Read on bbc.comJeffrey Epstein's EMI Investment Consideration: A Window into Alleged Motives
Recently released US Department of Justice emails reveal Jeffrey Epstein considered investing in the music conglomerate EMI in 2010. His associate, David Stern, suggested the music industry was "related to P," a term Epstein reportedly used to refer to women. The correspondence indicates Epstein saw potential business investments as avenues for accessing women, with discussions involving high-profile figures like Lord Mandelson and former Sony Music CEO Tommy Mottola. While the EMI deal never materialized, the emails provide disturbing insight into how Epstein's financial activities may have been intertwined with his predatory behavior.
Recently unsealed documents from the US Department of Justice have unveiled disturbing new details about how convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein viewed potential business investments. Among the revelations is Epstein's consideration of investing in the music industry giant EMI, with emails suggesting his interest was partly motivated by perceived access to women. This correspondence provides a chilling window into how Epstein allegedly connected financial ventures with opportunities for exploitation.
The EMI Investment Proposal
In February 2010, Epstein's associate David Stern forwarded him a news article about the financial troubles facing EMI, the British music conglomerate that included EMI Records. At the time, EMI was one of the major players in the global music industry, though it would eventually be acquired by Universal Music in 2012. Stern's email contained a brief but telling comment: "Troubled industry but related to P." According to the Department of Justice files, "P" was a term Epstein frequently used to refer to women, believed to be an abbreviation of an offensive slang term.
Epstein responded with immediate interest, asking Stern: "Do we need help - mandelson? [sic]" This reference to Lord Mandelson, who was then serving as First Secretary of State and Business Secretary in the UK government, suggests Epstein believed political connections might facilitate the investment. Stern advised caution, replying that it was "too early to get Mandelson involved before i know more." However, emails show Epstein apparently contacted Lord Mandelson directly days later regarding the potential deal.
High-Profile Connections and Involvement
The released correspondence reveals Epstein's network of influential contacts extended into the music industry. In his communications about the potential EMI investment, Epstein mentioned wanting to bring in "my friend is tommy mottola former head of sony I'd like him to be brought in to fix it." Tommy Mottola, the former CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, is named more than 700 times in the DOJ's Epstein files, though his appearance in the documents does not indicate wrongdoing.
The emails also reference Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, with businessman Kevin Law apparently writing to Epstein in 2011: "Tell your buddy Andrew from the UK if he's interested in EMI as we discussed I can put him in the syndicate w KKR." This suggests discussions about EMI continued even after the initial 2010 correspondence. Law has since stated he "never bid on EMI with any group nor did I ever do a business deal with Epstein," and said he did not know the former prince.
Pattern of Business Interests Aligned with Access
The EMI consideration appears to fit a broader pattern in Epstein's business activities. The DOJ files reveal other discussions between Epstein and associates about purchasing model agencies and fashion-related businesses—industries that would provide access to young women. French prosecutors have previously suspected that Epstein used his fashion industry contact, Jean-Luc Brunel, to house and transport young girls.
David Stern's emails to Epstein frequently referenced "P" in various contexts. For birthdays and New Year greetings, Stern wished Epstein "lots of P." He once offered to get Epstein fashion show tickets "to review Chinese P." Stern would even send Epstein a "P factor" rating for places he visited, giving the Spanish island Ibiza 9/10, and Sarah Ferguson's 50th birthday party 0.2/10. This casual, coded language suggests how normalized this objectifying terminology was within Epstein's circle.
Deal Outcome and Broader Implications
Despite Epstein's interest, the EMI investment never materialized. EMI's main lender, Citigroup, ended up taking control of the company. In November 2011, Citigroup split EMI into two parts, selling it the following year to Universal and a consortium involving Sony and record executive David Geffen. Stern remained interested in record company acquisitions, writing in 2011: "EMI may now come up for sale. Could actually be of interest to Chinese if structured properly. Also, most certainly great asset to have for P!"
The released emails raise troubling questions about how Epstein may have used business investments as vehicles for accessing vulnerable individuals. They also highlight the network of influential figures with whom Epstein discussed these ventures. As more documents become public through the Department of Justice's ongoing release of Epstein-related files, a clearer picture emerges of how financial activities and predatory behavior may have been systematically intertwined in Epstein's operations.
