Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp has expressed regret over his connections to Jeffrey Epstein after communications between the pair were revealed in a extensive release of files relating to the late sex offender.
More than three million pages, images and videos were released by the US Department of Justice on Friday (30 January), after the Epstein Files Transparency Act mandating their release was signed into law last year.
The files contain hundreds of references to Karp, who has led Paul Weiss for 18 years, including an email chain from 2015 in which he refers to Epstein as ‘amazing’ and thanks him for an ‘evening I’ll never forget.’
In the email conversation – which took place seven years after Epstein was first jailed for sex offences, including one charge relating to a minor – Karp (pictured) describes his time at Epstein’s house as ‘truly “once in a lifetime” in every way.’
He goes on to say: ‘I hope to be invited again… you are an extraordinary host.’
Karp’s name appears over 500 times in emails and messages, although many of the references come from duplicated email chains.
Karp’s messages to Epstein include a 2014 request for his daughter to accompany him to a film screening with controversial director Woody Allen, while in 2016, Karp reached out to Epstein on behalf of his son, who wanted to work with Allen on film projects.
In a statement, Paul Weiss said: ‘As has been previously reported, Brad Karp met Jeffrey Epstein through his representation of the former chairman and CEO of Apollo Global Management, a significant firm client.’
‘During the course of that representation, which spanned several years, Karp never witnessed or participated in any misconduct. Karp attended two group dinners in New York City and had a small number of social interactions by email, all of which he regrets.’
Karp’s communications with Epstein also include messages relating to ex-Latham & Watkins managing partner Bill Voge and Goldman Sachs general counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, the former global chair of Latham’s white collar defence and investigations practice.
When news of Voge’s shock resignation from Latham broke in March 2018, after he admitted to ‘communications of a sexual nature’, Karp emailed Epstein, saying ‘I really liked Bill Voge’. The following day, Epstein emailed back, asking: ‘Should Ruemmler be chairman of the firm?’.
Karp replied: ‘Kathy would be great and it would be perceived very positively by the marketplace. There are two downsides: (1) the job is truly 24/7 and the demands (travel, client/partner management) of running a global firm like Latham make my job look like a breeze, and (2) related to the demands, it will be impossible for Kathy to practice law.’
‘So my view, Kathy taking this on would be a real mitzvah for Latham, but at a huge personal/professional cost to Kathy.’
Voge was subsequently succeeded as Latham chair and managing partner by corporate partner Richard Trobman, while Ruemmler moved to Goldman as partner and global head of regulatory affairs in 2020, before being promoted to GC in 2021.
The emails also contain email correspondence from Ruemmler (pictured). After a Christmas Day 2015 message in which Epstein asked his assistant to organise a trip for her, Ruemmler says in a subsequent email: ‘Jeffrey is just being wonderful Jeffrey… I adore him. It’s like having an older brother!’
In one email to Epstein in 2019, Ruemmler said: ‘Am totally tricked out by Unc=e Jeffrey today! Jeffrey boots, handbag and watch!’
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal in 2023, Ruemmler said she regretted ever knowing Epstein. The disgraced financier was arrested in July 2019 on charges of sex trafficking. He died in prison a month later.
Karp and Epstein also remained in contact up to 2019. In February that year, Epstein emailed Karp and said: ‘if your buddy Kraft, needs local palm rep. let me know.’
At the time, Kraft Group billionaire Robert Kraft had been arrested in Florida along with 24 other individuals on the charges of soliciting prostitution. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were dropped a year later.
Karp had replied to Epstein: ‘I’m sure he’ll need the best there is.’
In the same email chain, Karp later said to Epstein: ‘Another person, former Pres of Citi, John Havens, just called and needs immediate help.’
Havens, the former president and COO of Citigroup, was one of the others charged along with Kraft in 2019. Both denied the allegations and the charges were later dropped.
In April 2019, Epstein also messaged Steve Bannon, President Trump’s former political chief strategist, and said: ‘Need to work magic to get Brad Karp admitted to Augusta Golf Club.’
Bannon replied: ‘The head of Paul Weiss Brad Karp?’
Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia is the home of the Masters Tournament, and membership is invite-only. Members include the likes of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.
