Epstein's birthday booklet reveals ties to influential figures
- An email from Lesley Groff suggested creating a birthday booklet for Epstein, emphasizing contributions from notable friends.
- Ehud Barak was specifically mentioned as a potential contributor, showcasing his involvement with Epstein.
- The birth of the booklet effort reveals broader connections that may impact the reputations of those associated with Epstein.
In October 2015, Lesley Groff, an assistant to Jeffrey Epstein, sent an email soliciting short stories from Epstein's friends to create a birthday booklet for him. This effort took place a decade after Donald Trump allegedly contributed to a similar birthday gift for Epstein in 2003. Groff's email referred to several notable friends of Epstein, including Ehud Barak, who served as Israel’s prime minister. In the context of compiling this booklet, Barak's wife acknowledged the request and humorously remarked about its potential success as a bestseller. Epstein's personal emails were later hacked and revealed connections to various high-profile individuals. This hacking incident brought renewed media attention to the relationships between Epstein and these individuals, prompting scrutiny regarding the nature of their interactions, especially in light of Epstein's 2008 guilty plea to solicitation charges. The book containing Trump's reported birthday note to Epstein resurfaced during this inquiry, igniting debates over Trump’s past friendship with Epstein and whether they remain intertwined in public perception. As a result, the booklet's creation not only illustrates the web of connections surrounding Epstein but also highlights the ongoing implications for those involved amidst revelations of Epstein's criminal activities, further complicating reputations of notable figures entangled with him.