Epstein Secrets

took Cana- dian heiress Wendy Belzberg on a date he hired a Rolls-Royce especially for the oc- casion. (Epstein has claimed he owned it.) In 1987. Hoffenberz, according to sources. set Epstein up in the offices he still occu- pies in the Villard House. on Madison Av- enue. across a courtyard from the rest

thed by Vanity Fair, Epstein may have good reason to keep his past cloaked in secrecy: his real mentor. it might seem, was not Leslie Wexner but Steven Jude Hoffen- berg, 57, who, for a few months before the S.E.C. sued to freeze his assets in 1993, was trying to buy the New York Post. He is cur- rently incarcerate

ue. Hoffenberg hired his new pro- tégé as a consultant at 525.000 a month, and the relationship flourished. "They trav- eled everywheie together—on Hoffenberg's plane. all around the world, they were al- ways together," says a source. Hoffenberg has claimed that Epstein confided in him. saying. for examp

t Citibank once sued him for defaulting on a $20 million loan. The article suggested that one of his business mentors and previous employers was Steven Hoffenberg, now serving a prison term after "bilking investors out of more than $450 million in one of the largest Ponzi schemes in American histo- rY%" As

the stock market, just as the 1987 crash was approach- ing. His story has subsequently changed. When asked if Wexner knew about his con- nection to Hoffenbere. Epstein said that he began working for Wexner in 1989, and that "it was certainly not the same time." Wherever and whenever it was that Ep- stein

e later told New York that Epstein's forte was dealing with wealthier clients, helping them with their overall portfolios. Leslie Wexner, founder of LimitedBrands, reportedly made Epstein his financial adviser and was instrumental in building his fortune. Epstein was no footman; he loved luxury and, in his ow

ct as their calling cards, Epstein keeps all his deals and clients secret, bar one client: bil- lionaire Leslie Wexner, the respected chair- man of Limited Brfnds. Epstein insists that ever since he left Bear Stearns in 1981 he has managed money only for billionaires— who depend on him for discretion. "I was

thed by Vanity Fair, Epstein may have good reason to keep his past cloaked in secrecy: his real mentor. it might seem. was not Leslie Wexner but Steven Jude Hoffen- berg. 57. who. for a few months before the S.E.C. sued to freeze his assets in 1993. was trying to buy the New York Post. He is cur- rently incarcerated

ice a lavish lifestyle that included a mansion on Long Island. homes on Man- hattan's Sutton Place and in Florida. and a fleet of cars and planes. Hoffenbeng and Epstein had much in common. Both were smart and obsessed with making money. Both were from Brook- lyn. According to HotTenbers. the two men we

ces. set Epstein up in the offices he still occu- pies in the Villard House. on Madison Av- enue. across a courtyard from the restaurant Le Cirque. Holfenberg hired his new pro- tege as a consultant at 525.000 a month. and the relationship flourished. "They tray. eled everywhere together—on Hoffenberg's

s attention-grabbing moves was flying President Clinton and Kevin Spacey to Africa on a private jet. The article says that when Epstein worked for [Steve Hoffenberg], he cooked up some of Hoffenberg's questionable financing deals - a claim Epstein has denied. Full Text (249 words) (Copyright 2003, The New York

ct as their calling cards. Epstein keeps all his deals and clients secret. bar one client: bil- lionaire Leslie Wexner, the respected chair- man of Limited BraMis. Epstein insists that ver since he left Bear Stearns in 19131 he as managed money only for billionaires— ho depend on him for discretion. "I the o

hed by Vanity Fair, Epstein may have good reason to keep his past cloaked in secrecy: his real mentoc it might seem, was not Leslie Mk:trier but Steven Jude Hoffen- berg. 5' who. for a few months before the S.E.C. sued to freeze his assets in 1993, was trying to buy the New York Post. He is cur- rently incarcerated

Mitch Brater arranged the various brokerage accounts for the bonds to be placed with in New York. and I think one in Chicago. Rodman & Ren- shaw: Hoffenberg reportedly said. Then. said Hofknberg, while making it appear as though they were investing the bonds in much safer financial instruments. they us

que. Hoffenberg hired his new pro- tege as a consultant at 525.000 a month. and the relationship flourished. "They trav- eled everywhere together—on Hoffinberg's plane. all around the world. they were aF ways together." says a source. Hoffenberg has claimed that Epstein confided in him. saying. for examp

to Hollenberg, also came up with a scheme to manipulate the price of Emery Freight stock in an at- tempt to minimize the losses that occurred when Hoffenberfs bid went wrong and the share price began to fall. This was alleged to have invoked multiple clients' accounts con- trolled by Epstein. Everiuzilly

t as their calling cards. Epstein keeps all his deals and clients secret, bar one client: bil. lionaire Leslie Wexner, the respected chair- man of Limited Bran/Is. Epstein insists that ver since he left Bear Stearns in 1981 he as managed money only for - • ho depend on him for discretion. "I was tine on

thed by Vanity Fair, Epstein may have good reason to keep his past cloaked in secrecy: his real mentor. it might seem, was not Leslie Wexner but Steven Jude Hoffen- berg, 57, who, for a few months before the S.E.C. sued to freeze his assets in 093, was trying to buy the New York Asst. He is cur- rently incarcerated

dollars," Stroll has said. Hoffenberg, says a close friend, "really liked Jeffrey... Jeffrey has a way of getting under your skin, and he was under Hoffenberg's." Also appealing to Hoffenberg were Epstein's social connections; they included oil mogul Cece Wang (father of the designer Vera) and Mohan Murja

person in charge or the trans- actions. and Mitchell Bracer was assisting him with it in coordination on behalf or the insurance companies' money." Hoffinberg, claimed at the time. At one point. according to Hoffinberg. a broker forged the documents necessary for a SI.S million check to be written on in

s something of a mystery. He says he manages money for billionaires, but the only client he is willing to disclose is Le3lien Wexner, the founder of Limitesi Brands. As Mr. Epstein explains it, he provides a specialized form of superelite financial advice. He counsels people on everything from taxes and trusts

ct as their calling cards, Epstein keeps all his deals and clients secret, bar one client: bib lionaire Leslie Wexner, the respected chair- man of Limited Brant's. Epstein insists that ever since he left Bear Stearns in 1981 he as managed money only for billionaires- -Am depend on him for discretion. "I was

ners and Citigroup. • Rumors that he left Bear Stearns under an SEC inquiry cloud. • Also rumored to have been a spook of some sort. • Mentored by Steven Hoffenberg "now serving a prison term after 'bilking investors out of more than $450 million in one of the largest Ponzi schemes in American history.' • His r

thed by Vanity Fair. Epstein may have good reason to keep his past cloaked in secrecy: his real mentor. it might seem, was not Leslie Wexner but Steven Jude Hoffen- berg, 57, who, for a few months before the S.E.C. sued to freeze his assets in 1993, was trying to buy the New York Post. He is cur- rently incarcerated

que. Hoffenberg hired his new pro- tege as a consultant at 525.000 a month. and the relationship flourished. "They trav- eled everywhere together—on Hoffenberg s plane. all around the world, they were al- ways together.- says a source. Hoffenberg has claimed that Epstein confided in him. saying. for examp

eponeoty won't take on any clients who aren't tokl!ironairM, One of Epstein's tongtime caiente i. 1:-:sus Sven ux tne oittionaire founder and CEO of the Limited Brands (LID retail chain BIG LOSERS Even beyond his money-management business. Epstein rret; cut a high-profs% figure Over the years he has tefriended po

the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence

s in 1981, his close relationships with Jimmy Cayne, Les Wexner, the chairman of Limited Brands, and above all, the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence for bilking investors in Towers Financial out of $450 million. The piece alluded to Epstein's great

ss piece that focused on his mysterious exit from Bear Stearns in 1981, his close relationships with Jimmy Cayne, Les Wexner, the chairman of Limited Brands, and above all, the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence for bilking investors

s in 1981, his close relationships with Jimmy Cayne, Les Wexner, the chairman of Limited Brands, and above all, the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence for bilking investors in Towers Financial out of $450 million. The piece alluded to Epstein's great

the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence

ss piece that focused on his mysterious exit from Bear Stearns in 1981, his close relationships with Jimmy Cayne, Les Wexner, the chairman of Limited Brands, and above all, the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence for bilking investors

s in 1981, his close relationships with Jimmy Cayne, Les Wexner, the chairman of Limited Brands, and above all, the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence for bilking investors in Towers Financial out of $450 million. The piece alluded to Epstein's great

the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence

ss piece that focused on his mysterious exit from Bear Stearns in 1981, his close relationships with Jimmy Cayne, Les Wexner, the chairman of Limited Brands, and above all, the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence for bilking investors

s in 1981, his close relationships with Jimmy Cayne, Les Wexner, the chairman of Limited Brands, and above all, the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence for bilking investors in Towers Financial out of $450 million. The piece alluded to Epstein's great

the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence

ss piece that focused on his mysterious exit from Bear Stearns in 1981, his close relationships with Jimmy Cayne, Les Wexner, the chairman of Limited Brands, and above all, the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence for bilking investors

s in 1981, his close relationships with Jimmy Cayne, Les Wexner, the chairman of Limited Brands, and above all, the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence for bilking investors in Towers Financial out of $450 million. The piece alluded to Epstein's great

the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence

ss piece that focused on his mysterious exit from Bear Stearns in 1981, his close relationships with Jimmy Cayne, Les Wexner, the chairman of Limited Brands, and above all, the man who claimed to be his mentor, Steven Jude Hoffenberg, who is currently serving a 20-year-jail sentence for bilking investors