Steven Pesner
Network
Steven Pesner
Timeline
All Connections
5 total
All Connections
5 totalPesner (Akin Gump) was assigned to coordinate with Ribis on Caesars engagement but slow-walked him. Ribis warned Epstein that Pesner was profiting from prolonging litigation and making negative comments about Epstein's involvement.
Pesner (Akin Gump) and Karp (Paul Weiss) were co-members of Apollo founders' 8865 advisory team. Both communicated directly with Epstein. Both named in EFTA02449580 berating email. Appeared together on Reasonable cause statement calls.
Pesner obstructed Ribis's Caesars settlement work while Rowan engaged with Ribis directly (5 meetings). Pesner simultaneously on 8865 team handling Rowan's BRH Holdings tax filings. Dual exposure to Rowan's most sensitive legal and financial matters.
Pesner on 8865 advisory team for all three Apollo founders including Black. Epstein discussed Pesner with Black's office (via Spinella) multiple times. Epstein found Pesner 'difficult to finesse' and overrode his advice. EFTA02348561 shows Black CC'd on Pesner's 8865 data review timeline.
Epstein had direct communication with Pesner (EFTA02448418: 'happy to bounce some thoughts off you'), was CC'd on Pesner's work product, overrode Pesner's professional advice on 8865 filings, and attempted to 'finesse' Pesner on filing matters. Pesner made negative comment about Epstein but continued working with him.
All Findings
5 total
All Findings
5 totalcommunication (2)
Pesner made negative comment about Epstein when he discovered Epstein had recommended Ribis for Caesars engagement. Per Ribis (EFTA02450801): 'made a comment about u when he found out u recommended me.' This shows awareness within the advisory team that Epstein's involvement was problematic, yet the professional relationship continued. Pesner's discomfort did not prevent him from participating in the 8865 filing team alongside Epstein through at least Nov 2016.
Pesner's awareness of Epstein's reputation is significant because it establishes that Akin Gump professionals knew they were working with a convicted sex offender and continued. Pesner left Akin Gump in Jan 2018, approximately when the 8865 matter would have concluded. Whether his departure was related is unknown.
Epstein found Pesner 'difficult to finesse' and overrode his professional advice. EFTA02476189 (Nov 29, 2016 to Spinella/Black): 'Tuesday if you like we should discuss Giacometti, and pesner. difficult to finesse him if they are filing documents that you won't.' EFTA02659977: Epstein 'did not give in to the views of pesner, josh.s guy, okun, fenn, brad, barry.' A convicted sex offender directing tax strategy for Apollo founders over their own lawyers' objections.
EFTA02476189 is a self-forwarded email (Apr 7, 2018) of Nov 29, 2016 original to Spinella. Context: Epstein managing Leon Black's financial affairs including art (Giacometti, M sale to LGT Group/Liechtenstein royal family) and 8865 filings simultaneously. 'These ridiculous conversations with tons of people on the phone removes any claim you might have to not be considered...' (truncated in source). Pesner was one of several professionals whose advice Epstein rejected.
legal (1)
Pesner was on the core advisory team for Apollo founders' IRS Form 8865 filing crisis (BRH Holdings LP, Cayman). EFTA02450447 shows Pesner on 'Reasonable cause statement' call Sep 10-11, 2016 with Karp (Paul Weiss) and Fenn (Akin Gump). EFTA02348561 shows Brad Wechsler sending '07-14 materials to steve' with Karp, Epstein, and Leon Black CC'd. Team included PWC, Deloitte, BDO accounting firms. Epstein directed strategy, asked 'can josh harris join the call tomorrow? might be very helpful.'
Full team per EFTA02668080 (Fenn listing): Brad S Karp, Pesner Steven, PWC-Josh, Deloitte, Apollo, Akin-the 3 individuals. Per EFTA02449580: Epstein spoke to 'each of karp, pezner, fenn, brad, joslin, bodian multiple times.' Suzanne Wong (Apollo) preparing historical 8865 data 2007-2014 with Oct 17 deadline for Steve to review. Brad Wechsler coordinating all-hands meeting.
intelligence (1)
Ribis warned Epstein that Pesner was obstructing Caesars settlement efforts. Sep 11, 2016: 'Steve P... is making much money having this continue, acts nice and respectful but is not, didn't return calls and emails for months before I was hired despite being told to, spoke to me once in 5 months (Mark met with me 5 times), now does not want me around because I know too much and can settle this, made a comment about u when he found out u recommended me.' Next day Ribis asked 'How did ur call with Steve go?'
Timeline: Mar 29, 2016 (EFTA02467883) — Ribis met with Steve P, asked Epstein to call. Apr 5, 2016 (EFTA02467282) — 'Steve Pesner seems to be slow walking me.' Sep 11, 2016 (EFTA02450801) — full warning about financial incentive, obstruction, and comment about Epstein. Sep 12, 2016 (EFTA02451101) — Ribis asks about Epstein's call with Steve. Pesner had financial incentive as billing Akin Gump partner to prolong matter.
identity (1)
Steve P identified as Steven M. Pesner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP partner (24 years). Pesner was the 'Steve P' referenced by Nicholas Ribis in EFTA02450801 as making money from prolonging Caesars litigation. Confirmed via EFTA02467282 where Ribis names him explicitly: 'The lawyer Steve Pesner seems to be slow walking me.' Practice: complex commercial litigation, bankruptcy/creditors' rights, securities. Represented 'major PE and investment management funds.' Left Akin Gump Jan 2018 for Friedman Kaplan.
Cross-referenced: (1) EFTA02450801 Sep 11, 2016 — Ribis warns Epstein about 'Steve P' making money from litigation continuing. (2) EFTA02467282 Apr 5, 2016 — Ribis names 'Steve Pesner' explicitly. (3) EFTA02449580 Sep 29, 2016 — Epstein lists 'pezner' among advisors. (4) EFTA02450447 Sep 10-11, 2016 — Pesner on Reasonable cause statement call with Karp/Fenn/Epstein. (5) Friedman Kaplan bio confirms 24yr Akin Gump tenure, bankruptcy practice, PE fund clients. Same firm as Patrick Fenn.