A striking photograph of the scientist Stephen Hawking accompanied by two young women in bikinis has appeared in Jeffrey Epstein's files, once again putting the late scientist's links to the convicted pedophile in the spotlight.
The British theoretical physicist, mentioned about 250 times in Epstein's Department of Justice files, is seen in a sun lounger, smiling and holding a red cocktail between the two unidentified women.
The snapshot was among a handful of photographs of the renowned scientist included in the latest batch of Epstein's files.
"Professor Hawking made some of the greatest contributions to physics in the 20th century and at the same time was the longest-known survivor of the progressive neurodegenerative disease ALS, a debilitating condition that left him dependent on a ventilator, a voice synthesizer, a wheelchair, and 24-hour medical care," his family said in a statement to the New York Post. "Any insinuation of inappropriate behavior on his part is wrong and extremely unlikely," they added.
Hawking was also mentioned in Epstein's files after Epstein's main accuser, Virginia Giuffre, alleged that the scientist had once participated in "an orgy of minors" in the Virgin Islands.
Epstein, on the other hand, offered a cash reward to Giuffre's friends if they could help discredit her claim, according to emails contained in the files.