Donald Trump on witness list for civil case involving billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

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Donald Trump has been placed on the witness list for a civil trial involving billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, a lawyer involved in the case has claimed.

The US President has been “identified as an individual who may have information” relating to allegations about Epstein, Jack Scarola told the LawNewz.com website.

He said there is evidence that at least one former employee at Mr Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, was recruited by an associate of Epstein to become involved in alleged sex offences.

The civil trial, due to start later this year, involves allegations of malicious prosecution and defamation filed by Bradley Edwards, a Florida lawyer who previously represented several of Epstein’s alleged victims in separate cases from 2009.

In the affidavit filed in support of case, Mr Edwards claims that Mark Epstein (Jeffrey’s brother) testified that Mr Trump flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s plane with him, LegalNewz.com reported.

“Epstein’s phone directory from his computer contains 14 phone numbers for Donald Trump, including emergency numbers, car numbers, and numbers to Trump’s security guard and houseman,” the affidavit reportedly claims.

Court records in an earlier civil case against Mr Epstein allege that he molested more than 40 girls between 2002 and 2005 at his Florida mansion.

There is no evidence to suggest any involvement from Mr Trump, but the records claim that “message pads confiscated from Epstein’s home indicated that Trump called Epstein’s West Palm Beach mansion on several occasions”.

It also quotes an interview with Mr Trump, featured in New York Magazine, in which he said: “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it, Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”

In 2007, Epstein was given what critics branded a “sweetheart” deal by federal prosecutors over allegations he sexually assaulted young girls.

The deal was overseen by Alexander Acosta, Mr Trump’s now Labour Secretary nominee. Mr Acosta is expected to face questions on the issue at his upcoming Senate confirmation hearing.

The non-prosecution agreement ensured Epstein and any “co-conspirators” would not be prosecuted federally in exchange for the billionaire pleading guilty to state charges.

Mr Scarola said the chances are “very low” that Mr Trump would be called as a witness at the trial.

“There are, as you might imagine, substantial hurdles in calling a sitting US president and we don’t want any further delays on this case,” he said.

The Trump Organization has been contacted for a response but none had arrived at the time of publication.