Ken Starr

Kenneth Starr (insurance executive, Starr and Company NYC 10022 -- NOT the independent counsel) made major political donations: K to Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009, K DCCCC (2000), K DNC (2004), ,800 Harry Reid (2009), ,400 Chris Dodd (2009), ,300 Richardson for President (2008), ,300 Rick Noriega/TX (2008), K Rangel (2009). His 2007 Richardson donation aligns with Indyke and Kahn who also donated to Richardson. Starr gave K to Obama's inaugural -- suggesting significant Democratic influence-seeking. All donations from NYC 10022 (same ZIP as Epstein/Maxwell). Starr was later convicted of fraud for stealing from clients including from Epstein-connected entities.

Jun 13, 2018: Starr forwarded an email to Epstein showing he gave Michael Wolff (Epstein's PR strategist, 303 emails) a quote for a Trump/obstruction piece: 'I gave Michael the all clear. We are going to continue to chat.' Wolff's proposed quote had Starr as 'the former independent prosecutor who might know more about the legal pursuit of the president than anyone else on earth.' Epstein was orchestrating Starr's media appearances via Wolff.

Dec 6, 2018 -- same night Starr was strategizing AG picks with Epstein, Epstein was also emailing Noam Chomsky and Valeria Chomsky: 'the press is painting me as a monster. congress, senate.. being fed by plaintiffs. lawyers. only wanting money. I have no skill with the general public or media.. should ken starr write an editorial? a scientist.. who has benefited.. I have no idea about these things. suggestions??' Chomsky advised against responding: 'virtually no point responding. It just leads to renewed attacks.' This shows Epstein simultaneously managing multiple advisors (Starr for legal/political, Chomsky for public intellectual validation, Ruemmler for strategic counsel).

Starr's relationship with Epstein spans at minimum 2007-2019. Key timeline: 2007-2008 Starr was part of Epstein's NPA defense team at Kirkland & Ellis (alongside Dershowitz, Lefkowitz, Lefcourt); July 2009 Starr called Epstein 'my admired friend' from Tel Aviv teaching at Bar Ilan; 2010 arranged Harvard dinner with Henry Rosovsky; 2016-2017 JASTA legislative strategy; Nov 2017-Mar 2019 intensive op-ed and AG/Mueller strategy. Jan 2018 Starr confirmed writing a book for Penguin Random House ('Contempt: A Memoir of the Clinton Investigation') with Epstein's advice on marketing.

Nov 22, 2017: Starr had lunch with Epstein at 358 El Brillo Way, Palm Beach. That same day, Epstein told Landon Thomas Jr (NYT): 'Ken Starr here today with me. he seems to have been ahead of his time :)' Thomas responded: 'Indeed -- he should write an op-ed\!' This is the earliest recorded suggestion of the op-ed strategy that would consume Dec 2018 - Mar 2019.

Jun 22, 2018: Epstein personally introduced Starr to Steve Bannon via email: 'Ken - steve. Steve -ken.' Starr responded 'Thanks, Jeffrey. Safe travels\!' This shows Epstein acting as power broker connecting his legal advisor (Starr) with his political strategist (Bannon) in a period when both were providing advice on Mueller probe strategy.

Kenneth Starr appears as a registered lobbyist (ID 34088) at Kirkland and Ellis LLP. However, his known lobbying of Congress on behalf of Epstein (documented in investigation records, including op-ed drafts, Baylor warnings, and Congressional contacts during the 2007-2008 NPA period) does NOT appear in LDA filings under his name at Kirkland and Ellis. Starr's Congressional lobbying for Epstein appears to have been conducted outside the formal LDA registration framework. This is consistent with legal counsel providing 'advice' rather than registered lobbying contacts, but the documented Congressional outreach on Epstein's behalf raises questions about LDA compliance.

Nov 27, 2016: Starr forwarded Epstein material about JASTA (Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act) through his daughter Cynthia Starr Roemer. Epstein replied 'got it, thanks. leave it in my hands. always a treat.' Dec 1, 2016 Starr followed up: 'Good OpEd in today's WSJ on our favorite subject.' This suggests Starr and Epstein were collaborating on JASTA-related legislative strategy 2 years before the AG strategizing.

Nov 29-30, 2018: Epstein discussed defense strategy with Ruemmler, mentioning Starr by name: 'ken starr? the detectiev in the video is the pi of the lawyers not a detective. the allegation of imformant? fabrication. the issue of no fed nexus was the key? im only exploring options with you as i would with my health.' Ruemmler pushed back: 'The problem is always the same -- girls were teenagers. Doesnt matter that they were prostitutes -- its the age. And now several have gone on record and camera.' This reveals Ruemmler explicitly acknowledging the core problem while continuing to advise.

Dec 1-6, 2018: Epstein emailed BOTH Kathy Ruemmler and Ken Starr together with legal defense framing: 'prostitution, state not federal. 2005, new york class a misdemeanor... no federal nexus. so i plead forced by acosta to plead to a higher level state crime. no coercion, no force, no drugs.' This was coordinated defense strategy involving Goldman Sachs GC Ruemmler and former IC Starr simultaneously.

Dec 11-12, 2018: Starr emerged from Chicago commitments and asked 'Is Alan open to co-authoring a piece? Is that wise? If so, I will work to clear this with my firm.' This shows Starr was at a law firm (likely Kirkland & Ellis successor) that needed to approve his public advocacy for Epstein. Epstein told Starr 'please clear with the firm as we dont want judge marra to feel only onesided pressure' -- revealing awareness of the presiding judge and attempt to manage judicial perception.

Dec 11-12, 2018: When Epstein told Starr that Alan (Dershowitz) suggested including 'marty, jack' (Martin Weinberg, Jack Goldberger) as co-authors since 'you and alan are lightening rods,' Starr responded: 'Lightening rods, sure. But the big advantage is, we will get read. Maybe that is actually a disadvantage.' Epstein replied 'I have reputational cancer not pancreatic' and Starr said 'Ready to fight (after clearing with the firm).' The entire defense team was coordinating: Starr, Dershowitz, Weinberg, Goldberger, Indyke, Ruemmler.

Dec 19-20, 2018: Starr's WaPo op-ed was nearly final. Epstein also asked David Schoen (later Trump's 2nd impeachment lawyer) to review/rework the draft: 'david, what if instead of this signed by ken starr, if you felt inspired as you were not part of the defense team and re worked this into a pro prosecutor piece for the wash post.' Schoen expressed concern about Starr as signatory 'because of the specific nature of his trouble - dismissed and being sued for allegedly overlooking sexual harassment' at Baylor.

On Dec 6, 2018, Starr emailed Epstein late at night (11:40 PM) with AG strategy: proposed former AG Ed Meese as 'outsider' to argue against federalizing state/local matters. Starr stated 'We obviously need to think through the politics' -- directly strategizing how to influence DOJ leadership selection to benefit Epstein's legal position.

Dec 6, 2018: Epstein told Ruemmler and Starr he asked 'marty' (Martin Weinberg, defense attorney) to draft a detailed response including: 3 levels of DOJ review, entire USAO hierarchy involved, weakness of federal jurisdiction (18 USC 2243 going home, 2421 no inducement, 1591 no trafficking for profit), waiver of liability, uniqueness of 2255 waivers, 11 years since executed, sex registration, no recidivism, and finality interest. This detailed legal strategy document was being coordinated across Starr, Ruemmler, and Weinberg.

Dec 6, 2018: Ruemmler endorsed Starr-Dershowitz op-ed plan: 'I think an op-ed from Ken and Alan would be good.' She also discussed media response to Ben Sasse and revealed she was traveling redeye to NY, then SF. Ruemmler flagged that NBC reporter is 'married to Maggie Haberman' -- showing awareness of media relationships and using them strategically.

On Dec 7, 2018, Starr told Epstein he 'just did a segment on CNN New Day re Mueller/Bill Barr' and was asked about Ben Sasse's quote. Starr was simultaneously advising Epstein privately on DOJ strategy while appearing on national TV as an ostensibly independent legal commentator on Mueller/Barr. His public commentary served dual purpose: independent expertise AND advancing Epstein's interest in weakening federal prosecution.

On Dec 7, 2018, Epstein asked Starr 'woman?' when Starr couldn't identify someone to co-author an op-ed defending the NPA deal. Starr replied 'Much better, of course. No one has come to mind. Thinking.' This reveals Epstein specifically wanted a female author for the op-ed as a strategic choice to soften the optics of defending a convicted sex offender, and Starr was actively trying to recruit one.

Dec 13, 2018: Epstein asked Starr to 'take a stab at the article for the law journal.' This was a parallel track to the WaPo op-ed -- a longer academic/legal piece defending the NPA in a law journal format. This strategic choice aimed to influence the legal-academic narrative surrounding the NPA.

Dec 16, 2018: Full draft op-ed for Washington Post was being edited by Starr, Ruemmler, and Epstein. The draft characterized Epstein's offenses as 'sexual favors for hire' and 'a classic state offense,' argued the feds overreached, claimed Epstein was subjected to 'draconian measures' and 'aggressive federal intrusion.' Starr asked whether it should be 'authored by the entire team, or a more personal presentation by two or so members.' Epstein responded 'i think you and alan.'

Dec 19, 2018: Epstein settled on Starr and 'marty' (Weinberg) as op-ed co-signers for WaPo: 'im pretty sure both of you. makes sense as marty has the time to respond for follow up if any... i am ok with you two and appreciate you both signing the op ed, given to the wash post. I think you are both the two measured responders in case of follow up, neither lily or alan are fully peaceful.' Starr agreed but offered to 'fly solo' if needed.

Dec 21, 2018: Starr forwarded Epstein a press inquiry from the Alliance to Rescue Victims of Trafficking asking to speak about the Epstein case for Politico. Starr forwarded asking what to do. Epstein replied 'yes ignore.' Starr was actively screening and deflecting press inquiries about the Epstein case while simultaneously drafting public op-eds defending Epstein.

Feb 7, 2019: Starr proposed a delegation of 'Kathy, Alan, Ken' (Ruemmler, Dershowitz, Starr) to meet with Senator Ben Sasse about Epstein's NPA. Epstein was hesitant about exposing Starr: 'is it time to publish the op ed? under whose name, I think we might save ken for later? maybe a follow up? but i assume that ken will be shortly writing on trump and his legal trevails.' Epstein warned Starr: 'I fear backlash for you... after mueller report, and what i understand the southern district is up to, I would think that your opinions would be highly valued with regard trump.'

Feb 16, 2019: After Miami Herald published opinion pieces critical of the NPA, Starr responded to Epstein with 'Letter to Sasse?' -- still pursuing the direct Congressional lobbying strategy. The Sasse angle was significant because Sasse had publicly questioned AG nominee Barr about the Epstein case during confirmation hearings.

Mar 2, 2019: Indyke sent a draft document to Epstein cc'd to Starr and Ruemmler. Epstein responded: 'i think too long for an op ed. better signed by defense team, laying out position.' The night before, Epstein told Indyke 'Send draft to ken and kathy.' This shows the op-ed effort continued into March 2019 with Starr, Ruemmler, and Indyke all collaborating on a public defense strategy.

Dec 2018 op-ed full text preserved in EFTA02609032: The draft characterized Epstein as 'a successful self-made businessman with no prior criminal history' whose offenses 'amounted to solicitation of prostitution,' claimed the feds imposed 'draconian measures' and 'an extremely aggressive federal intrusion,' and argued 'Jeffrey Epstein has paid his debt to society.' The draft framed victims as unreliable ('exculpatory evidence, including sworn testimony from many that they lied about being eighteen') and framed the NPA as uniquely harsh rather than lenient.