Who is Dan Ariely in the Epstein files?

Ariely is a Duke professor of psychology and behavioral economics and the author of 'Predictably Irrational'. The files show him in direct, mostly logistical correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein and with Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff, from 2010 to 2018. Most of it concerns meetings, breakfasts and event tickets. The documents also include Epstein's schedules and event reminders that mention him.

What do the emails between Ariely and Epstein actually say?

Most of the emails confirm appointments, such as a 9am breakfast in December 2014 and a 4pm meeting in March 2013, or arrange tickets to Ariely's September 2011 conference. In December 2015 Epstein asked whether Ariely would be in New York and mentioned 'biderman', and Ariely replied that he would be around on 20–22 February. A February 2018 'Advice?' thread brought in an executive from CNH Industrial, and the files do not show what the advice was about. News reports on the 2012 emails say Ariely also asked for the name of a woman he had met and thought 'very very smart'. The documents do not show him discussing or taking part in any criminal activity.

Has Dan Ariely commented on his contact with Epstein?

According to news coverage of the January 2026 Justice Department release, Ariely has said he met Epstein on only four occasions over nearly a decade, that the contact was infrequent and largely logistical, and that he first approached Epstein to discuss funding for his Duke lab. He said no money was received. The Duke Chronicle counted at least seven meetings, so the counts differ. Duke said it takes the release seriously and is evaluating it.

Does appearing in the Epstein files mean wrongdoing?

No. Many people appear in the files through scheduling, event invitations and professional contact, and the documents here show no wrongdoing by Ariely. They do show a repeated, years-long relationship with Epstein, including meetings after Epstein's 2008 conviction, which is the part that has drawn press and institutional attention.

Who is Dan Ariely in the Epstein files?

Ariely is a Duke professor of psychology and behavioral economics and the author of 'Predictably Irrational'. The files show him in direct, mostly logistical correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein and with Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff, from 2010 to 2018. Most of it concerns meetings, breakfasts and event tickets. The documents also include Epstein's schedules and event reminders that mention him.

What do the emails between Ariely and Epstein actually say?

Most of the emails confirm appointments, such as a 9am breakfast in December 2014 and a 4pm meeting in March 2013, or arrange tickets to Ariely's September 2011 conference. In December 2015 Epstein asked whether Ariely would be in New York and mentioned 'biderman', and Ariely replied that he would be around on 20–22 February. A February 2018 'Advice?' thread brought in an executive from CNH Industrial, and the files do not show what the advice was about. News reports on the 2012 emails say Ariely also asked for the name of a woman he had met and thought 'very very smart'. The documents do not show him discussing or taking part in any criminal activity.

Has Dan Ariely commented on his contact with Epstein?

According to news coverage of the January 2026 Justice Department release, Ariely has said he met Epstein on only four occasions over nearly a decade, that the contact was infrequent and largely logistical, and that he first approached Epstein to discuss funding for his Duke lab. He said no money was received. The Duke Chronicle counted at least seven meetings, so the counts differ. Duke said it takes the release seriously and is evaluating it.

Does appearing in the Epstein files mean wrongdoing?

No. Many people appear in the files through scheduling, event invitations and professional contact, and the documents here show no wrongdoing by Ariely. They do show a repeated, years-long relationship with Epstein, including meetings after Epstein's 2008 conviction, which is the part that has drawn press and institutional attention.

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Dan Ariely

Person

232

Total Mentions

232

Documents

2,440

Connected Entities

Israeli-American professor of psychology and behavioral economics

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Watch: Dan Ariely in the Epstein files

1:17

Narrated from the AI-generated summary of the documents. Numbers reflect the archive at generation time.

Dan Ariely, the Duke behavioral economist, corresponded directly with Jeffrey Epstein and Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff from 2010 to 2018. The emails are mostly scheduling: breakfasts and appointments, tickets to Ariely's events, and a 2018 'Advice?' thread. The documents show no criminal activity involving Ariely.

The strongest evidence is direct correspondence. 45 emails have Ariely in the From, To or Cc header, and many of them are with Lesley Groff. Her messages confirm visits to see Epstein, such as a March 2013 4pm appointment and a December 2014 9am breakfast. Ariely's own messages with Epstein include a 2012 exchange about a conference, a December 2015 exchange in which Epstein asked whether he was coming to New York and mentioned 'biderman', and a February 2018 'Advice?' thread that also involved executives from CNH Industrial. Epstein's calendars and schedules also list appointments with Ariely, including one where he was expected to come straight from the airport. Ariely also appears in event reminders and in speaker or attendee lists of the kind that circulated in Epstein's inbox. Of the 232 documents that mention him, 216 are emails, and only a handful are calendar, travel or other records.

Key Highlights

•He appears in 232 documents. 45 emails have him in the From, To or Cc header, and he shares 209 documents with Epstein and 56 with Lesley Groff.
•Groff repeatedly confirmed in-person meetings between Ariely and Epstein. Examples are a September 2012 6pm meeting, a March 2013 4pm appointment, and a breakfast on 3 December 2014 at 9am. Ariely wrote that he would come 'directly from the airport' for the 2012 meeting.
•In September 2011 Groff asked Ariely to put Epstein's name on two tickets to his TEDx event on 23 September. The next day she told him Epstein could not attend after all. Calendar items in the files record the tickets and the conference details.
•Epstein's schedules list appointments with Ariely, including a 6pm slot for an arrival from the airport and a 4pm slot. A December 2015 reminder notes Ariely's talk at the 92nd Street Y.
•The correspondence runs from November 2010 ('How about 5 PM or later?') to a February 2018 thread titled 'Advice?', copied to Epstein and to a CNH Industrial executive, Eduardo Teodorani. The files do not show what advice was sought.
•The tone is friendly and mostly logistical. Ariely signs off 'Irrationally yours' and sends his best to Epstein. The emails in the documents do not discuss any criminal activity.
•Ariely has said he met Epstein only a few times over nearly a decade and that the contact was largely logistical. The Duke Chronicle counted at least seven meetings. News coverage of the January 2026 Justice Department release says Duke is reviewing the information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Books for Further Reading

Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

Julie K. Brown

Investigative journalism that broke the Epstein case open

Filthy Rich: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

James Patterson

Bestselling account of Epstein's crimes and network

Relentless Pursuit: My Fight for the Victims of Jeffrey Epstein

Bradley J. Edwards

Victims' attorney's firsthand account

Document Mentions (20 of 232)

Ethan Frome

HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017060 - HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017087

Jan 18, 2011Source: House Oversight Committee

1 mention

osubroto Kofi Annan Alan Annex Paola Antonelli Platon Antoniou Leo Apotheker Frank Appel David Appia Jun Arai Marta Arango Nimnicht Louise Arbour Dan Ariely Anita Arjundas David Arkless Peter Armstrong Tim Armstrong Nikesh Arora W. Brian Arthur Ayman Asfari Tewodros Ashenafi Samir Assaf Peter Athanas

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WWW Conf Program.pdf

HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017526 - HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017573

Sep 5, 2012Source: House Oversight Committee

1 mention

INTELLECTUAL JAZZ DAVID AGUS DAN ARIELY KEITH BLACK DAVID BLAINE MIKE BLOCK ADAM BLY SCOTT BOLTON DAVID BROOKS MARK CUBAN ANTONIO DAMASIO JACK DANGERMOND DAVE GALLO FRANK GEHRY MATT GROENIN

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EFTA00285053.pdf

EFTA00285053

1 mention

' from JFK 5:49pm Depart Bedford 10:20pm STT Time Arrive STT EFTA00285054 Sun. Dec. 6, 2015 STT Reminder: Hanukah begins at Sundown Reminder: Dan Ariely in NY at the 92nd Street Y Reminder: Simon Ghraichy in NY Dec. 6-13 Mann Reminder: Noam Chomsky Reminder: Lisa Randall giving talk on Dark Matter

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EFTA00285047.pdf

EFTA00285047

1 mention

nd_from JFK 5:49pm Depart Bedford 10:20pm STT Time Arrive SIT EFTA00285048 Sun. Dec. 6, 2015 STT Reminder: Hanukah begins at Sundown Reminder: Dan Ariely in NY at the 92nd Street Y Reminder: Simon Ghraichy in NY Dec. 6-13 Mon. Dec. 7.2015 STT Reminder Noam Chomsky's birthday Reminder: Lisa Randall

EFTA00315407.pdf

EFTA00315407

1 mention

Richardson & Michael Wol (Caitlin is assistant: cell) 2:00pm Appt w/Patricia Neville p) 3:30pm Appt w/Todd Meister & Neil Burger)( 4:00pm Appt w/Dan Ariely ( 5:00pm Appt w/lan Osborne 6:30pm Screening of Michael Douglas/Catherine Zeta-Jones screening/HBO BEHIND THE CANDELABRA 20 Time Warner Center /

EFTA00329133.pdf

EFTA00329133

1 mention

From: Lesley Groff To: Dan Ariely Subject: Re: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2016 15:17:22 +0000 Ok. Thanks for getting back to me. Lesley Sent from my iPhone On Feb 15, 2016

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EFTA00427262.pdf

EFTA00427262

1 mention

From: ==l > To: Dan Ariely Subject: Re: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:53:45 +0000 Hi Dan...can you just use Jeffrey Epstein's name on both tickets??? Or must you

EFTA00427288.pdf

EFTA00427288

1 mention

From: Dan Ariely To: ==. > Subject: Re: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:23:17 +0000 Sure thing. Irrationally yours Dan From my iPhone On Sep 22, 2011

EFTA00427291.pdf

EFTA00427291

1 mention

From: ==l la > To: Dan Ariely Subject: Re: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:24:57 +0000 appreciate it. On Sep 22, 2011, at 2:23 PM, Dan Ariely wrote: > Sure thing.

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EFTA00427586.pdf

EFTA00427586

1 mention

t 23-Does JEwant to go? need to pay http://www.eventbrite.cotn/event/1961832895 Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:11:53 +0000 September 14, 2011 7:00 AM : Dan Ariely TEDx 6-9 on Sept 23-Does JEwant to go? need to pay http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1961832896 EFTA00427586

EFTA00357459.pdf

EFTA00357459

1 mention

n CC [email protected]> Subject: Dec. 3-31, 2014 Schedule Date: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 10:14:37 +0000 II e' d. Dec. 3, 2014 NY 9:00aat Breakfast w/Dan Ariely 11:00am Appt iv/Justin Nelson (MM) 1:00pm Appt wiM 2:00pm Appt w/Andrew McCormack and James Fitz erald w/Valar Ventures. Nicole Junkermann will at

EFTA00357693.pdf

EFTA00357693

1 mention

list and have a table somewhere upfront) Paula: 189 Cluystie St, Manhattan, NY 10002, JOJO TO DRIVE YOU! Wed. Dec. 3, 2014 NY 9:00am Breakfast w/Dan Ariely (MM) 10:00am Appt w/M 11:00am Appt waustin Nelson (MM EFTA00357693 2:00pm Appt w/Andrew McCormack and James Fitz erald w/Valar Ventures. Nicole

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EFTA00364876.pdf

EFTA00364876

1 mention

From: Lesley Groff <MIMIII > To: "Dan Ariely" <MI => Subject: Re: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:34:43 +0000 terrific! thanks On Mar 6, 2013, at 2:32 PM, Dan Ariely wrote: > Let

EFTA00284900.pdf

EFTA00284900

1 mention

list and have a table somewhere up front) Paula: 189 Chrystie 54 Manhattan, NY 10002, JOJO TO DRIVE YOU! Wed. Dec. 3, 2014 NY 9:00am Breakfast w/Dan Ariely inn EFTA00284900 11:15am Appt w/Gregory Riches a 11:30am Appt w/Justin Nelson a) 1:00pm Appt w, 2:00pm Appt w/Andrew McCormack and ames Fi ero

EFTA00332739.pdf

EFTA00332739

1 mention

From: Lesley Groff <MINIII > To: Jefffrey Epstein <[email protected]> Subject: Dan Ariely Date: Mon, 04 Jan 2016 20:27:14 +0000 Dan Ariely says Noel Biderman will not be in NY anytime soon but he does have my email address and will get in

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EFTA00628269.pdf

EFTA00628269

1 mention

handful of folks (like Boris, Danny, Dave Gallo, possibly Regina Dugan, Mary Lou Jepsen, Frank Heidt, Joi Ito, Xeni Jardin, and maybe Tom Standage, Dan Ariely, and/or a few others), poll them as to the most fascinating people they know, and then invite those folks to speak and/or attend after vetting them

EFTA00642571.pdf

EFTA00642571

1 mention

e: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 16:42:13 +0000 • has confirmed she will come see you at 1pm tomorrow instead of 10am If ed. Dec. 3.2014 NY 9:00am Breakfast w/Dan Ariely (MM 11:00am Appt w/Justin Nelson (MM) 1:00pm Appt w/M 2:00pm Appt w/Andrew McCormack and James Fitz erald w/Valar Ventures. Nicole Junkermann will

EFTA00357379.pdf

EFTA00357379

1 mention

Tue, 02 Dec 2014 16:42:13 +0000 • has confirmed she will come see you at 1pm tomorrow instead of 10am Dec. I1 rl. 3.2014 NY 9:00am Breakfast w/Dan Ariely 11:00am Appt waustin Nelson 1:00pm Appt wi 2:00pm Appt w An r w M rmack and James Fitz erald w/Valar Ventures. Nicole Junkermann will attend as

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EFTA00357409.pdf

EFTA00357409

1 mention

From: ==l > To: Dan Ariely Subject: Re: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 19:12:23 +0000 Hello Dan...reconfirming you will come see Jeffrey tomorrow at 9am for breakfas

TED2017: The future you

HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_014951 - HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_014971

Source: House Oversight Committee

1 mention

oundation and the University of Connecticut. He's a frequent contributor to the New York Times “The Stone” blog. michael-lynch philosophy.uconn.edu Dan Ariely Behavioral economist The dismal science of economics is not as firmly grounded in actual behavior as was once supposed. In "Predictably Irrational,

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Connected Entities(20 of 2,440)

Jeffrey Epstein

Dan Ariely