Hugh Hefner alerted FBI to Jeffrey Epstein allegations in 2005

Unsealed federal court documents reveal that Playboy founder Hugh Hefner contacted the FBI multiple times in 2005 to report allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking by Jeffrey Epstein. The reports were made on behalf of Audra Lynn Christiansen, a former Playboy Playmate, who sought Hefner’s assistance because she believed his status would provide the necessary clout to ensure law enforcement took her claims seriously.

According to an amended lawsuit filed by 32 Epstein victims against the United States, the FBI failed to investigate or follow up on these disclosures for approximately 15 years. The agency did not contact Christiansen regarding the allegations until October 2020, following Epstein’s death in 2019.

Christiansen alleged she was trafficked for ten years and claimed she was trafficked to Macau casino billionaire Stanley Ho. The lawsuit accuses the federal government of negligence and violating mandatory protocols by ignoring credible tips regarding sexual abuse and trafficking dating as far back as 1996.