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

th Affleck inArmageddon. "He's an awesome actor, and I think he's going to do great things." Several years ago, in a televised interview onlnside the Actors Studio, Affleck said that hisgoal was to make big commercial movies. He has since revised his ambitions. "That's an adolescent aspiration, in a way. I'd

arthed by Vanity Thin 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 i

zi schemes in American history. When Epstein met Hoffenberg in Lon- don in the 1980s, the latter was the char

. Epstein has denied he ever had any deal- ings with anyone from the insurance com- panies. But Richard Allen says he recalls talking to Epstein at Holfenberg's direction and telling him it was urgent they retrieve the missing bonds for a state examination. According to Allen, Epstein said, "NWT get the

irque. HolTenbers hired his new pro- tege as a consultant at 525,000 a month. and the relationship flourished. They tray tied everywhde together—on Hoffenbergs plane. all around the world, they were al- ways together," says a source. Hoffenberg has claimed that Epstein confided in him. saying. for example

th Aftleck inrIrmageddon. "He's an awesome actor, ad I think he's going to do great things." Severe) years ago. in a televised interview oilnside the Actors Studio. Mink said that hirgoal was to make big comment-id movies. He has since revised his ambitions. "That's anadolescent aspiration, in a way. I'd raf

he woman Levander to himself, was as! hunt for the mo _ In effect, Dc tea dfalls. And « all, Epstein left Bear Stearns ties, plying her craft at the Actors Studio—the New York City See were less theater institution that Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Ja ) the US atton Nicholson, and Jane Fonda had all been mem

ourt, the terms of the final agreement kept secret. del was evolving. He’d charge 4 flat” itages. 108 HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_022078 --- PAGE BREAK --- Hoffenberg began pax month for Epstein’s exper The SEC had already tling with him out of cou a securities. But Hoffenberg In the 1980s, several n CHAPTER

mpanies ee risky, but very often tl profit. Yet another thing Hol American World Airways. its downward trajectory, t For Hoffenberg,’ the ; huge. Steven Hoffenberg: July 10, 1987 re was Steven Hoffenberg. head of Towers Financial ch as unpaid efore there was Bernie Madoff, the In 1987, Hoffenberg was the n, a