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A newly released trove of Justice Department documents has revealed extensive connections between Jeffrey Epstein and numerous high-profile figures from business, politics, and royalty. The documents, made public Friday, shed light on how many powerful men maintained relationships with the disgraced financier even after his 2008 guilty plea for sex crimes in Florida.
The files detail correspondence spanning years between Epstein and various influential individuals, many of whom have previously denied close ties to the man who was charged with sex trafficking before his 2019 suicide in a Manhattan jail cell.
Former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, appears hundreds of times in the documents. Despite his repeated denials of allegations from Virginia Roberts Giuffre that she was trafficked to him at age 17, the records show Epstein received invitations to dine at Buckingham Palace. They also reveal Epstein’s offer to introduce the former royal to a 26-year-old Russian woman, along with photos apparently showing Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over an unidentified woman lying on the floor. King Charles III stripped his brother of his royal titles last year amid the ongoing scandal.
Tech billionaires feature prominently in the documents. Tesla founder Elon Musk appears in 2012-2013 email exchanges discussing potential visits to Epstein’s Caribbean island compound. Musk has previously maintained on social media that he “repeatedly turned down” Epstein’s invitations, stating, “Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED.”
Google co-founder Sergey Brin is shown corresponding with Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell as early as 2003. Maxwell invited Brin to a film screening and later to a “happily casual and relaxed” dinner at Epstein’s New York home. Brin reportedly offered to bring along then-Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
Virgin Group founder Richard Branson exchanged numerous emails with Epstein years after the latter’s sex offender registration. In one 2013 message, Branson invited Epstein to his private Caribbean island, writing, “Any time you’re in the area would love to see you. As long as you bring your harem!” In another message, Branson suggested Epstein rehabilitate his image through Bill Gates. Virgin has since stated that Branson’s contact with Epstein was “limited to group or business settings” and that he declined a charitable donation after uncovering “serious allegations.”
New York Giants co-owner Steven Tisch appears over 400 times in the files. Correspondence shows Epstein connecting Tisch to numerous women, including one exchange about a “Ukrainian girl” whom Tisch inquired about with the question, “Pro or civilian?” Tisch has acknowledged knowing Epstein but denied visiting his Caribbean island, stating, “We had a brief association… As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.”
Casey Wasserman, president of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics committee, exchanged flirtatious emails with Maxwell, including one where he wrote, “I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?” Wasserman has since stated he never had a personal or business relationship with Epstein and regretted the correspondence with Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking and abuse of minors.
Political figures also appear throughout the documents. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and his wife maintained regular contact with Epstein for years, including planning a 2017 stay at his New York residence. While Barak has acknowledged visiting Epstein and flying on his private plane, he insists he never observed inappropriate behavior.
Howard Lutnick, recently nominated as Donald Trump’s commerce secretary, visited Epstein’s Caribbean island with his family in 2012, contradicting his previous claims of cutting ties with Epstein decades earlier. The Commerce Department responded that Lutnick had “limited interactions with Mr. Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing.”
Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon exchanged hundreds of friendly texts with Epstein, some sent just months before Epstein’s 2019 arrest. Their discussions ranged from politics to travel plans and a documentary Bannon was reportedly planning to help rehabilitate Epstein’s reputation.
The fallout continues internationally. Miroslav Lajcak, a national security adviser to Slovakia’s prime minister, resigned Saturday after his communications with Epstein surfaced. Lajcak, a former Slovak foreign minister and UN General Assembly president, maintained his correspondence with Epstein was part of his diplomatic duties.
None of the individuals named in the documents have been charged with crimes connected to Epstein’s case, though the revelations continue to raise questions about the extent of Epstein’s network and influence even after his criminal history became public knowledge.
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9 Comments
I’m curious to learn more about the specific nature of these relationships and what information the documents reveal. Transparency is crucial in cases like this.
Agreed. The public deserves to know the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be for those involved.
Shocking revelations about the powerful men linked to Epstein. This just goes to show how deep the connections run between the elite and those accused of horrific crimes.
It’s disturbing to see so many high-profile names implicated. We need thorough investigations to uncover the full extent of these alleged ties.
This is a complex and sensitive situation, but I believe the truth must come out. The public deserves to know the full extent of these alleged ties and their implications.
I appreciate the release of these documents, as it sheds light on a disturbing web of influence and potential abuse of power. Transparency is key to addressing such issues.
This story highlights the need for greater accountability among the wealthy and powerful. No one should be above the law, regardless of their status or connections.
Absolutely. Justice must be served, and no one should escape consequences for their alleged involvement in these kinds of crimes.
While the details are certainly troubling, I’m glad these connections are being brought to light. It’s important that we continue to investigate and hold all involved parties accountable.