Reid Weingarten

Reid Weingarten (Epstein defense attorney, Steptoe and Johnson) made only 3 personal political donations totaling 3000 dollars: 1000 to Strickland for Colorado (2002), 1000 to Alex Sanders for Senate (2002), 1000 to Friends of Mark Warner (1996). All from Washington DC. Minimal political donor despite being a high-profile white-collar defense attorney. No coordination with other Epstein network donors detected.

Weingarten discussed Steptoe & Johnson billing dispute on Jan 22, 2019. He reported that 'the Steptoe numbercrunchers advise me Jeffrey has paid about 450 and owes about 300 and seems disinclined to make Steptoe whole'. He referenced the 'unspeakably awful evan barr debacle' and questioned whether Miller had made an error. Weingarten called himself 'the 800 pound gorilla' at Steptoe and said the firm would not chase Epstein for the money. Separately, Epstein stated 'im not sheyl, frankly i havent been involved in this at all except for the ridiculousness' and suggested resolving it by end of month. Total Steptoe billing: approximately K (K paid, K outstanding).

Weingarten disclosed that Epstein owed Steptoe & Johnson significant legal fees. In an undated email, Weingarten told Epstein: 'the Steptoe numbercrunchers advise me Jeffrey has paid about 450 and owes about 300 and seems disinclined to make Steptoe whole.' This was preceded by 'How the fuck are we back here after the unspeakably awful evan barr debacle.' Weingarten described himself as 'the 800 pound gorilla here' but noted 'there are 500 lawyers here, processes, etc.' This reveals ~K in total Steptoe legal fees for Epstein, with K unpaid, and a prior billing dispute ('evan barr debacle').

Weingarten told a third party 'don't mention my role with brad till we both think it useful' -- referring to Brad Karp (Paul Weiss chairman). This suggests Weingarten had a confidential advisory role related to Karp and Epstein that was strategically concealed. Weingarten also told Epstein: 'Still have to figure out what my role is in all this shit.' In Sept 2011, Epstein told Matthew Menchel (Kobre & Kim LLP attorney): 'your name just came up, when you sent an email to weingarten, he is with me in paris love to see you' -- confirming Weingarten traveled with Epstein internationally.

Epstein managed Weingarten's media exposure through Michael Wolff. In EFTA02512781 (2/1/2015), Epstein wrote to Wolff: 'weingarten quotes out. governone has note been sentenced.' This shows Epstein directing Wolff's PR strategy on behalf of Weingarten's clients, removing quotes before sentencing. Additionally, Epstein offered Weingarten and Ruemmler as guests to an unnamed person in March 2018: 'did you enjoy last night. leon doesnt listen as much as he should. but he is a good guy. Im in palm beach for the weekend. next week if you like Kathy ruemmler. or reid weingarten and or miro lacjak.' This demonstrates Epstein curating social/professional access to his legal advisors.

Epstein used Weingarten in legal strategy discussions about his own vulnerability as early as July 2015. In EFTA02341191, Epstein wrote to Brad Karp (Paul Weiss partner): 'add Levander or Weingarten? relationship to law enf paramount. difficult to settle as there are others that would i think might be encouraged to emerge. most other similar cases are usually a one off. perfect storm. cosby, wey. money, wall street etc.. terrible.. if she falls into the hands of the bottom fishers. very bad. very. they will want the pr.' This shows Epstein considering Weingarten for his defense team 4 years before arrest, discussing strategy around potential accusers and law enforcement relationships.

Weingarten appears in Epstein's personal to-do/contact lists alongside his most important associates. In a Sept 2015 email to himself, Epstein listed: 'weingarten, ruemmler. zuckerman, holterbosch. kamen kerry jaret. GLENN CALL. AIRCELL coverage? scarola, sanctions. paul mccartney - leon. grubman motola peggy.' In a separate list labeled 'list for bannon steve,' Epstein included Weingarten alongside: 'chomsky, barrack barak, zagat, nathan, brian greene, yau, eo wilson, prince andrews, jagland, clinton pastrana, richardson, leahy, jarecki, schumer, ranieri, waheed, mongolia, ruemmler, weingarten, amabani, rochsild, dersh, ken starrk.' This places Weingarten in Epstein's inner circle of legal/political advisors.

Epstein sent Weingarten a Pizzagate article about the Clintons on 12/20/2016, and Weingarten replied 'Clinton' in an Oct 2012 email. Epstein also shared Trump tax story coverage with Weingarten (10/3/2018), to which Epstein responded defending Trump: 'how unfair yes, it was written by financial illiterates. . referencing todays dollars? with no back up. IRS looked at all. .they ignored taxes paid along the way.' Weingarten's reaction to reading the NYT Trump tax story: 'Reading the nytimes trump tax story...so wish I was with you right now.' Weingarten also told Epstein 'Of course I trust you...what is going on?' (2/21/2019) after Epstein said 'Trust me' -- suggesting a deep personal bond.

Weingarten and Epstein had extensive real-time discussions about Mueller investigation strategy from 2017-2018. Key exchanges: (1) 7/25/2017 Weingarten: 'If trump fires mueller and gets away with it it is 1933 berlin'; (2) 11/2/2017 Weingarten: 'Trump is going to fire mueller and republicans on hill won't do a thing'; same day Epstein: 'shouldnt mueller just file sealed indictments against jared ivanka and junior? they would stay even if he were fired'; (3) 12/1/2017 Weingarten: 'Beginning of the end...will say trump told him to go the russkies'; (4) 1/3/2018 Weingarten: 'Internet is crashing right now about this....trump apparently off his rocker'.

Epstein used Weingarten's knowledge for political intelligence and strategy. Key intelligence exchanges: (1) 1/15/2018 Weingarten: 'Trump stopped them? He cannot stand mcgahn' -- insider knowledge about White House counsel dynamics; (2) Epstein to Weingarten 1/15/2018: 'mcgann feels if he stays he risks indicment'; (3) 1/12/2018 Epstein: 'Senate subpoena?'; (4) 5/20/2018 Epstein sent Weingarten detailed intel about a 'us citizen working for mi5' calling 'trump campaign insiders'; (5) 10/2/2018 Weingarten: 'Turns out you were right about sdny but they are going to wait their turn' -- confirming Epstein had advance knowledge of SDNY investigations; (6) 11/15/2018 Weingarten: 'So fucking much going on'; (7) Weingarten declined to discuss Russia/Trump/Comey with Bloomberg: 'ain't saying sh to anyone on or off the record'.

Epstein introduced Steve Bannon to Weingarten for breakfast on 3/24/2018. Epstein to Weingarten: 'yes 730?' then 'Tonight or tomnight' then 'Steve is coming to meet you breakfast'. Weingarten: 'I am there'. This was before Bannon's legal troubles but shows Epstein brokering high-level political introductions to his defense attorney. Separately, on 7/6/2019, Epstein told Weingarten 'bannon for breakfast tomor' -- one day before Epstein's arrest on 7/6/2019.

Weingarten asked Epstein whether he should take the Huawei CFO case (Meng Wanzhou, arrested 12/1/2018). In an undated email, Weingarten wrote to Epstein: 'Kent, connecticut....and you? Hear about Bannon in italy? should I take the huawei cfo?' This shows Weingarten consistently consulted Epstein about major case decisions. Weingarten's firm Steptoe was indeed later involved in the Huawei case (US v. Huawei Technologies, EDNY, filed 8/22/2018). Bloomberg reporter Greg Farrell also confirmed Jared Kushner wanted Weingarten as his attorney (6/23/2017): 'I am told on good authority that Jared wants you as his atty.'

NY Magazine (Alex Yablon) sent fact-checking questions to Epstein that confirm Weingarten regularly breakfasted at Epstein's Manhattan residence. The email asks: 'The morning after the Qataris came over, did you have a 9 AM breakfast with the attorney Reid Weingarten? Did you discuss his defense of CT governor John Rowland, the Qatari visit, and who controls ISIS? Did Weingarten believe Turkey was using ISIS as a proxy?' This confirms Weingarten discussed geopolitics and his active cases with Epstein over breakfast, and that the relationship was openly described to journalists.

On Jan 22, 2019 at 9:09 PM, Weingarten wrote 'Still have to figure out what my role is in all this shit...' revealing uncertainty about his own position in Epstein's operations at this late stage (6 months before arrest). This is significant because Weingarten was Epstein's #1 correspondent (245 HF Parquet emails) yet still lacked a defined role, suggesting the informal/ad-hoc nature of Epstein's operational structure. Combined with the SDNY RICO intelligence-sharing, the SoftBank briefing, and the Steptoe billing relationship, Weingarten occupied a hybrid lawyer-advisor-fixer role that defied conventional categorization.

Lobbyist name search for 'Weingarten' returned only Amanda Weingarten at Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton and Garrison LLP, who lobbied for Carlos Ghosn Bichara in Q3/Q4 2019 and Q1 2020 on civil rights and criminal justice in Japan. Reid Weingarten (Epstein's defense attorney, 245 emails) does NOT appear as a registered lobbyist. Amanda Weingarten appeared alongside Brad Karp (Paul Weiss chair) in the Ghosn filings. Paul Weiss is a major white-shoe law firm representing high-profile criminal defendants. The Ghosn-Weingarten-Karp connection at Paul Weiss warrants further investigation for any Epstein overlaps.

On 2/16/2017, Weingarten told Epstein 'I know...I just saw that and almost threw up....also have to decide today whether or not to take flynn.' This confirms Weingarten was offered the chance to represent Michael Flynn and was consulting Epstein about the decision in real-time. The same day, Epstein sent Weingarten a Politico article about Alexander Acosta (Trump's DOL nominee) and the Epstein plea deal.

Weingarten was a finalist for Trump's outside counsel position in May 2017. WaPo reporter Ashley Parker emailed Weingarten on 5/22/2017 stating 'we understand you're one of the finalists for the role, and have already spoken with senior White House' officials. Weingarten forwarded this to Epstein asking 'Do I have the choice? And if so, your view?' and Epstein replied 'do you want it? or jared?' then 'we should talk.' Epstein also forwarded the WaPo article to Leon Black and to Darren Indyke ('whoops').

Weingarten represented Steve Wynn in DOJ investigation related to Elliott Broidy. WaPo article (8/17/2018) forwarded by Steptoe colleague Brian Heberlig to Weingarten stated: 'An attorney for Wynn, Reid Weingarten, declined to comment, saying only that Wynn is cooperating with the Justice Department.' Epstein shared this article with Steve Bannon. Separately, on 7/6/2019, Weingarten told Epstein: 'Have a hysterical wynn-trump issue that will make you laugh.' Weingarten also represented Fethullah Gulen in the Turkey extradition matter (confirmed in multiple 2016 media reports).

Weingarten confirmed Epstein's intelligence about SDNY investigation on Jan 22, 2019 at 2:59 PM, writing 'Turns out you were right about sdny but they are going to wait their turn'. When Epstein asked 'Civil or crime', Weingarten replied simply 'Crim'. This shows Weingarten had independent access to information about the SDNY criminal investigation and was sharing it with Epstein, and that Epstein's original tip about the RICO claim was accurate.

On Jan 22, 2019, Epstein assessed an unnamed lawyer ('new guy') that Weingarten had discussed, asking 'you seemed to imply that your new guy could only shoot blanks? if thats so. its an easy decision. , if not. oy'. Weingarten clarified 'Not my new guy...not repping him'. Epstein then pressed 'do you think he has the goods?' This exchange shows Epstein vetting lawyers through Weingarten, evaluating their capabilities for undisclosed purposes, while Weingarten maintained distance from the individual. The identity of the 'new guy' is unresolved.

Weingarten served as co-lead defense counsel for Epstein in US v. Epstein, 19 Cr. 490 (SDNY 2019). Defense team included Martin Weinberg (Boston), Marc Fernich, Michael Scavelli (Steptoe), and Jason Meade (Steptoe). Key dates: 7/7/2019 Weingarten email 'Thanks see you in the morning' re case; 7/11/2019 appearance notice filed; 7/14-15/2019 bail memo discussions; 7/25/2019 bail hearing; 8/1/2019 preservation requests; 8/10/2019 Epstein death and pathologist request; 8/20/2019 2nd Circuit appeal (Dkt 19-2221); 11/19/2019 call with SDNY re indictment even post-mortem.

Mark Weingarten (245 Epstein emails, HDI founder, See Forever Foundation) has no FARA registration. HDI's CODEL pipeline to China and advisory board of 33+ Congress members should trigger FARA obligations if acting on behalf of CCP/Taihe interests. Weingarten's absence from FARA is consistent with the broader pattern: none of Epstein's key intermediaries who connected US officials with foreign governments (Weingarten/China, Rod-Larsen/Norway, Barak/Israel) registered under FARA.

EFTA00925685 (Dec 9, 2011): Weingarten to Epstein: 'Got back last nite...kiev is pretty wild...need to be in dc monday morn first thing.' Weingarten had just returned from Kiev, Ukraine in Dec 2011 — during a period of significant US legal interest in Ukraine (Tymoshenko trial Oct 2011, Manafort active, Pinchuk dealings). This is 8 years before Weingarten's SoftBank involvement and connects to the broader Ukraine thread (Schoen FARA #6071 for Pinchuk, Waldman dual Deripaska/Lavrov registration). Weingarten also referenced 'interesting jeffrey-reid projects' — confirming joint ventures beyond attorney-client.

Weingarten at Steptoe & Johnson was Epstein's criminal defense pipeline. On Jan 22, 2019, Weingarten confirmed the SDNY intelligence: 'Turns out you were right about sdny but they are going to wait their turn.' He also revealed he was navigating role conflict: 'Still have to figure out what my role is in all this shit.' Separately, Weingarten raised Steptoe billing: Epstein had paid ~450K but owed ~300K ('How the fuck are we back here after the unspeakably awful evan barr debacle'). Evan Barr was a prior Steptoe attorney on Epstein matters, now replaced by Michael Miller. Weingarten had independent SDNY contacts who confirmed Epstein's tip.