In July 2019, members of the protest group ‘Hot Mess’ protested in front of the federal courthouse in New York, USA, holding pickets with Jeffrey Epstein’s face on them. At the time, Epstein was expected to be charged with prostitution of minors and conspiracy to commit prostitution. Getty Images
As additional large-scale investigation documents related to American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were recently released, circumstances were revealed that high-ranking figures in the sports world had maintained contact even after his conviction in 2008.
According to a BBC report on the 4th, the so-called ‘Epstein File’ released this time contains records of emails, text messages, and business-related discussions between Epstein and key figures in the global sports industry, including Formula One (F1), soccer, and National Football League (NFL). The mere fact that his name is mentioned in the document does not imply illegal activity, but the implications are growing given that Epstein already has a history of sexual crimes.
According to the documents, Jean Todd, former president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), visited Epstein’s New York home in 2017 after he was convicted of sex crimes. The two sides interacted through diplomatic acquaintances, and even after the visit, they exchanged emails suggesting they would meet again. Todd is currently serving as the United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety.
Regarding F1, Flavio Briatore, known as the actual person in charge of the Alpine team, was also confirmed to have had contact with Epstein. The 2010 email included a message from Briatore saying he wanted to speak to Epstein, who also described him as “my Italian friend.”
In the soccer world, it was revealed that Josh Harris, a major investor in Crystal Palace in the English Premier League, had been communicating via email and phone with Epstein for several years. Harris denied any independent relationship with Epstein and explained that the contact was minimal to block his business access. Harris is also the owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, and the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
The circumstances of a 2011 meeting between Chelsea co-owner Todd Boely and Epstein were also included in the document. At the time, Epstein attempted to connect with Boeli, and the possibility of specific business discussions was also discussed. Boeli and the Chelsea club have not made an official statement to date.
In the NFL, email communications between New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch were particularly controversial. It includes a record of Tisch sending a reply that appears to be a response to Epstein’s proposal to meet with a woman. Tisch explained that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, saying, “There were only email exchanges involving adult women.” The NFL is reviewing whether to investigate the matter.
In addition, it was confirmed that Casey Wasserman, chairman of the LA Olympic organizing committee, exchanged inappropriate emails with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving time as an accomplice of Epstein, in the early 2000s. Wasserman expressed deep regret, saying, “This happened before the crime was revealed.”
Epstein, an American billionaire financier, was convicted in 2008 of sexual exploitation of minors and human trafficking crimes, and died in detention after being re-arrested in New York in 2019. The cause of death was officially announced as suicide. His crime went beyond a simple personal deviance and spread into an international scandal due to suspicions about his extensive personal and power network that extended to the political and business world, sports, and diplomatic circles.
