Recently released documents by the US Justice Department reveal that the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein maintained broader and more sustained connections within the technology industry than previously known, unsettling Silicon Valley’s tightly knit circles.
An NBC News review of emails and records shows Epstein was in contact with at least 20 prominent tech executives, investors, and researchers. Their communications covered topics ranging from startup investments and cryptocurrency to social events and business negotiations.
While authorities have not accused any of these individuals of wrongdoing, the disclosures have sparked public scrutiny and online disputes.
The release has reignited attention on figures such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, whose past associations with Epstein were already known but are now documented in greater detail.
The files also reference tech leaders including Bill Gates, Peter Thiel, Sergey Brin, Larry Page, and others, largely through emails arranging meetings or social gatherings.
In some cases, Epstein appeared to actively pursue relationships, while others sought his advice or assistance on professional matters. The documents also show Epstein invested in early-stage tech companies, including a small stake in Coinbase.
Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to sex-related crimes involving a minor, died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The latest disclosures have prompted renewed debate about accountability and judgment within elite tech circles.
