Graial's review of Edward Jay Epstein's emails from Jan 30 DOJ release
Contents
Preamble
I’m writing about this from about the halfway mark of my first novel, Ang Paghihiwalay. At this point, my protagonist is grappling with how he will respond to the allegations of impropriety levelled against the priest who occupied the post before he arrived in 1860s Philippines.
Stories about the Epstein files had been showing up on my feed more and more over the last year or so. But I was absolutely unprepared for what ended up being in those files.
The purported email invitation from Edward Jay Epstein (whom I’d never heard of) to Ghislaine Maxwell (whom I seem to learn more and more about every day) to sit on a ‘Shadow Commission of 9/11’, especially caught my attention.
On that basis, I opted to look very specifically into what else was in the files involving Edward Jay Epstein (eje below). The initial search turned up 1904 results, but that inluded ‘ed’ in any form (for example: ‘op-ed’). It also included other Eds such as:
- Ed Klein - working on a PR article for Vanity Fair doing damage control in 2012
- Ed Boyden - visiting the ranch for a retreat titled ‘Mathematics of Deception’ in 2013
- Ed Cuccia, and others.
I’m hearing all of those names for the first time. I’m also very disconnected from all of this and have no way of verifying any of it.
After going through all the emails, removing duplicates (except duplicates of Shadow Commission email) and other Ed's, I finally ended up 111 emails of interest (including some interesting sidenotes). Most of them are from 2012 and 2013.
This is made up of:
- 56 emails from Edward
- 17 emails to Edward
- 7 emails mentioning Edward
This has all been compiled by me. I present some impressions but am making no attempt to accuse anyone of criminality. This article does discuss at least one actor who has been found guilty, convicted and pardoned.
My goal is just to present what I’ve found in these files and do my small part with shedding light on this massive filestore of global import and implication. The 9/11 claim especially, seems to me very underreported for such a serious allegation.
I hope this humble effort can do some small part in helping to support those who are pressing forward for truth and justice. I know many are facing threats, lawsuits and I can only imagine what else.
I’ve heard these emails referred to as raw intel and I think it’s an apt description. The information here is unverified and many of the emails appear to have been stripped of their context.
If this document is released by the government, is it to be believed that Ed Epstein actually sent the Shadow Commission email? If so, what was he referring to? At the end of the day I don’t know and won’t try to speculate. For sure the intelligence agencies have the rest of the story.
There are so many serious issues being brought to light here. I hope the guilty will be held to account, even if the handling so far makes such a possibility seem very bleak right now.
I’ll also not that JMail, my main tool for searching, does not seem to include the 23,000+ files released in November 2025. Those files are searchable here I can only pray that this and the many other scandals will help them find the strength to do the right thing. Better late than never…
Tuloy tuloy lang!
Abbreviations
eje <=> Edward Jay Epstein
jee <=> Jeffrey Edward Epstein
Background on the Jeffrey Epstein & Ed Epstein connection, as well as Ghislaine Maxwell
It’s interesting to research an investigative journalist. The man made his living researching scandals and conspiracy. According to Ed, he first met Jeffrey in 1987, at a party of Isabel Goldsmith (this will come up in the emails). 1987 was also the year I was born, and the year that he was recruited to Towers Financial. The biggest Ponzi scheme on record prior to Madoff.
Let’s also be mindful that Ms Maxwell is the daughter of the notorious Robert Maxwell. You can search and learn his story from whatever sources you consider trustworthy.
Special note on Leon Black & Mike Milken
People who have been following this story for awhile will have heard the name Leon Black.
I’m going to draw special attention to a couple mentions of him in Ben Stein’s book License to Steal
I read this book front to back a few years ago while I was learning more about crypto-scams. Wrapping my head around the extent to which people go unpunished for this kind of financial crime. The underlying fraud engine was much more subtle than more notorious schemes like Madoff (which gets a mention in the emails below) and FTX.
The guy was pardoned by Trump. So take that as you will.
Start of the Emails
2003 - The Shadow Commission email
The first email is that of Ed wishing Ghislaine Maxwell happy new year. Then the lightning rod email. Which is uploaded separately nine times.
For sure they had other correspondance, but only some emails were preserved in the original criminal proceedings.
Of the emails preserved by the criminal proceedings, only some have been shared in the latest release.
We can’t do much about the missing information for now. But for the Happy New Year email to have been preserved in the first place, does that suggest that authorities found this notable at the time?
| 12/31/02 | EFTA00578713 | Ed la | MAXWELL, GHILANE | Happy New Year |
| 01/06/03 | EFTA02332458, EFTA02333703, EFTA00579884, EFTA00581587, EFTA00579812, EFTA00582247, EFTA02333606, EFTA02335185 | Ed | G. Max | RE: Shadow Commission |
2003 - Correspondence between GMax and her sister about meeting Clinton
There are several occasions where these emails randomly intersect with my personal life or novel.
GMax’s pet name for her sister Isi, is one of them. Isi is a Filipino word for a hook-shaped harpoon used in olde-style whaling.
This email with Isi is interesting because they are trying to arrange to meet Clinton.
| 06/14/03 | EFTA02334637 | Isabel Maxwell | MAXWELL, GHILANE | Fwd: RE: WHERE I WILL BE STAYING IN JORDAN ==) |
2009 - Banter between Peggy Siegel and JEE about EJE’s Bernie Madoff book
On the same day as the email between Ghislaine and Isabel, there’s also an exchange between Peggy Siegel and JEE and bantering about EJE’s book about Bernie Madoff. The emails are probably unrelated to each other.
It’s interesting to look upon emails of prostitution pyramid schemer JEE on his way up making comments about a ponzi schemer, Madoff, on his way down. Alternatively, if you believe Steven Hoffenberg’s account, a ponzi schemer who got away with it.
As an unrelated Jul 13 email indicates, he is only recently released from jail at this time.
| 07/13/09 | EFTA00772743 | — | jeevacation | Re: |
EJE had originally sent the book to Mrs Siegel, who then forwarded it to JEE. JEE suggests that Peggy not mention his name to Ed.
| 07/26/09 | EFTA00773045 | Peggy Siegel | jeevacation | The Lone Swindler Theory: Did Madoff Act Alone? (Draft:… |
Technical note about Retractions
I’ve highlighted a two-letter retraction in red. Is this a two-letter name? If so, that would be an interesting name but it doesn’t seem to make sense within the sentence.
Could it be a place where JEE’s original email wrote could dt instead of couldn'tand then an automated search and replace redacted the dt?
No idea. But I’ve seen some claims about such broad sweeping automated retractions that catch typos by mistake.
| 07/26/09 | EFTA00738123 | jeevacation | Peggy Siegel | Re: The Lone Swindler Theory: Did Madoff Act Alone? (Draft:… |
At any rate, Ms Siegel was apparently happy to play along.
| 07/26/09 | EFTA02440571 | Peggy Siegel | jeevacation | Re: The Lone Swindler Theory: Did Madoff Act Alone? (Draft:… |
2012 - A shared interest in the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case
The first email from 2012 is on Jan 18
| 01/18/12 | EFTA02397242 | Ed | jeevacation | Re: coffee |
It’s not clear what brought these two back into contact from the emails (phonecall? in-person meeting? still unreleased emails?), but the reason is clear. EJE is working on his investigative piece about the sex scandal involving French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn. JEE is very interested in the case.
| 01/20/12 | EFTA02548957 | Ed | jeevacation | A few ideas |
There is extended discussion about semen stains, possibility of a cover-up, lifespan of DNA vs amylase and the viability of washing them away.
| 01/27/12 | EFTA02550086 | Ed | jeevacation | DNA |
It reads to me as though JEE may have been financially supporting the production of the book, as EJE is making comments about flying coach vs first class.
2012 - Meeting with Leon Black and Woody Allen
First is an email laying out a plan for Leon Black and Woody Allen to fly back from Paris together. Other than JEE being there at the time and EJE planning to arrive in the coming weeks, it’s probably unrelated and of no consequence. Leon Black shows up again, perhaps he and JEE were just constantly meeting up.
| 03/07/12 | EFTA02173638 | Lesley Groff | jeevacation | Re: Leon Black/Woody Allen |
Remember how I mentioned op-ed above? That’s the second one. This article explains the following email and identifies the sender. “Ephebophilia” mentioned/advocated.
| 03/10/12 | EFTA00905935 | jeevacation | Lesley Groff(?) | Re: op ed |
There’s also a pretty awful exchange with JEE mentioning how a politician (apparently the ex-president of the Maldives) who actually believes in democracy “does not fall into his favourite category of dictators“… Gnarly.
| 03/23/2012 | EFTA01768268 | Ian Osborne | jeevacation |
A message from Karyna (worth looking up) about how B (Boris Nikolic?) is in Paris with JE. Unrelated, just noteworthy. Though both names will come up again further down.
| 03/25/12 | EFTA02303308 | Karyna Shuliak | ?? | Re: |
2012 - Back to EJE’s DSK investigation
EJE and JEE continue discussing the DNA/amylase stains from the hotel room and how many people were likely involved.
| 03/16/12 | EFTA02552323 | Ed | jeevacation | Forensic Science? |
Michael Wolff was also on his way to Paris soon for whatever reason.
| 03/16/12 | EFTA02397343 | Michael Wolff | jeevacation | Re: |
More discussion about the stains. As well as JEE returning to NYC.
| 03/17/13 | EFTA01898387 | Ed | Jeff | Re:NY |
| 03/25/12 | EFTA01770636 | jeevacation | eje | Re: Paris |
| 03/25/12 | EFTA00659424 | jeevacation | eje | Re: Paris |
JEE suggesting EJE place more emphasis on ‘her’ lying. Presumably he’s talking about Diallo, DSK’s accuser.
| 03/25/12 | EFTA02012106 | eje | jeevacation | Re: New Version |
JEE & EJE seems to feel that the charges against DSK are spurious or a conspiracy
| 03/25/12 | EFTA02363388 | jeevacation | eje | (no subject) |
EJE sad about economy class
| 03/25/12 | EFTA00659443 | eje | jeevacation | re[4]: Paris |
JEE assumes DSK’s lawyers hired EJE
| 03/27/12 | EFTA02404906 | jeevacation | eje | My DSK Book |
More about the stains. EJE also talks about how intelligence services compromise diplomats. Also DSK’s prohibitions from talking to anyone
| 03/27/12 | EFTA02553016 | jeevacation | eje | Re: re[4]: My DSK book |
| 03/27/12 | EFTA02553042 | jeevacation | eje | re[6]: My DSK book |
| 03/27/12 | EFTA02552863 | eje | jeevacation | re[2]: My DSK book |
First mention of Nabokov
First mention of Nabokov shows up in this exchange. Asking about a recent conference about him.
| 03/27/12 | EFTA00672175 | jeevacation | Lang, Caroline | Re: New Version |
More about the stains
| 04/04/12 | EFTA01872754 | eje | jeevacation | re: |
| 04/04/12 | EFTA01873002 | eje | jeevacation | re[2]: |
EJE remembers meeting JEE in 1987 and being flown first class by JEE.
| 04/04/12 | EFTA02553336 | eje | jeevacation | Paris |
EJE sharing a CIA declassified document describing “our ploy” (ploy of the CIA), to discredit EJE’s work on his 1967 “Inquest” about the Warren Commission. “Our ploy” is highlighted by JEE in his response.
This email is quite long so I’ll skip to the mention of ploy
You can check the complete original here:
| 04/04/12 | EFTA00932698 | jeevacation | eje | Re: Thanks to the CIA: How became known as a conspiracy theorist (even without a theory) |
About an upcoming Guardian article about the DSK book
| 04/06/12 | EFTA02552806 | eje | jeevacation | Guardian |
On his way to Paris to meet DSK, EJE asks JEE if there are any questions he should ask? It seems like there are messages missing from this exchange.
| 04/11/12 | EFTA02371591 | eje | jeevacation | paris |
I believe the typo here is meant to read ‘soliciting’
| 04/11/12 | EFTA02021351 | jeevacation | eje | Re: paris |
| 04/11/12 | EFTA02372432 | eje | jeevacation | re[2]: paris |
Apparently DSK is “very impressed” by the stains. Makes it sound kind of like a fabrication? or a particular defensive strategy?
| 04/15/12 | EFTA02522675 | eje | jeevacation | re[4]: tea |
2012 - EJE and JEE are both back in NY now. Planning to meet
| 04/15/12 | EFTA01768876 | jeevacation | eje | Re: tea |
| 04/16/12 | EFTA02170859 | Leslie Groff | eje | Jeffrey Epstein |
| 04/15/12 | EFTA02170128 | Google Calendar | Lesley Groff | Reminder: 6:30 Tea with Ed Epstein @ Tue Apr 17 6:30pm - 7:15pm |
Leon Black mentions they may be meeting with Michael Milken the following day:
| 04/17/12 | EFTA02170122 | Melanie Spinella (Assistant to Leon D. Black) | jeevacation | Re: RE: |
Seems like EJE and JEE are now getting their story straight. DSK appears to be engaged.
| 04/20/12 | EFTA02553713 | eje | jeevacation | Back to the stains |
2012 - For Jeffrey’s “eyes only”?
A subject line of “Eyes only” is reviewing a pre-publication draft. I doubt EJE only sent this to JEE. But we only see this one.
| 04/23/12 | EFTA01886406 | jeevacation | eje | Re: re[2]: Eyes only |
| 04/29/12 | EFTA01883618 | eje | jeevacation | Re: |
| 04/29/12 | EFTA02171029 | Calendar Reminder | Lesley Groff | Alarm - Ed Epstein’s book 3 DAYS IN MAY: THE DSK THRILLER |
| 05/01/12 | EFTA00933753 | eje | jeevacation | re: Eyes only |
The DSK article is reviewed by another journalist
| 05/01/12 | EFTA02553801 | eje | jeevacation | FYI: Nocera column on Power, Sex and Conspiracy |
2012 - Brock Pierce pops up, in reference to Leon Black
Small segway, Brock Pierce (of Tether, plus a number of other shady projects) mentions to JEE that he’s watching Leon Black speak at Milken Global at the moment.
| 05/01/12 | EFTA01884639 | Brock Pierce | jeevacation | Leon |
2012 - An incomplete message thread?
More conversation about the book which appears to have missing messages? Perhaps future releases would clarify.
| 05/02/12 | EFTA01885853 | eje | jeevacation | re: |
| 05/03/12 | EFTA02038766 | eje | jeevacation | What I (Still) Don’t Know About DSK |
| 05/04/12 | EFTA01882813 | jeevacation | eje | re: |
2012 Shakesphearean Revenge
Another article that is interesting reading for me, as my own novel-in-progress draws heavily from the Shakespearean Revenge Titus Andronicus. I learned last week that Steve Bannon was a co-executive produer of the 1999 absurdist production Titus this. Kinda creepy now, given what happened to Lavinia…
It’s not clear (to me) what really happened in the DSK case. Perhaps I should read the EJE account? The Grand Jury seems to have been convinced.
| 05/14/12 | EFTA00659962 | eje | jeevacation | THE DSK AFFAIR: A Shakespearean Revenge Tragedy? |
2012 - Publication day party with Michael Wolff
About the DSK follow on lawsuit and an upcoming social event he will host (including Michael Wolff).
| 05/18/12 | EFTA01987718 | eje | jeevacation | Re: Sunday? |
These next emails are mostly EJE sharing different articles he’d written.
| 06/12/12 | EFTA02555461 | eje | jeevacation | DSK and the Euro Crisis (My Counter history) |
| 06/17/12 | EFTA02556421 | eje | jeevacation | Old essays Never Die essay here |
| 06/28/12 | EFTA00937919 | eje | jeevacation | re: |
| 07/29/12 | EFTA02700916 | eje | jeevacation | A 30 year investigation |
2012 - Meeting with Michael Milken
A reminder about a meeting with Mike Milken
| 08/17/12 | EFTA02423736 | jeevacation | Lesley Groff | reminder |
More article sharing and a BBQ[?]
| 09/05/12 | EFTA02558802 | eje | jeevacation | re[2]: What do you think of cover for my book? |
| 09/24/12 | EFTA02339040 | eje | jeevacation | The Assassination Rhumba |
| 09/29/12 | EFTA01988653 | eje | jeevacation | Annals of Unsolved Crimes |
| 10/06/12 | EFTA02560640 | eje | jeevacation | BBQ lunch for Lizzie and Barry |
| 11/01/12 | EFTA00947106 | eje | jeevacation | My article today in Columbia Journalism Review: The Gross Misunderstanding |
| 12/02/12 | EFTA00948992 | eje | jeevacation | The Wrong Question: WWho Killed Arafat |
2013 - A shared interest in Nabokov’s Lolita
EJE compliments JEE’s astonishingly beautiful friend and his impressive art. Then shares a blog post of EJE telling the story of him studying under Nabokov at Cornell. JEE invites EJE to visit for more discussion.
| 01/16/13 | EFTA02521213 | eje | jeevacation | Nabokov |
2013 - Planned meetings with Ed Epstein, Michael Wolff, Leon Black
Plans to meet Leon Black, Ed moved to following day. Michael Wolff invited to join. Wolff declines.
| 01/16/13 | EFTA01908799 | Lesley Groff | jeevacation | Leon Black |
| 01/16/13 | EFTA01907268 | Lesley Groff | jeevacation | Ed Epstein Tomorrow? |
| 01/16/13 | EFTA00397862 | jeevacation | eje | Re: Nabokov |
| 01/17/13 | EFTA02150353 | Lesley Groff | eje | Jeffrey Epstein 5pm Confirm |
| 01/17/13 | EFTA01908668 | jeevacation | Michael Wolff | Re: Are you around? |
More description from EJE about Nabokov’s teaching and what makes for a great novel and how to be a great reader of a novel.
| 01/20/13 | EFTA01762195 | eje | jeevacation | Happy Birthday |
Sharing an article
| 02/21/13 | EFTA02566115 | eje | jeevacation | What’s Behind The Pope’s Resignation? |
Upcoming book launch party for EJE
| 03/05/13 | EFTA01145207 | Michael Wolff | J Coles | REMINDER: ED’S PARTY IS TOMORROW |
2013 - Milken and Gates?
Subject “Milken” involving “Bill” (probably Gates) visiting the ranch.
| 03/07/13 | EFTA01901731 | jeevacation | Boris Nikolic | Re: Milken |
More about Nabokov
| 03/16/13 | EFTA02567442 | eje | jeevacation | Nabokov–New York Review of Books |
EJE is having an event with a filmmaker
| 03/17/13 | EFTA02567899 | eje | jeevacation | Re: Ny |
Shared article
| 03/26/13 | EFTA02568655 | eje | jeevacation | The Bizarre Pursuit of Amanda Knox Injustice, Italian-style |
2013 - The ‘Proto-Lolita’, making a documentary?
EJE sharing an article about “Proto-Lolita” suggesting that this is at the heart of their shared interest in Nabokov. “Ephebophilia” mentioned
| 03/30/13 | EFTA02568741 | eje | jeevacation | Proto-Lolita |
EJE is proposing to meet JEE for lunch about a planned documentary about Lolita.
| 04/15/13 | EFTA01759797 | eje | jeevacation | What was not in the Spielberg Movie, “Lincoln” |
| 04/26/13 | EFTA02038277 | Lesley Groff | jeevacation | Re: Ed Epstein/Tim Zagat |
| 04/29/13 | EFTA00391397 | jeevacation | Lesley Groff | Re: Tim Zagat |
Shared article
| 04/30/13 | EFTA01974383 | eje | jeevacation | The Amanda Knox Circus — Again |
| 05/01/13 | EFTA00391055 | eje | Lesley Groff | Re: Thursday |
2013 - Meeting Leon Black again within days of Ed Epstein and Michael Wolff
Will meet Leon and EJE May 2
| 05/01/13 | EFTA01972621 | Lesley Groff | jeevacation | Leon Black |
JEE, EJE and Michael Wolff will meet in park with Steve Hanson
| 05/02/13 | EFTA01972675 | jeevacation | Michael Wolff, edward epstein, Steve Hanson, Lesley Groff | Re: |
| 05/02/13 | EFTA01972785 | jeevacation | eje | Re: |
| 05/02/13 | EFTA00391055 | Lesley Groff | eje | Re: Thursday |
| 05/02/13 | EFTA00391057 | Lesley Groff | eje | Lunch at house or restaurant ( Nello? Chariot?) |
| 05/02/13 | EFTA02569553 | Lesley Groff | jeevacation | Lunch in CP |
| 05/02/13 | EFTA02140214 | Steve Hanson | Lesley Groff | Re: |
Jeff Epstein helping Edud Barak edit an article?
Not part of the same DOJ release, but this is another op-ed that came up in my search. If true, JEE is helping to edit. You can review the entry on jmail, if interested.
| 05/20/13 | ddosSecrets | ehud barak | jeevacation | Re: Op-Ed draft Last Version |
2013 - Ed Epstein met Karyna?
EJE & JEE planning again with Serge Weinberg (along with 2 girls plus Karyna). It’s unclear if this meeting happened.
| 05/30/13 | EFTA01970034 | Ed | jeevacation | Re: lunch sunday june 23 |
| 05/30/13 | EFTA02570307 | eje | jeevacation | re[2]: lunch sunday June 23 |
Article shared
| 06/27/13 | EFTA01969243 | eje | jeevacation | How Woody Allen Sees It - The Wall Street Journal |
| 06/17/13 | EFTA02136497 | Google Calendar | jeevacation | Reminder: reminder: Ed Epstein is asking if you can join |
| 07/26/13 | EFTA01964019 | eje | jeevacation | RE: |
| 07/30/13 | EFTA01963804 | jeevacation | See Ed’s connections, experience, and more… |
| 08/02/13 | EFTA02572683 | eje | jeevacation | Alexander Chancellor Review of my book today in The Spectator |
| 09/16/13 | EFTA00970353 | eje | jeevacation | My proposed Cover: Any comments, ideas? |
2014 - Isabel Goldsmith birthday
The relationship comes full circle when EJE asks if JEE will attend the birthday of the woman who first brought them into contact, Isabel Goldsmith. If the conversation eneded there, presumably JEE did not attend.
| 04/23/14 | EFTA01924801 | eje | jeevacation | re: Isabel G |
2013 - Jeff Epstein had helpful information regarding Snowden?
EJE is investigating Snowden
| 06/08/14 | EFTA00696192 | eje | jeevacation | Hong Kong |
And then they start making plans to meet again
| 12/18/15 | EFTA00333401 | Lesley Groff | jeevacation | Ed Epstein |
| 12/15/15 | EFTA02676628 | eje | jeevacation | Thanks (epilogue snowden.docx) |
| 12/15/15 | EFTA02065727 | jeevacation | Lesley Groff | Re: Do you still need Ed Epstein? |
2016 - Jeff commissions Ed to write a book?
JEE asks EJE if he could do a book about JEE’s ordeal. Ed agrees to discuss it.
| 10/16/16 | EFTA02349421 | eje | jeevacation |
Closing thoughts
That’s an interesting place to leave this saga. It gives the impression that EJE and JEE will generate a story for JEE’s defense similar to what they did with DSK.
I don’t really believe that there is no further communication between the men after this. There are probably lots of emails still missing.
We start out with a 9/11 shadow commission and finish with JEE & EJE getting ready to discuss working on a book. Seems like a thoughtfully controlled release of information to me.
Clearly EJE’s investigation and reporting were key to getting DSK off the hook (after losing the election to Sarkozy). No idea what really happened in the case though.
Seeing Leon Black, Mike Milken and Michael Wolff seem to show up consistently during the days that the two Epsteins meet is interesting. I don’t see anything in here to suggest a crime being committed. Would future releases fill in the blanks?