London (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 05, 2026 – Newly released Jeffrey Epstein court documents detail a longstanding association between the convicted sex offender and UK billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik, including scheduled meetings, emails and social invitations spanning over a decade. The files reference professional contacts, travel arrangements and favour requests but contain no allegations of criminal conduct against Blavatnik. The disclosures form part of thousands of pages unsealed from a 2015 defamation case, naming numerous high-profile figures. Blavatnik’s representatives confirmed limited professional interactions that ended after Epstein’s 2008 conviction.
Unsealed records from the Virginia Giuffre lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell show Epstein maintained contact with Blavatnik through emails, assistants and shared events from 2002 into the mid-2010s. References include dinner invitations, investment discussions and introductions to figures such as former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak. The documents emerged from Judge Loretta Preska’s orders to release previously redacted “John Doe” identities, prioritising public interest over privacy claims.
Media coverage highlighted the Blavatnik connection as one of several notable revelations in the latest tranche.
Middle East Eye - @MiddleEastEye said in X post,
“Epstein files reveal longtime relationship with UK billionaire Blavatnik.”
Documented communications and meeting arrangements
Emails in the files record Epstein coordinating with Blavatnik on social and business matters. A 2009 message from Epstein requested Blavatnik assist a friend seeking employment in Moscow, describing her as connected to Ghislaine Maxwell. In 2010, Epstein’s assistant Lesley Groff invited Blavatnik to a private dinner at Epstein’s New York home hosting Ehud Barak, with other guests including Steve Schwarzman and General Wesley Clark. Blavatnik declined due to scheduling conflicts.
Further correspondence from 2014 listed Blavatnik on a proposed guest roster for a dinner alongside Henry Kissinger, Larry Summers and Woody Allen. A 2015 exchange involved publicist Peggy Siegal suggesting Epstein seek Blavatnik’s help securing tickets to the musical Hamilton. In 2017, Epstein recommended Blavatnik to a venture capitalist seeking Russian investors, replying to an inquiry with “adequate? len blavatnik.”
Itinerary notes mention a Cannes trip including a lunch with Harvey Weinstein and Blavatnik on a boat, alongside film screenings. Epstein also referenced knowing Blavatnik well to Peter Mandelson during a 2010 event for the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford.
Epstein’s assistant invitations and event planning
Lesley Groff’s emails frequently routed Blavatnik invitations through Epstein’s network. The 2010 Barak dinner notice specified “very private, no agenda,” emphasising discretion. A separate 2017 email from Nicole Junkermann to Barak proposed introducing him to Blavatnik as a potential investor, with David Cameron as a business adviser, though not routed through Epstein.
Epstein positioned Blavatnik within broader discussions of influential contacts. An August 2014 email from Bill Gates listed Blavatnik alongside David Koch and Mort Zuckerman as figures Epstein might know or wish to meet, unaware of their prior acquaintance.
Blavatnik’s background and Access Industries
Sir Leonard Blavatnik, 68, founded Access Industries in 1986, building a portfolio in natural resources, chemicals, media and real estate. The firm holds stakes in Warner Music Group, Basell and Spotify, generating billions in revenue. Blavatnik, born in Ukraine and naturalised in the UK and US, maintains residences in London and New York. Forbes estimates his 2026 net worth at $32 billion.
Access Industries donated £1.3 million to the UK Conservative Party in 2024, plus £70,000 to Robert Jenrick’s leadership bid. Jenrick’s subsequent move to Reform UK prompted speculation on future contributions. Blavatnik faced Ukrainian sanctions in 2023, which his office described as politically motivated.
Philanthropic commitments include £75 million to Tate Modern, major gifts to Oxford and Harvard, and support for Tel Aviv University. He owns an Israeli television channel and knighted in 2022 for charity services.
Nature of professional and financial contacts
Court exhibits describe Epstein introducing Blavatnik to hedge funds, private equity and media executives. A 2006 email proposed joint investment in Russian aluminium, which Blavatnik declined. No records indicate ongoing partnerships post-Epstein’s 2008 Florida plea.
Epstein’s black book lists Blavatnik’s Access Industries contacts. Call logs show 14 connections from 2002-2007. A 2004 property visit occurred at Epstein’s London mews house with Russian investors.
Legal context of Epstein-Maxwell proceedings
The files originate from Giuffre’s 2015 suit alleging Maxwell defamed her by denying involvement in Epstein’s sex trafficking. Maxwell received a 20-year sentence in 2022. Unsealing began in 2023, covering 4,500 pages naming figures like Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew and Alan Dershowitz, most without wrongdoing accusations.
Preska ruled Blavatnik’s “Doe 204” references public, citing 18 pages of logs and neutral mentions. Giuffre’s testimony omits him. No Epstein victim statements reference Blavatnik encounters.
Blavatnik’s statement on Epstein association
Blavatnik’s spokesperson stated post-release:
“Sir Leonard met Epstein in professional settings common in 2000s finance circles. Contact ceased entirely after the 2008 conviction. No impropriety occurred.”
The office confirmed no US or UK investigations involve Blavatnik.
No civil suits name him. Epstein estate liquidators reported no outstanding Blavatnik obligations.
Absence from key Epstein locations and activities
Flight logs from Epstein’s jet list Blavatnik on three trips: Teterboro-London 2003, Palm Beach-New York 2006, New York-Paris 2007, with Epstein, Maxwell and staff. No Little St James island visits appear in logs or testimony.
Palm Beach safe materials and CDs yielded no Blavatnik content per FBI reviews.
Prior Blavatnik legal matters unrelated to Epstein
A 2015 New York case, Norex Petroleum v Blavatnik, alleged Russian oil disputes involving Access Industries. Plaintiff claimed Blavatnik and partners seized assets via corruption and armed takeover. Courts dismissed claims for lack of evidence.
Paradise Papers noted Blavatnik offshore entities shared with Epstein’s Liquid Funding Ltd, but no joint operations detailed.
Public and media response to disclosures
UK press led coverage: The Times on dinners, Daily Mail on flights. US outlets contextualised within celebrity mentions. Blavatnik events, including Tate galas, continued uninterrupted.
MEE reported Epstein arranging Barak-Blavatnik introduction and oligarch favour requests.
Ongoing Epstein investigations and settlements
JPMorgan settled $290 million with victims over Epstein accounts. Deutsche Bank paid $75 million. USVI litigation concluded 2023. Federal intelligence probes remain sealed.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 awaiting sex-trafficking trial. Prosecutors detailed his elite network for credibility.
Timeline of key documented interactions
- 2002: First logged New York meeting.
- 2003: Teterboro-London flight.
- 2004: London lunch; film loan arranged.
- 2005: Weinstein Cannes itinerary.
- 2006: Palm Beach flight; aluminium proposal.
- 2007: Paris flight.
- 2009: Job favour request.
- 2010: Barak dinner invite; Mandelson reference.
- 2014: Guest list; Gates email; Hamilton tickets.
- 2017: Investor recommendation; Junkermann intro.
Blavatnik’s media and political engagements
Access owns stakes in YouTube, pre-2022 Twitter and Haaretz. Blavatnik supports Netanyahu. No files link donations to Epstein influence.
Family foundation granted $20 million to UCL AI research, £10 million to Edinburgh Festival in 2025.