Jeffrey Epstein messaged with former CIA director Bill Burns, files show | Jeffrey Epstein
A new tranche of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has revealed multiple communications with career diplomat William J Burns, who would later become director of central intelligence in the Joe Biden administration.
The documents describe two scheduled meetings between Burns and Epstein and show that Epstein was messaging Burns and recommending other people in his orbit to meet with him. Meetings and correspondence with Epstein pleaded guilty Prostitution-related charges in Florida in 2008, including soliciting a child under 18 for prostitution.
A spokesman for Burns told the Guardian that the two men “had no relationship” and that Burns “knew nothing about him except that he was introduced as an expert in the financial services industry”. The spokesman said Burns “deeply regrets meeting with her.” Burns was never accused of any wrongdoing related to Epstein’s crimes.
Burns has decades of diplomatic experience in both Republican and Democratic administrations. Even pro-Trump senator Lindsey Graham called him “an outstanding choice” during his confirmation hearing to become CIA director in 2021.
Burns’ name was first mentioned in the Epstein files in April 2013. sent via email Partner Terje Rød-Larsen, a former Norwegian diplomat, said of a meeting: “let’s arrange a meeting [sic] Bill burns in wash or ny. The email doesn’t even have any content or subject heading. Rød-Larsen resigned as president of the International Peace Institute in 2020 after it was revealed that she had received donations from foundations linked to Epstein and personal loans from the financier. He could not be reached for comment.
At the time, Burns was deputy secretary of state and a key negotiator with Iran under then-secretary of state John Kerry.
In July 2013, Epstein sent a similar note to Rød-Larsen, apparently following him: “I suggest [sic] Reach out to Bill Burns and tell him you’re there if he needs help. I will explain on the phone.
Epstein followed the next day typically in an error-filled email. “I think John Kerry might be busy for a while. They’ll turn to Bill Burns, who will need more help.”
In April 2014, Burns announced his resignation after 32 years in government. He was such an influential figure in diplomacy that the New York Times, NPR and other media covered his decision to leave the government.
Epstein next month emailed financier Peter ThielHe claimed that Burns “will be home on June 1” along with Ehud Barak and Rød-Larsen. It’s not clear what he means. There is no evidence that Burns was there, and his spokesman told the Guardian that Burns did not attend that meeting.
In July, Epstein mentioned Burns again When he was invited to Russia by an official at the Russian central bank. “At some point I would like to get Bill Burns’ opinions on whether I should do this,” Epstein wrote to Rød-Larsen.
There is no evidence that Epstein or anyone else asked for Burns’ opinion at the time, and Burns’ spokesman said there was no correspondence.
An actual meeting was held the following month.
Epstein’s assistant sent via email On August 19, the financier said: “Bill Burns is currently in a meeting… his assistant will ask him to call you when he gets out of the meeting.” Burns finally met with Epstein for lunch on August 21 at the D.C. law office of white-shoe firm Steptoe; As the Wall Street Journal first reported about Epstein’s calendar in a 2023 report.
Epstein, then a convicted sex offender, had gone to the U.S. Treasury that morning, according to his calendar. No clue why. Then he met with Burns at noon that day.
Burns’ spokesman said the matter was related to Burns’ efforts towards his post-government career. Ten days later, on September 1Epstein began texting Burns and stalking him.
“Bill,” wrote Epstein, “Peter Thiel will be with me in New York at 1:14 p.m. I think it would be good for you to meet if it’s convenient for you. There’s a place you can use if you want.”
The next afternoon, Burns replied: “Thank you very much for your consideration. I will try to arrive by the 13th or 14th, but I may have to travel abroad. I will confirm as soon as possible. I will also be in New York the week of September 22nd. Best regards, Bill,”
Burns’ message indicates that he was trying to make the meeting happen. “Thank you for your patience. Would a meeting on Saturday afternoon or afternoon be possible?” he wrote. “I’ll need to return to DC that evening. My boss will be away and I plan to spend most of the weekend in WH meetings. It’s an unusually busy time here. Thank you very much.”
A meeting appears to have been planned for September 13 but was later cancelled. “I’m so sorry,” Burns texted on the 12th, “but I have to take a short trip abroad this weekend following the President’s ISIS speech. Please give Peter my best wishes and look forward to another opportunity to meet soon. Thanks again for your consideration — I will be in New York the week of September 22nd and would love to see you if you have time. Best wishes.”
later that week, according to a foreign ministry statement. media releaseBurns was in New York to meet with Iranian officials on September 17 and 18. epstein sent a message He requested his presence in New York, and Burns responded politely.
“I’m in New York for the week of September 22 (Mon-Fri). The schedule is pretty busy, but I’d love to see you. What hours might work best for you? I’ll try to accommodate. Best wishes,” Burns wrote.
The two decided to meet on September 24. Two days after the meeting, on September 26, Epstein texted Burns again: “Do you have email for your friend?
Burns writes: “Sorry for being slow. Which email? Mine [redacted]. Nice to see you earlier this week. This was the last communication in the files from Burns to Epstein. Just after midnight the day after the meeting at the mansion, Epstein texted billionaire Reid Hoffman: “You should also meet Bill Burns.”
Burns learned of Epstein’s criminal conviction in Florida shortly after that meeting and cut ties, a spokesman for Burns said.
Epstein continued to mention Burns in some of his emails and messages and even seemed aware of his travels. Epstein in November 2014 shipped In an email to billionaire Tom Pritzker, he asked Burns again: “Bill Burns was in vi [Virgin Islands] last week.” A spokesman for Burns said he did not know how or why Burns knew about Epstein’s trip to the Virgin Islands and that it had nothing to do with Epstein.
The last time Burns’ name was seen in the files was March 27, 2018. multi-day text chain Between Epstein and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon. Apparently out of the blue, Epstein said: “I suggest you meet Bill Burns.” Burns’ spokesman said a meeting with Bannon “did not take place.”
