Tony Hawk Issues Statement Over 'Nonsense' Claims He Had Wedding at Epstein Island
US skateboarding legend Tony Hawk has hit out at a 'nonsense' claim that one of his weddings was held on the island owned by Jeffrey Epstein.
The US Department of Justice released millions of new files and documents related to Epstein, a convicted child sex offender, last week.
A number of high-profile and powerful people are named in the files, though simply being mentioned does not indicate any wrongdoing.
Warning: The below contains a link to a document that includes discussion of child abuse and alleged human trafficking which readers may find distressing.
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One of the documents published by the DOJ, which is redacted to protect names and addresses, contains an email from a special agent, working as a Threat Intake Examiner, surrounding alleged human trafficking on the island of Little Saint James.
Within the document, the special agent notes that an alleged victim of Epstein contacted the FBI's tip-off line and told them that she had been a victim of alleged human trafficking as a minor.
The special agent writes that, during their conversation, the alleged victim claimed that she was on Epstein's island at the same time that 'Tony Hawk got married on the island'. It is the only time Hawk is mentioned in the files.
Hawk, who has been married on four occasions, has dismissed the claim, stating categorically that he has never had a wedding on the island.
He states that a photographer by the name of Mark Epstein took photos at his 2006 wedding, which took place in Fiji.
Mark Epstein is a name shared by Jeffrey Epstein's brother, but the photographer is a different person.
Hawk wrote on Instagram: "Here are the facts and timelines of my nuptials, and I apologise if they don't fit a narrative of nonsense.
"1990: Married in Fallbrook, CA (at home).
"1996: Married in San Diego, CA (at Hilton Hotel).
"2006: Married in Fiji (on Tavarua Surf Island).
"2015: Married in Ireland (at Adare Manor).
"One of the guests in 2006 shot photos and licensed them to Getty Images.
"His name is (coincidentally) Mark Epstein, an accomplished action sports photographer from Wyoming and of no relation to Jeffrey Epstein (who I never met and whose island I never visited).
"This is all easily verifiable information. Facts are not fungible."
Tagging the photographer in his post, he added: "Sorry you also got pulled into the misinformation vortex."
Topics: US Sports
Ryan Smart