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Virginia Roberts Giuffre claims she had sex with billionaire Hyatt hotels heir Tom Pritzker, court documents claim: His cousins are Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Harvard board member behind Claudine Gay appointment

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Virginia Roberts Giuffre claims she had sex with billionaire Hyatt hotels heir Tom Pritzker, court documents claim: His cousins are Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Harvard board member behind Claudine Gay appointment


Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and had sex with Prince Andrew at age 17, said in a just released deposition that she had sex with billionaire Hyatt hotel heir Tom Pritzker.

Pritzker is Hyatt Hotels’ executive chairman and the cousin of Illinois’ Democrat Governor JB Pritzker and chairman and CEO of the Pritzker Organization. 

Newly released documents show a deposition given by Giuffre where attorney Laura Meninger – representing notorious Epstein madam Ghislaine Maxwell – asked if she’d slept with Pritzker, who is worth $5.3billion.

Giuffre said – and affirmed multiple times under oath – that she believed she’d been ‘with Tom once’ when asked if they’d had sex – a claim he has angrily denied.

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Pritzker’s other cousin – JB’s sister – is former Obama official Penny Pritzker, who now sits on Harvard’s oversight board, and who was instrumental in the appointment of Claudine Gay, who resigned as college president Tuesday over anti-Semitism and plagiarism allegations. 

Penny faced calls to stand down over the incident, but has announced plans to remain in her posiiton.  

In March, he was among three billionaires issued with subpoenas in relation to JPMorgan’s ties to Epstein.  

Virginia Giuffre , who claims she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and had sex with Prince Andrew at age 17, said in a just released deposition that she had sex with billionaire Hyatt hotel heir Tom Pritzker (pictured)

Giuffre said - and affirmed multiple times under oath - that she believed she'd been 'with Tom once' when asked if they'd had sex

Giuffre said – and affirmed multiple times under oath – that she believed she’d been ‘with Tom once’ when asked if they’d had sex

At no point did Giuffre suggest that she’d slept with Pritzker on the urgings of Epstein or Maxwell, though later she said she’d had sex with the ‘owner of a large hotel chain’ at ‘his own cabana townhouse thing’ in France.

She didn’t specifically say who she’d slept with in that instance but said she was sent to him by Maxwell. 

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In a statement to The Messenger, a spokesperson for Pritzker – who has not been charged in connection with the Epstein case – denied Giuffre’s claims. 

‘This is the same false and isolated allegation that was published and vehemently denied more than four years ago,’ the spokesperson said. 

‘Mr. Pritzker continues to vehemently deny it.’

Giuffre sued Maxwell for defamation in 2016 and while the case was settled, The Miami Herald – which published a bombshell expose of Epstein that led to his arrest in 2019 – sued to get the documents made public. 

Some of the Does are identified in the ruling through links to interviews they have given to the media, which the judge cited as a reason why they should not stay private.

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They include the housekeepers on Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean where some of the worst abuse that he perpetrated was carried out.

Newly released documents show a deposition given by Giuffre where attorney Laura Meninger - representing notorious Epstein madam Ghislaine Maxwell - asked if she'd slept with Pritzker, who is worth $5.3billion

Newly released documents show a deposition given by Giuffre where attorney Laura Meninger – representing notorious Epstein madam Ghislaine Maxwell – asked if she’d slept with Pritzker, who is worth $5.3billion

Pritzker is Hyatt Hotels' executive chairman and the cousin of Illinois ' Democrat Governor JB Pritzker and chairman and CEO of the Pritzker Organization

Pritzker is Hyatt Hotels’ executive chairman and the cousin of Illinois ‘ Democrat Governor JB Pritzker and chairman and CEO of the Pritzker Organization

Tom Pritzker's other cousin - JB's sister - is Penny Pritzker, pictured right. The former Obama Administration's Secretary of Commerce now sits on Harvard's oversight board, known as the Harvard Corporation, and was instrumental in the appointment of President Claudine Gay, who's just resigned from her post over plagiarism and anti-Semitism scandals

Tom Pritzker’s other cousin – JB’s sister – is Penny Pritzker, pictured right. The former Obama Administration’s Secretary of Commerce now sits on Harvard’s oversight board, known as the Harvard Corporation, and was instrumental in the appointment of President Claudine Gay, who’s just resigned from her post over plagiarism and anti-Semitism scandals 

At no point did Giuffre suggest that she'd slept with Pritzker on the urgings of Epstein or Maxwell

At no point did Giuffre suggest that she’d slept with Pritzker on the urgings of Epstein or Maxwell

In her ruling Judge Preska gave 14 days for any Does who objected to their documents being made public to object, after which they would be unsealed.

The documents in the case have been released on a rolling basis since 2019 when the first batch were made public days before Epstein also hanged himself in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Among the revelations in previous batches of documents were emails between Andrew and Epstein in 2015 when Roberts made allegations about him.

Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20 year prison sentence for sex trafficking, was questioned under oath about her relationship with Epstein and his associates in the document release.

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The long-anticipated ‘list’ of 187 previously unknown Jeffrey Epstein associates was finally revealed on Wednesday. 

The files were made public by the Southern District of New York after the deadline for appeals passed, around 6:30pm Wednesday night.

Investor Glenn Dubin is the first name to appear, in a transcript of a taped depostion with Ghislaine Maxwell where Maxwell was asked if Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg had ever been asked to massage Dubin.

Maxwell answered: ‘I don’t believe, I have no recollection of it.’  

Jeffrey Epstein pictured in 2019, months before he died in prison. The long-awaited list of his associates and friends named in a 2015 lawsuit was today partially released

Jeffrey Epstein pictured in 2019, months before he died in prison. The long-awaited list of his associates and friends named in a 2015 lawsuit was today partially released 

For years, many have speculated over who else could have been involved in Epstein and Maxwell group. While he took his secrets to the grave, she maintains she has never been involved in any sex trafficking

For years, many have speculated over who else could have been involved in Epstein and Maxwell group. While he took his secrets to the grave, she maintains she has never been involved in any sex trafficking 

Many were already linked to Epstein and some are the names of previously identified victims.  

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Three people filed appeals and one has been granted – that of Jane Doe 107. Another – filed by John Doe 110 – is under review. 

Doe 110 is said to have been widely associated with Epstein in the past, but filed a last minute request to stay anonymous. 

They are described in court documents as an ‘alleged Epstein affiliate’.  

The names were all redacted in a 2015 lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell. 

The case was settled in 2017 but the names remained secret until now. 

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Judge Loretta Preska finally agreed to unseal the documents in December last year, ruling there was no longer a legal need to keep the names hidden. 

Some have been calling for their release for months. 

Among them is Alan Dershowitz, a former Epstein associate who says releasing the documents puts all the information into the public forum and ‘proves’ he did nothing wrong. 

Ghislaine Maxwell, who in June 2022 was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for her role in the sex trafficking ring, has ‘nothing to say’ about the files, according to her attorney, Arthur Aidala. 

Aidala however said the papers may disappoint many, who think they will reveal a conspiracy or previously-unknown names. 

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Democrats see historic gains in Virginia’s House of Delegates races

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Democrats see historic gains in Virginia’s House of Delegates races


By 10 p.m. on election night, just three hours after polls closed, Democrats had flipped nearly one dozen seats from Republican incumbents.

Want more election coverage?

Cardinal covered races across Southwest and Southside. For more election stories, click here.

By 11:30 p.m., they had picked up two more. 

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The party picked up seats from the city of Roanoke to Petersburg to Spotsylvania County and Northern Virginia and others, after they knocked out incumbents in 13 districts. 

House of Delegates District 41 was among those that flipped from red to blue. Democratic challenger Lily Franklin had a 2.46 percentage point lead over incumbent Republican Del. Chris Obenshain, of Montgomery County, by 10:45 p.m.

This year’s race for the 41st District was a rematch between Obenshain and Franklin after the latter lost by 183 votes in 2023 once provisional ballots were counted. That race was not called until nearly one week after Election Day. 

“Lily Franklin ran a spirited campaign. She earned a lot of votes, and she has earned my respect,” Obenshain said in his concession statement. “Tonight was a setback not just for me, but also for the causes I have championed and the people I have sought to represent. Ultimately though, the voters have the final word and while this result is disappointing, I respect their decision tonight.”

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In a statement released Tuesday evening, Franklin said, “I’m deeply honored by the trust the people of the 41st District have placed in me. Folks are ready for new leadership.”

“Virginians turned out in force to support candidates who embody the very best of who we are – champions of fairness and truth over the forces of bigotry and deceit,” state Sen. Lamont Bagby, chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, said in a statement. 

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger will enter office with a trifecta, with the governor’s seat, the state Senate and House of Delegates all under the same party. She will be the first Democratic governor to do so in nearly 40 years, according to the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.

“Democrats, we’re back,” said House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott during a speech in Richmond on election night. “Tonight we shocked the world.”

The Portsmouth Democrat added that Virginia sent a message of love and unity over hate and division to the country. 

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“We just made history tonight. … Not only did we keep the majority in the House tonight, I think we’re at 57 seats. And we’re not done counting,” he said just before 10 p.m. on election night.

Here’s how the rest of Virginia’s Southwest and Southside House of Delegates races shook out

The political makeup of Southwest and Southside Virginia remained largely unchanged. 

Most incumbents held onto their seats, and new Republican candidates for open seats in districts 46 and 49 won their elections: Mitchell Cornett won Del. Jed Arnold’s seat, and Madison Whittle won Del. Danny Marshall’s seat. Arnold, of Smyth County, did not seek reelection, citing his wife’s health concerns. Marshall, of Danville, declined to seek reelection to undergo lung transplant surgery. He is currently recovering from that surgery. 

District 35 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Chris Runion, Rockingham County

District 36 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Ellen Campbell, Waynesboro

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District 37 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Terry Austin, Botetourt County 

District 38 winner: incumbent Democratic Del. Sam Rasoul, Roanoke

District 39 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Will Davis, Franklin County

District 40 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Joe McNamara, Roanoke County

District 41 winner: Democratic challenger Lily Franklin (seat flipped)

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District 42 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Jason Ballard, Giles County

District 43 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Will Morefield, Tazewell County 

District 44 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Israel O’Quinn, Washington County

District 45 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Terry Kilgore, Scott County 

District 46 winner: Republican Mitchell D. Cornett

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District 47 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Wren Williams, Patrick County

District 48 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Eric Phillips, Henry County 

District 49 winner: Republican Madison Whittle

District 50 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Tommy Wright, Lunenburg County

District 51 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Eric Zehr, Campbell County

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District 52 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Wendell Walker, Lynchburg 

District 53 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Tim Griffin, Bedford County

District 56 winner: incumbent Republican Del. Tom Garrett, Louisa County

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Final polls predict winners of New York, New Jersey, Virginia elections

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Final polls predict winners of New York, New Jersey, Virginia elections


Newsweek has rounded up what the latest polls are saying about the elections in New York, New Jersey and Virginia as Americans cast their votes.

Why It Matters

The 2025 races in the three states are drawing national attention as voters prepare to select leaders in three high-profile contests.

The results could set the tone for the 2026 midterms and provide insight into shifting political dynamics on the East Coast. The outcomes will also serve as a measure of support for the Democratic and Republican parties.

What To Know

New York City Mayor’s Race

Democrat Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is favored to win the mayoral contest against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

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According to the latest Marist Poll (conducted October 24-28), Mamdani leads Cuomo by 16 points among likely voters, 48 percent to 32 percent, with Sliwa at 16 percent. The poll sampled 792 likely voters and has a margin of error of =/-4.2 percent.

A separate AtlasIntel poll places Mamdani’s lead at 4.5 points over Cuomo (43.9 percent to Cuomo’s 39.4 percent). Some 2,404 people were surveyed between October 31 and November 2. The poll has a margin of error of =/- 2 percentage points.

In a Fox News poll, Mamdani has a 16-point lead with 47 percent on Cuomo (31 percent). These results are based on 971 likely voters questioned between October 24 and October 28—there is a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

New Jersey Governor’s Race

The New Jersey gubernatorial race between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli is one of the closest in recent history.

The latest AtlasIntel poll (October 25-30; 1,639 likely voters, =/-2 percent margin) gives Sherrill a narrow edge, 50.2 percent to 49.3 percent.

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Meanwhile, a John Zogby Strategies poll, carried out among 1,205 people between October 31 and November 3, places Sherrill ahead (55 percent) of Ciattarelli (43.4 percent). There is a +/- 2.9 percentage point margin of error.

Research Co. also has Sherrill in the lead with 3 points more than Ciattarelli (52 percent to 48 percent) among 450 likely voters questioned between November 2 and 3—there is a =/- 4.5 percentage point margin of error.

Virginia Governor’s Race

Democratic incumbent Abigail Spanberger appears favored over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears.

Trafalgar Group has given her a 5.6 percentage point lead over Earle-Sears (49.8 percent to 43.3 percent). Meanwhile, the latest Insider Advantage survey of 800 likely voters (questioned between November 2 and 3) has Spanberger at 50 percent and Earle-Sears at 40 percent. There is a +/- 3.46 percentage point margin of error.

Research Co.’s poll (November 2 and 3 among 450 likely voters) shows Spanberger with a lead of 54 percent over Winsome Earle-Sears’s 46 percent. There is a =/- 4.6 percent margin of error.

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What People Are Saying

Statistician Nate Silver, founder of FiveThirtyEight (538), said about the race in New Jersey: “A close race could just come down to Sherrill being part of an unpopular two-time incumbent party. That’s why it’s going to be hard to infer much from this election, either about the state of New Jersey or the broader political environment.”

Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, outside New York City Hall on Monday: “I continue to be confident about our chances heading into Election Day tomorrow. But I will not allow myself or let this movement to become complacent.”

What Happens Next

Polling places in New York, New Jersey and Virginia are open for in-person voting, with initial results expected to emerge after polls close Tuesday evening.

High mail-in and early voting rates add potential uncertainty—final outcomes may not be clear until late Tuesday or Wednesday.



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Virginia is about to make history! Earle-Sears, Spanberger make final push as Election Day approaches.

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Virginia is about to make history! Earle-Sears, Spanberger make final push as Election Day approaches.


RICHMOND, Va. — Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger made their final appeals to Virginia voters across the Commonwealth on Monday, as each hopes to make history as the state’s first female governor.

Earle-Sears began her day at Shorty’s Diner in Henrico County, flipping pancakes and serving coffee alongside the Republican statewide ticket and Governor Glenn Youngkin.

“We’re going to keep it moving. Our Governor has begun it. We’re going to finish it,” Earle-Sears told supporters gathered at the restaurant. “Do you like what we’ve been doing in Virginia? Well, Abigail Spanberger was never a part of it. She hasn’t been a part of creating any of these jobs, she hasn’t been a part of helping Virginia to remain safe and secure.”

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Shakile Ali, an Earle-Sears supporter, said he backs her positions on school choice and policies regarding transgender students in sports and bathrooms.

What Virginia voters are telling CBS 6 about the Virginia economy and their vote

“I believe that the love of her country, the love of Virginia is what makes me support her the most. From her guidance, her family values, the Christian values make me support her,” Ali said.

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Just blocks away on West Broad Street, Spanberger’s campaign bus arrived at a field office to energize volunteers before a day of door-knocking.

“We are giving people not just hope, but a plan and a path towards utilizing that hope,” Spanberger said. “Virginians, tomorrow, will make clear that we want a governor who’s focused on lowering costs, strengthening our communities, strengthening our public schools and growing our economy despite all the challenges we see coming out of D.C.”

Spanberger Nov. 2025

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Patty Heidelmark, who has volunteered for Spanberger since 2018, said she supports the candidate’s positions on public education, women’s rights, and healthcare.

“I’m a Type 1 diabetic. I’m on a pump. Insulin saves my life. She has supported healthcare and the need for healthcare for people. Especially people of my age, who are in our 60s,” Heidelmark said.

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A recent Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey showed Spanberger leading Earle-Sears by double digits in the historic race.

What’s on the mind of Virginia voters in Chesterfield?

More than 1.4 million Virginia voters have already cast ballots during the early voting period, which has now closed. Polls will open at 6 a.m. on Election Day and remain open until 7 p.m.

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This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. To learn more about how we use AI in our newsroom, click here.





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