Newly released documents from the United States Department of Justice reveal that the late financier Jeffrey Epstein actively pressured Canadian-American media and real estate magnate Mortimer Zuckerman, then 88, to relinquish control of his financial affairs. Epstein cited Zuckerman’s "potentially dangerous" cognitive impairment as the basis for his urgent recommendations, suggesting a deeply personal and advisory role beyond their established business connections.
The files paint a picture of Epstein as a confidant with privileged access to the most intimate details of Zuckerman’s life. While their business entanglements, particularly in media ventures, have been publicly known for over two decades, these newly surfaced communications underscore the unusual depth of their relationship. Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, appears to have positioned himself as a concerned advisor, albeit one with a history of exploiting vulnerable individuals.
Epstein’s Ominous Counsel to Zuckerman
The pivotal exchange occurred in October 2015, following a meeting between Epstein, Zuckerman, and Norwegian diplomat Terje Rod-Larsen. In an email to Zuckerman, Epstein urged him to consider establishing a guardianship or conservatorship for his own protection. He claimed Zuckerman had requested his assistance during their recent meeting, but cautioned that Zuckerman "might not remember" the conversation.
Epstein’s message was stark and unvarnished, reflecting his characteristic, often idiosyncratic, style of communication. "Your friends including me are very concerned that your cognitive impairment has now reached a serious and potentially dangerous level," Epstein wrote. He detailed a shared apprehension for Zuckerman’s "financial, emotional physical and psychological safety."
Proposing a Formal Handover of Power
To address these perceived deficiencies, Epstein proposed a formal transfer of authority. He suggested that Rod-Larsen, Zuckerman’s nephews, and "anyone else you trust" be granted the power to manage his affairs. Epstein warned that Zuckerman’s "remarkable abilities" were no longer sufficient to safeguard his interests, indicating a belief that a decline was inevitable and increasing in risk.
"I am aware that your condition makes you prone to suspicion but that being said, the future predictable decline will be an ever increasing danger," Epstein communicated. He further implored Zuckerman to acknowledge the issue, stating, "Admitting you have a problem will take courage and determination."
Zuckerman’s Apparent Consideration of the Advice
Evidence suggests that Mortimer Zuckerman took Epstein’s counsel seriously. He reportedly thanked Epstein for his "thoughtfulness and friendship" and inquired about recommendations for a lawyer with "experience in such matters." This response indicates Zuckerman was receptive to the idea of seeking professional help for managing his affairs, even if the impetus came from Epstein.
The situation escalated when Epstein advised Zuckerman to cancel an upcoming trip to San Francisco, citing Zuckerman’s previous discussions of his travel plans on multiple occasions. Epstein reiterated his urgent plea for a voluntary handover of control. "I know you don’t remember each time. . MORT, you need a Guardian," Epstein wrote, emphasizing the urgency. He warned that delaying the decision could lead to a "court imposed solution," which he described as "NOT FUN."
Involvement of Zuckerman’s Nephew
Epstein’s concerns extended to Zuckerman’s family. He also discussed Zuckerman’s health with his nephew, Eric Gertler, who currently serves as the executive chairman of U.S. News & World Report. In communications with Gertler, Epstein advised him to oversee the potential sale of Zuckerman’s significant assets, including his stock portfolio, art collection, helicopter, and plane.
Epstein framed his input to Gertler as primarily financial in nature. "my expertise is the financial . take any other suggestion as merely transmitting from others skilled in this terrible situation," he stated, suggesting he was acting as a conduit for advice from other parties deemed knowledgeable about Zuckerman’s predicament.
Uncertainty Over Zuckerman’s Compliance
It remains unclear whether Mortimer Zuckerman ultimately followed Jeffrey Epstein’s explicit advice to cede control of his financial affairs. The timing of Zuckerman’s departure from a prominent leadership role, however, has drawn attention. Approximately six months after his correspondence with Epstein, Zuckerman announced his resignation as chairman of Boston Properties, one of the nation’s largest real estate investment trusts.
At the time of his resignation from Boston Properties, which he co-founded in 1970, Zuckerman did not publicly attribute his decision to any health concerns. He retained the title of chairman emeritus, a designation that typically signifies continued association without day-to-day operational responsibilities.
Efforts to obtain comments from Zuckerman’s philanthropic organizations, including the Zuckerman Institute and the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program, as well as from Eric Gertler, were unsuccessful. Representatives for these entities did not respond to Al Jazeera’s requests for statements regarding the matter.
A History of Intertwined Business Dealings
The relationship between Mortimer Zuckerman and Jeffrey Epstein was not new, having occasionally surfaced in public discourse during the early 2000s. Their association predated Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution and his subsequent death in 2019.
In 2003, Zuckerman, alongside other prominent businessmen including disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, partnered with Epstein in an unsuccessful bid to acquire New York Magazine. The following year, the two men collaborated again, investing $25 million in the short-lived revival of the entertainment and gossip magazine Radar.
Epstein’s View of Zuckerman: Client and Associate
Investigative files declassified by the U.S. Department of Justice in January further illuminated Epstein’s perspective on his relationship with Zuckerman. These documents indicated that the financier viewed Zuckerman not just as a business partner but also as a client and a close associate.
Further underscoring this dynamic, the files revealed that in 2013, Epstein drafted a $21 million proposal offering Zuckerman "analyzing, evaluating, planning and other services" specifically related to the transfer of his estate. The extent to which Zuckerman accepted this proposal or engaged Epstein for estate planning services remains undetermined.
Epstein’s Influence on Media Coverage
Beyond personal financial matters, the released documents also shed light on Epstein’s attempts to influence media coverage related to his own legal troubles. The files indicate that Epstein pressured Zuckerman to alter coverage of allegations concerning his sexual abuse of underage girls in the New York Daily News, a publication Zuckerman owned at the time. In 2009, Epstein provided a "proposed answer" to questions posed by the newspaper, seeking to shape the narrative surrounding the accusations. This intervention highlights Epstein’s willingness to leverage his connections to manage his public image and mitigate legal consequences, even within the media empire of an associate.
The revelations underscore the complex and often ethically compromised relationships that defined Jeffrey Epstein’s life and business dealings, extending to individuals in positions of significant power and influence within American media and commerce. The full implications of these exchanges, particularly regarding Zuckerman’s cognitive state and the subsequent management of his vast assets, continue to be a subject of scrutiny.
