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Two former models have publicly accused French modelling scout Daniel Siad of grooming them as young women, with the alleged aim of introducing them to potential abusers, including Jeffrey Epstein, the late US financier convicted of sex crimes involving minors. The accusations, reported by France 24, come amid a broader reckoning with sexual misconduct in the modelling industry and beyond.

One of the accusers, identified only as Juliette G., a 43-year-old former model, said Siad approached her in Paris in 2004 when she was 21, and later sent her to New York where she briefly met Epstein. The other accuser, Ebba Karlsson, alleges Siad groomed her and raped her in a pool house near Cannes. Siad has denied the accusations.

Coverage Comparison

The accusations were reported consistently across two articles from France 24, both drawing on an interview with Juliette G. conducted by AFP. The coverage focuses on the grooming tactics described by the accusers and places their stories within the wider context of the #MeToo movement's impact in France. Both reports present the same set of factual claims, with direct quotes from Juliette G. providing the primary narrative.

Key Claims

  • Grooming Accusations: Juliette G. alleges that Daniel Siad groomed her, a claim she describes as a multi-stage process involving manipulation and testing. She told AFP, "These men, through manipulation, conduct tests to see how far a young woman will give in." Ebba Karlsson has made similar accusations against Siad.
  • Meeting Epstein in 2004: Juliette G. says that after being approached by Siad in Paris, she was sent a plane ticket to New York and given an address on Madison Avenue. There, she briefly met Jeffrey Epstein, whose name Siad had not previously mentioned. According to her account, Epstein asked for her passport, which she described as a form of "hostage taking," then gave her $120 and offered the use of his limousine.
  • Connection to Gerald Marie: Juliette G. also claims that Siad introduced her to Gerald Marie, a former head of Elite Models in Paris. Marie has faced separate sexual assault allegations from other models, though those are not detailed in this report.
  • Epstein's Criminal History: The reports note that Epstein was convicted in 2008 of soliciting sex from girls as young as 14. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors.
  • Karlsson's Allegation of Rape: Ebba Karlsson, identified as a second accuser, told France 24 that Siad raped her in a pool house near Cannes. This allegation is reported alongside the grooming accusations but is not expanded upon in the provided text.

Perspectives

The Accusers' Perspective

Juliette G. describes a deliberate and calculated process, using terms like "targeting" and "hostage taking" to frame her experience. She emphasizes the psychological manipulation involved and the slow escalation of control, which she believes was designed to lead young women into vulnerable situations.

The Accused's Response

Daniel Siad has denied the accusations. The report does not include a detailed statement from him, only noting his denial, leaving his side of the story largely unrepresented in the available text.

Broader Context

The allegations are presented as part of a wider movement in France and globally, where victims of sexual misconduct are increasingly coming forward. The modelling industry, in particular, has faced scrutiny for enabling abusive dynamics, with figures like Gerald Marie also facing accusations.

This article is based on reporting from France 24, which cited an interview with Juliette G. conducted by AFP. All claims are attributed to the sources as noted, and the accused has denied the allegations.