The Conveyor Belt

In 1988, CBS News aired an investigation by Diane Sawyer into the modeling industry. Nearly two dozen models told 60 Minutes they had been sexually assaulted by the same man: a French modeling agent named Jean-Luc Brunel. Investigative journalist Craig Pyes, who contributed to the report, was blunt about what he had found: "We're talking about a conveyor belt, not a casting couch. Hundreds of girls were not only harassed but molested."1

The modeling industry recoiled — briefly. Jerome Bonnouvrier, a fellow agent, described Jean-Luc Brunel in four words: "Jean-Luc likes drugs and silent rape." John Casablancas, the founder of Elite Models, said Brunel "should be behind bars."1

He was not put behind bars. He continued operating for another thirty-two years.

The Seed Money

In September 2004, Jeffrey Epstein wired $1 million to Brunel's offshore bank account. The money capitalized a new modeling agency: MC2 Model Management, incorporated at 6 West 14th Street, 2nd Floor, New York. Brunel held 85% ownership. A man named Jeffrey Fuller held 15%.2

MC2 was not a fresh start. It was a relaunch. Brunel had co-founded Karin Models in Paris in 1978. After the 60 Minutes exposure and his firing from multiple agencies, he needed a new vehicle — and a new source of capital. Epstein provided both.3

The investment was not passive. Financial records show Richard Kahn, Epstein's manager at HBRK Associates, regularly corresponded with Fuller about MC2's credit lines, financial reporting, and wire transfers. On November 16, 2012, a JPMorgan funds transfer request moved $25,000 from the account of "Jeffrey E Epstein" directly to "MC2 Model Management" at TD Bank.4

The Principal Supplier

On June 10, 2010, a chain of FBI internal emails began circulating between the Washington Field Office, the Miami Division, and FBI Public Affairs. The subject: Jeffrey Epstein. The source: an interview with Sergio Cordero, Brunel's business partner in a joint modeling venture.5

Cordero had provided eleven numbered points. The first was devastating:

"Cordero confirmed that Brunel uses MC2 as a legitimate transport agency of underage girls into America for purposes of sex."5

The rest was worse.

Brunel used MC2 "to introduce underage girls to Epstein since Epstein gave him $1 million dollars to start up MC2 after he was fired from various modeling agencies in Paris." Brunel had "always been Epstein's principal supplier of underage girls using MC2 as a cover up." The "principal business" of MC2, Cordero confirmed, was "to transport underage girls for purposes of sexual pleasure for Brunel and Epstein."5

The FBI's response was to ask for a follow-up interview. The SSA for the crimes against children squad in Washington said he wanted Cordero brought before a grand jury. Then the trail goes cold. No follow-up appears in the documents.5

The Pipeline

An FBI interview with a victim — a young woman who arrived in New York in August 2003 — documents the complete recruitment pipeline in five steps.6

First, a Russian woman approached her at a nightclub in the Meatpacking District. The pitch: "an opportunity to make easy money; all she would have to do would be to massage a guy." It "doesn't go any further than that."6

Second, she went "several times to Jeffrey Epstein's home and each time it became worse." When she resisted, she was told "Epstein does not like it when she gets upset."6

Third, Epstein arranged for her to interview with Brunel. "The modeling agency was Karin Models aka MC Squared." She "went from Epstein's home to Brunel's home for the interview."6

Fourth, she was told about a trip. "There were going to be other girls on the trip and it would be a fun trip. There was monetary incentive." She "flew out with another girl to West Palm Beach then flew to the Virgin Islands on Epstein's plane and took a helicopter to the island."6

Fifth, on the island, "Epstein became rough and forceful." When she resisted, "Epstein threatened her that she would not get work in the city, saying that he has lunch with higher ups in modeling agencies."6

The Visa Trap

The prosecution memo produced by the Southern District of New York reveals a coercion mechanism that turned Brunel's modeling agency into an immigration weapon.7

A victim's visa "was sponsored by Brunel's modeling agency, even though she was not working." Epstein told her "that he paid Brunel $1 million to keep her in the country." The result: the victim "felt that Epstein could have her deported with a single phone call to Brunel."7

In 2011, "Epstein and Brunel refused to help renew her visa." The threat was made real. Immigration status had been weaponized — sponsorship as a leash, deportation as punishment.7

The same prosecution memo documented another detail: during a proffer session, the victim described how Brunel "would encourage her to be good to Epstein and massage his feet for him." She recalled Brunel bringing "a young girl, who was about 15 years old, to Epstein's Virgin Islands residence."7

By March 2015, Jeff Fuller was declining to sponsor models through MC2. He emailed Richard Kahn, who forwarded the message to Epstein: "Jean Luc no longer wants to sponsor her in light of recent circumstances."9

The Thirty-Two-Year Gap

The institutional failure spans three decades across two countries.

In 2006, the FBI opened Operation Leap Year. Special Agent Kuyrkendall was assigned. A grand jury presentation was prepared: 19 Jane Does, 22 or more counts. In September 2007, the presentation was revised and sent for final approval. Instead, the Non-Prosecution Agreement was signed — and Brunel was never named, never approached, never charged.10

In 2010, the FBI had Cordero's confirmation that MC2 was a trafficking front. A crimes-against-children supervisor wanted grand jury testimony. Nothing happened.5

In 2011, JPMorgan's own compliance review stated in writing that Brunel and Epstein engaged in "racketeering that involved luring in minor children for sexual play for money." JPMorgan continued providing financial services.3

In July 2019, when Epstein was finally arrested, the SDNY arrest briefing identified Brunel as one of four subjects for "immediate approach" — alongside Lesley Groff, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Leslie Wexner. The briefing noted: "Brunel has been reported to have recruited minors for sexual activity with Epstein, and to have himself participated in sexual activity with minors."11

Brunel's attorney responded by informing prosecutors that his client "was not willing to meet with us for a proffer and would invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege." He never cooperated.12

The French Investigation

It was French prosecutors — not American ones — who finally acted.

On August 23, 2019, the Minors' Section of the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office opened a preliminary investigation. The charges: rape of a minor under 15, rape of a minor over 15, sexual assault, and participation in a criminal association. The probe was triggered by reports from the advocacy group "Innocence en danger" and by victims who came forward after Epstein's arrest.8

The French investigation gathered what the American investigation never had: victim testimonies spanning decades. One woman described meeting Brunel through Karin Models in the 1980s. He arranged a "photo session" at his home. She was drugged and raped. "At the time Jean-Luc Brunel used to bring in girls from the East, particularly young girls." Another victim was given a cocktail at Brunel's apartment, lost consciousness, and woke in a bathrobe with bruises.8

On September 23, 2019, French police searched Epstein's Paris apartment at 22 Avenue Foch. They seized computers, storage media, and "many photographs of young and even very young women." Computer analysis revealed 30 videos from 2011-2015 showing young girls, and 4,500 emails referencing Brunel.8

On December 21, 2020, Brunel was arrested at Charles de Gaulle airport. He was charged with rape of minors and trafficking of minors for sexual exploitation.13

On February 19, 2022, he was found hanged in his cell at the Prison de la Santé.14

"The suicide of Jean-Luc Brunel, who abused me and countless girls and young women, ends another chapter. I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to face him in a final trial to hold him accountable."

The Conveyor Belt

Brunel's death closed the French case. No American case was ever brought. The 62 names on that CD-ROM, the 4,500 emails, the decades of victim testimony — all of it resolves to nothing.

Craig Pyes had it right in 1988. It was a conveyor belt. It ran for three more decades after he said so. And when it finally stopped, it wasn't because anyone in America shut it off.