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Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions of sexual exploitation.
Teen model's mother blocked trip to New York
Gláucia Fekete, now 36, reflects on how her mother's refusal to let her travel to the U.S. with French modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel may have saved her from Jeffrey Epstein's circle. In 2004, at age 16, Gláucia was invited to a modelling contest in Ecuador by Brunel, who later faced charges of rape, sexual assault, and trafficking girls for Epstein before dying in prison.
At the time, Gláucia's family knew nothing of Brunel's reputation. A well-known Brazilian scout had introduced them. Gláucia's mother, Barbara, initially resisted but eventually allowed her daughter to attend the contest in Guayaquil without her. Local media reported participants ranged from 15 to 19 years old.
Gláucia recalls no major incidents during the competition but grew uneasy when organizers barred her from contacting her family. Another contestant, a 16-year-old European identified only as Laura, noticed Brunel's behavior was "odd."
"He was always hanging out with the young Brazilian girls... He seemed to control their finances. The girls from Brazil and Eastern Europe were his prime targets."
Laura, former contestant
As the trip ended, Brunel offered to fly Gláucia to New York for "shows," covering all expenses. Barbara refused. "They were only looking for children, minors," she told BBC News Brasil. "Unfortunately, they found my daughter." Gláucia calls it "a narrow escape."
Modelling agencies used to recruit girls for Epstein
A BBC News Brasil investigation uncovered evidence that Brunel's agencies actively recruited young women and girls from South America for Epstein, arranging U.S. visas for them. U.S. government files show Epstein was in Guayaquil during the 2004 contest's final days. Documents also confirm at least one underage model from the event later flew on Epstein's private jet.
"Without knowing it, I was in the middle of that storm," Gláucia says. "My mother saved me."
Brazilian woman's visa linked to Brunel's agency
Another Brazilian, identified as Ana to protect her identity, says Brunel's modelling business facilitated her relationship with Epstein. Recruited in São Paulo in the early 2000s, Ana was promised modelling work but quickly realized she was being exploited.
"She was a madam. Before I knew it, she was pimping me out," Ana says. One client was Epstein. At 18, she met him at a São Paulo businessman's home, where she heard him described as "the king of the world" who "likes younger girls." Days later, Epstein selected her from a group of women at a luxury hotel.
Ana's U.S. visa listed Brunel's agency, Karin Models of America, as her sponsor-despite her never working for them. Court records and U.S. Department of Justice files show Brunel used his agencies to attract girls from multiple countries, including minors. A former MC2 employee testified Epstein funded visas arranged by Brunel's U.S. agency.
Travels with Epstein and visa cancellation
Ana says Epstein paid her $300 for outings in Paris, instructing her to return any leftover cash-a test, she believes. He later arranged for Brunel to "hire" her at his New York agency, though the visa's sole purpose was to visit Epstein. Over four months, she traveled to the U.S. and France with him, including to his private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"He liked younger girls and being surrounded by them," Ana says. She describes one sexual encounter and Epstein's preference for cuddling and foot massages. After discovering him with another woman, she realized she was one of many.
Her visa was canceled in Miami after authorities questioned who funded her work. Epstein offered her a green card, but she declined to stay near family in Brazil.
Brazilian authorities probe recruitment network
Brazil's Federal Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation in February into whether a recruitment network linked to Epstein operated in the country. Prosecutor Cinthia Gabriela Borges urged women with ties to Epstein to come forward to help map the system. The inquiry does not target the women themselves.
Labor inspector Maurício Krepsky says Ana's experience could constitute human trafficking for sexual exploitation, a crime potentially exempt from statutes of limitations. Brazilians involved could still face accountability.
Survivors reflect on their luck
Gláucia is grateful for her mother's intervention. Ana, who rebuilt her life after leaving Epstein's circle, feels fortunate but laments the fate of other women.
"I think I was lucky, but I feel for the other women."
Ana
Support resources for those affected by these issues are available at BBC Action Line.
