Brad Karp

Paul Weiss (Karp as named lobbyist) registered as lobbyist for Carlos Ghosn Bichara within weeks of the Nov 19, 2018 arrest. LDA filings show: Q4 2018: $20K, Q1 2019: $50K, Q2 2019: $50K, Q3 2019: $50K (Weingarten added), Q4 2019: $50K, Q1 2020: $20K (termination). Total declared Paul Weiss income: $240K. Issues: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties and Law Enforcement. Lobbyists evolved from Karp/Gertzman/Milione to include Thompson, then Weingarten/Antweiler/Caselli.

Epstein asked Brad Karp (Paul Weiss chairman) on Jan 26, 2019: 'Rajeev misra do you represent?' Karp replied 'Indeed.' In a duplicate of the same thread (EFTA02627034), Karp elaborated: 'Sort of. Spoke to him yesterday.' Same email chain discusses Carlos Ghosn: Epstein wrote '? ghosen a very very not good guy.' This confirms Epstein was probing Karp for intelligence on SoftBank Vision Fund chief Rajeev Misra's legal representation just weeks before WSJ would expose the Benedetti honey trap operation.

Karp-Caesars privilege breach predates Ghosn leaks by 2+ years. Epstein emailed Karp (Paul Weiss chairman) Aug 29, 2016: 'is Caesars getting better or worse?' while Paul Weiss was counsel to CEC/Apollo in CEOC restructuring and was named defendant in Case 15-01145. This establishes pattern of Karp sharing privileged client information with Epstein starting 2016, not 2018.

Case 15-01145 names Paul Weiss as defendant for simultaneously representing Apollo, CEC, and CEOC while engineering fraudulent asset transfers. Court-appointed examiner found PW had conflict of interest. Crime-fraud exception motion was pending. PW faced zero consequences. PW continued as Apollo counsel. Complaint seeks 8.1-12.6B in damages.

On Nov 20, 2018 (the day of Ghosn's arrest), Karp emailed Epstein: 'Dealing with Ghosn crisis. Will step out shortly.' This shows Paul Weiss was engaged on the Ghosn case from day one, and that Karp communicated his case status directly to Epstein.

EFTA02608729 (Jan 4, 2019): Epstein told Karp about a 'money issue' and instructed him to 'stand tough and tell him you had told' — indicating Karp was negotiating financial matters on Epstein's behalf with an unnamed third party. This occurred during the same period Karp was leading the Ghosn lobbying campaign, showing the Epstein-Karp relationship involved active financial negotiations alongside the Ghosn representation.

Brad Karp's family engagement with Epstein extended well beyond professional legal services. Both children (David and Meredith) are named in Epstein documents. David attended a Woody Allen screening at age ~18 (May 2014), dined with Epstein and met Woody Allen in person (Jan 2016), and had Epstein arrange meetings with Woody Allen's assistant Helen Robin (Aug 2016). Karp brought his son's girlfriend Courtney Loo to Epstein screenings (Jan 2018). Karp shared his daughter's medical emergency with Epstein. Epstein created a personalized gift for David (having Woody write out answers to David's questions). The 'coming solo' email (July 2015) implies wife Robbie sometimes attended Epstein events. Yet her name never appears in documents - suggesting deliberate compartmentalization or that she refused further participation.

Brad Karp had extensive regular contact with Epstein from at least Jan 2016 through Jan 2019. Timeline: Jan 7, 2016 - Epstein called Karp (EFTA02477081); Mar 3-4, 2016 - Karp asked about Leon Black escrow (EFTA02470157); May 18-19, 2017 - dinner at 71st with Kathy Ruemmler (EFTA02213590); Jul 11, 2017 - visit (EFTA02218810); Jan 31, 2018 - dinner at 71st (EFTA02237151); Jun 8, 2018 - hand-delivered package (EFTA02247503); Aug 9, 2018 - 11am visit (EFTA02253155); Oct 11-18, 2018 - visits (EFTA02261421); Nov 2, 2018 - 'blown out of proportion' dispute (EFTA02617307); Nov 20, 2018 - dealing with Ghosn crisis (EFTA02616157); Jan 26, 2019 - Misra inquiry (EFTA02627134). Karp was simultaneously Paul Weiss chairman, Epstein's personal friend, and legal advisor to both Leon Black and Rajeev Misra.

Karp invited Epstein and Kathy Ruemmler to dinner together at 71st St on May 19, 2017: 'Jeffrey is asking if you would like to join him and Kathy Ruemmler tomorrow at the house at 5:30pm.' Karp agreed: 'I can join for about an hour.' Ruemmler was Obama's White House Counsel (2011-2014) who later represented Epstein at Latham & Watkins and became Goldman Sachs General Counsel. This places the chairman of Paul Weiss, a former White House Counsel, and Epstein at the same intimate dinner -- a convergence of legal, political, and financial power at 71st Street.

On Nov 2, 2018, Epstein and Karp had a disagreement. Epstein wrote: 'This is silly. You and i are friends with a disagreement. We should not allow this to get blown out of proportion.' Karp replied: 'I would send.' The context of the dispute and what Karp recommended sending is unknown, but the characterization as 'friends with a disagreement' confirms this was a personal relationship, not just attorney-client. This occurred 2.5 months before the Jan 26, 2019 Misra inquiry and during the period when Karp was simultaneously dealing with the Ghosn crisis for Nissan/Renault (Nov 20, 2018).

Karp was DIRECTLY involved in the Ghosn crisis: On Nov 20, 2018, Karp told Epstein 'Sorry. Dealing with Ghosn crisis. Will step out shortly.' Ghosn had been arrested the previous day (Nov 19, 2018). Paul Weiss represented Renault in the Ghosn matter. This means when Epstein asked Karp about Misra on Jan 26, 2019, Karp was already deeply embedded in the SoftBank-adjacent Japan corporate scandal ecosystem via the Ghosn/Nissan case.

Paul Weiss has 5 historical FARA registrations (all terminated by 2002): represented Government of Israel (1965-66), Government of Morocco (1963), Government of Poland (1990), NEC/Japan (1982-96), Samsung/Hyundai/Korea (1985-2001), Government of Botswana (1987-89), Korea Telecom (1995-2001). None active during Karp-Epstein relationship period (2015-2019). Paul Weiss Japan expertise (NEC representation 1985-1996) is relevant context for Karp's Dec 2018 Tokyo trip during Ghosn crisis -- the firm had institutional knowledge of Japanese legal and corporate systems.

Paul Weiss has 5 historical FARA registrations spanning 1963-2002 representing governments of Israel Morocco Poland Botswana and Korean and Japanese corporations (NEC Samsung Hyundai Korea Telecom). The Japan expertise (NEC representation 1985-1996) provides institutional context for Karps Dec 2018 Tokyo trip during Ghosn crisis. However NO active FARA registration existed during the Karp-Epstein relationship period 2015-2019. The Ghosn lobbying was registered under LDA (domestic lobbying) NOT FARA (foreign agent registration) despite Ghosn being a French-Brazilian-Lebanese citizen held in Japan. This framing as civil rights advocacy rather than foreign government influence avoided FARA requirements creating a pattern consistent with the broader non-compliance documented across the Epstein network.

Brad Karp resigned as Paul Weiss chairman on Feb 4, 2026 after DOJ release of Epstein emails. The Karp-Epstein-Ghosn nexus: (1) Karp was 'dealing with Ghosn crisis' on Nov 20, 2018 (EFTA02616157). (2) Karp registered as lobbyist for Ghosn Nov 2018, lobbied through Q1 2020. (3) Simultaneously, Epstein fed Karp intelligence on Ghosn: 'ghosen info when you like' (Nov 30), 'my guy had it right from day one' (Dec 26), 'bring you up to date on google ghosen SIC' (Jan 24), 'ghosen a very very not good guy' (Jan 26). (4) Karp was also advising Epstein on his own plea deal: 'The draft motion is in great shape. Truly' (Mar 2019). (5) Karp asked Epstein for help getting his son a job on a Woody Allen movie. This dual relationship — where Karp was simultaneously Epstein's social correspondent AND Ghosn's registered lobbyist — raises questions about information flows between Epstein and the Ghosn case.

Epstein-Karp 'charlie' email exchange (Nov 20-21, 2017) reveals three things: (1) Epstein sent Karp the WaPo article about Charlie Rose sexual harassment allegations the night it was published, suggesting real-time information sharing on #MeToo developments; (2) Karp's wife had previously expressed negative views about Charlie Rose - Epstein said 'I guess your wife can feel vindicated'; (3) Epstein revealed his own connection to the Rose situation: 'the article refers to kyles friend that called charlie :) and told him he would get both he and me in trouble if he didnt stop. go know\! :)' - Epstein was apparently connected to someone who warned Rose about his behavior and referenced Epstein.

Complete Ghosn intelligence timeline via Karp: (1) Nov 20, 2018 — Karp: 'Sorry. Dealing with Ghosn crisis' (EFTA02616157). Paul Weiss represented Nissan interests. (2) Nov 30, 2018 — Epstein to Pritzker: 'the nissan guy ghosen is being held incommunicado in tokyo, can you ask around re why?' Same day, Epstein to Karp: 'ghosen info when you like.' Karp responds: 'That was quick. On call with DOJ now.' (EFTA02612503). (3) Dec 26, 2018 — Epstein to Karp: 'following ghosen. it appears my guy had it right from day one. any updates?' Karp: 'Just returning from tokyo. Your guy totally had it right.' (EFTA02609103). (4) Jan 24, 2019 — Epstein to Karp: 'when free I can bring you up to date on google. ghosen SIC and...' (EFTA02626821). (5) Jan 26, 2019 — Epstein: 'ghosen a very very not good guy' then asks 'Rajeev misra do you represent?' Karp: 'Sort of. Spoke to him yesterday.' (EFTA02627034).

Complete Karp-Epstein Ghosn intelligence timeline reconstructed from 7 DOJ documents. Nov 20, 2018: Karp told Epstein Sorry. Dealing with Ghosn crisis. Will step out shortly (EFTA02616157) -- confirming Paul Weiss involvement in Ghosn matter day after arrest. Nov 30: Epstein offered Karp ghosen info when you like (EFTA02612503). Karp replied That was quick. On call with DOJ now. Epstein: its the old joke re the experienced mechanic vs apprentice ie just need to know exactly where to knock. Same day Epstein told Pritzker: the nissan guy ghosen is being held incommunicado in tokyo can you ask around re why? Dec 26: Epstein asked following ghosen. it appears my guy had it right from day one? any updates? Karp replied Just returning from tokyo. Your guy totally had it right. (EFTA02609103). Dec 30: Epstein followed up how you doing? traveling to tokyo must have been stressful (EFTA02608327). Jan 24, 2019: Epstein told Karp when free I can bring you up to date on google. ghosen SIC and ... (EFTA02626821). Jan 26: Epstein declared ghosen a very very not good guy. Karp: Indeed (EFTA02627279).

Epstein told Karp on Nov 30, 2018: ghosen info when you like. Karp responded That was quick. On call with DOJ now. Epstein: its the old joke re the experienced mechanic vs apprentice ie just need to know exactly where to knock. The 'that was quick' and 'mechanic' metaphor suggest Epstein had just obtained Ghosn intelligence rapidly through a specialized source. Epstein was offering this intelligence to Karp -- chairman of Paul Weiss, the firm representing Nissan against Ghosn -- creating a bidirectional intelligence channel where Karp provided DOJ-side updates and Epstein provided source-side intelligence.

Brad Karp traveled to Tokyo around Christmas 2018, returning Dec 26. Paul Weiss represented Nissan in the Ghosn prosecution (confirmed by Karp's Nov 20 'Dealing with Ghosn crisis' and Nov 30 'On call with DOJ now'). Karp confirmed Epstein had a separate intelligence source on Ghosn ('Your guy totally had it right'). This means: (1) Karp was leaking privileged client information about Ghosn to Epstein, (2) Epstein had an independent intelligence source on the Ghosn arrest that Karp validated, (3) Epstein was offering counter-intelligence to Karp about Ghosn while Karp's firm was working the DOJ angle. The 'SIC' reference in Jan 24 email may refer to Standard Industrial Classification or Securities Industry Committee -- context unclear.

IDENTIFICATION OF MY GUY SOURCE: On Dec 26 2018 Epstein told Karp following ghosen it appears my guy had it right from day one. Karp responded Just returning from tokyo. Your guy totally had it right. The candidate for my guy is David Stern based on: (1) Stern was in Tokyo meeting SoftBank COO Marcelo Claure just 5 months before Ghosns arrest Jun 12 2018 EFTA02614349. (2) Stern was in Tokyo with PA (Prince Andrew) on Feb 9-10 2018 EFTA02527724. (3) Stern had active Japanese corporate contacts through Asia Gateway. (4) Stern relayed intelligence to Epstein routinely (Chinese intel on North Korea EFTA02378169). (5) Epsteins mechanic metaphor (just need to know exactly where to knock) suggests a targeted intelligence source not a broad network. The French phone number Epstein provided Karp on Jan 24 2019 (011 331 441 70210) may be an alternative Ghosn intelligence contact given Ghosns French-Lebanese nationality.

Karp-Epstein intelligence nexus convergence Jan 24-26, 2019: On Jan 24, Epstein tells Karp he can update him on 'google, ghosen SIC and...' (EFTA02626821). On Jan 26, Epstein tells Karp 'ghosen a very very not good guy' and immediately asks 'Rajeev misra do you represent?' Karp: 'Sort of. Spoke to him yesterday' (EFTA02627034). The same day (Jan 26), Weingarten independently asks Epstein about Misra: 'Rajeev misra...softbank vision fund...any special jeffrey insights here?' (HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_028601). This convergence shows Epstein was simultaneously brokering intelligence about SoftBank (Ghosn/Misra), SDNY RICO, and Google matters through Karp and Weingarten — a dual-channel intelligence operation.

Epstein asked Karp 'Rajeev misra do you represent?' on Jan 26, 2019. Epstein clarified: 'brad represent softbank, not rajeev, but did speak to him yesterday, re DB.' This confirms: (1) Paul Weiss/Karp represented SoftBank (not Misra personally), (2) Epstein spoke to Karp about Deutsche Bank matters on Jan 25, (3) Epstein was probing the relationship. Same email thread discussed Ghosn arrest and SDNY matters.

On Jan 26 2019, Epstein emailed Brad Karp (Chairman, Paul Weiss) about Carlos Ghosn: 'ghosen a very very not good guy.' Karp responded 'Indeed.' Epstein then asked: 'Rajeev misra do you represent?' Karp replied: 'Sort of. Spoke to him yesterday.' This confirms Paul Weiss had a relationship with SoftBank Vision Fund CEO Rajeev Misra as of Jan 2019. Two days later (Jan 28) Epstein asked Teodorani about Alessandro Benedetti -- the Italian operative Misra hired for the SoftBank honey trap. The Ghosn reference is notable: Ghosn was Nissan CEO arrested Nov 2018 in a Japanese corporate intrigue, and Nissan had alliance with Renault (another Agnelli/Elkann connection via Fiat-Chrysler).

Epstein asked Brad Karp (Paul Weiss chairman) on March 30, 2019: 'is your go to investigators kroll?' Karp responded: 'I use Nardello, who I think is better at these types of matters.' This confirms Epstein was seeking private investigator recommendations from Karp just 3.5 months before his July 2019 arrest. Context: Karp was also the contact for 'subjects: leon, kathy boies' (Oct 22, 2018) — intelligence brokerage across multiple matters.