Newly released documents, totaling over 20,000 pages from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, reveal the extent of his communications with various public figures after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution. These documents have drawn attention to the maintenance of Epstein's social circles following legal judgments and media reports concerning his activities.
Interactions with Stacey Plaskett
In 2019, during former Donald Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's testimony to a House committee, Democratic member Stacey Plaskett was observed texting. Emails subsequently made public under subpoena indicate she communicated with Epstein during this period. Epstein encouraged her to inquire about a Trump Organization employee, and following her question, he sent a text stating "Good Work."
Ms. Plaskett has stated she was texting with multiple individuals, including Epstein as a constituent, and denied seeking his advice. She further clarified that this exchange occurred before his 2019 arrest for sexual trafficking but after his 2008 conviction and a 2018 Miami Herald investigation that reported allegations of sexual abuse involving underage girls at his private island. Plaskett expressed disdain for Epstein's conduct and supports the release of his files.
Epstein's Maintained Network
The documents illustrate Epstein's capacity to sustain relationships within elite social circles subsequent to his criminal conviction and the 2018 media exposure. Barry Levine, author of "The Spider: Inside the Criminal Web of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell," characterized Epstein as a "people collector" who utilized gained information for transactional purposes, including favors, finances, or potential leverage.
Contact with Lord Peter Mandelson
Communications show that Lord Peter Mandelson, a Labour peer and former UK ambassador to the US, maintained contact with Epstein until late 2016. This period was after Epstein's conviction but prior to the Miami Herald investigation. In a November 2015 email, Epstein sent a birthday message, to which Lord Mandelson replied. Lord Mandelson has denied knowledge of Epstein's crimes or any wrongdoing and has expressed regret regarding their continued communications.
Diverse Connections
Epstein's released documents also reveal a varied network that included academics, business leaders, and political figures. Observers have suggested that some casual acquaintances may not have been aware of the full scope of his activities, or that Epstein's perceived influence and wealth contributed to the continuation of these relationships.
Larry Summers' Communications
Larry Summers, a former US Treasury Secretary and Harvard University president, engaged in communication with Epstein, including seeking romantic advice. An exchange in November 2018, the same month the Miami Herald investigation was published, involved Summers forwarding an email from a woman to Epstein for input. Epstein's reply was noted. Following the public disclosure of these interactions, Summers announced he would step back from public commitments and cease teaching at Harvard, stating he was "deeply ashamed" of his actions.
Noam Chomsky's Financial Association
Linguist Noam Chomsky also exchanged messages with Epstein. Epstein reportedly provided financial assistance to Chomsky, who stated that Epstein helped him move money between accounts without receiving funds from Epstein. Chomsky had previously told the Wall Street Journal that Epstein had served his sentence and, according to US laws, this results in "a clean slate." Barry Levine indicated Epstein assisted numerous clients in financial matters, leveraging his understanding of tax codes.
Donald Trump's Disengagement
While Donald Trump's name frequently appears in Epstein's documents, no messages to or from Trump are included. Trump described Epstein as a "terrific guy" in 2002. Epstein later claimed a close friendship with Trump for a decade. Trump stated their relationship concluded in the early 2000s, prior to Epstein's first arrest. By 2008, Trump publicly expressed not being "a fan" of Epstein and has denied knowledge of his sex trafficking activities. The White House indicated Trump removed Epstein from his club years prior due to inappropriate behavior.
Public Reaction
Many individuals whose communications with Epstein after his convictions have become public may face scrutiny. Barry Levine noted that such communications do not imply participation in Epstein's crimes, and that individuals involved likely regret the association. Howard Lutnick, the president's commerce secretary, stated that his single encounter with Epstein, his next-door neighbor for a decade, led him to conclude he was "gross."