Who is Barry J. Cohen in the Epstein files?

Barry J. Cohen is a senior executive at Apollo Global Management and President of Elysium Management LLC who served as a trustee of Leon Black's family trust. A Harvard-educated lawyer and MBA with prior experience at Davis Polk & Wardwell, First Boston Corporation, and Bear Stearns, Cohen appears in 644 documents in the Epstein files. He directly corresponded with Jeffrey Epstein on business matters including aircraft management for a Gulfstream G650, financial models, and tax issues. He also served as a co-executor of Leon Black's estate documents and as a trustee in the Phaidon Press governance structure.

What was Barry J. Cohen's role in the Black Family Trust?

Cohen was named as the initial trustee of the Black Family 1997 Trust, with the authority to appoint additional and successor trustees — a position of significant fiduciary responsibility. Documents show he served alongside Debra R. Black, John J. Hannan, and Richard Ressler as co-trustees and co-executors. The trust documents indicate that if any two co-executors were unable to serve, Anthony Ressler would step in. Cohen also appeared in the Phaidon governance structure chart as a trustee of the Publishing Trust, reflecting his central role in managing the Black family's business and estate affairs.

What business did Barry J. Cohen conduct with Jeffrey Epstein?

Documents show Cohen was in regular direct correspondence with Epstein on multiple business matters. He emailed Epstein about plane management for a Gulfstream G650 aircraft in October 2017, shared a financial document titled 'Odysseus Profit Model' regarding the aircraft's profitability, and discussed privileged tax matters including sales tax on rent and partnership art transactions. Cohen also arranged business meetings for Epstein, including proposing that Epstein meet Perry Lerner, CEO of Crown Global, coordinating through Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff. The correspondence suggests Cohen served as a bridge between Leon Black's financial infrastructure and Epstein's business activities.

What is Barry J. Cohen's professional background?

Barry J. Cohen is President of Elysium Management LLC and works part-time at Apollo Global Management, the private equity firm founded by Leon Black. He chairs the boards of Apollo Tactical Income Fund and Apollo Senior Floating Rate Fund. Earlier in his career, he headed the Risk Arbitrage Department at Bear Stearns and managed the firm's fund of funds business. Before Bear Stearns, he was a risk arbitrageur at First Boston Corporation and practiced law at Davis Polk & Wardwell. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in Applied Mathematics and holds both a JD and MBA from Harvard. He also serves on the boards of Phaidon Press, the Mt. Sinai Children's Center Foundation, and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Who is Barry J. Cohen in the Epstein files?

Barry J. Cohen is a senior executive at Apollo Global Management and President of Elysium Management LLC who served as a trustee of Leon Black's family trust. A Harvard-educated lawyer and MBA with prior experience at Davis Polk & Wardwell, First Boston Corporation, and Bear Stearns, Cohen appears in 644 documents in the Epstein files. He directly corresponded with Jeffrey Epstein on business matters including aircraft management for a Gulfstream G650, financial models, and tax issues. He also served as a co-executor of Leon Black's estate documents and as a trustee in the Phaidon Press governance structure.

What was Barry J. Cohen's role in the Black Family Trust?

Cohen was named as the initial trustee of the Black Family 1997 Trust, with the authority to appoint additional and successor trustees — a position of significant fiduciary responsibility. Documents show he served alongside Debra R. Black, John J. Hannan, and Richard Ressler as co-trustees and co-executors. The trust documents indicate that if any two co-executors were unable to serve, Anthony Ressler would step in. Cohen also appeared in the Phaidon governance structure chart as a trustee of the Publishing Trust, reflecting his central role in managing the Black family's business and estate affairs.

What business did Barry J. Cohen conduct with Jeffrey Epstein?

Documents show Cohen was in regular direct correspondence with Epstein on multiple business matters. He emailed Epstein about plane management for a Gulfstream G650 aircraft in October 2017, shared a financial document titled 'Odysseus Profit Model' regarding the aircraft's profitability, and discussed privileged tax matters including sales tax on rent and partnership art transactions. Cohen also arranged business meetings for Epstein, including proposing that Epstein meet Perry Lerner, CEO of Crown Global, coordinating through Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff. The correspondence suggests Cohen served as a bridge between Leon Black's financial infrastructure and Epstein's business activities.

What is Barry J. Cohen's professional background?

Barry J. Cohen is President of Elysium Management LLC and works part-time at Apollo Global Management, the private equity firm founded by Leon Black. He chairs the boards of Apollo Tactical Income Fund and Apollo Senior Floating Rate Fund. Earlier in his career, he headed the Risk Arbitrage Department at Bear Stearns and managed the firm's fund of funds business. Before Bear Stearns, he was a risk arbitrageur at First Boston Corporation and practiced law at Davis Polk & Wardwell. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in Applied Mathematics and holds both a JD and MBA from Harvard. He also serves on the boards of Phaidon Press, the Mt. Sinai Children's Center Foundation, and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Back to People & Entities

Barry J. Cohen

Person

Also known as:

Bary J. CohenBarry Cohen

644

Total Mentions

644

Documents

280

Connected Entities

Individual referenced in Epstein documents

Barry J. Cohen is a senior Apollo Global Management executive, President of Elysium Management LLC, and trustee of the Black Family 1997 Trust who served as a key intermediary between Leon Black's financial affairs and Jeffrey Epstein, appearing in 644 documents spanning business correspondence, trust documents, and financial records.

Cohen appears extensively in direct professional correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein regarding business matters including aircraft management (a Gulfstream G650 associated with an entity called 'Odysseus'), sales tax issues, partnership art transactions, and financial profit models. He is named as a trustee of the Black Family 1997 Trust alongside Debra R. Black, John J. Hannan, and Richard Ressler, and appears in the Phaidon governance structure chart — Phaidon Press being the publishing house owned by Leon Black. Cohen also coordinated meetings between Epstein and business contacts such as Perry Lerner, CEO of Crown Global, through Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff. His 644 shared documents with Michael Cohen (a different individual) and 640 shared documents with Barry Diller reflect the volume of overlapping correspondence in the files rather than direct relationships with those individuals.

Key Highlights

•Named as initial trustee of the Black Family 1997 Trust, with power to appoint additional and successor trustees — a role of significant fiduciary responsibility
•Directly emailed Jeffrey Epstein about Gulfstream G650 aircraft management and a financial document titled 'Odysseus Profit Model,' suggesting involvement in Epstein's aviation and business operations
•Coordinated meetings between Epstein and outside business contacts like Perry Lerner (CEO of Crown Global), indicating an active intermediary role
•Appears in Leon Black's estate planning documents as co-executor alongside Debra Black, John J. Hannan, and Richard Ressler
•Listed in the Phaidon governance structure chart as a trustee — Phaidon Press is the art publishing house owned by the Black family
•Discussed privileged and confidential tax matters directly with Epstein, including sales tax on rent and partnership art transactions

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 644)

HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026224 - HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026227

Source: House Oversight Committee

1 mention

From: Barry J. Cohen Sent: 10/2/2017 9:21:33 PM To: jeffrey E. [[email protected]] Subject: RE: Plane management Importance: — High It won’t take long to do. We’re

Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026224 →

HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026455 - HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026458

Source: House Oversight Committee

1 mention

e a profit and pay tax for using your plane??! . call me re other issue please we need to make a decision today a Forwarded message ---------- From: Barry J. Cohen <i> Date: Mon, Oct 2, 2017 at 5:21 PM Subject: RE: Plane management To: "jeffrey E." <[email protected]> It won’t take long to do. We’re just s

Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026455 →

HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026764 - HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026767

Source: House Oversight Committee

1 mention

From: Barry J. Cohen FP Sent: 10/23/2017 2:43:33 PM To: jeffrey E. [[email protected] cc: Joseph — Subject: G650 profit model Attachments: Odysseus Profit Model.x

Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026764 →

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EFTA00362464.pdf

EFTA00362464

1 mention

h Perry Lerner Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 18:29:07 +0000 Please advise if you wish me to set up this meeting for you. Begin forwarded message: From: "Barry J. Cohen" < Subject: Meeting with Perry Lerner Date: September 15, 2014 at 2:27:51 PM EDT To: ' Cc: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> 'Perry Lerner' < K

EFTA00372864.pdf

EFTA00372864

1 mention

From: Lesley Groff <MIMIII > To: "Barry J. Cohen" Subject: Re: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 12:09:27 +0000 Thanks Sent from my iPhone On Mar 14, 2014, at 8:09 AM, "Barry J. Cohen" ‹ >

EFTA00501785.pdf

EFTA00501785

1 mention

From: Lesley Groff To: "Barry J. Cohen" Subject: Re: Meeting Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2017 15:28:59 +0000 EFTA00501785

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EFTA00359386.pdf

EFTA00359386

1 mention

st a hard-copy version. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. From: Barry J. Cohen [mailto: Sent: Monde September 15, 2014 4:02 PM To: EFTA00359390 Cc: Perry Lerner; Kimberly Schroeder Subject: RE: Meeting with Perry Lerner T

EFTA00359722.pdf

EFTA00359722

1 mention

: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:43:08 +0000 ok, good deal...I will find out from Jeffrey...thanks so much On Oct 29, 2014, at 9:41 AM, Barry J. Cohen < wrote: > Thanks, . Not essential that I attend. But I am available to attend, and would be glad to be there if Jeff thinks it's appropriate. •

EFTA00359723.pdf

EFTA00359723

1 mention

4:16:53 +0000 Barry, I just spoke to Jeffrey and he says it is not necessary for you to attend the meeting.... thanks On Oct 29, 2014, at 9:41 AM, Barry J. Cohen < wrote: > Thanks, . Not essential that I attend. But I am available to attend, and would be glad to be there if Jeff thinks it's appropriate. •

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EFTA00359732.pdf

EFTA00359732

1 mention

st a hard-copy version. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. From: Barry J. Cohen rmallto: Sent: Monda September 15, 2014 4:02 PM To: Cc: Perry Lerner; Kimberly Schroeder Subject: RE: Meeting with Perry Lerner Thanks, MB From

EFTA00362484.pdf

EFTA00362484

1 mention

Mon, Sep 15, 2014 at 2:29 PM, Lesley Groff wrote: Please advise if you wish me to set up this meeting for you. Begin forwarded message: From: "Barry J. Cohen" Subject: Meeting with Perry Lerner Date: September 15, 2014 at 2:27:51 PM EDT To: ' r" < > Cc: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> 'Perry L

EFTA00362486.pdf

EFTA00362486

1 mention

in my calendar and circle back to all of you as the date approaches. Thank you, Lesley Assistant to Jeffrey Epstein On Sep 15, 2014, at 2:27 PM, Barry J. Cohen < wrote: Lesley: I mentioned to Jeff this morning that he might appreciate meeting Perry Lerner, CEO of Crown Global, regarding some life insuranc

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EFTA00362492.pdf

EFTA00362492

1 mention

in my calendar and circle back to all of you as the date approaches. Thank you, Lesley Assistant to Jeffrey Epstein On Sep 15, 2014, at 2:27 PM, Barry J. Cohen > wrote: Lesley: I mentioned to Jeff this morning that he might appreciate meeting Perry Lerner, CEO of Crown Global, regarding some life insuranc

EFTA00362490.pdf

EFTA00362490

1 mention

in my calendar and circle back to all of you as the date approaches. Thank you, Lesley Assistant to Jeffrey Epstein On Sep 15, 2014, at 2:27 PM, Barry J. Cohen < > wrote: Lesley: I mentioned to Jeff this morning that he might appreciate meeting Perry Lerner, CEO of Crown Global, regarding some life insura

EFTA00589532.pdf

EFTA00589532

1 mention

ares to Debra's brothers, Bruce, John, Richard and Anthony, with the share for any deceased brother passing to his descendants. IV. Trustees. A. Barry J. Cohen is the initial Trustee. Barry may appoint additional and successor Trustees. B. No more than three Trustees of any trust shall serve at any time a

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EFTA00589534.pdf

EFTA00589534

1 mention

l be paid from your Revocable Trust. EFTA00589534 Your 1997 Will and Revocable Trust Page 2 Articles VI-VII. Executors. A. You appoint Debra, Barry J. Cohen, John J. Hannan and Richard Ressler as co-Executors. If any two of them are not acting, Anthony Ressler will become a co-Executor. B. Debra is no

EFTA00597433.pdf

EFTA00597433

1 mention

t Nam Leon D. Black Title: Manager EFTA00597446 PLEDGOR: BLACK FAMILY 1997 TRUST By: Name: Debra R. Black Title: Trustee By: (Seal) Name: Barry J. Cohen Title: Trustee By: (Seal) Name: John J. Hannan Title: Trustee By: (Seal) Name: Richard Ressler Title: Trustee Pledgor's Address: Black Fam

EFTA00605303.pdf

EFTA00605303

1 mention

PHAIDON GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE CHART • Trustees: Barry J. Cohen ("BC") and John J. Hannan ("JH") s• Trustees: BC, JH, Richard Ressler and Debra Black The Publishing Trust (NY)' "'Board of Managers: JMWT LLC a

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EFTA00653134.pdf

EFTA00653134

1 mention

From: "Barry J. Cohen" To: 'jeffrey E.' <[email protected]> Subject: RE: [External] Date: Fri, 19 May 2017 19:05:57 +0000 Great to see you too. I too hope there i

HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026218 - HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026220

Source: House Oversight Committee

1 mention

From: Barry J. Cohen a Sent: 10/2/2017 8:30:27 PM To: jeffrey E. [[email protected]] Subject: RE: Plane management Importance: — High Adding Internet and possibly

Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026218 →

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