Podcasts about Leon Black

Tonight on The Last Word: A federal judge orders the Trump administration to explain the Kennedy Center tarp. Also, the House Oversight Committee subpoenas Jeffrey Epstein associate Leon Black. Plus, Republican support grows for prosecuting women who get abortions. And the Supreme Court allows Trump to end Haitian TPS protections. Rep. Adam Smith, Rep. Joyce Beatty, Rep. James Walkinshaw, Michele Goodwin, and Dr. Amy Acton join Jonathan Capehart. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 26, 2026; 6pm: A federal judge has ordered the Trump DOJ to release more Epstein files in response to a legal filing alleging the department failed to comply with the Epstein Act. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by The New York Times' David Enrich and veteran journalist Tara Palmeri. Plus, Ty Cobb, former White House attorney during the first Trump administration, joins "The Beat." To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Headlines: Meta tried to silence former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams from promoting her tell-all Careless People for over a year through an arbitration agreement, she's now suing in federal court, and the book sold 130,000 copies anyway. On the Epstein files, Leon Black is testifying to Congress today about his $170 million payment to Epstein and his alleged use of Epstein as a hush money middleman, with "please call Leon Black" appearing over 300 times in the Epstein files, and a federal judge separately ruled the DOJ must unredact specific Epstein file pages by July 2nd — including FBI interviews with a woman who claimed Trump sexually assaulted her as a minor — or make a case in court for why they can't. On the war beat,  Bill Cassidy reversed his war powers vote essentially the day after his screaming match with Trump, Iran attacked another ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the chief negotiator announced that "management of the Strait will never return to the way it was before," and the White House formally requested $87 billion more from Congress for the war, because the previous billions went so well. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court dropped three 6-3 rulings that struck down Hawaii's gun law banning firearms in public spaces, ended TPS for Syrian and Haitian refugees who have been here over a decade and made it illegal for consumers to sue manufacturers over undisclosed product hazards, which is bad news for the MAHA crowd. A lower court judge blocked Trump's executive order restricting mail-in voting and creating citizenship voter lists, calling it an attempt to "intimidate local election officials" that falls outside presidential authority. And finally, New York City's Rent Guidelines Board voted to freeze rent on approximately one million rent-stabilized apartments starting October 1st, which is Zohran Mamdani's second big win this week after sweeping the primaries, and landlords are already preparing to sue about it. Resources/Articles mentioned: WSJ: Meta Tried to Silence Her. Now She's Suing NBC News: Lawmakers expected to press billionaire Leon Black about Epstein ties The Hill: Judge orders DOJ to produce, unredact sought after Epstein files ABC News: In reversal, Senate votes to block war powers resolution, delivering Trump a win Axios: Federal judge blocks Trump's mail-in voting order The Hill: 5 takeaways from Supreme Court's big rulings on immigration, guns CNN: Supreme Court gives Trump major wins on two immigration cases Axios: Supreme Court blocks lawsuits over chemical risks WSJ: New York City Board Approves Mamdani's Rent Freeze Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her civil lawsuit, the Jane Doe plaintiff alleges that Leon Black sexually abused her in encounters arranged by Jeffrey Epstein, describing the conduct as violent, sadistic, and intentionally degrading. She claims Epstein trafficked her to Black, presenting her as part of a system designed to fulfill extreme sexual demands rather than consensual intimacy. According to the complaint, the encounters involved coercion, fear, and physical pain, with Black allegedly exercising control meant to humiliate and dominate her. The plaintiff asserts she did not have meaningful power to refuse and that Epstein's presence and authority functioned as enforcement rather than protection. She characterizes the abuse as deliberate and repeated, not accidental or misinterpreted. The language of the lawsuit emphasizes cruelty and imbalance of power as central features of the alleged conduct.The plaintiff further alleges that Epstein served as a facilitator who insulated Black from accountability by managing logistics, payments, and secrecy. She claims Epstein acted as an intermediary who normalized abuse, discouraged resistance, and ensured victims remained isolated and compliant. In this framing, Black is accused of knowingly participating in a system that exploited Epstein's trafficking operation to access victims while maintaining distance from consequences. The lawsuit does not allege misunderstanding or consent gone awry, but a calculated dynamic in which suffering and submission were integral to the abuse. While these claims have not been adjudicated and Black has denied them, the allegations themselves are explicit and specific. As pleaded, they present Black not as a peripheral figure, but as an alleged direct participant in severe sexual violence facilitated by Epstein's network.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Bank of America reached a proposed, non-binding settlement in a lawsuit that accused the bank of helping facilitate Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking operation by providing financial services and legitimacy while allegedly ignoring suspicious transactions. The case, filed as a proposed class action in October 2025, claimed the bank failed to flag red flags tied to Epstein's finances, effectively allowing his activities to continue unchecked.The settlement terms have not been disclosed and must still be approved by a federal judge, with a hearing scheduled for early April. If finalized, the agreement would likely cancel upcoming legal proceedings, including a planned deposition of financier Leon Black, whose financial dealings with Epstein were central to the case. Bank of America declined to comment, while an attorney for the victims described the proposed deal as a step toward accountability and justice.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Bank of America reaches proposed, non-binding settlement in suit alleging it aided Jeffrey Epstein's crimes - ABC NewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

In July 2023, a woman identified as "Jane Doe" filed a federal lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against billionaire investor Leon Black, alleging that he raped her in 2002 at Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. The complaint details that Doe, who was 16 years old at the time and had autism and mosaic Down syndrome, was trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. She claims Epstein introduced her to Black, instructing her to provide him with a massage that would involve sexual intercourse. Black has denied these allegations, with his attorney describing the lawsuit as "frivolous and sanctionable." In September 2024, U.S. District Judge Jessica G.L. Clarke denied Black's motion to dismiss the case, allowing the lawsuit to proceed. Sourcesto contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:gov.uscourts.nysd.602764.152.0.pdfBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Joseph Recarey was the Palm Beach police detective who did the real street-level investigative work when Jeffrey Epstein's abuse first came into law enforcement view in the mid-2000s. He interviewed victims, tracked down witnesses, built timelines, collected corroborating details, and helped expose that Epstein's conduct was not an isolated allegation but a pattern involving numerous girls. Recarey's work helped show the scale of what was happening behind the walls of Epstein's Palm Beach mansion, and his investigation directly challenged the softer treatment Epstein later received from higher levels of the justice system. He died in 2018, before Epstein's second arrest, but his role remains central because he was one of the investigators who actually treated the girls like victims and treated Epstein like a predator, not some untouchable financier who deserved special handling.Michael Reiter was the Palm Beach police chief who backed the investigation and refused to let Epstein's wealth, lawyers, and social standing bury the case quietly. Reiter pushed the matter forward when prosecutors appeared reluctant to pursue Epstein aggressively, and he later became one of the most important critics of how the case was handled by state and federal authorities. He argued that Epstein received preferential treatment and that the evidence supported a much more serious prosecution than the deal Epstein ultimately received. Together, Recarey and Reiter represent the part of the Epstein story where local police did their job, built a case, and recognized the scope of the abuse—only to watch the machinery above them narrow, soften, and ultimately protect Epstein through a sweetheart outcome that has haunted the case ever since.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Jeffrey Epstein's calendar revealed that, years after his 2008 conviction, he was still moving through circles of enormous power and influence. The entries showed scheduled meetings, calls, dinners, and visits involving figures from finance, academia, politics, law, philanthropy, and intelligence-adjacent circles, including names such as Bill Burns, Noam Chomsky, Leon Botstein, Kathryn Ruemmler, Bill Gates, Leon Black, Thomas Pritzker, and Mort Zuckerman. The key takeaway was not that every person listed committed wrongdoing, but that Epstein remained useful, connected, and socially viable long after the public record showed he was a convicted sex offender. His calendar exposed how little his conviction actually isolated him from elite networks.What the calendar really revealed was Epstein's operating model: access as currency. He used his homes, his money, his introductions, and his aura of connection to keep powerful people close, while those powerful people often later described the contact as limited, professional, philanthropic, academic, or transactional. The calendar undercut the idea that Epstein was simply a disgraced financier living in exile after 2008; instead, it showed a man still arranging meetings with decision-makers, billionaires, university leaders, lawyers, and public figures. It did not function as a criminal charging document, but it did provide a map of the ecosystem that allowed Epstein to remain relevant, protected, and plugged into power despite everything that was already known about him.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The lawsuit that has been filed against Leon Black that accuses of him of assaulting a learning disabled girl continues to make its way through the courts and each filing is more contentious than the next. In this episode, we hear from the alleged cheer coach who the plaintiff accuses of trafficking her to Epstein and Maxwell and according to her deposition, none of what the accuser says is true. So, what's really going on here?Let's dive in and try to find some clarity. to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Cheerleading Coach Claims She Never Trafficked Teen Girl to Leon Black and Jeffrey Epstein (thedailybeast.com)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

In the case of Jane Doe v. Leon Black (1:23-cv-06418-JGLC), the parties have submitted a joint letter regarding a discovery dispute over Defendant Leon Black's request to quash or modify deposition subpoenas. These subpoenas are intended for three of Mr. Black's attorneys and his wife. The request was made pursuant to Rule 4(k) of Judge Clarke's Individual Rules and Practices in Civil Cases.Defendant has requested an informal conference to address the matter, as provided under Rule 4(k). However, Plaintiff does not agree that such a conference is necessary. This disagreement highlights a procedural conflict regarding how to proceed with resolving the subpoena dispute.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:gov.uscourts.nysd.602764.166.0.pdfBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Brad Karp, the longtime chairman of the elite Wall Street law firm Paul, Weiss, was forced to step down in early 2026 after newly released Justice Department files exposed a series of previously undisclosed interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. The documents showed that Karp had a personal relationship with Epstein that went beyond incidental contact, including attending private dinners at Epstein's residence and exchanging emails that reflected a notably friendly tone. In one instance, Karp thanked Epstein for an evening he described as “once in a lifetime,” and in another, he asked Epstein to help his son secure a role in a Woody Allen film. While Karp and his firm maintained that neither he nor Paul, Weiss ever represented Epstein professionally, the optics of those interactions—particularly given Epstein's 2008 conviction—triggered intense scrutiny.The fallout was swift and reputationally severe. Karp resigned not only from his role as chairman of Paul, Weiss after nearly two decades but also from external positions, including a college board seat, as the controversy widened. Additional disclosures suggested that his interactions with Epstein intersected with his professional orbit, particularly through his representation of Apollo Global Management and its co-founder Leon Black, a key Epstein associate. Emails also indicated that Karp at times engaged with Epstein on legal and strategic matters involving high-profile individuals, further blurring the line between personal and professional contact. Even though Karp expressed regret and framed the relationship as limited, the broader reaction reflected a growing intolerance for any post-conviction association with Epstein, especially among powerful institutional figures whose judgment is expected to be beyond reproach.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.ft.com/content/064e81a5-5e1b-4364-a581-9062868a3735?syn-25a6b1a6=1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

We dive into Ivanka and Jared's Albanian nightmare. What were they really up to while trying to develop a private island in Albania on protected land, and what are the ramifications of this secret operation in the broader war of democracy vs. fascism? Why are they trying to buy an island in a part of the world notorious for sex trafficking?  These questions matter in light of Ivanka's brother marrying Epstein's longtime banker, and the new bombshell reporting out of the New York Times. The Times reports that the Kremlin Klown Kar (KKK) in the White House uses our tax payer-funded Situation Room–meant for sensitive national security matters–to plot the ongoing Epstein cover-up, protecting Epstein's longtime friend, convicted felon Donald Trump. Look to the show notes for a gift link of the New York Times' reporting.  For this week's bonus show, Russian mafia expert Ogla Lautman helps connect the dots on what is up with Ivanka and Jared's mysterious island in Albania, a part of the world known for sex-trafficking. Should we be concerned? The Albanian people are–they're storming their own government in a growing anti-corruption movement over Jared and Ivanka's attempts to buy an ecologically protected island.  We also discuss Ben Black, Leon Black's son, getting a job in the Trump administration. Both father and son are all over the Epstein files.  To listen to this full episode and support our independent journalism, subscribe to Gaslit Nation on Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com – thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!    Show Notes:  Inside the White House Freakout Over the Epstein Files The president's top advisers gathered in a series of Situation Room meetings as they struggled to contain a scandal engulfing Donald Trump himself. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/magazine/trump-epstein-files-white-house-vance-doj.html?unlocked_article_code=1.pVA.8Bpw._gUv6lvoFPWC&smid=url-share   Situation Room Scramble Over Sick Trump Fetish Claim Revealed https://www.thedailybeast.com/situation-room-scramble-over-sick-trump-fetish-claim-revealed/   Records: SC woman accused Trump, Epstein of sexual abuse in 1980s https://www.wistv.com/2026/03/09/records-sc-woman-accused-trump-epstein-sexual-abuse-1980s/   Donald Trump groped me in what felt like a 'twisted game' with Jeffrey Epstein, former model alleges https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/23/donald-trump-accuser-stacey-williams-jeffrey-epstein   Dozens of FBI records apparently missing from Epstein files, including Trump accuser interviews https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/24/us/epstein-files-trump-accuser-missing-files-invs   Justice Department publishes documents with sexual assault allegations against Trump https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/05/donald-trump-epstein-files-allegations-00816123   Opening clip: Rep. Garcia on MSNow https://bsky.app/profile/robertgarcia.house.gov/post/3mnzjwzllis2l   "House Oversight Ranking Member Robert Garcia says he plans to formally ask Chairman Comer to bring JD Vance, Susie Wiles, and Kash Patel before the Committee in light of the new NYT Epstein reporting." https://bsky.app/profile/kylegriffin1.bsky.social/post/3mnzj3dj7ns2z   Trump appointee leading $205bn US agency had personal ties to Epstein, emails show https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/03/ben-black-investment-trump-epstein   Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Find your community at GaslitNation.Substack.com or Patreon.com/Gaslit

Joseph Recarey was the Palm Beach police detective who did the real street-level investigative work when Jeffrey Epstein's abuse first came into law enforcement view in the mid-2000s. He interviewed victims, tracked down witnesses, built timelines, collected corroborating details, and helped expose that Epstein's conduct was not an isolated allegation but a pattern involving numerous girls. Recarey's work helped show the scale of what was happening behind the walls of Epstein's Palm Beach mansion, and his investigation directly challenged the softer treatment Epstein later received from higher levels of the justice system. He died in 2018, before Epstein's second arrest, but his role remains central because he was one of the investigators who actually treated the girls like victims and treated Epstein like a predator, not some untouchable financier who deserved special handling.Michael Reiter was the Palm Beach police chief who backed the investigation and refused to let Epstein's wealth, lawyers, and social standing bury the case quietly. Reiter pushed the matter forward when prosecutors appeared reluctant to pursue Epstein aggressively, and he later became one of the most important critics of how the case was handled by state and federal authorities. He argued that Epstein received preferential treatment and that the evidence supported a much more serious prosecution than the deal Epstein ultimately received. Together, Recarey and Reiter represent the part of the Epstein story where local police did their job, built a case, and recognized the scope of the abuse—only to watch the machinery above them narrow, soften, and ultimately protect Epstein through a sweetheart outcome that has haunted the case ever since.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Ben Black, Donald Trump's appointee to lead the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, is facing scrutiny after released DOJ Epstein records showed personal and business connections between him, his family, and Jeffrey Epstein. The records reviewed by the Guardian show that Black and family members invested in Environmental Solutions Worldwide in 2011, a company where Epstein held a stake through his Virgin Islands entity, Financial Trust. Ben Black and his brother Joshua became directors of the company that same year, while Epstein's involvement intersected with Leon Black, Ben's father and Epstein's highest-paying known client. The Guardian also reported records suggesting Epstein was scheduled to meet Ben Black, obtained his contact information after a family estate-planning meeting, claimed to have attended Ben Black's 30th birthday, weighed in on Ben's $11.5 million townhouse purchase, and appeared in correspondence involving a woman who sought Epstein's advice about communicating with Ben. Black has not been accused of wrongdoing, and his spokesperson denied that he had any personal or professional relationship with Epstein.The controversy matters because Black now oversees the DFC, a taxpayer-backed overseas investment agency whose lending cap was recently tripled to $205 billion, dramatically increasing the power of the office he runs. Trump appointed Black after Black and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale promoted a more market-driven approach to foreign aid, but the Guardian reported that some DFC staff had already questioned his qualifications before the Epstein records became an internal concern. The broader issue is not just whether Ben Black personally did anything improper; it is that another person placed in a high-level federal role sits inside the sprawling overlap of Epstein, elite finance, inherited power, private investment, and political appointment. The reporting also places Ben Black's rise against the backdrop of Leon Black's long financial relationship with Epstein, including the Senate Finance Committee's finding that Leon Black paid Epstein $170 million for what Black described as legitimate tax and estate-planning services.to contact me:bobbycapuccI@protonmail.comsource:Trump appointee leading $205bn US agency had personal ties to Epstein, emails show | Trump administration | The Guardian

Ben Black, Donald Trump's appointee to lead the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, is facing scrutiny after released DOJ Epstein records showed personal and business connections between him, his family, and Jeffrey Epstein. The records reviewed by the Guardian show that Black and family members invested in Environmental Solutions Worldwide in 2011, a company where Epstein held a stake through his Virgin Islands entity, Financial Trust. Ben Black and his brother Joshua became directors of the company that same year, while Epstein's involvement intersected with Leon Black, Ben's father and Epstein's highest-paying known client. The Guardian also reported records suggesting Epstein was scheduled to meet Ben Black, obtained his contact information after a family estate-planning meeting, claimed to have attended Ben Black's 30th birthday, weighed in on Ben's $11.5 million townhouse purchase, and appeared in correspondence involving a woman who sought Epstein's advice about communicating with Ben. Black has not been accused of wrongdoing, and his spokesperson denied that he had any personal or professional relationship with Epstein.The controversy matters because Black now oversees the DFC, a taxpayer-backed overseas investment agency whose lending cap was recently tripled to $205 billion, dramatically increasing the power of the office he runs. Trump appointed Black after Black and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale promoted a more market-driven approach to foreign aid, but the Guardian reported that some DFC staff had already questioned his qualifications before the Epstein records became an internal concern. The broader issue is not just whether Ben Black personally did anything improper; it is that another person placed in a high-level federal role sits inside the sprawling overlap of Epstein, elite finance, inherited power, private investment, and political appointment. The reporting also places Ben Black's rise against the backdrop of Leon Black's long financial relationship with Epstein, including the Senate Finance Committee's finding that Leon Black paid Epstein $170 million for what Black described as legitimate tax and estate-planning services.to contact me:bobbycapuccI@protonmail.comsource:Trump appointee leading $205bn US agency had personal ties to Epstein, emails show | Trump administration | The Guardian

Ben Black, Donald Trump's appointee to lead the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, is facing scrutiny after released DOJ Epstein records showed personal and business connections between him, his family, and Jeffrey Epstein. The records reviewed by the Guardian show that Black and family members invested in Environmental Solutions Worldwide in 2011, a company where Epstein held a stake through his Virgin Islands entity, Financial Trust. Ben Black and his brother Joshua became directors of the company that same year, while Epstein's involvement intersected with Leon Black, Ben's father and Epstein's highest-paying known client. The Guardian also reported records suggesting Epstein was scheduled to meet Ben Black, obtained his contact information after a family estate-planning meeting, claimed to have attended Ben Black's 30th birthday, weighed in on Ben's $11.5 million townhouse purchase, and appeared in correspondence involving a woman who sought Epstein's advice about communicating with Ben. Black has not been accused of wrongdoing, and his spokesperson denied that he had any personal or professional relationship with Epstein.The controversy matters because Black now oversees the DFC, a taxpayer-backed overseas investment agency whose lending cap was recently tripled to $205 billion, dramatically increasing the power of the office he runs. Trump appointed Black after Black and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale promoted a more market-driven approach to foreign aid, but the Guardian reported that some DFC staff had already questioned his qualifications before the Epstein records became an internal concern. The broader issue is not just whether Ben Black personally did anything improper; it is that another person placed in a high-level federal role sits inside the sprawling overlap of Epstein, elite finance, inherited power, private investment, and political appointment. The reporting also places Ben Black's rise against the backdrop of Leon Black's long financial relationship with Epstein, including the Senate Finance Committee's finding that Leon Black paid Epstein $170 million for what Black described as legitimate tax and estate-planning services.to contact me:bobbycapuccI@protonmail.comsource:Trump appointee leading $205bn US agency had personal ties to Epstein, emails show | Trump administration | The GuardianBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Ben Black, Donald Trump's appointee to lead the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, is facing scrutiny after released DOJ Epstein records showed personal and business connections between him, his family, and Jeffrey Epstein. The records reviewed by the Guardian show that Black and family members invested in Environmental Solutions Worldwide in 2011, a company where Epstein held a stake through his Virgin Islands entity, Financial Trust. Ben Black and his brother Joshua became directors of the company that same year, while Epstein's involvement intersected with Leon Black, Ben's father and Epstein's highest-paying known client. The Guardian also reported records suggesting Epstein was scheduled to meet Ben Black, obtained his contact information after a family estate-planning meeting, claimed to have attended Ben Black's 30th birthday, weighed in on Ben's $11.5 million townhouse purchase, and appeared in correspondence involving a woman who sought Epstein's advice about communicating with Ben. Black has not been accused of wrongdoing, and his spokesperson denied that he had any personal or professional relationship with Epstein.The controversy matters because Black now oversees the DFC, a taxpayer-backed overseas investment agency whose lending cap was recently tripled to $205 billion, dramatically increasing the power of the office he runs. Trump appointed Black after Black and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale promoted a more market-driven approach to foreign aid, but the Guardian reported that some DFC staff had already questioned his qualifications before the Epstein records became an internal concern. The broader issue is not just whether Ben Black personally did anything improper; it is that another person placed in a high-level federal role sits inside the sprawling overlap of Epstein, elite finance, inherited power, private investment, and political appointment. The reporting also places Ben Black's rise against the backdrop of Leon Black's long financial relationship with Epstein, including the Senate Finance Committee's finding that Leon Black paid Epstein $170 million for what Black described as legitimate tax and estate-planning services.to contact me:bobbycapuccI@protonmail.comsource:Trump appointee leading $205bn US agency had personal ties to Epstein, emails show | Trump administration | The GuardianBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Ben Black, Donald Trump's appointee to lead the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, is facing scrutiny after released DOJ Epstein records showed personal and business connections between him, his family, and Jeffrey Epstein. The records reviewed by the Guardian show that Black and family members invested in Environmental Solutions Worldwide in 2011, a company where Epstein held a stake through his Virgin Islands entity, Financial Trust. Ben Black and his brother Joshua became directors of the company that same year, while Epstein's involvement intersected with Leon Black, Ben's father and Epstein's highest-paying known client. The Guardian also reported records suggesting Epstein was scheduled to meet Ben Black, obtained his contact information after a family estate-planning meeting, claimed to have attended Ben Black's 30th birthday, weighed in on Ben's $11.5 million townhouse purchase, and appeared in correspondence involving a woman who sought Epstein's advice about communicating with Ben. Black has not been accused of wrongdoing, and his spokesperson denied that he had any personal or professional relationship with Epstein.The controversy matters because Black now oversees the DFC, a taxpayer-backed overseas investment agency whose lending cap was recently tripled to $205 billion, dramatically increasing the power of the office he runs. Trump appointed Black after Black and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale promoted a more market-driven approach to foreign aid, but the Guardian reported that some DFC staff had already questioned his qualifications before the Epstein records became an internal concern. The broader issue is not just whether Ben Black personally did anything improper; it is that another person placed in a high-level federal role sits inside the sprawling overlap of Epstein, elite finance, inherited power, private investment, and political appointment. The reporting also places Ben Black's rise against the backdrop of Leon Black's long financial relationship with Epstein, including the Senate Finance Committee's finding that Leon Black paid Epstein $170 million for what Black described as legitimate tax and estate-planning services.to contact me:bobbycapuccI@protonmail.comsource:Trump appointee leading $205bn US agency had personal ties to Epstein, emails show | Trump administration | The GuardianBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Ben Black, Donald Trump's appointee to lead the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, is facing scrutiny after released DOJ Epstein records showed personal and business connections between him, his family, and Jeffrey Epstein. The records reviewed by the Guardian show that Black and family members invested in Environmental Solutions Worldwide in 2011, a company where Epstein held a stake through his Virgin Islands entity, Financial Trust. Ben Black and his brother Joshua became directors of the company that same year, while Epstein's involvement intersected with Leon Black, Ben's father and Epstein's highest-paying known client. The Guardian also reported records suggesting Epstein was scheduled to meet Ben Black, obtained his contact information after a family estate-planning meeting, claimed to have attended Ben Black's 30th birthday, weighed in on Ben's $11.5 million townhouse purchase, and appeared in correspondence involving a woman who sought Epstein's advice about communicating with Ben. Black has not been accused of wrongdoing, and his spokesperson denied that he had any personal or professional relationship with Epstein.The controversy matters because Black now oversees the DFC, a taxpayer-backed overseas investment agency whose lending cap was recently tripled to $205 billion, dramatically increasing the power of the office he runs. Trump appointed Black after Black and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale promoted a more market-driven approach to foreign aid, but the Guardian reported that some DFC staff had already questioned his qualifications before the Epstein records became an internal concern. The broader issue is not just whether Ben Black personally did anything improper; it is that another person placed in a high-level federal role sits inside the sprawling overlap of Epstein, elite finance, inherited power, private investment, and political appointment. The reporting also places Ben Black's rise against the backdrop of Leon Black's long financial relationship with Epstein, including the Senate Finance Committee's finding that Leon Black paid Epstein $170 million for what Black described as legitimate tax and estate-planning services.to contact me:bobbycapuccI@protonmail.comsource:Trump appointee leading $205bn US agency had personal ties to Epstein, emails show | Trump administration | The GuardianBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Jes Staley, the former Barclays chief executive and former JPMorgan Chase executive, has agreed to sit for a voluntary, transcribed interview with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on July 23 about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The interview was requested by Oversight Chairman James Comer as part of the committee's broader probe into how Epstein was able to maintain access to elite financial, legal, political, and social networks for years despite his criminal history. Staley is a particularly important witness because he previously ran JPMorgan's private wealth and asset management operations, where Epstein was a major client, and because his own relationship with Epstein has already drawn serious regulatory, legal, and reputational scrutiny.The focus is not just that Staley knew Epstein, but how close that relationship was, what JPMorgan understood about Epstein while he remained a client, and whether major institutions ignored warning signs because Epstein was financially useful and socially connected. Staley has long maintained that he did not know about Epstein's criminal conduct, but prior proceedings and disclosures have raised questions about the depth of their friendship, including personal communications and findings by UK regulators that led to Staley being banned from senior financial roles. His July 23 interview now places him alongside other high-profile Epstein-linked figures expected to face congressional questioning, including Bill Gates, Leon Black, and Kathryn Ruemmler, as lawmakers continue trying to fill in the gaps left by settlements, sealed records, institutional evasions, and years of official failure.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Former Barclays CEO Jes Staley agrees to July 23 interview about Jeffrey Epstein by oversight panel

Jes Staley, the former Barclays chief executive and former JPMorgan Chase executive, has agreed to sit for a voluntary, transcribed interview with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on July 23 about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The interview was requested by Oversight Chairman James Comer as part of the committee's broader probe into how Epstein was able to maintain access to elite financial, legal, political, and social networks for years despite his criminal history. Staley is a particularly important witness because he previously ran JPMorgan's private wealth and asset management operations, where Epstein was a major client, and because his own relationship with Epstein has already drawn serious regulatory, legal, and reputational scrutiny.The focus is not just that Staley knew Epstein, but how close that relationship was, what JPMorgan understood about Epstein while he remained a client, and whether major institutions ignored warning signs because Epstein was financially useful and socially connected. Staley has long maintained that he did not know about Epstein's criminal conduct, but prior proceedings and disclosures have raised questions about the depth of their friendship, including personal communications and findings by UK regulators that led to Staley being banned from senior financial roles. His July 23 interview now places him alongside other high-profile Epstein-linked figures expected to face congressional questioning, including Bill Gates, Leon Black, and Kathryn Ruemmler, as lawmakers continue trying to fill in the gaps left by settlements, sealed records, institutional evasions, and years of official failure.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Former Barclays CEO Jes Staley agrees to July 23 interview about Jeffrey Epstein by oversight panelBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

This is the one we promised. Our full, unedited conversation with our first guest of Season 3; with public defender, creator, and iconic Survivor player Eliza Orlins. A slice of it ran in Thursday's episode. Here's the whole thing.Eliza anchored "Cover to Cover-Up," 24 straight hours live streaming a reading of the Epstein files, Cory Booker filibuster style, after Steve Schmidt and the Save America movement connected her with the redacted reading room in Tribeca. She takes us inside how it actually came together, the overnight scramble to fill the midnight to 7:30 AM hours, and what it felt like to read victim testimony out loud for a full day.She has been on the Epstein beat since 2018, when she watched the Manhattan DA's office quietly request a downward departure on his sex offender registration level, something she says she had never once seen in 15 years of public defending. She walks through what is actually in the files, the two million plus pages still hidden, the improper redactions in the pages we do have, and the Treasury documents that implicate Jamie Dimon and the banks. Then she makes the point that lands hardest: in every horrific case she ever read as a public defender, there was at least the promise of accountability. With Epstein, the richest and most powerful men in the world (Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Leon Black) have faced none. The reading room is now going on the road and opening two blocks from the White House, just in time for Trump's birthday.There is more here than made the Thursday cut. Eliza gets into the Democratic "autopsy," Rob Flaherty's much more honest version of it, and why she thinks the left is decades late on building real creator infrastructure because no one is watching cable news anymore. It is the clearest case we have heard for why shows like this one exist.Then things get a bit more personal as Eliza explains why she believes she will never be invited back to Survivor after she publicly torched CBS over its hard right turn, the $16 million settlement, Bari Weiss taking over CBS News, and a returning contestant's on air antisemitic rant. There are Survivor 50 hot takes, a MAGA alliance theory, and a Roy Moore connection you will not see coming.A programming note: this episode includes discussion of child sexual abuse and trafficking. Listener discretion advised.Send us a text!New episodes of Vibes Only drop every week. If you like the show, the single biggest thing you can do is leave a rating and a review… it's free, it takes ten seconds, and it's how we get in front of more people who need a politics podcast that isn't going to make them want to move to the woods.Vibes Only is a weekly political podcast hosted by Brian Derrick (Political Strategist and Founder of Oath) and Glennis Meagher (Political and New Media Strategist and Co-founder of Generator Collective), two political operatives turned creators breaking down the news of the week for you in terms of politics, elections, and culture. Consider us your weekly pause from doomscrolling and consultant-speak, just some solid vibes (and receipts) every Thursday morning.

Brian and Glennis are back with their first guest of Season 3, and it is a big one. Public defender, creator, and iconic Survivor player Eliza Orlins joins to talk about the 24 hours she spent live streaming a reading of the Epstein files, Cory Booker filibuster style, after Steve Schmidt and the Save America movement connected her with the redacted reading room in Tribeca.Eliza has been on the Epstein beat since 2018, when she watched the Manhattan DA's office quietly request a downward departure on his sex offender registration level, something she says she had never once seen in 15 years of public defending. She walks through what is actually in the files, the two million plus pages still hidden, the improper redactions in the pages we do have, and the Treasury documents that implicate Jamie Dimon and the banks. She makes the point that lands hardest: in every horrific case she ever read as a public defender, there was at least the promise of accountability. With Epstein, the richest and most powerful men in the world (Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Leon Black) have faced none. The reading room is now going on the road and opening two blocks from the White House, just in time for Trump's 80th birthday.Then it gets personal. Eliza explains why she believes she will never be invited back to Survivor after she publicly torched CBS over its hard right turn, the $16 million settlement, Bari Weiss taking over CBS News, and a returning contestant's on air antisemitic rant. There are Survivor 50 hot takes, a MAGA alliance theory, and a Roy Moore connection you will not see coming.After Eliza, Brian and Glennis turn to the Texas runoff that just wiped out John Cornyn. Ken Paxton, who is indicted, impeached, settled a whistleblower suit for $3.3 million in taxpayer money, and is comically corrupt by any measure, won by nearly 28 points on the strength of a single Trump endorsement. It capped the most expensive primary in US history at over $100 million, with roughly $80 million of that spent against Paxton, and it did not matter. Brian and Glennis dig into the chicken and egg of a Trump endorsement, why an unelectable nominee may be the best case scenario for Democrats and James Talarico, and the growing list of Republicans Trump is turning into lame duck enemies inside his own caucus.Then, in What Fresh Hell Is This number 642: the UFC cage Trump is building on the White House lawn for his birthday, the billionaires set to watch from the front row, Paramount's $7.7 billion UFC deal, and the illegal online casino sponsoring the whole thing that Trump keeps posting about. Brian and Glennis make the case that the whole spectacle is rage bait engineered to make liberals look out of touch, and lay out how to talk about it without taking the bait.They close on a genuinely good vibe out of South Carolina, where the state Senate killed a new map that would have eliminated its only majority Black district.And one more thing: a bonus episode with Eliza Orlins drops this Friday.A programming note: this episode includes discussion of child sexual abuse and trafficking. Listener discretion advised.EPISODE LINKSEliza's 24 Hour Livestream of the Epstein FilesEliza's YouTubeSend us a text!New episodes of Vibes Only drop every week. If you like the show, the single biggest thing you can do is leave a rating and a review… it's free, it takes ten seconds, and it's how we get in front of more people who need a politics podcast that isn't going to make them want to move to the woods.Vibes Only is a weekly political podcast hosted by Brian Derrick (Political Strategist and Founder of Oath) and Glennis Meagher (Political and New Media Strategist and Co-founder of Generator Collective), two political operatives turned creators breaking down the news of the week for you in terms of politics, elections, and culture. Consider us your weekly pause from doomscrolling and consultant-speak, just some solid vibes (and receipts) every Thursday morning.

The U.S. House Oversight Committee requested testimony from several high-profile figures — including Bill Gates, Kathryn Ruemmler, and Leon Black — as part of its expanding investigation into connections surrounding Jeffrey Epstein. Committee Chairman James Comer sent letters asking seven individuals to appear before the panel, stating that the committee believes they may possess information relevant to its probe. Lawmakers are examining how Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell built influence among powerful figures, as well as whether federal authorities mishandled aspects of the investigation into the pair's alleged sex-trafficking operation. The requests came as Congress continues reviewing large batches of documents released by the Justice Department following legislation requiring disclosure of Epstein-related files.The documents and testimony requests highlight various previously reported interactions between Epstein and prominent figures. Gates has acknowledged meeting Epstein multiple times between 2011 and 2014 and said he is willing to testify, while maintaining he never witnessed or participated in any illegal activity. Ruemmler, who served as White House counsel under Barack Obama, appeared in emails within the released files and has also indicated she will cooperate with the committee's inquiry. Black, who previously paid Epstein large sums for tax and estate planning advice, is likewise expected to answer questions about his relationship with the financier. None of the individuals asked to testify have been charged with crimes related to Epstein, but lawmakers say their testimony could help clarify how Epstein cultivated relationships with influential people and how those connections may have intersected with the broader investigationto contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Bill Gates among 7 asked to testify before House committee on possible Epstein ties - CBS NewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Leon Black's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein extended well beyond conventional financial advising and into deeply personal territory that raises serious questions about the nature of their association. Epstein was not only handling tax and estate matters for Black, but also acting as an intermediary in arranging and directing large payments to multiple women, some of whom had personal or sexual relationships with Black. These payments, totaling tens of millions of dollars, were facilitated through Epstein's network, suggesting a level of involvement that blurred any clear line between professional services and private dealings. The scope and structure of these transactions have drawn renewed scrutiny to why Epstein remained so closely tied to Black even after his 2008 conviction.The details paint a broader picture of Epstein operating as a behind-the-scenes fixer for powerful clients, managing sensitive situations that extended far beyond finance. In Black's case, that included discreetly coordinating payments and navigating complicated personal arrangements in a way that relied heavily on Epstein's connections and secrecy. Black has continued to assert that his dealings with Epstein were legitimate and financially focused, but the depth of Epstein's role in personal matters complicates that claim and reinforces concerns about how Epstein maintained influence among elite figures long after his criminal conduct was widely known..to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How Epstein Helped Solve a Billionaire's Problems With Women - The New York Times

Leon Black's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein extended well beyond conventional financial advising and into deeply personal territory that raises serious questions about the nature of their association. Epstein was not only handling tax and estate matters for Black, but also acting as an intermediary in arranging and directing large payments to multiple women, some of whom had personal or sexual relationships with Black. These payments, totaling tens of millions of dollars, were facilitated through Epstein's network, suggesting a level of involvement that blurred any clear line between professional services and private dealings. The scope and structure of these transactions have drawn renewed scrutiny to why Epstein remained so closely tied to Black even after his 2008 conviction.The details paint a broader picture of Epstein operating as a behind-the-scenes fixer for powerful clients, managing sensitive situations that extended far beyond finance. In Black's case, that included discreetly coordinating payments and navigating complicated personal arrangements in a way that relied heavily on Epstein's connections and secrecy. Black has continued to assert that his dealings with Epstein were legitimate and financially focused, but the depth of Epstein's role in personal matters complicates that claim and reinforces concerns about how Epstein maintained influence among elite figures long after his criminal conduct was widely known..to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How Epstein Helped Solve a Billionaire's Problems With Women - The New York TimesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

A new lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court accuses billionaire investor Leon Black — co-founder of Apollo Global Management — of conspiring with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and former law firm chairman Brad Karp to target, intimidate, and “silence and destroy” women who accused Black of sexual abuse. According to the suit by Wigdor LLP, internal emails from the recent Department of Justice release show Epstein and Karp discussing tactics to retaliate against Russian model Guzel Ganieva, including strategies to have her arrested, deported, or have her visa revoked, as well as surveilling her movements and license plates. The complaint portrays the three men as coordinating efforts to undermine and discredit accusers rather than address the allegations on their merits.The lawsuit also highlights Black's history of filing counterclaims against his accusers' legal teams, alleging malicious prosecution and defamation — all of which were dismissed — and asserts that Black misused the legal system to intimidate and suppress women seeking accountability. Black's attorney called the claims meritless, and neither Karp nor representatives for the law firm Wigdor provided comment. The filing follows previous civil actions by women alleging sexual misconduct by Black, some of which were withdrawn or dismissed, and adds new allegations that Black's legal and personal strategy included coordinated retaliation with Epstein's involvement.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Leon Black colluded with Jeffery Epstein, Brad Karp to attack accusersBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Leon Black's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein extended well beyond conventional financial advising and into deeply personal territory that raises serious questions about the nature of their association. Epstein was not only handling tax and estate matters for Black, but also acting as an intermediary in arranging and directing large payments to multiple women, some of whom had personal or sexual relationships with Black. These payments, totaling tens of millions of dollars, were facilitated through Epstein's network, suggesting a level of involvement that blurred any clear line between professional services and private dealings. The scope and structure of these transactions have drawn renewed scrutiny to why Epstein remained so closely tied to Black even after his 2008 conviction.The details paint a broader picture of Epstein operating as a behind-the-scenes fixer for powerful clients, managing sensitive situations that extended far beyond finance. In Black's case, that included discreetly coordinating payments and navigating complicated personal arrangements in a way that relied heavily on Epstein's connections and secrecy. Black has continued to assert that his dealings with Epstein were legitimate and financially focused, but the depth of Epstein's role in personal matters complicates that claim and reinforces concerns about how Epstein maintained influence among elite figures long after his criminal conduct was widely known..to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How Epstein Helped Solve a Billionaire's Problems With Women - The New York TimesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The newly released Epstein-related documents highlighted a major financial transaction involving billionaire Leon Black, revealing that he secured a $484 million loan from Bank of America backed by works of art. The loan, documented in materials connected to the Epstein files, used high-value paintings by artists such as Picasso, Giacometti, Titian, and Matisse as collateral. While the size of the loan drew attention because of its connection to the Epstein documents, art-backed lending itself is a common practice among ultra-wealthy collectors. These loans allow wealthy individuals to unlock liquidity from valuable art collections without having to sell the works, often at relatively low interest rates due to the borrower's overall wealth and the value of the collateral.The report also highlighted the rapid growth of the art-lending industry, which is estimated to be worth between $38 billion and $45 billion globally and is expected to exceed $50 billion by 2028. Wealthy collectors frequently borrow against artwork to fund investments, acquire additional art, or access cash while avoiding the significant tax consequences that come with selling pieces. Auction houses such as Sotheby's Financial Services, along with specialty lenders and private banks, dominate much of this market. Because selling art can trigger capital-gains taxes of more than 30%, borrowing against art has become an attractive financial strategy for collectors who want liquidity while continuing to hold and display their valuable pieces.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Epstein files highlight how the wealthy borrow against art collectionsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The mock indictment lays out a sweeping DOJ-style RICO case alleging that Jeffrey Epstein did not operate as an isolated sex offender, but as the leader of a highly organized criminal enterprise that functioned for decades through a network of recruiters, assistants, financial managers, lawyers, accountants, offshore entities, and institutional relationships. The document alleges that the Enterprise engaged in sex trafficking, interstate transportation of minors, forced labor trafficking, money laundering, wire fraud, bank fraud, immigration fraud, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, tax conspiracy, and related racketeering offenses. It frames figures such as Ghislaine Maxwell, Sarah Kellen Vickers, Lesley Groff, Nadia Marcinkova, Adriana Ross, Jean-Luc Brunel, Darren Indyke, and Richard Kahn as alleged operational participants who helped sustain different layers of the Enterprise, from recruitment and transportation to financial concealment and organizational continuity.The document further alleges that the Enterprise relied heavily on sophisticated financial infrastructure and elite institutional relationships to preserve legitimacy and avoid collapse even after Epstein's 2008 conviction. It describes alleged use of offshore trusts, shell corporations, charitable foundations, private aviation, layered ownership structures, and complex banking relationships to conceal assets and operational activity. The indictment also examines the alleged importance of relationships with figures such as Leslie Wexner and Leon Black, along with banking institutions including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Deutsche Bank AG, arguing that prosecutors could theoretically portray these relationships as part of a broader enterprise infrastructure that enabled Epstein's operations to survive repeated scrutiny. The mock indictment ultimately frames the Enterprise as resembling a transnational organized crime network whose power derived not only from trafficking activity itself, but from its alleged ability to combine wealth, prestige, financial sophistication, institutional access, and compartmentalized operational structures into a durable racketeering organization.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Senator Ron Wyden has sharply criticized the IRS for failing to audit or investigate the massive payments—estimated at at least $158 million, and possibly up to $170 million—made by private equity billionaire Leon Black to Jeffrey Epstein between 2012 and 2017. Wyden questioned how Epstein, who had no formal credentials in tax or accounting, could receive such high sums—exceeding compensation paid to other top advisors—without raising any red flags, and pointed out that much of this was paid “ad hoc” without written contracts. He urged the IRS to explain why these seemingly suspicious tax‑planning transactions were never subject to scrutiny despite their scale and Epstein's criminal historyAdditionally, Wyden revealed that his office accessed a trove of financial records indicating approximately 4,725 wire transfers amounting to over $1 billion linked to Epstein, including interactions with Russian banks connected to sex trafficking. He accused the Treasury Department of withholding these critical Suspicious Activity Reports from oversight and insisted that the lack of broader prosecutions or investigations suggests a cover‑up. Wyden accused federal agencies of “sleepwalking” through evidence that might have exposed Epstein's alleged façade of financial expertise and facilitated accountability for those who funded his operations.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Senator Seeks Investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's Work for Leon BlackBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The newly released emails and internal communications detailed by Fortune paint a picture of Jeffrey Epstein using the prestige of the International Peace Institute and its connections to the United Nations and the Gates Foundation to expand both his influence and his personal network long after his 2008 conviction. According to the report, Epstein allegedly helped facilitate nearly $1 million in donations from Leon Black to IPI, while simultaneously leveraging relationships within the organization to secure jobs, introductions, and visa recommendation letters for several young women connected to him. Emails released by the DOJ reportedly show Epstein embedding himself into philanthropic and diplomatic circles despite already being a registered sex offender, using respected institutions as a shield for reputation laundering and access.The report also highlights how Epstein allegedly cultivated close ties with IPI leadership, particularly former president Terje Rød-Larsen, while presenting himself as a high-level connector capable of bringing in wealthy donors and elite contacts. Women who later spoke publicly described being drawn into Epstein's orbit through promises of education, careers, travel opportunities, and professional advancement tied to these institutions. The article argues that Epstein weaponized the credibility of globally recognized nonprofits and philanthropic networks to maintain social legitimacy and control over vulnerable women, even as public knowledge of his criminal history continued to grow.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How Jeffrey Epstein leveraged a U.N.-affiliated nonprofit—and the Gates Foundation—to control women | Fortune

The newly released emails and internal communications detailed by Fortune paint a picture of Jeffrey Epstein using the prestige of the International Peace Institute and its connections to the United Nations and the Gates Foundation to expand both his influence and his personal network long after his 2008 conviction. According to the report, Epstein allegedly helped facilitate nearly $1 million in donations from Leon Black to IPI, while simultaneously leveraging relationships within the organization to secure jobs, introductions, and visa recommendation letters for several young women connected to him. Emails released by the DOJ reportedly show Epstein embedding himself into philanthropic and diplomatic circles despite already being a registered sex offender, using respected institutions as a shield for reputation laundering and access.The report also highlights how Epstein allegedly cultivated close ties with IPI leadership, particularly former president Terje Rød-Larsen, while presenting himself as a high-level connector capable of bringing in wealthy donors and elite contacts. Women who later spoke publicly described being drawn into Epstein's orbit through promises of education, careers, travel opportunities, and professional advancement tied to these institutions. The article argues that Epstein weaponized the credibility of globally recognized nonprofits and philanthropic networks to maintain social legitimacy and control over vulnerable women, even as public knowledge of his criminal history continued to grow.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How Jeffrey Epstein leveraged a U.N.-affiliated nonprofit—and the Gates Foundation—to control women | Fortune

The newly released emails and internal communications detailed by Fortune paint a picture of Jeffrey Epstein using the prestige of the International Peace Institute and its connections to the United Nations and the Gates Foundation to expand both his influence and his personal network long after his 2008 conviction. According to the report, Epstein allegedly helped facilitate nearly $1 million in donations from Leon Black to IPI, while simultaneously leveraging relationships within the organization to secure jobs, introductions, and visa recommendation letters for several young women connected to him. Emails released by the DOJ reportedly show Epstein embedding himself into philanthropic and diplomatic circles despite already being a registered sex offender, using respected institutions as a shield for reputation laundering and access.The report also highlights how Epstein allegedly cultivated close ties with IPI leadership, particularly former president Terje Rød-Larsen, while presenting himself as a high-level connector capable of bringing in wealthy donors and elite contacts. Women who later spoke publicly described being drawn into Epstein's orbit through promises of education, careers, travel opportunities, and professional advancement tied to these institutions. The article argues that Epstein weaponized the credibility of globally recognized nonprofits and philanthropic networks to maintain social legitimacy and control over vulnerable women, even as public knowledge of his criminal history continued to grow.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How Jeffrey Epstein leveraged a U.N.-affiliated nonprofit—and the Gates Foundation—to control women | FortuneBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The newly released emails and internal communications detailed by Fortune paint a picture of Jeffrey Epstein using the prestige of the International Peace Institute and its connections to the United Nations and the Gates Foundation to expand both his influence and his personal network long after his 2008 conviction. According to the report, Epstein allegedly helped facilitate nearly $1 million in donations from Leon Black to IPI, while simultaneously leveraging relationships within the organization to secure jobs, introductions, and visa recommendation letters for several young women connected to him. Emails released by the DOJ reportedly show Epstein embedding himself into philanthropic and diplomatic circles despite already being a registered sex offender, using respected institutions as a shield for reputation laundering and access.The report also highlights how Epstein allegedly cultivated close ties with IPI leadership, particularly former president Terje Rød-Larsen, while presenting himself as a high-level connector capable of bringing in wealthy donors and elite contacts. Women who later spoke publicly described being drawn into Epstein's orbit through promises of education, careers, travel opportunities, and professional advancement tied to these institutions. The article argues that Epstein weaponized the credibility of globally recognized nonprofits and philanthropic networks to maintain social legitimacy and control over vulnerable women, even as public knowledge of his criminal history continued to grow.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How Jeffrey Epstein leveraged a U.N.-affiliated nonprofit—and the Gates Foundation—to control women | FortuneBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Leon Black has faced mounting scrutiny over his long and deeply intertwined relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, particularly after newly surfaced court filings revealed an aggressive behind-the-scenes legal effort tied to a woman accusing Black of rape connected to Epstein's network. According to the reporting, Black's legal team privately contacted federal Judge Jed Rakoff in an effort to challenge and ultimately reverse a multimillion-dollar compensation award granted to the accuser through an Epstein victims' settlement fund. The woman, identified as Jane Doe, alleged that Black sexually assaulted her as a teenager at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. The Guardian's reporting detailed how Black's attorneys argued the settlement process had been manipulated by fraudulent evidence and sought to protect Black's reputation from what they characterized as false allegations. Critics, however, argued the case highlighted how wealthy and powerful figures connected to Epstein continue to wield enormous legal and financial influence long after Epstein's death.The legal battle became even more controversial after a federal judge sanctioned Jane Doe and her former attorney for falsified evidence tied to parts of the case, though the court still allowed portions of the civil rape lawsuit against Black to proceed. Black has vehemently denied ever meeting or assaulting the accuser and has refused settlement offers, framing the allegations as entirely fabricated. Still, the broader controversy surrounding Black has persisted because of the extraordinary extent of his documented relationship with Epstein, including revelations that Black paid Epstein roughly $170 million for financial and tax-related services over several years despite Epstein already being a convicted sex offender. The case has become emblematic of the larger questions surrounding Epstein's network of elite associates, the power imbalance between wealthy defendants and accusers, and the ongoing struggle by survivors to seek accountability within a legal system critics argue often bends toward those with enormous resources and institutional influence.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Epstein-linked billionaire accused of rape privately reached out to federal judge to defend his ‘good name' | Jeffrey Epstein | The Guardian

The newly released emails and internal communications detailed by Fortune paint a picture of Jeffrey Epstein using the prestige of the International Peace Institute and its connections to the United Nations and the Gates Foundation to expand both his influence and his personal network long after his 2008 conviction. According to the report, Epstein allegedly helped facilitate nearly $1 million in donations from Leon Black to IPI, while simultaneously leveraging relationships within the organization to secure jobs, introductions, and visa recommendation letters for several young women connected to him. Emails released by the DOJ reportedly show Epstein embedding himself into philanthropic and diplomatic circles despite already being a registered sex offender, using respected institutions as a shield for reputation laundering and access.The report also highlights how Epstein allegedly cultivated close ties with IPI leadership, particularly former president Terje Rød-Larsen, while presenting himself as a high-level connector capable of bringing in wealthy donors and elite contacts. Women who later spoke publicly described being drawn into Epstein's orbit through promises of education, careers, travel opportunities, and professional advancement tied to these institutions. The article argues that Epstein weaponized the credibility of globally recognized nonprofits and philanthropic networks to maintain social legitimacy and control over vulnerable women, even as public knowledge of his criminal history continued to grow.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How Jeffrey Epstein leveraged a U.N.-affiliated nonprofit—and the Gates Foundation—to control women | FortuneBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The newly released emails and internal communications detailed by Fortune paint a picture of Jeffrey Epstein using the prestige of the International Peace Institute and its connections to the United Nations and the Gates Foundation to expand both his influence and his personal network long after his 2008 conviction. According to the report, Epstein allegedly helped facilitate nearly $1 million in donations from Leon Black to IPI, while simultaneously leveraging relationships within the organization to secure jobs, introductions, and visa recommendation letters for several young women connected to him. Emails released by the DOJ reportedly show Epstein embedding himself into philanthropic and diplomatic circles despite already being a registered sex offender, using respected institutions as a shield for reputation laundering and access.The report also highlights how Epstein allegedly cultivated close ties with IPI leadership, particularly former president Terje Rød-Larsen, while presenting himself as a high-level connector capable of bringing in wealthy donors and elite contacts. Women who later spoke publicly described being drawn into Epstein's orbit through promises of education, careers, travel opportunities, and professional advancement tied to these institutions. The article argues that Epstein weaponized the credibility of globally recognized nonprofits and philanthropic networks to maintain social legitimacy and control over vulnerable women, even as public knowledge of his criminal history continued to grow.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How Jeffrey Epstein leveraged a U.N.-affiliated nonprofit—and the Gates Foundation—to control women | FortuneBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Leon Black became embroiled in a high-stakes legal fight stemming from his financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein, facing allegations that he was connected to Epstein's trafficking operation—claims he has strongly denied. As part of his defense, Black moved aggressively to sanction attorney David Boies Wigdor, specifically targeting the firm led by Douglas Wigdor, which represents Epstein accusers in civil litigation. Black's legal team argued that the claims brought against him were not only unsupported by credible evidence but were knowingly based on false or misleading allegations, accusing Wigdor's firm of pursuing a strategy designed to generate media attention and pressure rather than withstand legal scrutiny.Wigdor's team pushed back forcefully, framing Black's sanctions motion as an attempt to intimidate both victims and their legal representation while deflecting from the substance of the allegations. The dispute escalated into a broader courtroom battle over credibility, evidentiary standards, and the boundaries of aggressive advocacy in high-profile litigation tied to Epstein's network. While Black sought to have the claims dismissed and the opposing counsel penalized, the case underscored the ongoing legal fallout from Epstein's operations, with courts left to weigh whether the accusations against Black crossed into sanctionable conduct or reflected the messy, contested terrain of civil litigation involving powerful figures and deeply sensitive claims.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Leon Black has faced mounting scrutiny over his long and deeply intertwined relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, particularly after newly surfaced court filings revealed an aggressive behind-the-scenes legal effort tied to a woman accusing Black of rape connected to Epstein's network. According to the reporting, Black's legal team privately contacted federal Judge Jed Rakoff in an effort to challenge and ultimately reverse a multimillion-dollar compensation award granted to the accuser through an Epstein victims' settlement fund. The woman, identified as Jane Doe, alleged that Black sexually assaulted her as a teenager at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. The Guardian's reporting detailed how Black's attorneys argued the settlement process had been manipulated by fraudulent evidence and sought to protect Black's reputation from what they characterized as false allegations. Critics, however, argued the case highlighted how wealthy and powerful figures connected to Epstein continue to wield enormous legal and financial influence long after Epstein's death.The legal battle became even more controversial after a federal judge sanctioned Jane Doe and her former attorney for falsified evidence tied to parts of the case, though the court still allowed portions of the civil rape lawsuit against Black to proceed. Black has vehemently denied ever meeting or assaulting the accuser and has refused settlement offers, framing the allegations as entirely fabricated. Still, the broader controversy surrounding Black has persisted because of the extraordinary extent of his documented relationship with Epstein, including revelations that Black paid Epstein roughly $170 million for financial and tax-related services over several years despite Epstein already being a convicted sex offender. The case has become emblematic of the larger questions surrounding Epstein's network of elite associates, the power imbalance between wealthy defendants and accusers, and the ongoing struggle by survivors to seek accountability within a legal system critics argue often bends toward those with enormous resources and institutional influence.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Epstein-linked billionaire accused of rape privately reached out to federal judge to defend his ‘good name' | Jeffrey Epstein | The Guardian

Senator Ron Wyden has sharply criticized the IRS for failing to audit or investigate the massive payments—estimated at at least $158 million, and possibly up to $170 million—made by private equity billionaire Leon Black to Jeffrey Epstein between 2012 and 2017. Wyden questioned how Epstein, who had no formal credentials in tax or accounting, could receive such high sums—exceeding compensation paid to other top advisors—without raising any red flags, and pointed out that much of this was paid “ad hoc” without written contracts. He urged the IRS to explain why these seemingly suspicious tax‑planning transactions were never subject to scrutiny despite their scale and Epstein's criminal historyAdditionally, Wyden revealed that his office accessed a trove of financial records indicating approximately 4,725 wire transfers amounting to over $1 billion linked to Epstein, including interactions with Russian banks connected to sex trafficking. He accused the Treasury Department of withholding these critical Suspicious Activity Reports from oversight and insisted that the lack of broader prosecutions or investigations suggests a cover‑up. Wyden accused federal agencies of “sleepwalking” through evidence that might have exposed Epstein's alleged façade of financial expertise and facilitated accountability for those who funded his operations.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Senator Seeks Investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's Work for Leon Black

Leon Black has faced mounting scrutiny over his long and deeply intertwined relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, particularly after newly surfaced court filings revealed an aggressive behind-the-scenes legal effort tied to a woman accusing Black of rape connected to Epstein's network. According to the reporting, Black's legal team privately contacted federal Judge Jed Rakoff in an effort to challenge and ultimately reverse a multimillion-dollar compensation award granted to the accuser through an Epstein victims' settlement fund. The woman, identified as Jane Doe, alleged that Black sexually assaulted her as a teenager at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. The Guardian's reporting detailed how Black's attorneys argued the settlement process had been manipulated by fraudulent evidence and sought to protect Black's reputation from what they characterized as false allegations. Critics, however, argued the case highlighted how wealthy and powerful figures connected to Epstein continue to wield enormous legal and financial influence long after Epstein's death.The legal battle became even more controversial after a federal judge sanctioned Jane Doe and her former attorney for falsified evidence tied to parts of the case, though the court still allowed portions of the civil rape lawsuit against Black to proceed. Black has vehemently denied ever meeting or assaulting the accuser and has refused settlement offers, framing the allegations as entirely fabricated. Still, the broader controversy surrounding Black has persisted because of the extraordinary extent of his documented relationship with Epstein, including revelations that Black paid Epstein roughly $170 million for financial and tax-related services over several years despite Epstein already being a convicted sex offender. The case has become emblematic of the larger questions surrounding Epstein's network of elite associates, the power imbalance between wealthy defendants and accusers, and the ongoing struggle by survivors to seek accountability within a legal system critics argue often bends toward those with enormous resources and institutional influence.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Epstein-linked billionaire accused of rape privately reached out to federal judge to defend his ‘good name' | Jeffrey Epstein | The GuardianBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Leon Black has faced mounting scrutiny over his long and deeply intertwined relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, particularly after newly surfaced court filings revealed an aggressive behind-the-scenes legal effort tied to a woman accusing Black of rape connected to Epstein's network. According to the reporting, Black's legal team privately contacted federal Judge Jed Rakoff in an effort to challenge and ultimately reverse a multimillion-dollar compensation award granted to the accuser through an Epstein victims' settlement fund. The woman, identified as Jane Doe, alleged that Black sexually assaulted her as a teenager at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. The Guardian's reporting detailed how Black's attorneys argued the settlement process had been manipulated by fraudulent evidence and sought to protect Black's reputation from what they characterized as false allegations. Critics, however, argued the case highlighted how wealthy and powerful figures connected to Epstein continue to wield enormous legal and financial influence long after Epstein's death.The legal battle became even more controversial after a federal judge sanctioned Jane Doe and her former attorney for falsified evidence tied to parts of the case, though the court still allowed portions of the civil rape lawsuit against Black to proceed. Black has vehemently denied ever meeting or assaulting the accuser and has refused settlement offers, framing the allegations as entirely fabricated. Still, the broader controversy surrounding Black has persisted because of the extraordinary extent of his documented relationship with Epstein, including revelations that Black paid Epstein roughly $170 million for financial and tax-related services over several years despite Epstein already being a convicted sex offender. The case has become emblematic of the larger questions surrounding Epstein's network of elite associates, the power imbalance between wealthy defendants and accusers, and the ongoing struggle by survivors to seek accountability within a legal system critics argue often bends toward those with enormous resources and institutional influence.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Epstein-linked billionaire accused of rape privately reached out to federal judge to defend his ‘good name' | Jeffrey Epstein | The GuardianBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Leon Black became embroiled in a high-stakes legal fight stemming from his financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein, facing allegations that he was connected to Epstein's trafficking operation—claims he has strongly denied. As part of his defense, Black moved aggressively to sanction attorney David Boies Wigdor, specifically targeting the firm led by Douglas Wigdor, which represents Epstein accusers in civil litigation. Black's legal team argued that the claims brought against him were not only unsupported by credible evidence but were knowingly based on false or misleading allegations, accusing Wigdor's firm of pursuing a strategy designed to generate media attention and pressure rather than withstand legal scrutiny.Wigdor's team pushed back forcefully, framing Black's sanctions motion as an attempt to intimidate both victims and their legal representation while deflecting from the substance of the allegations. The dispute escalated into a broader courtroom battle over credibility, evidentiary standards, and the boundaries of aggressive advocacy in high-profile litigation tied to Epstein's network. While Black sought to have the claims dismissed and the opposing counsel penalized, the case underscored the ongoing legal fallout from Epstein's operations, with courts left to weigh whether the accusations against Black crossed into sanctionable conduct or reflected the messy, contested terrain of civil litigation involving powerful figures and deeply sensitive claims.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Leon Black became embroiled in a high-stakes legal fight stemming from his financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein, facing allegations that he was connected to Epstein's trafficking operation—claims he has strongly denied. As part of his defense, Black moved aggressively to sanction attorney David Boies Wigdor, specifically targeting the firm led by Douglas Wigdor, which represents Epstein accusers in civil litigation. Black's legal team argued that the claims brought against him were not only unsupported by credible evidence but were knowingly based on false or misleading allegations, accusing Wigdor's firm of pursuing a strategy designed to generate media attention and pressure rather than withstand legal scrutiny.Wigdor's team pushed back forcefully, framing Black's sanctions motion as an attempt to intimidate both victims and their legal representation while deflecting from the substance of the allegations. The dispute escalated into a broader courtroom battle over credibility, evidentiary standards, and the boundaries of aggressive advocacy in high-profile litigation tied to Epstein's network. While Black sought to have the claims dismissed and the opposing counsel penalized, the case underscored the ongoing legal fallout from Epstein's operations, with courts left to weigh whether the accusations against Black crossed into sanctionable conduct or reflected the messy, contested terrain of civil litigation involving powerful figures and deeply sensitive claims.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Leon Black's fall from grace at the Museum of Modern Art came in early 2021, after intense public backlash over his deep financial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Reports revealed that Black had paid Epstein approximately $158 million for tax and estate advisory services, long after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from a minor. The revelations sparked outrage across New York's art world, with artists, staff, and activists demanding his removal from MoMA's board. Protesters accused the museum of moral hypocrisy for maintaining ties with a man linked to Epstein's network, arguing that his presence tainted the institution's credibility and mission. As pressure mounted from both within and outside MoMA, calls for his resignation grew louder, and donors began quietly voicing discomfort about his continued leadership.In March 2021, facing unrelenting scrutiny, Black announced that he would step down as chairman of MoMA's board and not seek re-election when his term ended. While he technically remained on the board as a trustee, his exit from the chairmanship was viewed as a forced retreat under immense public pressure. His resignation from the top spot came shortly after he also resigned as CEO of Apollo Global Management amid the same Epstein scandal. MoMA attempted to minimize the fallout by framing his departure as voluntary, but the timing — coming amid protests and reputational damage — made clear that Black's position had become untenable. His exit marked one of the most high-profile instances of cultural institutions severing ties with financiers connected to Epstein.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Senator Ron Wyden has sharply criticized the IRS for failing to audit or investigate the massive payments—estimated at at least $158 million, and possibly up to $170 million—made by private equity billionaire Leon Black to Jeffrey Epstein between 2012 and 2017. Wyden questioned how Epstein, who had no formal credentials in tax or accounting, could receive such high sums—exceeding compensation paid to other top advisors—without raising any red flags, and pointed out that much of this was paid “ad hoc” without written contracts. He urged the IRS to explain why these seemingly suspicious tax‑planning transactions were never subject to scrutiny despite their scale and Epstein's criminal historyAdditionally, Wyden revealed that his office accessed a trove of financial records indicating approximately 4,725 wire transfers amounting to over $1 billion linked to Epstein, including interactions with Russian banks connected to sex trafficking. He accused the Treasury Department of withholding these critical Suspicious Activity Reports from oversight and insisted that the lack of broader prosecutions or investigations suggests a cover‑up. Wyden accused federal agencies of “sleepwalking” through evidence that might have exposed Epstein's alleged façade of financial expertise and facilitated accountability for those who funded his operations.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Senator Seeks Investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's Work for Leon BlackBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

This FBI 302 report documents an interview conducted on September 30, 2021, in New York, where an accuser connected to allegations involving Leon Black was questioned by federal authorities. The interview was attended by multiple officials, including an Assistant U.S. Attorney, FBI Special Agents, and a detective, along with the accuser's attorney. After being advised of the identities of those present and the purpose of the interview, the individual provided information regarding their allegations, which are tied to the broader Epstein-related investigations and Black's alleged connections.The document represents a formal record of the accuser's statements to law enforcement, preserving their account as part of the evidentiary process. As with many 302 reports, it serves as a summary rather than a verbatim transcript, meaning it reflects how agents documented the interview rather than capturing every word spoken. Its inclusion in the Epstein file disclosures underscores how allegations connected to high-profile figures like Leon Black were formally reviewed and documented by federal investigators, even as questions remain about how those claims were ultimately pursued or resolved.to contact me;bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:EFTA01246236.pdf

A federal judge sharply criticized the conduct of a lawyer involved in an Epstein-linked lawsuit against billionaire Leon Black, finding that the attorney engaged in repeated dishonesty and serious misconduct during the case. The judge concluded that the lawyer misled both the court and opposing counsel on multiple occasions, including making false statements about related litigation and directing the client to delete a potentially relevant social media account—actions that raised significant concerns about the integrity of the case.Despite the severity of the misconduct, the court stopped short of dismissing the lawsuit entirely, opting instead to impose sanctions. The law firm was ordered to pay legal fees tied to the misconduct and must disclose the ruling in future cases, while the plaintiff is barred from using certain evidence deemed unreliable or falsified, including altered materials submitted as part of the claim.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Federal judge sanctions law firm in Epstein-linked case against Leon Black | Fox News

The unsettling story of Leslie Wexner—the Midwestern retail billionaire who built Victoria's Secret, then gave Jeffrey Epstein extraordinary access to his money and credibility. But how much did he know? Listen to Vanessa and Justine's podcast Fallen Angel Read Gabriel Sherman's Vanity Fair article on Epstein and Wexner. Chameleon is a production of Campside Media and Audiochuck. Follow Chameleon on Instagram @chameleonpod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.