
Valdson Vieira Cotrin, who served as Jeffrey Epstein’s butler for nearly two decades, has provided a rare glimpse into the life of the convicted sex offender and financier, shedding light on his social circle and personal demeanor.
Cotrin, who managed Epstein’s luxurious Paris apartment, spoke exclusively to The Telegraph about his experiences, offering details about Epstein’s interactions with high-profile figures and his mindset before his death in 2019.
Cotrin, a French-Brazilian national, worked for Epstein from 2001 until the financier’s death in August 2019.
As butler, chauffeur, and cook, Cotrin managed Epstein’s eight-bedroom Paris apartment on Avenue Foch, a prestigious address overlooking the Arc de Triomphe.
He also worked at Epstein’s properties in New York, Palm Beach, and Little St. James, the private Caribbean island infamously linked to Epstein’s crimes.
Cotrin described himself as a trusted confidant, stating, “He trusted me completely,” and emphasized his role as Epstein’s sole full-time employee in Paris.
Cotrin’s account paints a picture of Epstein as a charismatic figure who attracted a roster of influential guests.
Among those Cotrin recalled visiting Epstein’s Paris home were former President Bill Clinton, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, filmmaker Woody Allen, and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
Cotrin also mentioned encounters with Prince Andrew, whom he chauffeured multiple times in Paris and New York, accompanied by British taxpayer-funded security.
A photograph provided to The Telegraph shows Cotrin with Clinton aboard Epstein’s private jet, known as the “Lolita Express,” underscoring the financier’s access to elite circles.
Epstein’s Final Days and Cotrin’s Doubts About Suicide
Cotrin’s interview provides a firsthand perspective on Epstein’s state of mind before his arrest in July 2019.
On July 6, Cotrin drove Epstein to Le Bourget airport in Paris for a flight to New York, where authorities arrested him upon landing.
Epstein faced charges of sex trafficking minors and was held in the Manhattan Metropolitan Correctional Center.
On August 10, 2019, he was found dead in his cell, with the official ruling citing suicide by hanging.
Cotrin, however, expressed skepticism about the suicide verdict, echoing sentiments shared by Epstein’s brother, Mark. “I am like his brother.
I don’t believe this was suicide.
He loved life too much,” Cotrin told The Telegraph.
He described Epstein as optimistic, planning to negotiate bail and discussing future investments, including spending more time in Paris and developing his Caribbean properties.
Cotrin’s partner, Maria Gomes de Melo, who also knew Epstein, recalled him saying, “I’ll be back next week,” before his departure, further fueling their doubts about the official narrative.
The Department of Justice later released nearly 11 hours of surveillance footage from outside Epstein’s cell, but a missing minute from 11:58:58 p.m. to midnight has contributed to ongoing speculation about foul play.
While Cotrin offered no evidence to support claims of murder, his account aligns with public demands for greater transparency, including calls for the release of Epstein’s full investigative files.
Epstein’s Social Network and Alleged Connections
Cotrin’s role gave him a front-row seat to Epstein’s interactions with prominent individuals.
He claimed to have prepared meals for guests like Bill Gates, who reportedly enjoyed Cotrin’s Brazilian bread and cheese balls.
Another photograph, widely circulated, shows Cotrin with Epstein and former UK cabinet minister Peter Mandelson at the Paris apartment during Epstein’s birthday celebration in 2007.
These glimpses into Epstein’s world highlight the financier’s ability to cultivate relationships with global leaders, though Cotrin insisted he never witnessed Epstein engaging in illegal activities with minors.
Cotrin’s loyalty to Epstein remains evident.
He denied seeing Epstein “cavorting” with underage girls, claiming young women were hired only for massages and tasks like nail-cutting.
“The girls did that to him, but it stopped there,” he said.
However, court documents and victim testimonies have established Epstein’s extensive abuse of minors, for which he was convicted in 2008 and faced further charges in 2019.
Cotrin’s perspective may reflect his limited exposure to Epstein’s criminal activities or a reluctance to acknowledge them.
Public Interest and Call for Transparency
Cotrin’s revelations come amid renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s connections to powerful figures, prompted by the release of court documents from a 2015 defamation case involving Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell and victim Virginia Giuffre.
These documents, unsealed in early 2024, have fueled public interest in Epstein’s network, with some calling for the full disclosure of his files held by the Department of Justice.
Cotrin’s mention of high-profile visitors, including a photograph with Clinton, has intensified demands for accountability, particularly regarding former President Clinton, who was subpoenaed in August 2025 to testify before a congressional committee.
Cotrin also expressed fear for his own safety, citing the deaths of Epstein, Giuffre (who died by suicide in April 2025), and Jean-Luc Brunel, a modeling agency head linked to Epstein who died in a Paris prison in 2022.
“I’m scared because after what happened to them, poor Valdson, who knows?” he said.
His concerns underscore the persistent mysteries surrounding Epstein’s case and the risks faced by those associated with it.
Cotrin’s account, while offering a unique perspective, raises as many questions as it answers.
His refusal to speak publicly until now, coupled with his loyalty to Epstein, complicates his narrative.
Nonetheless, his interview adds to the growing chorus demanding the release of Epstein’s files to clarify the extent of his influence and the roles played by those in his orbit.
As investigations continue, the public remains eager for answers about one of the most notorious scandals in modern history.
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