US DOJ Files Reveal Epstein’s Advisory Role and Ongoing Sports Executive Contacts
Updated (2 articles)
Epstein Acted as Unofficial Adviser to Edmond de Rothschild’s Swiss Arm The Department of Justice released documents showing Jeffrey Epstein consulted the Edmond de Rothschild Group’s Swiss operations from 2013 until his death in 2019 [1]. He provided informal strategic input rather than a formal board position, and his advice was recorded in internal memos and email threads [1]. The advisory relationship overlapped with Ariane de Rothschild’s assumption of Swiss leadership in January 2015 [1].
Family Feud Escalated Through Email and Mediation by Jacob Rothschild September 16 2015 email from Ariane de Rothschild to Epstein displayed a familiar tone, beginning “Tu crois à ces conneries !! ?” [1]. The same correspondence included Jacob Rothschild urging Ariane to call him, positioning him as a mediator in the naming dispute between Ariane’s Geneva‑based bank and cousin David’s Paris firm [1]. The feud culminated in a 2018 settlement that defined permissible uses of the Rothschild brand for each entity [1].
Sports Leaders Continued Contacting Epstein After His 2008 Conviction Millions of DOJ‑released files reveal senior figures in Formula 1, football and the NFL exchanged emails and texts with Epstein well after his 2008 sex‑offence conviction [2]. The documents do not prove illegal activity, but they confirm ongoing communication networks spanning several years [2]. Several executives responded publicly, stating the contacts were brief or unrelated to Epstein’s criminal enterprises [2].
Specific Executives Met or Negotiated With Epstein, Prompting Reviews Jean Todt visited Epstein’s New York home in May 2017 after a Norwegian diplomat arranged the meeting [2]. Flavio Briatore discussed an aircraft purchase for Mohamed Al Fayed and a Chelsea property sale with Epstein in 2010 [2]. Todd Boehly held two meetings with Epstein in 2011, while Steve Tisch exchanged 2013 emails about “adult women,” leading the NFL to review its policies [2]. Josh Harris maintained email contact through 2016, claiming he tried to block Epstein’s corporate overtures [2].
Sources
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1.
Le Monde: Epstein’s advisory role and naming dispute within Edmond de Rothschild Group: details Epstein’s 2013‑2019 advisory work, the 2015 personal email, Jacob Rothschild’s mediation, Ariane’s 2015 leadership, and the 2018 naming‑rights settlement .
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2.
BBC: Sports Executives’ Ongoing Contacts with Jeffrey Epstein Revealed in New Files: outlines post‑conviction communications, meetings with Jean Todt, Flavio Briatore, Josh Harris, Todd Boehly, and Steve Tisch, and notes the NFL’s pending review .
Timeline
Oct 2008 – Jeffrey Epstein is convicted of sex offenses, establishing the legal backdrop for later contacts with sports and finance figures, though subsequent communications do not prove wrongdoing [1].
2010 – Flavio Briatore sends a redacted email seeking a conversation with Epstein, who later calls him “my Italian friend” while discussing a potential aircraft purchase for Mohamed Al Fayed and a Chelsea property sale, indicating early business ties [1].
2011 – Todd Boehly meets Epstein twice as Epstein seeks an introduction to the then‑co‑owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Guggenheim partner; Boehly later becomes co‑owner and chairman of Chelsea, though neither he nor the club comment on the meetings [1].
2013 – Josh Harris attends a breakfast with Epstein and exchanges emails, while NFL owner Steve Tisch exchanges messages that include an offer to “bring the Russian” and a reply “is she fun?”, prompting later NFL scrutiny [1].
Jan 2015 – Ariane de Rothschild assumes leadership of Edmond de Rothschild’s Swiss banking arm, backed by her husband Benjamin, positioning her at the center of a family branding dispute [2].
16 Sep 2015 – Ariane de Rothschild sends an angry email to Epstein beginning “Tu crois à ces conneries !! ?”, forwarding a request from Jacob Rothschild to call him, revealing a personal familiarity beyond formal business ties [2].
2015 – Jacob Rothschild acts as mediator in the feud between Ariane and her cousin David de Rothschild, who has rebranded his Paris firm as “Rothschild & Co”, a move Ariane views as an illegal capture of the family name [2].
2016 – Josh Harris writes to Epstein that he is “happy to catch up”, despite his spokesperson later claiming Harris tried to block Epstein’s corporate overtures and cancelled meetings [1].
May 2017 – Jean Todt meets Epstein at his New York home after a Norwegian diplomat arranges the introduction; Todt plans follow‑up meetings in Paris or Geneva, showing continued high‑level sports executive contact [1].
2018 – Ariane and David de Rothschild reach a settlement that defines permissible uses of the Rothschild brand for each entity, formally ending the public naming dispute [2].
2019 – Jeffrey Epstein dies, ending his unofficial advisory role to Edmond de Rothschild’s Swiss operations that had lasted from 2013 to 2019, as confirmed by DOJ files [2].
Feb 2026 – The U.S. Department of Justice releases millions of documents exposing post‑conviction contacts between Epstein and senior figures in Formula 1, football and the NFL; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces a league review of policy implications [1].