Hungarian names emerge in Epstein files: models, recruiters and Eastern Europe

Fresh details connected to Hungary have emerged from court documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal trafficking charges. Among the newly released material are references to prominent Hungarian models, correspondence from a self-described “model scout” seeking funds to recruit young women in eastern Europe, and a series of unsettling personal messages.

There is no evidence that the models named in the documents had any connection to Epstein or were aware that their names were mentioned.

Barbara Palvin’s name came up in 2013

One exchange, uncovered by the Hungarian outlet HVG, shows that in 2013 a businessman, Tancredi Marchiolo, drew Epstein’s attention to Palvin in an email.

Marchiolo asked whether Epstein knew the Hungarian model. Epstein replied that he did not and inquired which agency represented her. Marchiolo responded that she was 19 and described her as a rising star with Victoria’s Secret.

Born in Budapest in 1993, Palvin was discovered at 13 and went on to achieve international recognition, making her breakthrough at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show in 2012. She has since worked with major fashion houses including Chanel, Armani and Louis Vuitton.

Enikő Mihalik’s name appeared in 2017

Four years later, in 2017, the name of another Hungarian model surfaced in separate correspondence, first, as noted by Telex.

In one message, Epstein asked an acquaintance whether he had seen any “cute girls” at a popular New York gym. The acquaintance replied that he had and mentioned Mihalik by name, adding that “all the girls had amazing bodies (except Enikő).”

Mihalik, born in Békéscsaba in 1987, began her career after winning the Elite Model Look Hungary competition in 2002. She has since worked extensively with leading international brands including Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Prada.

“Model scout” asked for money to find girls in Hungarian villages

The documents also frequently mention a man named Daniel Siad, who called himself a model scout.

In a 2009 email, Siad asked Epstein for money to spend the next few months in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary, where he wanted to look for girls in “small villages.”