Anderson recounted that Jeffrey Epstein expressed a desire to meet prior to a scheduled photoshoot, aiming to discuss purchasing the images once they were published. Epstein’s intent was to prevent others from possessing the images following their release by the magazine.

Upon arriving at Epstein’s residence, Anderson was greeted by a young woman speaking with an Eastern European accent. He later noticed her preparing a massage table in a different room. Additionally, Epstein’s private secretary, Lesley Groff, was present.

Epstein proposed a $20,000 payment to Anderson, an offer that received approval from New York Magazine.

“At that time, it was a significant amount of money for me,” Anderson explained. “I was supporting a young family and living paycheck to paycheck.”

Epstein personally wrote a check and handed it to Anderson.

However, what began as a promising professional engagement quickly changed course when, just a few days later, Epstein opted to withdraw from the story.

Epstein called to demand the photos, Anderson said, but he refused to hand them over, saying they were not his until after publication.

“Then the threats started,” he said.

Anderson claimed Epstein sent his bodyguard and driver Merwin, described as a “massive guy in a long black overcoat and black, leather gloves”, to his studio to intimidate him.

He said it worked. 

“The magazine killed the story, too. So I cashed the check and Merwin came by again to collect the hard drive and make sure I didn’t have any more copies of the photos,” he said.

Until today, when Anderson found a copy on an old hard drive.

He has shared the six images on social media, which include framed photos of Richard Branson, Bill Clinton and Woody Allen, a black-and-white close-up and Epstein making a call at a desk behind a stuffed tiger.

One of the images contains a printed email on his desk of an exchange between Epstein and the UK royal government office concerning payment from a duke and duchess.

It is unclear which duke and duchess he is referring to.

However, former prince Andrew, who was the Duke of York, recently had his royal titles, duties and lodge stripped from him by his brother King Charles over renewed scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein.