What Do We Know About Jeffrey Epstein's Brother, Mark Epstein?
Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein died by alleged suicide in 2019 after being arrested for sex trafficking (via The New York Times). Though the New York City medical examiner ruled his death a suicide, pathologist Michael Baden — hired by Epstein's family — said the disgraced financier's body exhibited injuries that suggest he was killed (via NPR). Throw in Epstein's ties to rich and powerful figures, and there are many theories surrounding what exactly happened to him — and why.
Though Epstein never had to face the darkest allegations against him, his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for "conspiring" with him to abuse minors via sex trafficking (per the Department of Justice). Less in the spotlight, however, is Mark Epstein, Jeffrey Epstein's brother, a former artist who turned his sights on New York City's business opportunities (per Business Insider).
Who exactly is Mark Epstein, and what do we know about him?
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
He's had various business ventures
Throughout his life, Mark Epstein has been tied to various business ventures — some more controversial than others. According to the Daily Beast, Mark started a silkscreen printing business called Izmo back when he was studying art at Manhattan's Cooper Union. Though the business appeared to fall apart by 2004, he wasted no time forming a model agency, Saint Model and Talent, in December 2005. However, little is known about the business — including whether it even hired anyone.
Mark is also behind Ossa Properties, which The New York Times said rented 550 apartments across four co-op projects back in 1993. But Ossa Properties also has a majority stake in 301 East 66th Street, a building with ties to Jeffrey Epstein. In particular, Jeffrey's associate Jean-Luc Brunel, who worked for Jeffrey's Mc2 modeling agency, was accused of using the property for sex trafficking. Many of the sex offender's associates and assistants have also been linked to the building.
Mark has denied any links between his brother's business and the building, though in 2019, The Wall Street Journal pointed to documents saying Jeffrey's associate Anthony Barrett owned 301 East 66th Street. Speaking to the publication, Barrett's brother, Jonathan, also said that Ossa and J. Epstein & Co — where he formerly worked — were indeed related.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Mark Epstein has ties to politics
It's no secret that Jeffrey Epstein has a wide network of ties to the rich and powerful, including politicians. According to CNN, a pilot of the financier's private plane claimed to have seen Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew board the infamous aircraft, which has been dubbed the "Lolita Express" due to allegations that the sex offender used it to transport underage girls to and from his properties (via Newsweek). In fact, in a 2015 deposition, Mark Epstein claimed to have flown alongside Trump in his brother's private plane.
Though Mark's own connections are not as salacious, he nevertheless has ties to global politics. According to Business Insider, he was on The Humpty Dumpty Institute's board of directors, but its website does not appear to contain his name as of January 2023. According to the Daily Beast, Mark loaned the charity a minimum of $100,000 in 2014. The non-profit links him to Democratic Representatives Maxine Waters and Adam Schiff of California and Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, all of whom sit on its congressional advisory board (via the Daily Caller). Elsewhere, Mark was part of a delegation from the institute that attended a March 2019 event in the United Arab Emirates. A month later, in April 2019, Mark Epstein led a congressional delegation that included Republican lawmakers Andy Harris, Garrett Graves, Buddy Carter, and Pete Olson, as well as Democratic lawmakers Alan Lowenthal and Independent Gregorio Sablan.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
He's worried that he's in danger
Given the conflicting details around the death of Jeffrey Epstein, it's perhaps not surprising that Mark Epstein is worried he will suffer the same fate. Michael Baden spoke to radio host John Catsimatidis on AM 970's "The Cats Roundtable" and touched on Mark's fears. "Mark, the brother, his concern is that he wants to know if it's suicide, or if it's homicide. Because, if it's homicide, then his life may also be in danger," Baden said.
Amid these fears, Mark has requested information from New York authorities about his brother's death, which was ruled a suicide by New York City Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson (per NPR). Despite the fact that Mark has not been directly tied to any of Jeffrey's alleged crimes, he still believes that his link to the notorious sex offender could put his life in danger from people who believe he knows "too much." According to Baden, Mark believes there might be people who also believed his brother "knew too much" and thus wanted him killed.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).