Several prominent figures around the world faced renewed scrutiny this week over ties to Jeffrey Epstein, with some stepping down and others being investigated as fresh details surfaced when the Department of Justice released new files regarding the late convicted sex offender and financer.
Why It Matters
Multiple prominent figures in various industries have been named in a series of released documents relating to Epstein. Earlier this year, the DOJ published more than 3 million pages of material under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in November. The tranche of documents includes 2,000 videos and 180,000 images making the total production nearly 3.5 million pages released, in compliance with the act.
Epstein was a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting sex trafficking charges.
Some of the resignations underscores how the Epstein files have triggered fallout and leadership shake-ups across business and government, with other high-profile figures stepping down or changing roles in recent weeks as more communications and logs become public. However, appearing in the Epstein files is not indicative of criminal wrongdoing.
Former Prime Minister of Norway Thorbjørn Jagland
Norwegian police searched properties linked to former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, including his home in Oslo, as part of an investigation into alleged ties to Epstein.
The director of Økokrim, Norway’s national authority for investigating and prosecuting economic and environmental crime, Pål Lønseth, said in a statement, “Økokrim cannot comment on any potential seizures. The investigation will now take its course.”
Before the search, on Wednesday, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers waived immunity for Jagland, who was the former secretary general of the European body concerned with human rights and combating people trafficking, including the protection of victims of sex trafficking.
Emails indicate that Jagland made plans to visit Epstein’s island with his family in 2014, when he was chairman of the Nobel committee, with an Epstein assistant organizing the flights.
“Among other things, Økokrim will investigate whether gifts, travel and loans were received in connection with his [Nobel] position,” the agency in Norway said.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem
The global logistics giant DP World has replaced Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem as its CEO and chairman, as he comes under intense scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein, including an email exchange between the two men in which the disgraced financier referred to a “torture video.”
The government in Dubai announced on social media Friday that Essa Kazim would become chairman of DP World and Yuvraj Narayan would be CEO. It made no reference to Sulayem or the Epstein files. A statement, originally in Arabic, said the changes were “part of strengthening the company’s governance and institutional leadership framework.”
Sulayem was a friend of Epstein’s, and the DOJ documents show that the pair corresponded about sexual experiences. He continued a relationship with Epstein for years after the latter’s conviction for soliciting an underage prostitute in 2008.
Kathy Ruemmler
Kathy Ruemmler, former White House counsel to President Barack Obama, announced her resignation from investment bank Goldman Sachs on Thursday amid fallout from emails connecting her and Epstein.
Ruemmler said in a statement that she would “step down as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Goldman Sachs as of June 30, 2026,” according to the Associated Press.
Ruemmler said in the statement, according to the AP: “Since I joined Goldman Sachs six years ago, it has been my privilege to help oversee the firm’s legal, reputational, and regulatory matters; to enhance our strong risk management processes; and to ensure that we live by our core value of integrity in everything we do. My responsibility is to put Goldman Sachs’ interests first.”
Newly released emails show Ruemmler and Epstein discussing how he should respond to media coverage as his legal troubles intensified. The AP also reports that Ruemmler received a luxury fur coat and handbags from Epstein during her time in private practice and said, “So lovely and thoughtful! Thank you to Uncle Jeffrey!!!” to Epstein in 2018.
Casey Wasserman
Casey Wasserman, chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, said on Friday he is selling his talent and marketing agency. The move comes after emails between him and Epstein were revealed.
Wasserman is facing scrutiny after emails he sent to Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003 were revealed in the latest release of the Epstein files. His agency represents numerous prominent artists.
The American sports and entertainment executive that represents thousands of athletes and artists across sports and music, said in his memo announcing his decision to sell that he had “become a distraction” to the firm’s work.
“I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort,” Wasserman wrote in the memo reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. “It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about,” he wrote.
Maxwell was sentenced in 2022 for aiding Epstein in the trafficking of minors and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.
