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A billionaire ex-friend of Prince Andrew operated a sex trafficking ring in which he abused dozens of underage girls, prosecutors have said.

Jeffrey Epstein is alleged to have paid hundreds of dollars to girls as young as 14 for sex as employees lured them to his mansions in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida.

The New York financier enjoyed a close friendship with the Duke of York going as far back as 2001.

Yesterday, he was charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking. He later pleaded not guilty in a federal court.

Meanwhile, Attorney Geoffrey Berman appealed for other victims to come forward.

(Image: Patrick McMullan via Getty Image) (Image: REUTERS)

He said: “While the charged conduct is from a number of years ago, the victims – then children and now young women – are no less entitled to their day in court.”

It is claimed Epstein’s victims would be paid to find other girls.

“In this way, Epstein created a vast network of underage victims to sexually exploit, often on a daily basis,” Mr Berman’s office said.

The charges have called into ­question Prince Andrew’s judgment.

Epstein, 66, pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a minor for prostitution.

(Image: PA)

In a controversial plea deal, he was given an 18-month jail sentence.

The Duke of York caused huge embarrassment after he was pictured with Epstein following his release from prison in 2011.

The pair strolled through Central Park together, sparking anger which later led to Andrew stepping down from his role as trade envoy.

Investment banker Epstein was also friends with US Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton.

Trump was quoted as saying in a New York Magazine profile of Epstein: “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.”