Michael Wolff

Wolff pitched a book project about Epstein on July 31, 2011 titled 'Book project'. Email states: 'The book I have in mind will focus on, although not be limited to, your view of the global financial structure and your personal and business story. This will involve a regular schedule of interviews over the next year.' Wolff's title at the time was Contributing Editor at Vanity Fair, Editorial Director at Adweek, Founder of Newser.com.

Wolff proposed a comprehensive PR strategy for Epstein on March 18, 2016, to counter the upcoming James Patterson book 'Filthy Rich'. Strategy included: (1) anti-Trump voice as political cover, (2) op-ed and high-profile TV interview (Charlie Rose suggested), (3) social media efforts, (4) lawyer's letter to publisher about Patterson not being real author. Described it as 'a big, comprehensive, expensive effort.'

Wolff managed Woody Allen PR through Epstein network, Jan 2018 through Feb 2019. Strategy: turn MeToo allegations into a love story with Soon-Yi. Epstein critiqued Woody strategy: 'all old thinkers, no social media strategy.' Wolff and Epstein discussed Barry Diller suppressed support, Amazon dropping Woody, and YouTube social media video strategy. Feb 2019: Wolff drafted a script for social media video. Wolff also connected Epstein socially with Allen/Soon-Yi for dinners.

Wolff had Epstein review and approve his published articles before publication (June 2018). Email chain shows Wolff sent draft needing assessment whether too risky to do, specific problematic passages to isolate, and noting it is easy enough not to do the piece. This editorial vetting arrangement gave Epstein control over Wolffs published content. Wolff regularly sent Epstein his published articles for review: Guardian piece Sep 2014, Hollywood Reporter column on Hillary/Trump Aug 2016, Viacom column Jun 2016.

Wolff proposed a documentary/video project about Epstein in Aug 2018. Recommended videographer Stevan Keane for shoot at Netflix broadcast standards. Cost: 8K per day minimum for single camera talking head, 15K for full cinematic experience. Epstein suggested filming in Boston with Larry Summers, James Watson, Noam Chomsky, and institute people. Wolff separately proposed article with interviews of Epstein associates: Chomsky, Watson, Ehud Barak, Terje (Rod-Larsen), Woody Allen.

Wolff proposed including Epstein in his next book after Fire and Fury, asking Nov 5, 2018: opening with Epstein and Bannon talking about Trump. Would make Epstein look like a credible player -- former friend of Trump, advisor to world leaders, sought after person. Epstein asked what moniker Wolff would use. Wolff met Bannon for 3 hours (March 2018), and Brad Karp offered help on next book. Epstein sent Fire and Fury link to at least Nicholas Ribis, Anas Alrasheed, Peter Thiel, Kathy Ruemmler, Melanie Spinella, and Stephen Hanson.

Wolff authored the Rybolovlev manuscript passage and sent it to Epstein on Feb 1, 2019 for editing. The manuscript (used in Wolff's 'Siege' book) describes Trump buying the Palm Beach house through 'Trump Properties LLC' financed by Deutsche Bank, with Epstein as original prospective buyer. Epstein personally edited the draft, correcting factual details (price changed from '36M' to 'stalking horse at 36m', adding that Trump 'should have had a 50 million plus capital gain'). Two versions exist: EFTA02628984 (Wolff's draft) and EFTA02628958 (Epstein's edited version with subject line 'first edit').

Wolff connected Epstein to Brown Lloyd James, a London crisis management firm, in April 2017 and March 2019. BLJ principals included Sir Nicholas Lloyd and John Watts, former Blair adviser. Wolff noted US firms would be scared off but BLJ would not.

Wolff also connected Epstein with Juleanna Glover (Elon Musk DC-based PR person, Ridgely Walsh) and Matthew Hiltzik (Hiltzik Strategies) for PR consultation in May 2017. Wolff was Epstein go-to for all media strategy, connecting him to his own PR network. Wolff described Glover as exceedingly smart and well connected.

Wolff served as intermediary between Epstein and Steve Bannon from early 2017 through 2019. Key activities: (1) Forwarded Bannon communications to Epstein, (2) Arranged Epstein-Bannon meetings at 9 E 71st St (Oct 2017), (3) Passed intelligence from Bannon (crown prince quote Apr 2017, McMaster/Murdoch Aug 2017), (4) Asked Epstein to suggest to Bannon that Wolff had tapes of their discussions (Jan 2018), (5) Showed Bannon Epstein YouTube script draft (Feb 2019), (6) Coordinated New Years 2019 social gathering: Dangene, Bannon, Wolff, Reid, Woody Allen.

Wolff identified the Stormy Daniels story as a Bannon leak (Jan 13, 2018, email subject: Porn star, text: I think thats a Bannon leak). Epstein forwarded to Wolff a PageSix article about Bannon trying to get on Epsteins good side (Aug 2018). Wolff asked: Harmless. Do you think Bannon spilled? Epstein mentioned a doorman. Wolff advised: you should pay him off.

Epstein sent Wolff detailed self-narrative on Feb 1, 2019 (same day as Rybolovlev manuscript edit). Narrative covers: (1) His criminal case history with self-serving characterizations, (2) Trump Palm Beach house deal details with Trump as knowing front man, (3) Claims Trump knew of and visited during period of abuse, citing John Alessi houseman testimony, (4) Abe Gosman bankruptcy house details, (5) Questions about Trump 2008 tax return, (6) Deutsche Bank 640M loan with 40M personal guarantee, (7) Suspicious death of Joe Recarey (lead detective) in June 2018. This narrative was source material for Siege book.

ACRIS shows Michael Wolff (Epstein correspondent, 303 emails) lived at 207 E 74th St NYC -- walking distance from Epstein at 9 E 71st (6 blocks). Transferred 275K to Alison Anthoine at same address Jul 9 2019 (3 days after Epstein arrest Jul 6). Also owned 43 Fifth Ave purchased for 4.37M in Nov 2005 with Polly Draper. Geographic proximity to Epstein mansion notable given the extensive correspondence and Wolff's role in managing Epstein's PR narrative.