NEW YORK CITY, March 27, 2026 – Model Alliance, a New York-based nonprofit organization that advocates for the fair treatment of fashion workers, today renewed its call for federal and state investigations into the modeling industry’s role in facilitating Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, following new reporting that details how young models were introduced to Epstein by a prominent agency CEO.

A new investigative report by Lucy Osborne at The Guardian – released just two days after the Model Alliance urged AG Leticia James and Reps. Khanna and Massie to investigate the industry’s Epstein ties – details the close, decades-long relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and Faith Katies, founder of NEXT Model Management and its CEO for more than 30 years. Among other damning findings, the Guardian investigation reveals that Faith Kates connected Epstein with multiple young models in her care; told him she would be there for him “unconditionally” while he was in prison as a sex offender; and may have facilitated Epstein's access to young models in other ways, including providing Epstein with the home address of Sara Ziff, former NEXT model and founder of Model Alliance.  

“These new revelations show just how intertwined the modeling industry was with Jeffrey Epstein – and reinforce why we need an immediate, thorough investigation,” said Sara Ziff, Executive Director of Model Alliance. “For more than three decades, Faith Kates and NEXT Model Management exerted nearly complete control over young models' lives – and in multiple cases, used this power to steer teenagers into the arms of a sexual predator. On behalf of Epstein survivors and former models impacted by abuse, we again urge Attorney General Leticia James and Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie to open investigations into the role of modeling agencies in Epstein’s sex trafficking network. Justice requires real accountability – not just for Epstein and other predators, but for the system that enabled them.” 

The Guardian also found that Kates was professionally and potentially financially intertwined with Epstein, with newly-released files showing that Epstein gave Kates years of business advice, offered to purchase a $5 million home for her and her family, and offered her a $6 million loan to buy out her business partners at NEXT Model Management. Faith Kates quietly retired from NEXT last November as Epstein files began being released. 

Letters from the Model Alliance’ and survivors – sent this week – document examples of Katees and other modeling agents and executives sending models to Epstein and his associates, as well as recruitment schemes that used the promise of modeling work to lure young women into exploitative situations. Together with this new reporting, the evidence points to a pattern that demands investigation and accountability.