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Melanie Spinella
Person
4,654
Total Mentions
4,654
Documents
924
Connected Entities
Executive assistant to Leon Black at Apollo Global Management
Melanie Spinella was Leon Black's executive assistant at Apollo Global Management and appears extensively in the Epstein files as a direct recipient of Jeffrey Epstein's emails regarding Black's financial affairs, art transactions, tax planning, and plane management from 2014 through early 2018.
Spinella appears primarily as a key intermediary between Jeffrey Epstein and Leon Black's financial world. Epstein emailed her directly and frequently about substantive business matters — including high-value art acquisitions (a ~$100 million Picasso deal through Gagosian), aircraft depreciation and tax structuring, and real estate valuations for properties like Phaidon and "art space" with a combined basis of $96 million. Financial records also show a $25,000 check labeled "Gift" issued to Spinella from what appears to be an Epstein-related account. Her name also surfaces in coordination emails with Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff, who directed people to meet with Spinella at Leon Black's Apollo office. Many of her 4,654 total document mentions likely stem from her role as a persistent CC or recipient on routine correspondence flowing between Epstein and Black's offices, but the substantive emails demonstrate she was a direct conduit in Epstein's advisory relationship with Black.
Key Highlights
- •Received direct emails from Epstein about a ~$100 million Picasso purchase from Gagosian, in which Epstein flagged the lack of a written contract as suspicious and warned of tax risks
- •Included on emails where Epstein drafted valuations for Leon Black's assets — including Phaidon and an 'art space' at a combined basis of $96 million — reviewed with Brad Wechsler
- •Received a $25,000 payment labeled 'Gift' documented in Epstein-related financial records
- •Was the recipient of Epstein's November 2016 email declaring 'I am done. It's not a negotiation, out!!' — suggesting she served as the channel for Epstein's grievances about compensation from Black
- •Epstein continued emailing her through at least January 2018, forwarding news articles and discussing plane tax structures, indicating the Epstein-Black advisory relationship persisted later than some public accounts suggested
- •Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff directed visitors to meet Spinella at 'Leon Black's office at Apollo,' confirming her role as the gatekeeper between the two
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Links
Document Mentions (20 of 4,654)
EFTA00863552.pdf
1 mentionEFTA00863552
From: "Jeffrey E." <[email protected]> To: Melanie Spinella Subject: Re: Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2015 16:36:13 +0000 Yes On Wed, Feb 25, 2015 at 12:35 PM, Melanie Spinella < Is this for Leon?? From: Jeffrey E.
EFTA00437761.pdf
1 mentionEFTA00437761
From: Melanie Spinella To: 'Lesley Groff <MIIMI > Subject: RE: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2016 12:35:09 +0000 Good morning - no idea Original Message From:
EFTA02247839.pdf
1 mentionEFTA02247839
To: Lesley Groff[ From: Melanie Spinella Sent: Mon 6/18/2018 4:32:19 PM Subject: RE: [External] Jeffrey Epstein He can't do those times! Original Messa From: Lesley Groff Sent: Mon
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EFTA00327435.pdf
1 mentionEFTA00327435
From: To: Melanie Spinella Subject: Re: Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2016 20:46:35 +0000 Thx. Sent from my iPhone On Mar 18, 2016, at 4:34 PM, Melanie Spinella Leaving now Melanie
EFTA02295302.pdf
1 mentionEFTA02295302
Subject: Leon is here! Sent: Friday, May 8, 2015 1:24:43 PM To: Melanie Spinella <[email protected]> EFTA_R1_01138007 EFTA02295302
EFTA02220170.pdf
1 mentionEFTA02220170
To: Lesley Groff[lesley. From: Melanie Spinella Sent: Thur 8/17/2017 8:32:00 PM Subject: RE: [External] Re: Wood Allen Thank you From: Lesley Groff (mailt Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 4:32
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EFTA02248475.pdf
1 mentionEFTA02248475
To: Lesley Groff' From: Melanie Spinella Sent: Tue 6/5/2018 7:34:00 PM Subject: RE: [External] Jeffrey Epstein Not sure - he is leaving that night I'll ask and let you know Original
EFTA01973444.pdf
1 mentionEFTA01973444
To: [email protected]@gmail.comi: Melanie Spinella From: Eileen Alexanderson Sent Sun 5/26/2013 6:36:22 PM Subject: Re: Got it - just let me know your availability From: Jeffrey Epstein [mailt
EFTA02262962.pdf
1 mentionEFTA02262962
: RE: [External] Jeffrey Epstein Mon 11/5/2018 1:48:47 PM Thanks - I am sure he and Leon texted about it -!!!! From: Sent: Monday, November To: Melanie Spinella Subject: [External] 5, 2018 6:52 AM Good morning Melanie...Jeffrey's trip has been delayed! He will not return to NY until this Friday or Nov. 9t
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EFTA02456210.pdf
1 mentionEFTA02456210
From: Wendy Dulman Sent: Monday, July la 2016 3:43 AM To: jeffrey E. Cc: Brad Wechsler; Melanie Spinella Subject: Re: Happy to set up a time to speak. =Let me know your availability tomorrow. Sent from my iPhone On Jul 17, 2016, at 9:24 PM, jeffrey
EFTA00346874.pdf
1 mentionEFTA00346874
From: To: Melanie Spinella Subject: Re: Leon has left Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2015 19:01:23 +0000 You too! Sent from my iPhone On Jun 5, 2015, at 2:56 PM, Melanie Spinella < Tha
EFTA02468437.pdf
1 mentionEFTA02468437
From: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 4:13 PM To: Melanie Spinella Subject: Fwd: Forwarded mess= e From: Nicholas Ribis Date: Tue, Mar 22, 2 at : Subject: To: "jeffrey E." <[email protected] <mailto:jee
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EFTA00438050.pdf
1 mentionEFTA00438050
From: Lesley Groff <Ma To: Melanie Spinella Subject: Re: Jeffrey will arrive the house in 10 minutes... Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2016 15:37:45 +0000 ok got pass along ..thanks > On Oct 27, 2016,
EFTA00451839.pdf
1 mentionEFTA00451839
From: Lesley Groff To: Melanie Spinella Subject: Re: tomorrow Date: Thu, 18 May 2017 16:58:46 +0000 YES! Fantastic...and I am fine inside the house! I hear it's hot outside ;) which i LI
EFTA00839951.pdf
1 mentionEFTA00839951
From: "Jeffrey E." <[email protected]> To: Melanie Spinella Subject: Date: Tue, 24 Nov 2015 15:56:10 +0000 Attachments: APO2 BAALNCE SHEET_11222015.pdf apollo investments pg 2. total 4 dollars??! . please
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EFTA00371784.pdf
1 mentionEFTA00371784
From: Lesley Groff <Ma To: Melanie Spinella Subject: Re: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 13:58:59 +0000 Thanks marie! Sent from my iPhone On Apr 3, 2014, at 9:13 AM, Melanie Spinell
EFTA00854937.pdf
1 mentionEFTA00854937
From: "Jeffrey E." <[email protected]> To: Melanie Spinella Subject: Date: Tue, 09 Jun 2015 13:59:29 +0000 1. the question that you asked re stock sale. like everything else in your financial life cannot , s
EFTA02591439.pdf
1 mentionEFTA02591439
From: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2014 12:26 PM To: Melanie Spinella Subject: note the time, chttps://ssl.gstatic.=om/ui/v1ficons/mail/profile_mask2.png> shooting for signing tomorw or monday Richard Joslin =/tbod
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EFTA00831714.pdf
1 mentionEFTA00831714
From: Melanie Spinella To: 'jeffrey E.' <[email protected]> Subject: RE: meeting with Leon Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2016 19:09:16 +0000 Ok -= 1,11 let him know and let you
EFTA00383788.pdf
1 mentionEFTA00383788
From: Lesley Groff <1 To: Melanie Spinella Subject: Re: Jeffrey Epstein Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2013 15:36:06 +0000 ok, great. thanks On Sep 10, 2013, at 11:34 AM, Melanie Spinella wrote: You
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Connected Entities(20 of 924)
Jeffrey Epstein
PersonAmerican sex offender and financier (1953–2019)
4,156 docs4,156 co-mentions
Lesley Groff
PersonExecutive assistant to Jeffrey Epstein (2001-2019)
1,379 docs1,379 co-mentions
LB
Leon Black
PersonAmerican billionaire businessman (born 1951)
1,332 docs1,332 co-mentions
Melania Trump
PersonFirst Lady of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)
1,245 docs1,245 co-mentions
Brad Wechsler
PersonAmerican business executive, former IMAX Corporation chairman and CEO, Managing Partner of Elysium LLC (Leon Black's family office)
697 docs697 co-mentions
EA
Eileen Alexanderson
PersonManager of Leon Black's family office, handled Epstein's accounting and financial operations
425 docs425 co-mentions
Marc Rich
PersonAmerican commodities trader (1934–2013)
381 docs381 co-mentions
Alan Dershowitz
PersonAmerican lawyer, author, and art collector (born 1938)
346 docs346 co-mentions
Richard Joslin
PersonCFO of Elysium Management LLC, Epstein's financial management company
256 docs256 co-mentions
AC
Ada Clapp
PersonIndividual referenced in Epstein documents
198 docs198 co-mentions
IMAX Corporation
OrganizationIMAX Corporation, Canadian entertainment technology company specializing in large-format film projection
193 docs193 co-mentions
Verizon Wireless
OrganizationUS wireless telecommunications company
151 docs151 co-mentions
Elysium Management LLC
OrganizationElysium Management LLC, Leon Black family office founded in 1992, connected to Epstein through financial dealings
143 docs143 co-mentions
Barry Diller
PersonAmerican businessman
128 docs128 co-mentions
Joe Biden
Person46th President of the United States (2021–2025)
117 docs117 co-mentions
AH
Alan S. Halperin
PersonAttorney who represented Epstein estate and appeared in Elysium (Leon Black) family office meetings
116 docs116 co-mentions
Phaidon
OrganizationNER artifact: Phaidon is Phaidon Press Ltd, a publishing company partly owned by Epstein
96 docs96 co-mentions
Michael Cohen
PersonAmerican former attorney and former Republican official
90 docs90 co-mentions
DE
Debra
PersonFirst name reference to multiple individuals in Epstein documents
83 docs83 co-mentions
HG
Heather Gray
PersonArt counsel at Elysium Management (Leon Black family office), handled art transactions referenced in Epstein documents
79 docs79 co-mentions