Records Uncover Jeffrey Epstein's Attempts to Repair His Standing Following Guilty Plea
Recently released files show that the financier and his associates worked to suppress damaging press and repair his reputation in the years following his 2008 court guilty plea to state charges of sex crime charges with a minor.
Coordinated Reputation Restoration Campaign
The files, part of 20,000 pages released by GOP representatives of the House oversight committee, contain messages and memoranda that show a systematic campaign to control digital visibility and media professionals, and repair Epstein's reputation.
Digital Reputation Control Campaign
In December 2010, Epstein, who had been freed from jail in mid-2009, had a number of correspondence with Al Seckel, described as an peculiar art collector who was aiding oversee Epstein's digital presence.
"The google page is not good," Epstein wrote on the 11th of December. "After September when you told me you estimated it would take about twenty thousand to fix and hopefully in time for the first of November, then a further 10,000, and yet another 10,000 and your correspondence about how you are focused on outcomes."
Seckel sent Epstein images of the first page of online search listings for Epstein's identity, assuring the wealthy individual that a certain publication was removed from the rankings, and that "remaining articles, including the powerful Huffington Post, are going to be removed."
Online Encyclopedia Changes
Seckel additionally asserted that "damaging suggested search engine terms that showed up automated when you typed in your name" had likewise been eliminated.
In the email, Seckel emphasized what he called an "important achievement" when it came to Epstein's digital profile profile. "The headlines do no longer reference registered sex offender or pedophile," he said, "conversely, Philanthropic work, Epstein Foundation, Support of Scientists."
"Wikipedia profile presently appears relatively mild," he claimed, noting that "bad stuff has been minimized" and moved to the bottom. "We modified the site to swap the mug shot and text, and now has an completely new image and caption," he added. "This constituted a big success."
Press Manipulation Attempts
The records further indicate collaborators engaging in efforts to control media coverage. In March 2011, a NYC publicist communicated to Epstein indicating that a journalist was researching a article about him, centered around Epstein's "reemergence in NYC post your previous problems."
"In the event that you work with me I feel confident that I can influence this story on your behalf," the PR professional wrote. "That does not mean I can control it completely or that they would include past problems. Nonetheless, I can assure you that the article will be objective and that your perspective will be portrayed effectively."
The communications expert recommended setting up interviews with contacts who "were aware of the good things that you have achieved in enterprise, technology, and charity."
PR Approach
A mid-2011 memo from a public relations agency, titled "Concerns of Reputation", appears to have been put together for Epstein and outlines a plan to improve his image.
The report recommends limiting any appearances in the tabloid press, restoring "your profile" in specific press, government and charitable networks, establishing "you as a innovative champion of technology and advancement" and proposes hosting "an regular function which unites your commercial and humanitarian interests."
Online Clean-up
The agency also proposed a "improvement" of search results on "every major search engines where your identity is part of a search query", labeling it as an "urgent priority."
The company also advised connecting with "top editors and journalists", particularly "serious financial and financial writers."
Additional Reputation Restoration Strategies
In summer 2011, Epstein emailed a well-known publicist urging her to reach out to a publisher to recruit a prominent media organization to examine matters concerning one of Epstein's key accusers.
In the message, Epstein suggested that the influential figure "should promote the dangers of unfounded claims" and "send a journalist to look into" the person. "The palace would love it," he wrote.
The publicist responded that "should you rephrase your last email in clearer language (and so I have a clearer comprehension) I can share and forward it." Epstein answered with a rewrite.
In a subsequent statement, the communications expert informed media outlets that she never sent Epstein's revised correspondence and had "no cause to contact" the influential figure.
"That was absurd for him to think that I would engage in his foolish unlawful matters and endanger my strong connection," the publicist stated, explaining that she had a working relationship with the influential figure.
The publicist additionally characterized Epstein as "completely detached from reality" and living in his "own illusion of a situation that focused on him as he always thought he was the {