Records Show Epstein's Campaign to Restore His Reputation Following Legal Admission
Newly released files reveal that the convicted sex offender and his associates strived to suppress damaging media coverage and repair his public persona in the years following his 2008 court legal admission to state charges of sex crime charges including a young person.
Organized Image Restoration Efforts
The files, part of numerous pages released by GOP members of the House oversight committee, include emails and documents that show a organized campaign to influence internet search rankings and reporters, and repair Epstein's public image.
Online Reputation Control Attempts
In the winter of 2010, Epstein, who had been released from prison in July 2009, had a number of correspondence with Al Seckel, identified as an eccentric art collector who appeared to be helping manage Epstein's internet presence.
"Online visibility is problematic," Epstein wrote on the 11th of December. "Following September when you told me you estimated it would take approximately 20,000 to clean up and potentially in time for the first of November, then an additional ten thousand, and a further ten thousand and your emails about how you are all about results."
Seckel sent Epstein screenshots of the initial listings of Google search results for Epstein's name, assuring the wealthy individual that a particular publication was gone from the rankings, and that "other ones, featuring the powerful Huffington Post, are soon to be removed."
Online Encyclopedia Changes
Seckel further asserted that "negative search queries that appeared automatically when you entered your name" had similarly been removed.
In the correspondence, Seckel highlighted what he described as an "important success" when it came to Epstein's Wikipedia page. "The headlines do not reference registered sex offender or sex criminal," he wrote, "conversely, Foundation work, Epstein Foundation, Advancement of Scientists."
"online biography now is pretty tame," he claimed, adding that "negative information has been minimized" and moved to the end. "We altered the site to swap the booking photo and text, and currently features an entirely different photograph and description," he continued. "This was a significant success."
Media Manipulation Strategies
The files additionally show collaborators making attempts to influence journalistic attention. In early 2011, a New York-based PR professional corresponded to Epstein indicating that a news reporter was developing a article about him, focused on Epstein's "comeback in NYC following your earlier difficulties."
"In the event that you hire me I am certain that I can positively affect this article on your behalf," the PR professional explained. "That does not mean I can control it entirely or that they would mention previous problems. Nevertheless, I can assure you that the article will be objective and that your side will be presented appropriately."
The communications expert recommended organizing discussions with contacts who "witnessed the positive aspects that you have achieved in enterprise, science, and philanthropy."
Reputation Management Strategy
A June 2011 document from a communications company, entitled "Matters of Image", appears to have been put together for Epstein and describes a plan to repair his image.
The document suggests minimizing any appearances in the sensationalist publications, reestablishing "your profile" in select media, policy and philanthropic networks, presenting "you as a innovative support of technology and advancement" and recommends organizing "some kind of yearly gathering which brings together your business and philanthropic activities."
Search Engine Clean-up
The company further recommended a "optimization" of search results on "every primary search platforms where your identity is included in a online search", labeling it as an "urgent priority."
The firm also suggested interacting with "prominent media executives and journalists", particularly "respected commercial and business reporters."
Further Image Restoration Strategies
In July 2011, Epstein contacted a well-known publicist urging her to reach out to a media executive to recruit a leading publication to look into issues related to one of Epstein's primary accusers.
In the correspondence, Epstein wrote that the influential figure "could promote the dangers of incorrect accusations" and "dispatch a journalist to look into" the individual. "The palace would love it," he wrote.
The communications expert replied that "if you rephrase your last message in clearer wording (and so I have a better understanding) I can forward and send it." Epstein replied with a rewrite.
In a later comment, the PR professional stated to media outlets that she did not sent Epstein's modified message and had "no reason to contact" the influential figure.
"That was absurd for him to assume that I would participate in his senseless nefarious affairs and endanger my good relationship," the publicist said, adding that she had a working association with the media executive.
The PR professional further portrayed Epstein as "completely unrealistic" and operating in his "own delusion of a reality that revolved around him as he consistently believed he was the {