Jeffrey Epstein communicated with the FBI, contradicting testimony from FBI Director Kash Patel, who told Congress last week that Epstein was never a source for the bureau.
FBI Director Kash Patel Claimed Epstein was Not a FBI Source
On September 16, Patel appeared before the House Oversight Committee. When Sen. Chuck Grassley asked if Epstein had ever served as an “intelligence asset for the United States or a foreign government,” Patel responded: “Mr. Chairman, I can only speak to the FBI as the director of the FBI, and Mr. Epstein was not a source for the FBI.”
But internal FBI documents tell a different story. A memo dated September 18, 2008, states plainly that “Epstein has also provided information to the FBI as agreed upon.” The memo was part of a subfile tied to the federal investigation into Epstein and possible asset forfeiture. That subfile was created in 2006 and shows the FBI investigation continued even after Epstein struck his controversial non-prosecution deal in 2007.
A February 2008 memo further noted that “the criminal investigation into activities of Jeffrey Epstein is ongoing” and was awaiting a decision from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Much of that information came from meetings between the lead FBI case agent and Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonia J. Barnes.
2008 Memo Highlighted Epstein was Cooperating
The September 2008 memo ultimately closed the forfeiture subfile but underscored that Epstein was cooperating: “Case agent advised that no federal prosecution will occur in this matter as long as Epstein continues to uphold his agreement with the state of Florida.”
That agreement—part of Epstein’s non-prosecution arrangement—meant he waived his right to fight civil lawsuits brought by victims identified by federal prosecutors. Epstein served just over a year in jail before his release in July 2009. Years later, his estate paid more than $120 million into a victims’ compensation fund.
Now, the fight has shifted to Capitol Hill. Lawmakers are pressing for release of Epstein’s full FBI files, especially after the Trump administration admitted that the long-promised “client list” does not exist. Patel has argued that many of the documents remain outside his jurisdiction to release.
Meanwhile, Epstein’s victims say they are compiling their own list of the powerful men and women they were trafficked to.
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