Gold and Wachtel

Email from Jeffrey Epstein to 'Gold, Steven' on April 22, 2013 about rescheduling an inspection: 'Steve can we move the inspection to tues next week, I am not returning until then.' CC'd to Richard Bamen. This may be Steven Gold, a possible named partner of Gold & Wachtel, still in contact with Epstein 25+ years after the firm's founding.

Firm evolution: Gold & Wachtel (at 10 E 53rd St) was Epstein's original law firm from ~1988, serving as process agent for Jeffrey E. Epstein, Inc./J. Epstein & Company Inc. The firm became Wachtel & Masyr LLP (at 110 E 59th St) by at least 1996. 'Gold' departed (name dropped from firm), while 'Wachtel' remained as named partner with new partner 'Masyr'. Both Schantz (active 1995-2003) and Indyke (Cornell Law 1991, active from early 1990s) came from this firm.

Wachtel and Masyr LLP represented Jeffrey E. Epstein in United States v. Epstein (96 CIV 8307 SDNY 1998) - eviction case from former Iranian consulate building. Attorney Steven J. Cohen of Wachtel and Masyr appeared for Epstein. Gold and Wachtel (a related/predecessor firm led by William Wachtel) also represented Jackie Fine Arts Inc and hired Darren Indyke in 1986 as a favor to Bernard Indyke. This establishes the Wachtel firm-Epstein relationship back to at least 1996.

Gold and Wachtel founded 1984 by Harry Wachtel and Robert Gold. Represented Epstein from 1988.

Gold & Wachtel was a boutique NYC law firm at 10 East 53rd Street, NY 10022, co-managed by Robert Gold and William B. Wachtel. Served as process agent for J. Epstein & Company Inc. (NY DOS #1307306) from 11/16/1988. Firm became Wachtel Missry LLP on 12/13/1994 (NY DOS #1875279). Successor firm at 885 Second Ave, 47th Floor, NY 10017.

[Merged from finding #2082]: Gold & Wachtel was a boutique NYC law firm at 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022. Co-founded by Robert Gold and William B. Wachtel. Represented Jeffrey Epstein from at least November 1988, serving as process agent for J. Epstein & Company Inc (NY DOS ID 1307306). Both Jeffrey A. Schantz (from 1995) and Darren K. Indyke originated from this firm.

Gold and Wachtel represented Herman Finesod on appeal in Jackie Fine Arts RICO fraud case. William B. Wachtel was on brief as defense counsel for Finesod in Faircloth v Finesod 4th Cir 1991. This means Wachtel was personally defending the man who ran the 409M fraud that Bernard Indyke managed, while simultaneously employing Bernards son Darren.

CourtListener reveals multiple lawsuits involving Gold & Wachtel: (1) Zhadanov v. Gold & Wachtel (SDNY 99-cv-05900, 1999, contract dispute), (2) Urse v. Gold & Wachtel (OHSD 94-cv-00604, 1994, civil rights employment), (3) Del Raso v. Gold & Wachtel (Bankr FLSB 94-00548, 1994), (4) Tri-State Sol-Aire Corp v. Gold & Wachtel (NY App Div 1997, malpractice suit), (5) Gold & Wachtel LLP v. Mark-Holli Realty (SDNY 97-cv-00308, 1997, contract - firm suing a client for fees). Cases span 1994-2000 indicating firm was active through late 1990s.

Gold & Wachtel underwent succession: (1) Gold & Wachtel (active by 1987, dissolved by late 1994), (2) Wachtel & Masyr LLP (active by 1998, at 110 E 59th St), (3) Wachtel Missry LLP (formed Dec 13 1994 per NY SoS, at 885 Second Ave 47th Floor). Steven J. Cohen represented Epstein under Wachtel & Masyr in US v. Epstein (96 CIV 8307, SDNY 1998) and is currently partner at Wachtel Missry, establishing continuity.

Gold & Wachtel personnel pipeline to Epstein: Jeffrey A. Schantz (JD Fordham 1983) served as Epstein primary operative 1995-2003, was original co-Trustee of 2001 Trust ONE with M bequest. Darren K. Indyke (JD Cornell Law 1991) replaced Schantz as primary operative 2003-2019, designated successor Trustee in Trust. Indyke confirmed as G&W attorney via LittleSis (entity 349261). Robert Gold co-managed the firm. Both Schantz and Indyke transitioned from G&W attorneys to Epstein inner circle operatives.

The 1998 SDNY case reveals Epstein leased the former Iranian Deputy Consul General residence at 34 East 69th Street from the Office of Foreign Missions in 1992 at 15K/month. Epstein occupied it until Jan 1996, then illegally sublet to Ivan Fisher at 20K/month without written OFM consent. Jeffrey Schantz conducted negotiations with OFM on April 19, 1996 about the sublet. OFM terminated Epstein's lease Aug 23, 1996. This is the earliest documented legal representation by the Gold & Wachtel successor firm.

Gold & Wachtel served as registered process agent for J. EPSTEIN & COMPANY, INC. (formerly JEFFREY E. EPSTEIN, INC.) at 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022. NY Corp ID #1307306. Filed circa 1988, name change 10/03/1997, final dissolution 04/04/2001.

Successor firm Wachtel & Masyr LLP represented Jeffrey Epstein in United States v. Epstein (SDNY 96 CIV. 8307, 1998). Attorney Steven J. Cohen of Wachtel & Masyr appeared as Epstein's counsel. Case involved US government evicting Epstein from former Iranian Deputy Consul General residence at 34 East 69th Street. Jeffrey Schantz identified as Epstein's 'transaction counsel' in same case.

G&W served as process agent for O'SEA INC (DOS 1471429) at 10 East 53rd St — previously undocumented G&W client entity

O'SEA, INC. (NY DOS 1471429) lists Gold & Wachtel as its process server at 10 East 53rd Street, NY. This was G&W's original office address. The entity name and sparse record suggest a possible holding company or shell entity. This is a new G&W client entity not previously documented in the investigation.

G&W served as process agent for Intl Federation of Jeunesses Musicales (DOS 1384964) and two Academy entities (DOS 1898213, 1898217) at its office addresses

Three additional Gold & Wachtel client entities discovered via address searches: (1) GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF JEUNESSES MUSICALES, INC. (DOS 1384964) at 10 East 53rd St with G&W as process server — an international music youth organization; (2) ACADEMY CENTER, L.P. (DOS 1898217) at 110 East 59th St with G&W as process server; (3) ACADEMY STORE, L.P. (DOS 1898213) at 110 East 59th St with G&W as process server. The two Academy entities appear to be a pair of related real estate LPs. These add to the documented G&W client roster.

ASSOCIATED BUY LIQUOR RITE MERCHANTS INC (DOS 967302) is earliest known G&W client at 110 E 59th — predates firm's Epstein-era work

ASSOCIATED BUY LIQUOR RITE MERCHANTS INC. (NY DOS 967302) lists Gold & Wachtel as process server at 110 East 59th Street. This is a liquor industry trade association that predates the Epstein relationship era, showing G&W's pre-existing client base before Indyke joined. Combined with AIDS-CARE MANAGEMENT (DOS 1184070) at 10 E 53rd, O'SEA INC (DOS 1471429), JEUNESSES MUSICALES (DOS 1384964), ACADEMY CENTER LP (DOS 1898217), and ACADEMY STORE LP (DOS 1898213), we now have 6 confirmed G&W client entities found via address searches alone.

SYNTHESIS: Gold and Wachtel was founded 1984 at 10 E 53rd St NYC by Harry H. Wachtel (1917-1997, MLK advisor, VP of Rapid American Corp/Riklis) and Robert Gold (b.1945, AUSA SDNY 1973-77 in Official Corruption and Securities Fraud units). The firm was the institutional origin of Epstein's entire legal/operational infrastructure. KEY FINDINGS: (1) PIPELINE: Darren Indyke started as pre-law assistant in 1986 through father Bernard's connection — Bernard was manager/board member of Jackie Fine Arts (G&W client, $500M+ tax shelter fraud, Herman Finesod convicted). William Wachtel lied to Daily Beast calling Bernard 'a mailroom employee.' Indyke first encountered Epstein at G&W in 1986, returned after Cornell Law 1991. Schantz (Fordham 1983) went in-house with Epstein May 1995. Both successive #1 operatives came from this firm. (2) ROBERT GOLD SHIELDED EPSTEIN FROM TOWERS FINANCIAL PROSECUTION: Hoffenberg says 'Ask Robert Gold' — Gold 'kept the US attorney away from Epstein until there were only a few weeks left before the statute of limitations ran out.' Gold's AUSA SDNY background (corruption+securities fraud) gave him the connections. (3) Gold named in 2001 Trust One as 'his friend, ROBERT GOLD' for debt forgiveness. 13 documents show warm personal relationship post-conviction 2011-2014. (4) Gold's later career: Ranieri & Co crisis management (1998-2000) — same Ranieri firm Schantz sent FedEx packages to from NYSG Dec 2003. Then DLA Piper, Wilson Sonsini, Mishcon de Reya (2014). Jun 2014 email from Mishcon: 'spent the day in Paris working with Alan.' (5) SAKER AVIATION: William B. Wachtel (Harry's son) chairs Saker Aviation Services (SKAS) with former G&W attorney Jesse Masyr in 25 SEC filings — FBO/charter company run by Epstein's former law firm partners. (6) Steven J. Cohen represented Epstein in 1998 from successor firm, now partner at Wachtel Missry LLP. (7) Firm became Wachtel Missry LLP after Harry's death Feb 1997. Gold departed late 1990s. Firm succession: Gold and Wachtel → Wachtel and Masyr → Wachtel Missry.

FEC records identify 4 Gold & Wachtel employees/partners making political donations (1987-1998): William B. Wachtel (NYC 10024, K to Bradley 1987, K to Bradley 1989), Jesse Masyr (Somers NY 10589, K to D'Amato 1996), Deborah S. Clark (NYC 10024, K to Schumer 1997, K to Schumer 1998), William Dowling (Brooklyn 11217, + to Abrams 1992). Clark's filings show both 'GOLD & WACHTEL LLP' and 'GOLD & WACHTELL LLP' spellings. Masyr's 141 hits in Epstein document corpus warrants separate investigation.

Steven J. Cohen identified as attorney at Wachtel & Masyr LLP who represented Epstein in 1998 SDNY case. This is a different attorney from the known Epstein operatives (Schantz and Indyke), indicating additional firm personnel handled Epstein matters. Cohen appeared on behalf of the firm in federal court filings.

Gold & Wachtel firm address confirmed as 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022 from NY State corporate filing for J. Epstein & Company Inc. The successor firm Wachtel & Masyr LLP relocated to 110 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022.

Gold & Wachtel had two known offices: 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022 (primary, per NY SoS filing for J. Epstein & Company 1988) and 425 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068 (per USLawyersDB listing, phone 973-226-6000). The NJ office may have been Robert Gold's base, as the firm is listed as Gold & Wachtel LLP in Roseland.