Settlement released between Epstein and Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre

A 2009 settlement agreement unsealed Monday between Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who accused the wealthy financier when alive of sexually abusing her, shows he paid Giuffre $500,000 without having to admit to any liability or fault in exchange for her dropping the case.

The document was unsealed as part of Giuffre's separate lawsuit against Prince Andrew. Giuffre says Epstein trafficked her and forced her to have sex with Andrew and other friends. And she alleged the prince knew she was just 17 at the time, according to CNN. 

Andrew has denied the allegations.

Attorneys for the prince argued in October 2021 in their effort to dismiss Giuffre's case that her lawsuit violates the terms of the settlement agreement with Epstein in which she agreed to a "general release" of claims against Epstein and others.

In the copy unsealed Monday, Andrew's name does not appear as a party, CNN also reports. 

Proceeding in the civil suit against Andrew are set to begin Tuesday. If his lawyers are unsuccessful in their efforts to dismiss the case or if it is not settled, the prince could face a trial date. The long-running allegations facing Andrew have tarnished his reputation. He stepped back from his royal duties in  2019.

Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to state prostitution charges, was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019 and died in prison a month later.