Latest news with #UpperEastSide
ABC News
6 hours ago
- ABC News
Jeffrey Epstein survivor says it's time for the truth to finally be told
Danielle Bensky was waiting for the bathroom at a New York nightclub when a woman asked if she'd be interested in massaging her client — a wealthy financier named Jeffrey Epstein. The then 17-year-old was an aspiring ballerina working odd jobs to get herself through ballet school and hoping to earn some extra cash. "He's lovely, he has a big mansion, he's very wealthy," Ms Bensky recalled being told. With the impression there was nothing untoward about the opportunity, the teenager and a friend headed to Epstein's Upper East Side mansion. What began as a "casual meeting" within a couple months spiralled into Ms Bensky being sexually abused multiple times a week for more than a year by the notorious paedophile. Now 38, Ms Bensky, one of hundreds of women to have suffered abuse by the convicted sex offender, is speaking out as the Epstein scandal dogs the White House and grips the nation. At the time of the abuse in 2004, Ms Bensky's mother had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and "the survival rate was not great", Ms Bensky said. Under the impression that Epstein had an understanding of neuroscience, she showed him her mother's brain scans, hoping he could help. Instead, he gave her an ultimatum. "He sat me down and said, 'OK, so what will you do for this?' And my heart sank and I asked him what he meant. "He's like, 'You have two choices, basically you can recruit and bring me more girls or … you're going to have to do something for this,' and that's when the sexual abuse started." Ms Bensky says Epstein used her mother's diagnosis as leverage to repeatedly sexually abuse her and threatened to withhold treatment if she told anyone. She said he also pressured her to recruit other girls for him, something she said she refused to do. "He had made a comment about, 'Well I know all the top surgeons, I know the anaesthesiologists, I know all these people and I can do something wonderful, and I can make sure she gets the best care, or I can make sure that that doesn't happen for her and I can actually take the care away.'" Epstein never followed through with helping her mum receive treatment. In 2005, her mother had a 19-hour brain operation. Once she was recovering at home, Ms Bensky stopped going to Epstein's New York mansion. The disgraced financier died in a prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial charged with sex trafficking minors. His death has been the subject of myriad conspiracy theories and has caused a furore among many of Donald Trump's most loyal supporters, who have long demanded answers surrounding Epstein's death and criminal operation. Mr Trump, who committed to releasing the Epstein files during his presidential campaign, has lashed out at some of his supporters, accusing them of falling for the "Epstein hoax". Survivors like Ms Bensky find those comments, and the ensuing politicisation of the case, offensive. "It's a circus, it's become this show on the world stage." Ms Bensky wants to see more information made public. "The files are a representation of the trial … and we didn't get that. But we do have the files," she said. "So that feels like the piece of closure that we're lacking right now. "He had a full staff, and you just knew that there were people watching you at all times. "I'd love to know what this whole structure was, and how he got away with it for so long." For years, supporters and allies of the president have amplified scepticism and claims of a government cover-up to protect those associated with Epstein. Factions of the president's MAGA base, as well as some of his Republican colleagues, have maintained calls for classified documents and a rumoured "client list" to be released to the public. US Attorney-General Pam Bondi invited a group of conservative influencers to the White House in February where they were handed binders labelled "The Epstein Files Phase I". But much of what was inside the binders was already on the public record. One of those influencers who visited Washington DC was conservative podcaster Liz Wheeler. "I was one of the 'new media' figures … who have been put through the ringer for Attorney-General Pam Bondi's gross incompetence and her severe lack of judgement in the way that she rolled that out," Ms Wheeler said. The Department of Justice and FBI later released a memo that said their investigation had concluded there was "no incriminating "client list" and that "further disclosure would not be appropriate or warranted". Now Ms Wheeler wants to see the president sack the attorney-general for her "botched rollout" of the Epstein files. "It's time to rectify this issue, which is why I said [the president] should not tolerate Pam Bondi's behaviour anymore," she said. "The base feels stung because we have not been told the truth and we associate the Epstein files now with the question of, are we going to get the justice we voted for? "The American people feel that this is injustice. They feel that they are being played. They feel there is dishonesty afoot. And of course that triggers us because we have been harmed by politicians doing this before. "What we do as President Trump's base is, a true friend tells you the truth, even when that truth is uncomfortable, even when that truth might have consequences." Author and Washington Post reporter Sarah Ellison described the current Epstein controversy as "an own goal by the Trump administration". "To say there's nothing to see here and you're not going to see anything else … That created an absolute sense of betrayal and that people had been lied to," Ms Ellison said. The president has faced growing political backlash with mounting calls for greater transparency coming from some Republican colleagues, and his own daughter-in-law, Lara Trump. With Democrats animated on the issue, the president reversed course — directing Ms Bondi to seek the release of grand jury testimony stemming from the prosecution of Epstein. But the move was blocked by a federal judge in Florida, citing legal guidelines governing grand jury secrecy. The Justice Department is continuing a push for grand jury transcripts to be released in the state of New York. Officials have also reached out to the lawyers for Epstein's co-conspirator and enabler Ghislaine Maxwell to see if she would speak with prosecutors. In a move that has split Republicans and outraged Democrats, the Republican leadership also moved to close Congress early to prevent a vote on releasing more files relating to Epstein. Ms Wheeler said only "radical transparency" will satisfy the president's base. "They owe it to the American people to give us every bit of Epstein file information that they have, period," she said. "There should not be any more gatekeeping on this. "I don't care about the political implications of anything else in those files, release them all." Mr Trump has escalated his legal attacks on the news media and recently settled lawsuits with CBS and America's ABC for tens-of-millions of dollars. The president also turned on Rupert Murdoch, suing the media mogul and his newspaper The Wall Street Journal for $US10 billion ($15 billion) after it published a story scrutinising his years-long friendship with Epstein. The Wall Street Journal reported Maxwell had collated a series of letters for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003 which included one bearing Mr Trump's name. The article also stated the letter included a lewd drawing of a naked woman which was signed "may every day be a wonderful secret". Mr Trump, who only in February called Mr Murdoch a "legend", denies ever writing the letter and claims it is a fake. Ms Ellison, who previously worked as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal before publishing a book that detailed the inside politics at the Murdoch-owned paper, said the legal action sends a message. "It's the most significant media lawsuit that he brought because Rupert Murdoch is the most significant media mogul in this era," she said. "This is a sometimes ally, this is someone who has essentially, from a media perspective, delivered Donald Trump to us, and now for this to be the person and the institution that Trump is suing, it means that no-one's really safe." Despite being hit with a multi-million-dollar lawsuit, Ms Ellison said the paper was showing no signs of backing away from its coverage of Mr Trump and Epstein. "I think Rupert is one of these people who loves nothing more than talking about the news with his editors … but I don't think that he dictates the coverage to them at the Journal." The WSJ has since published another exclusive story reporting that Ms Bondi and her deputy, Todd Blanche, told the president his name was among many mentioned in files about Epstein. The White House has labelled it another fake news story. Away from the dizzying pace of news developments surrounding the case, survivors at the centre of it, like Ms Bensky, persist. She returned to dancing as a choreographer after taking a hiatus to cope with the trauma of her abuse. "It was really a struggle for me to come back to the leotard for a while," she said. "This is a human story. It's not about politics, it's not divisive, it's just to be seen and heard and finding accountability." Watch 7.30, Mondays to Thursdays 7:30pm on ABC iview and ABC TV Do you know more about this story? Get in touch with 7.30 here.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Can This Buzzy Bistro Make the Upper East Side Cool?
Anthony Bourdain once called the Upper East Side of Manhattan 'a wasteland for food.' The man who would eat anything, anywhere, drew the line there. (He lived at the time on East 87th Street.) Was that fair? No neighborhood is a monolith. But this one has long been equated with its most privileged residents — not the flaunt-it rich but the even richer, who have no need to. Like many affluent enclaves, it's not particularly hospitable to exciting restaurants. Much of the housing stock is too pricey, the clientele too assured of its own tastes (and perhaps reluctant to invite in the hordes). Yet somehow Chez Fifi, a low-lit hideaway at the bottom of an Italianate rowhouse in the placid 70s, has managed to distract New Yorkers from downtown haunts and become one of the most lusted-after reservations. It's part of a new coterie of intimate, Parisian-styled bistros — like Le Chêne and Zimmi's in the West Village and Le Veau d'Or on the Upper East Side's southern edge — that seem to have bewitched the city. Months after Chez Fifi opened last December, the calendar of availability was still grayed out, save for the stray 10:45 p.m. slot. When I finally secured a table at a less European hour, I was dubious. I do not like being a victim of mimetic desire, wanting what everyone wants. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Vogue
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Bravo's Newest Reality Show Is Gen Z's Answer to The Hills
The following article contains minor spoilers for Next Gen: NYC. Charlie and Georgia are having a fight at a Sichuan restaurant on the Upper East Side over a cheap pair of speakers. Charlie is 29 years old and allegedly receiving a $10K-a-month allowance from his private investor father whom he describes as Logan Roy incarnate. Georgia is 22 years old and uses a laptop instead of a phone and once threw a party for Anna Delvey when she was on house arrest. Charlie calls Georgia 'dirt poor.' Georgia calls Charlie a 'piece of shit.' No, this is not a Bret Easton Ellis novel. This is Next Gen: NYC, Bravo's newest series and my latest reality-TV obsession. The cast has been meticulously selected. Elsewhere on the roster is pansexual OnlyFans model Dylan, who wears a 'God is Trans' top and thinks men bond when they punch each other. Model Ava is the daughter of Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Dame Dash and fashion designer Rachel Roy, while Emira is an influencer-slash-model-slash-TikToker. And then there are all the children of various Real Housewives: Ariana and Riley, both of whom have been on camera since they were seven; Gia Giudice, whose mom famously flipped a table on The Real Housewives of New Jersey and once went to prison on fraud charges; and Brooks and Chloe Marks, whose parents are on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Everyone is in their 20s and living off trust funds and burning through thousands of dollars a night at the Box in SoHo.
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Psychologist Dr. Elyse Bensusan will be opening Bensusan Psychological Services in Manhattan's Upper East Side from Aug 2025
Elyse Bensusan, psychologist, has held a number of professional teaching and clinical positions within university and inpatient neurorehabilitation settings. In a city where high achievement is often mistaken for emotional wellness, many of New York's most capable children, teens, and even adults are quietly suffering. They perform well academically but may experience anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, or invisible learning struggles, and their distress frequently goes unnoticed until it becomes a crisis. Dr. Elyse Bensusan, Psy.D., a Columbia-trained clinical psychologist, is determined to change that narrative. From Aug 2025, her private practice, Bensusan Psychological Services, located on the Upper East Side, will be offering deeply personalized neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults who may be gifted, twice-exceptional, or navigating challenges that defy simple explanations. 'My goal is to help people feel understood before their confusion calcifies into shame,' says Dr. Bensusan. 'We all deserve to know what's going on in our minds, not just when things fall apart, but especially when we're functioning on the surface and suffering underneath.' Meeting a Growing Mental Health Need The demand for comprehensive psychological evaluation services has surged in recent years. According to the CDC, over 1 in 5 children in the U.S. experience a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder in a given year, yet only about 20% receive the care they need. Untreated challenges can snowball, leading to academic decline, social withdrawal, and diminished self-worth. Dr. Bensusan's concierge-style practice is designed to intervene early and meaningfully. By offering low-volume, one-on-one care from intake to final feedback, her model ensures that every client is truly seen, heard, and supported. Unlike traditional evaluations that can feel rushed or impersonal, her approach integrates emotional attunement with clinical expertise. 'These are the kids who get good grades but melt down after school,' she explains. 'The ones who are quiet in class but can't sleep at night. Too often, they're misread as 'fine' because they're high-functioning, and that's precisely why their pain is overlooked.' Specialties That Go Beyond the Basics Dr. Bensusan specializes in uncovering the nuances behind a person's academic and emotional profile. Her evaluations address: ADHD and executive functioning struggles Giftedness and twice-exceptionality (2e) Learning differences in reading, writing, or math Anxiety, perfectionism, and emotional dysregulation Clarification of IEP or 504 eligibility Private school admissions testing Each assessment goes beyond cognitive scores to explore how a person manages emotions, handles frustration, and engages socially. Dr. Bensusan collaborates with parents, teachers, and other professionals to build a full and compassionate understanding of each client's inner world. 'These aren't just test scores,' she emphasizes. 'They're emotional maps. When children are understood on this level, families can finally move forward with clarity.' Premium Care for Complex Needs Bensusan Psychological Services operates on a private-pay, boutique model. Evaluations are tailored in scope and cost, ranging from psychoeducational to full neuropsychological assessments. While Dr. Bensusan does not accept insurance, she provides superbills for potential reimbursement and offers a limited number of sliding-scale slots for families referred by schools or learning specialists. Sessions are $350 each, and appointments are available both in-person and online. Dr. Bensusan also offers therapy for adults virtually and provides flexible scheduling to accommodate working families. What makes her practice stand apart is the balance of scientific rigor and emotional resonance. Trained at Columbia and deeply experienced in working with New York City schools, pediatricians, and private educators, Dr. Bensusan brings both institutional knowledge and a human-centered approach. A New Standard for Psychological Assessment The rise in anxiety, learning differences, and executive functioning challenges among today's youth highlights the critical need for expert evaluation. In fact, anxiety disorders now affect approximately 9.4% of children aged 3–17 in the U.S., a number that has grown significantly in the last decade. 'Early intervention is key,' says Dr. Bensusan. 'Families often find me after trying everything: tutors, therapy, accommodations, but still feeling stuck. A thorough evaluation finally connects the dots and provides a shared language for what a child needs.' Dr. Bensusan encourages families to reach out before a crisis point. 'The earlier we understand a child, the sooner we can help them feel confident, capable, and calm. And that changes everything.' Now Accepting New Clients Dr. Elyse Bensusan's Upper East Side office is now accepting new clients. Families can schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation by phone or email. Referrals from pediatricians, school psychologists, learning specialists, and therapists are welcome. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit or connect via LinkedIn. Inquiries can be sent to DoctorBensusan@ or call 6466635111. Office Address: 1751 Second Avenue, Suite AZ-5, New York, NY 10128. About Dr. Elyse Bensusan Elyse Bensusan psychologist, is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations. Trained at Columbia University, she provides concierge-style psychological testing on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Her practice focuses on helping gifted and twice-exceptional learners, as well as individuals facing complex academic, emotional, or executive functioning challenges.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- New York Times
‘The Voice, It Turned Out, Belonged to a Small, Older Woman'
Supermoon Dear Diary: I was walking down a street on the Upper East Side one fall weeknight, lost in some personal problem, when I heard a voice shout: 'Stop!' The voice, it turned out, belonged to a small, older woman in a maroon coat. 'Back up and look up,' she said. I did as I was told. The several steps back I took brought me out from under an awning so that suddenly I could see the moon, big and brilliant, hanging over the street. I hadn't noticed just how bright a night it was. 'It's a supermoon,' the woman said. 'I heard about it on the radio. NPR. I just had to come out and see it.' 'And,' she continued, pointing the pint container in her hand heavenward, 'why wouldn't I get myself some ice cream, too?' 'It's wonderful,' I said, and we stood right there, listening to the happy clatter from a nearby Italian restaurant and admiring the supermoon together. — Sarah Skinner Submit Your Metropolitan Diary Your story must be connected to New York City and no longer than 300 words. An editor will contact you if your submission is being considered for publication. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
