its my fault, Jennifer Araoz said Wednesday on NBCs Today show. Like, I was, like, obligated. Like, thats just what we were supposed to do.

Araoz said that in 2001, when she was 14, she met by a recruiter outside of her New York City performing arts high school who said Epstein could help her with her aspiration to become an actress.

I was 14 years old, she said. What the hell do you know?

Epstein was charged Monday in an indictment alleging child sex trafficking that involved dozens of girls, some as young as 14. Araoz is not part of the case.

Watch @savannahguthries full exclusive interview with Jeffrey Epstein accuser Jennifer Araoz, whos sharing her story of alleged rape for the first time. pic.twitter.com/CjZdVpLz7i

TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 10, 2019","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"TODAY","author_url":"https://twitter.com/TODAYshow","cache_age":86400,"description":"Watch @savannahguthries full exclusive interview with Jeffrey Epstein accuser Jennifer Araoz, whos sharing her story of alleged rape for the first time. pic.twitter.com/CjZdVpLz7i TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 10, 2019\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":675,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_HNiRHXsAE177g.jpg","thumbnail_width":1200,"title":"TODAY on Twitter","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/TODAYshow/status/1148925373821968386","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"mobile","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://action.news","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"5d25ca65e4b0583e4829d414","entryPermalink":"https://action.news/entry/new-jeffrey-epstein-accuser-rape_n_5d25ca65e4b0583e4829d414","entryTagsList":"sex-crimes,rape,today,jeffrey-epstein","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":"politics-news","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"us-news,women","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"ff7fdddc-5441-4253-abc4-f12a33fad58b","clickToPlayPlayer":"d014396e-b366-4c17-aeac-3ce906fa3fd0","videoPagePlayer":"f010447b-d244-4111-a314-7b4542ae4145","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065","stickyPlayerControl":"52ea1755-d601-4ad1-bccc-d8cce3f0e5da","stickyPlayerON":"8055e9e5-3bda-4933-8d45-9ad814fb6e22"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":5},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"5d25ca65e4b0583e4829d414","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"mobile","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"Sex Crimes","slug":"sex-crimes","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/sex-crimes","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/sex-crimes","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/sex-crimes"},"relegenceSubjectId":982776,"section":{"title":"Women","slug":"women"},"topic":{"title":"Sexual Assault","slug":"sexual-assault","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/topic/sexual-assault"},{"name":"Rape","slug":"rape","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/rape","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/rape","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/rape"},"section":{"title":"Women","slug":"women"},"topic":{"title":"Sexual Assault","slug":"sexual-assault","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/topic/sexual-assault"},{"name":"Today","slug":"today","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/today","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/today","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/today"},"url":"https://action.news/topic/today"},{"name":"jeffrey epstein","slug":"jeffrey-epstein","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/jeffrey-epstein","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/jeffrey-epstein","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/jeffrey-epstein"},"url":"https://action.news/topic/jeffrey-epstein"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["

\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n"],"adCount":0},"isCollectionEmbed":false,"enhancements":{}}">

Watch @savannahguthrie s full exclusive interview with Jeffrey Epstein accuser Jennifer Araoz, whos sharing her story of alleged rape for the first time. pic.twitter.com/CjZdVpLz7i
TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 10, 2019

Araoz said Epstein immediately struck her as such as very odd. For example, she said, he had prosthetic breasts that he could play with while he was taking a bath.

The first visits to his home just involved conversations, she said. But they later escalated to physical contact, including massaging him and rubbing his nipples. Araoz said she was afraid to resist his requests out of fear.

I was scared because I didnt know if he would get angry, she said.

Araoz believes that Epstein knew that she was underage.

He knew very well my age, she said. He knew exactly who he was hanging out with.

In 2002, when she was 15, Epstein raped her, Araoz said.

After that day, I never went back, she said.

She said she didnt know at the time that what happened constituted rape. She now regrets not telling the police or speaking out earlier because then maybe he wouldnt have done it to other girls, she said.

In your mind, did you use the word rape? Did you recognize it then as rape? @savannahguthrie asks Jeffrey Epstein accuser Jennifer Araoz pic.twitter.com/jFCjnVRwpa

TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 10, 2019","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"TODAY","author_url":"https://twitter.com/TODAYshow","cache_age":86400,"description":"In your mind, did you use the word rape? Did you recognize it then as rape? @savannahguthrie asks Jeffrey Epstein accuser Jennifer Araoz pic.twitter.com/jFCjnVRwpa TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 10, 2019\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":675,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_HJ-kHWsAMrMrG.jpg","thumbnail_width":1200,"title":"TODAY on Twitter","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/TODAYshow/status/1148921462289514496","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"mobile","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://action.news","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"5d25ca65e4b0583e4829d414","entryPermalink":"https://action.news/entry/new-jeffrey-epstein-accuser-rape_n_5d25ca65e4b0583e4829d414","entryTagsList":"sex-crimes,rape,today,jeffrey-epstein","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":"politics-news","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"us-news,women","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"ff7fdddc-5441-4253-abc4-f12a33fad58b","clickToPlayPlayer":"d014396e-b366-4c17-aeac-3ce906fa3fd0","videoPagePlayer":"f010447b-d244-4111-a314-7b4542ae4145","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065","stickyPlayerControl":"52ea1755-d601-4ad1-bccc-d8cce3f0e5da","stickyPlayerON":"8055e9e5-3bda-4933-8d45-9ad814fb6e22"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":5},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"5d25ca65e4b0583e4829d414","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"mobile","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"Sex Crimes","slug":"sex-crimes","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/sex-crimes","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/sex-crimes","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/sex-crimes"},"relegenceSubjectId":982776,"section":{"title":"Women","slug":"women"},"topic":{"title":"Sexual Assault","slug":"sexual-assault","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/topic/sexual-assault"},{"name":"Rape","slug":"rape","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/rape","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/rape","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/rape"},"section":{"title":"Women","slug":"women"},"topic":{"title":"Sexual Assault","slug":"sexual-assault","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/topic/sexual-assault"},{"name":"Today","slug":"today","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/today","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/today","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/today"},"url":"https://action.news/topic/today"},{"name":"jeffrey epstein","slug":"jeffrey-epstein","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/jeffrey-epstein","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/jeffrey-epstein","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/jeffrey-epstein"},"url":"https://action.news/topic/jeffrey-epstein"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["

\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n"],"adCount":0},"isCollectionEmbed":false,"enhancements":{}}">

In your mind, did you use the word rape? Did you recognize it then as rape? @savannahguthrie asks Jeffrey Epstein accuser Jennifer Araoz pic.twitter.com/jFCjnVRwpa
TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 10, 2019

I was so young that I was worried that somehow I would get in trouble, Araoz said, explaining why she didnt contact authorities at the time. I was really frightened of Epstein. He knew a lot of powerful people and I didnt know what he could do to me, and I wasnt sure that anyone could protect me.

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost

Epsteins attorneys did not respond to multiple requests for comment, the Today show said.

Epsteins arrest has renewed scrutiny of his ties to powerful men, including President Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton, and a lenient 2008 plea deal that allowed Epstein to escape harsh punishment for sex crimes.

Trumps labor secretary Alex Acosta faces growing pressure to resign over his role in brokering the plea deal as the U.S. attorney in Miami.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website .

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost