France Wants To Turn Jeffrey Epstein’s Paris Flat Into A Shelter For Sexual Violence Survivors

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France’s state secretary of equality for men and women wants to turn Jeffrey Epstein’s flat in Paris into a shelter for women survivors of sexual violence.

Marlene Schiappa has asked the French capital’s provincial authority to look into the possibility to seize Epstein’s 800 sq m apartment, which was used for the late financier’s crimes.

"The idea would be to set up this property, if it can be expropriated, as a shelter for women who were victims of sexual and sexist violence –such as assault and domestic violence– and who are homeless as a consequence of that," minister Schiappa told French TV chain LCI.

Paris provincial authority said in a statement that its teams are "studying the legal viability and the possibility of such expropriation."

The minister tweeted that French laws allow to seize a property for a minimum of one year up to six years.&nbsp;

The law, however, requires the premises to be vacant for more than 18 months. If the provincial authority gives the green light, the move will then have to be authorized by the mayor.&nbsp;

Epstein’s flat on Avenue Foch sits in one of the most exclusive areas of Paris in the 16th arrondissement and a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe. It is currently owned by a trust registered in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Trust 1953, set up by the late financier before his death in August.&nbsp;

According to FranceInfo, the flat is still managed by the same employee that served Epstein when he was alive. The French outlet has interviewed Epstein’s French butler, who said that the trust continues to pay for his salary.&nbsp;

“He is not unemployed,” the butler’s wife told FranceInfo. “The trust decides everything and he is working for them.”&nbsp;

Last month, French police searched the premises as part of the local investigation into Epstein’s prostitution ring.

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France’s state secretary of equality for men and women wants to turn Jeffrey Epstein’s flat in Paris into a shelter for women survivors of sexual violence.

Marlene Schiappa has asked the French capital’s provincial authority to look into the possibility to seize Epstein’s 800 sq m apartment, which was used for the late financier’s crimes.

“The idea would be to set up this property, if it can be expropriated, as a shelter for women who were victims of sexual and sexist violence –such as assault and domestic violence– and who are homeless as a consequence of that,” minister Schiappa told French TV chain LCI.

Paris provincial authority said in a statement that its teams are “studying the legal viability and the possibility of such expropriation.”

The minister tweeted that French laws allow to seize a property for a minimum of one year up to six years. 

The law, however, requires the premises to be vacant for more than 18 months. If the provincial authority gives the green light, the move will then have to be authorized by the mayor. 

Epstein’s flat on Avenue Foch sits in one of the most exclusive areas of Paris in the 16th arrondissement and a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe. It is currently owned by a trust registered in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Trust 1953, set up by the late financier before his death in August. 

According to FranceInfo, the flat is still managed by the same employee that served Epstein when he was alive. The French outlet has interviewed Epstein’s French butler, who said that the trust continues to pay for his salary. 

“He is not unemployed,” the butler’s wife told FranceInfo. “The trust decides everything and he is working for them.” 

Last month, French police searched the premises as part of the local investigation into Epstein’s prostitution ring.