Alicia Arden

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

Alicia Arden is one of the earliest known accusers of Jeffrey Epstein, having filed a police report with the Santa Monica Police Department on May 12–20, 1997 alleging sexual battery. She alleges Epstein — posing as a Victoria's Secret modeling scout — invited her to his room at Shutters hotel, criticized her figure, asked her to undress, and groped her while saying 'let me manhandle you for a second.' No charges were ever filed; police closed the case claiming Arden did not wish to prosecute, a characterization Arden vigorously denies. Since Epstein's 2019 arrest and death, Arden has become a prominent victim-advocate: she appeared with attorney Gloria Allred calling for investigation into how Santa Monica PD handled her 1997 report, and has repeatedly demanded the Trump administration and DOJ fully release Epstein investigation files. She has criticized the DOJ's partial release under the Epstein Files Transparency Act and expressed skepticism about the government's transparency. There is no record of Arden filing a lawsuit against Epstein's estate or any other party, nor of any criminal charges, arrest, or settlement specifically involving her. Her role is that of a credible early accuser and public advocate for accountability and transparency — not a subject of any legal proceeding herself.