But he backed out and went into hiding following Epstein’s arrest in 2019.
Bruno was found dead, hanging in his cell in prison in February 2022 at La Sante, one of France’s toughest jails.
He was originally indicted and placed in pre-trial detention in December 2020 for the ‘rape of a minor over 15 years old’ and harassing two other women.
Brunel committed suicide because he was ‘crushed’ by the allegations against him, his defence lawyers said in a joint statement at the time.
The newly-released files do not make clear what caused Brunel to change his mind about testifying against Epstein.
However the decision came after Epstein learned that federal prosecutors were looking to negotiate with him.
“One of Epstein’s bfs, Jean Luc Brunel, has helped get girls. He is wanting to cooperate,” a handwritten note made by federal prosecutors in February 2016 reads.
“Brunel is afraid of being prosecuted,” the prosecutor noted.
