Inside Jeffrey Epstein’s inner circle — the aides, lawyers and confidants who ran his world

The January release of emails and documents by the Justice Department has unveiled a network of high-profile figures linked to Jeffrey Epstein. From Elon Musk and Bill Gates to Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, Epstein maintained ties with influential individuals across various fields. Yet, his closest associates—those who operated in the shadows—remained largely unpublicized, managing his affairs behind the scenes as he built his enigmatic financial empire.

The Inner Circle’s Role

Epstein’s circle included a lawyer, accountant, assistant, pilot, modeling scout, and ex-girlfriend. Together, they oversaw his calendar, arranged his properties worldwide, and handled his finances. Despite their central role, these individuals have often stayed out of the spotlight, with many refusing to comment on their involvement. However, the recent surge of documents now sheds light on their contributions to Epstein’s operations.

“There is no way that I could lose Lesley to motherhood,” Epstein told The Times in 2005.

Among the newly released files, thousands of mentions of these individuals reveal their deep entanglement in Epstein’s life. While they may not have faced the same public scrutiny as others, their upcoming appearances before the House Oversight Committee could change that. Richard Kahn, Epstein’s longtime accountant, and Darren Indyke, his personal attorney, are set to testify on March 11 and March 19. Lesley Groff, his executive assistant, is scheduled to appear on June 9.

Behind-the-Scenes Activities

The files show how the inner circle supported Epstein’s lifestyle. They managed cash withdrawals, set up shell companies, and paid for education for young women he favored. Some even arranged travel for guests and installed hidden cameras at his properties. According to victims, these moments included massages where Epstein would groom and abuse young girls and women.

Multiple victims who spoke to the FBI also identified Groff as the person they would call for assistance. A diagram from the US government highlights key members of this group, though only Ghislaine Maxwell, his ex-girlfriend and co-conspirator, was charged with federal sex trafficking crimes. Maxwell currently serves a 20-year sentence for those offenses.

Settlement and Financial Legacy

As co-executors of Epstein’s estate, Kahn and Indyke established a victims’ compensation fund, distributing around $125 million before its closure in 2021. They recently agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit, which would allocate up to $35 million to victims. Their lawyer emphasized that the settlement does not imply guilt, as the pair denies being facilitators in Epstein’s sex trafficking scheme.

Some members of Epstein’s circle worked with him for years prior to his 2019 arrest. In his will, he left millions to those who had supported him, though the distribution has yet to occur. The ongoing investigation continues to uncover new details about their roles in maintaining his status within elite circles of power.