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gentlemen Richard BransonThe billionaire founder of Virgin Group has distanced himself from Jeffrey Epstein after the Justice Department released emails between the two.
This email exchange occurred on September 11, 2013, and was one of several incidents. Three million Epstein files Published Friday – upon request federal law.
In the letter, Branson glowingly recalled meeting Epstein, offered public relations advice and asked the late sex offender to bring his “harem” to their next party.
A Virgin Group spokesman played down the exchange.
“Any contact that Richard and Joan Branson had with Epstein over more than a dozen years ago occurred only a few times and were limited to group or business settings, such as charity tennis events,” the spokesperson told reporters. independent.
Joan Branson is the long-time wife of Richard Branson, died in November.
“When Epstein proposed a charitable donation, the Bransons asked their team to conduct due diligence before accepting the donation, which resulted in the discovery of serious allegations,” the spokesperson continued. “Based on what their due diligence uncovered, Virgin United did not accept the donation and Richard and Joan decided not to meet or speak to Epstein again.”
“Had they had the full picture and information, there would have been no further contact,” the spokesman said. “Richard finds Epstein’s behavior abhorrent and supports the right of his many victims to justice.”
The 2013 email exchange was initiated by Epstein.
“It was a pleasure to meet you and thank you for your warm hospitality,” the disgraced financier wrote. “I appreciate your public relations ideas.”
He then offered to connect Branson with the head of the company. nobel prize committeementioned financial transactions and noted that he would be on the “island” until Christmas.
A few hours later, Branson wrote back.
“It was really nice to meet you yesterday,” the British businessman wrote. “The watersports boys can’t stop talking about it! You’ll be great to see anytime you’re in the area. Just bring your harem!”
A spokesman for Virgin Group said the term “harem” refers to three adult members of Epstein’s team. They added that Branson would not have used the word and would not have had contact with Epstein if the full facts about Epstein’s past were known.
Branson then provided lengthy public relations advice to Epstein, who by then had pleaded guilty to state charges of prostitution of a minor and completed a brief work-release prison sentence.
“I think if bill gates Branson wrote, “I would say that you were an excellent advisor to him, that you made the mistake of sleeping with a 17.5-year-old woman years ago and were punished for it, that you have learned your lesson and have not done anything illegal since, and yes, as a single man you seem to have a preference for women. But there is nothing wrong with that. Along those lines, anyway.”
He then wrote a few lines about financial transactions, currencies and oil.
It has previously been established that Branson and Epstein knew each other.
Epstein kept a framed photo of Branson and himself in his New York City townhouse, and a photo of the two was released in Epstein’s early archives. Both men own private islands next to each other in the Caribbean.
A number of high-profile names were named in Epstein’s documents, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Elon Musk. Being mentioned does not in itself indicate wrongdoing.