Federal prosecutors in New York have formally requested through the British government to speak with Prince Andrew as part of their criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's history of sexual abuse, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The request, made under a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, or MLAT, is similar to a subpoena in this case for Prince Andrew's testimony.
"Contrary to Prince Andrew's very public offer to cooperate with our investigation into Epstein's co-conspirators, an offer that was conveyed via press release, Prince Andrew has now completely shut the door on voluntary cooperation," Berman said, adding that his office is "considering its options.".
Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell at Andrew's London home in a photo released with court documents.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the request from U.S. prosecutors to speak with Prince Andrew.
Prosecutors accused the politically connected financier of preying on dozens of underage girls in New York and Florida in the early 2000s.
Andrew also said in the interview that he let the royal family down by staying with Epstein after his 2008 conviction. »