Top Headlines

Feeds

DoJ Email Leak Reveals Epstein’s Ties to French Adviser, Art School Director, and EMI Deal

Updated (8 articles)
  • None
    None
    Image: Le Monde
    Le Monde Source Full size
  • EMI Records was one of the major players of the music industry
    EMI Records was one of the major players of the music industry
    Image: BBC
    EMI Records was one of the major players of the music industry (AFP via Getty Images) Source Full size
  • EMI Records was one of the major players of the music industry
    EMI Records was one of the major players of the music industry
    Image: BBC
    EMI Records was one of the major players of the music industry (AFP via Getty Images) Source Full size
  • The emails have been newly released by the US Department of Justice
    The emails have been newly released by the US Department of Justice
    Image: BBC
    The emails have been newly released by the US Department of Justice Source Full size
  • An image from the Epstein files showing David Stern at the opening of a new office for his company Asia Gateway in Beijing in 2011
    An image from the Epstein files showing David Stern at the opening of a new office for his company Asia Gateway in Beijing in 2011
    Image: BBC
    An image from the Epstein files showing David Stern at the opening of a new office for his company Asia Gateway in Beijing in 2011 (US Department of Justice) Source Full size
  • David Stern sits to the left of the Queen at a Pitch@Palace event at St James's Palace in London, in November 2016
    David Stern sits to the left of the Queen at a Pitch@Palace event at St James's Palace in London, in November 2016
    Image: BBC
    David Stern sits to the left of the Queen at a Pitch@Palace event at St James's Palace in London, in November 2016 (PA Media) Source Full size
  • NADINE RUPP/GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP/« LE MONDE »
    NADINE RUPP/GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP/« LE MONDE »
    Image: Le Monde
    NADINE RUPP/GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP/« LE MONDE » (NADINE RUPP/GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP/« LE MONDE ») Source Full size

DOJ releases thousands of Epstein‑related emails The U.S. Department of Justice made public a trove of emails in late January 2026, exposing Jeffrey Epstein’s contacts with political, academic, and music‑industry figures [1][3]. The files include correspondence from 2009‑2011 that detail meeting arrangements, project proposals, and attempts to secure investment opportunities. Analysts note the release marks the most extensive documentation of Epstein’s networking since his 2019 death.

Nicolas Princen’s 2011 Paris encounter documented Former “M Internet” adviser to President Nicolas Sarkozy, Nicolas Princen, met Epstein on 1 October 2011 in the latter’s Paris apartment, a meeting arranged by British businessman Ian Osborne [1]. Princen described the salon‑style reception as “quite useless,” noting Epstein offered no concrete project and the discussion lacked a clear objective. Osborne, who coordinated the dinner, now serves as an administrator at communications group Havas.

David Ross resigns after “Statutory” email scandal David A. Ross, 77, stepped down as director of the Master of Art Practice at New York’s School of Visual Arts on 20 February 2026 following the exposure of over 60 emails with Epstein [2]. In a 2009 exchange, Ross approved a proposal for a “Statutory” exhibition featuring models aged 14‑25 whose ages would be concealed by makeup and Photoshop. Ross later called Epstein “fantastic,” claiming the language was a tactical effort to secure funding rather than genuine endorsement.

Epstein’s aborted EMI acquisition traced to Stern and Mandelson Emails show Epstein considered buying into EMI after German entrepreneur David Stern suggested the label could provide access to “P,” Epstein’s code for women [3]. Epstein asked whether Lord Mandelson could assist and proposed bringing former Sony Music chief Tommy Mottola into the deal. The proposed transaction never materialised; Citigroup took control of EMI in 2011, splitting the label between Universal and Sony‑Geffen.

Sources

Related Tickers

by TradingView

Timeline

2008 – Jeffrey Epstein pleads guilty to state charges for prostituting minors, establishing the legal backdrop for later revelations about his network. [2]

2009 – Sarah Ferguson emails Epstein requesting a £20,000 rent loan, calls him “the brother I have always wished for,” and later thanks him as a “legend,” illustrating her personal reliance on him after his conviction. [3]

2009 – David Ross discusses a proposed “Statutory” exhibition featuring models aged 14‑25 with Epstein, describing the show as using Photoshop and makeup to obscure ages, showing early art‑world collaboration. [6]

2009 – Jeffrey Epstein expresses interest in buying into EMI after David Stern suggests the label could provide access to women, and he asks Lord Mandelson for help, marking his attempt to leverage the music industry for personal purposes. [1]

2010 – Flavio Briatore emails Epstein seeking a conversation, and Epstein later refers to him as “my Italian friend” while discussing a potential aircraft purchase for Mohamed Al Fayed and a Chelsea property sale, indicating business ties. [2]

2011 – Citigroup assumes control of EMI, splits the label between Universal and a Sony‑Geffen consortium, and the proposed Epstein‑backed EMI transaction collapses, ending his music‑industry ambitions. [1]

Sept 2011 – Sarah Ferguson congratulates Epstein on a baby boy, referencing “The Duke,” and continues to exchange affectionate messages, reinforcing their ongoing personal connection. [3]

Oct 1 2011 – Nicolas Princen meets Epstein in Paris; Princen later describes the encounter as unproductive and without follow‑up, highlighting Epstein’s attempts to court political insiders. [7]

2011 – David Stern again flags EMI as a potential Chinese‑friendly asset, but no bid materializes, underscoring repeated but failed attempts to involve Epstein in the label. [1]

Apr 26 2013 – Steve Tisch emails Epstein asking for details about a “very sweet girl” he met at Epstein’s house; Epstein replies with crude descriptions and offers to provide information, showing Tisch’s pursuit of women through Epstein. [4]

June 2013 – Tisch follows up on the woman’s status, asking if she is “pro or civilian?” and receives confirmation she is a civilian Russian, indicating ongoing solicitation of women. [4]

2013 – Tisch’s correspondence about adult women prompts NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to announce a league review of the facts to determine policy implications, signaling potential institutional scrutiny. [2]

Sept 16 2015 – Ariane de Rothschild sends an angry English‑language email to Epstein, using profanity and forwarding a message from Jacob Rothschild, revealing a familiar but contentious relationship within the Rothschild banking family. [8]

2016 – Josh Harris exchanges emails with Epstein, attends a 2013 breakfast, and writes in 2016 that he is “happy to catch up,” showing persistent contact despite attempts to block corporate overtures. [2]

May 2017 – Jean Todt meets Epstein at his New York home after a Norwegian diplomat arranges the encounter, and he plans follow‑up meetings in Paris or Geneva, indicating Epstein’s continued access to high‑level sports executives. [2]

2018 – Ariane and David de Rothschild reach a settlement that defines permissible uses of the Rothschild brand, formally ending a three‑year naming dispute that had involved Epstein as an informal adviser. [8]

Feb 2 2026 – The U.S. Department of Justice releases thousands of Epstein emails showing Sarah Ferguson’s affectionate language and financial requests, reigniting public scrutiny of her post‑conviction relationship with Epstein. [3]

Feb 3 2026 – Sarah Ferguson announces the shutdown of Sarah’s Trust, citing months of board discussion, after the DOJ email leak reveals her continued ties to Epstein and raises reputational concerns. [5]

Feb 3 2026 – Prince Edward, at the World Governments Summit, stresses the importance of remembering victims amid the unfolding Epstein scandal, highlighting royal engagement with the issue. [5]

Feb 4 2026 – DOJ‑released files expose post‑conviction communications between Epstein and senior sports figures, including Jean Todt, Flavio Briatore, Josh Harris, Todd Boehly, and Steve Tisch, underscoring the breadth of his network. [2]

Feb 5 2026 – DOJ documents confirm Epstein acted as an unofficial adviser to Edmond de Rothschild’s Swiss banking arm from 2013 to 2019, and reveal a 2015 angry email exchange with Ariane de Rothschild, linking him to elite finance circles. [8]

Feb 20 2026 – DOJ emails reveal Epstein’s unfinished attempt to acquire EMI after David Stern’s suggestion, his request to involve former Sony Music chief Tommy Mottola, and Lord Mandelson’s brief redacted reply, illustrating a failed high‑profile deal. [1]

Feb 20 2026 – David Ross resigns as master‑program director at the School of Visual Arts after the exposure of his 60‑plus emails with Epstein, including plans for a “Statutory” exhibition featuring under‑age models, prompting student protests. [6]

Feb 21 2026 – The DOJ releases correspondence documenting Nicolas Princen’s 2011 Paris meeting with Epstein, confirming the former Sarkozy adviser’s brief, unproductive encounter and providing further evidence of Epstein’s political outreach. [7]

Future (2026) – The NFL continues its internal review of Steve Tisch’s 2013 communications with Epstein to determine any policy breaches, indicating possible forthcoming disciplinary action. [2]

All related articles (8 articles)

External resources (11 links)