1 of 9 | Years after the conviction and death of Jeffrey Epstein, the Justice Department’s release of files on the investigation into him, at the direction of Congress, is bringing consequences to some of his associates. File Photo courtesy of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice/ EPA-EFE
Years after the conviction and death of Jeffrey Epstein, the Justice Department’s release of files on the investigation into him, at the direction of Congress, is bringing consequences to some of his associates.
Millions of files have been released detailing Epstein’s criminal activities as part of one of the most prolific sex trafficking operations known to the world. Within these files, Epstein made correspondence with wealthy and influential people, including lawmakers and royalty, around the world.
Investigations continue into those involved with Epstein and his criminal activities. Many of those named in the documents have not yet been brought to justice, including some of the most high-ranking officials involved.
There have also been consequences outside of legal action, including high-ranking executives being ousted from their roles in multi-million dollar companies.
This is a collection of some of the fallout from release of the Epstein files with more developments expected to come.
Prince Andrew
Andrew Mounbatten-Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, was arrested and released by British police in February for suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest took place on his 66th birthday.
Despite his release, Andrew remains under investigation and faces life in prison if found guilty.
Andrew was accused in a lawsuit of raping Virginia Giuffre when she was a minor.
Giuffre died by suicide in 2025. She was 41 years old.
The arrest of the former prince was the first arrest of a member of the royal family since 1649.
Andrew relinquished his titles and honors in October in light of fresh scrutiny into his ties with Epstein.
Sarah Ferguson
Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of former Prince Andrew, was removed from several British charities following the release of an email to Epstein in which she described him as a “supreme friend” after he was convicted of sex-trafficking underage girls.
The email also came after Ferguson said in a 2011 interview that she would not continue her friendship with Epstein, calling it a “gigantic error in judgment.”
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation said in a statement that it was “disturbed to read” Ferguson’s email to Epstein and it would be “inappropriate” to continue its relationship with her.
Larry Summers
Larry Summers, the former Treasury Secretary from 1999 to 2001, announced that he is resigning from Harvard University where he was a professor on Feb. 26. His resignation will take effect at the end of the academic year in the spring.
The House Oversight Committee released documents in the fall that showed extensive correspondence between Summers and Epstein. Summers is not accused of any criminal activity but his communications with Epstein continued until July 5, 2019, the day before he was arrested and charged with sex trafficking minors.
Following the release of those files, Summers resigned from the OpenAI board of directors. The New York Times announced that it will not renew his contract as a contributing writer.
Peter Attia
Peter Attia, a physician and wellness influencer, resigned as a contributor to CBS News in February. He is also no longer a scientific adviser for health supplement company AG1.
Documents released in early February include emails from Attia to Epstein through at least 2016. His messages included vulgar references to women, as well as discussions of medications.
Attia denied being part of any criminal activity in a social media post. He said he first met Epstein in 2014 and met him several more times between then and spring 2019. He said he never visited Epstein’s island home.
Casey Wasserman
Casey Wasserman announced he is selling his Hollywood talent agency last month after files on his communications with Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell came to light. He continues to serve as chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The email exchanges between Wasserman and Maxwell took place in 2003. Wasserman said he did not have a personal or business relationship with Epstein.
“I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light,” Wasserman said in a statement.
Singer Chappell Roan left Wasserman’s talent agency prior to his resignation.
Thomas Pritzker
Thomas Pritzker stepped down from his role as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation in February. The announcement came weeks after Pritzker was named in Epstein court documents that were released earlier in the year.
The documents show how Pritzker continued to correspond with Epstein after Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting prostitution from minors in 2008. Some of the minors were as young as 14 years old.
Pritzker has also been accused by Giuffre as one of the men Epstein trafficked her to for sex. He denies these allegations.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem was replaced as the chair and CEO of his company DP World last month. His Excellency Essa Kazim, governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre, was appointed chair and Yuvraj Narayan was named the new CEO.
DP World is the largest port operator in Dubai.
Sulayem and Epstein discussed pornography and torture videos in email exchanges included in released documents. Epstein referred to Sulayem as a “close personal friend.”
Former Sen. George Mitchell
Former Democratic Sen. George Mitchell resigned as the honorary chair of the Mitchell Institute last month.
The Epstein files include an FBI interview with a woman who claims Epstein trafficked her to Mitchell in the early 2000s.
The senator from Maine, who is the namesake of the Mitchell Report on baseball’s steroid scandal, is 92 years old. He has not been charged with any crimes related to the Epstein investigation.
Former Sen. Bob Kerrey
Former Nebraska Senator and Gov. Bob Kerrey resigned from the board of Monolith, a Lincoln, Neb., based energy company, last week.
Files related to Kerrey show emails between him and Epstein as recently as 2014. Kerrey claims that he met Epstein at the request of a CEO and provost. He told KETV Omaha last week that he was aware Epstein was charged, pleaded guilty and did time in 2008, but denies having a personal relationship with him.
Kathy Ruemmler
Kathy Ruemmler resigned as chief legal officer at Goldman Sachs last month after emails between her and Epstein were released.
Ruemmler, former counsel to the White House during Barack Obama’s presidency, offered Epstein legal advice and received gifts from him, files show. Her communication was frequently with Epstein’s assistant, not Epstein himself.
Ruemmler claims she did not have knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities.
Richard Axel
Richard Axel announced his resignation last week as co-director of Columbia University’s brain research center.
Recently released documents show the Nobel Prize laureate continued to correspond with Epstein since at least 2010. Axel said his “past association with Jeffrey Epstein was a serious error in judgment.”
Axel told New York Magazine in 2007 that he met Epstein in the 1980s.
Columbia University said in a statement that it has not seen evidence that Axel violated any laws or university policies.
Jes Staley
James “Jes” Staley resigned as CEO of Barclays bank in 2021 during an investigation into his connection to Epstein. The decision to resign followed the bank being made aware of the preliminary results of the investigation.
Staley said he did not maintain a relationship with Epstein after ascending to the role of CEO in 2015.
Epstein and Staley’s relationship began in 2000 when Staley was an investment banker for JPMorgan Chase. In 2023, JPMorgan sued Staley, alleging he stopped its attempts to remove Epstein as a client. The sides settled their lawsuit later that year.
Staley attempted to have JPMorgan Chase’s complaint against him for sex trafficking dismissed in 2023 but was unsuccessful.
Leon Black
Leon Black, billionaire and co-founder of Apollo Global Management, stepped down as head of the firm in 2021 following an internal investigation into his relationship with Epstein. Since then, more details have come to light about that relationship and a lawsuit was filed against Black accusing him of rape.
In 2023, the Senate Finance Committee opened an investigation into Black over $158 million he paid to Epstein. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said the investigation was looking into how “ultra-high net worth persons avoid or evade paying federal taxes, including gift and estate taxes.”
Last year, Wyden released documents related to a 2023 settlement between Black and the attorney general of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Black was granted immunity from criminal prosecution in the Virgin Islands in exchange for $62 million as part of the settlement.
Black filed a racketeering lawsuit against Apollo Global Management co-founder Josh Harris and others in 2021, claiming he was the victim of a conspiracy to ruin his reputation before his resignation. The lawsuit was dismissed by a federal court.
Brad Karp
Brad Karp resigned from his position as chair of the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison last month after the release of more Epstein files included his name. He was with the firm for 18 years.
The law firm downplayed Karp’s ties to Epstein, saying that he “attended two group dinners in New York City and had a small number of social interactions by email” with Epstein.
The emails between Karp and Epstein were part of the release of documents. Among them is an email from Karp asking Epstein to help his son get a job on a Woody Allen movie, Bloomberg reported.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison said it never represented Epstein.
Peter Mandelson
Former British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson was released on bail in London last week after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The charge stems from his relationship with Epstein.
Mandelson, 72, was fired last year after the release of files by the U.S. House Oversight Committee. He denies any wrongdoing.
Documents of Mandelson’s communications with Epstein continued through at least 2010 when he allegedly shared information about Britain’s response to a financial crisis.
Borge Brende
Borge Brende, the president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, resigned on Feb. 26. While an investigation into Brende’s relationship with Epstein yielded “no additional concerns,” he followed through with the resignation.
Prior to documents releasing showing that Brende went to at least three “business dinners” with Epstein, he claimed that he did not know him. After the release, he said he was “completely unaware of Epstein’s past and criminal activities.”
Documents also show that Brende exchanged text messages and emails with Epstein.
Thorbjorn Jagland
Thorbjorn Jagland, former prime minister of Norway, was charged for aggravated corruption last month as law enforcement officials continue an investigation into his ties to Epstein.
Jagland has denied any wrongdoing.
Jagland served as prime minister from 1996 to 1997. He was also a foreign minister and secretary-general for the Council of Europe.
This week in Washington
President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hold a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on Tuesday. Trump was meeting with Merz just days after the United States and Israel launched widespread attacks on Iran, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior leaders in airstrikes across the region. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI | License Photo
