Who is Story Cowles in the Epstein files?

Story Cowles was Jeffrey Epstein's personal assistant who appears in over 900 documents in the released files. He came from a prominent Palm Beach family — his stepfather, William Atterbury III, was a Pennsylvania Railroad heir and one of Epstein's attorneys. Cowles met Epstein around 2006 after graduating from Florida State University and became deeply embedded in Epstein's inner circle, working across the Palm Beach, New York, and Bahamas properties.

How many times did Story Cowles visit Epstein in jail?

Story Cowles visited Epstein in Palm Beach County Jail approximately 130 times, making him the most frequent visitor by a wide margin. He would typically arrive in the morning, stay several hours, leave around lunchtime, then return in the afternoon and stay until around 7 PM — logging six to seven hours per day. Notably, Cowles signed in as a 'paralegal' on visitor logs despite having no legal credentials, which authorities believe was done to circumvent visiting restrictions that limited access to lawyers and medical professionals.

What was Story Cowles's relationship with Sarah Kellen?

Story Cowles and Sarah Kellen were in a romantic relationship. The released emails show frequent personal exchanges between them, discussing daily schedules, household logistics at Epstein's properties, and personal matters. The two shared a suite in a building owned by Epstein's brother Mark at 301 East 66th Street in New York City. Kellen, who was Epstein's scheduler and has been identified in court filings as an alleged co-conspirator in Epstein's sex trafficking operation, appears alongside Cowles in 85 shared documents.

Why did Epstein try to block Story Cowles's deposition?

In the Jane Doe v. Epstein civil case (Case No. 08-80893), Epstein filed a motion for a protective order to prohibit Cowles's deposition, arguing that conversations between Cowles and Epstein were protected by attorney-client privilege. The plaintiff's attorneys countered that Cowles 'possesses non-privileged information' and that the privilege claim was invalid since Cowles was neither an attorney nor a certified paralegal. This legal battle generated multiple filings visible in the released documents, including Epstein's original motion, the plaintiff's response, and Epstein's reply.

Did Jeffrey Epstein pay Story Cowles's expenses?

Yes. Financial records from Epstein's trust show direct payments for Cowles's expenses. An August 2009 ledger shows a $4,064.66 payment to American Express on Cowles's behalf and a $1,057.70 payment to the law firm Atterbury, Goldberger & Weiss designated for Cowles. A September 2009 ledger shows an additional $4,230.80 payment to the same law firm for Cowles. The law firm was run by Cowles's stepfather, William Atterbury III, who also served as one of Epstein's attorneys — illustrating the entangled personal, legal, and financial relationships in Epstein's circle.

Who is Story Cowles in the Epstein files?

Story Cowles was Jeffrey Epstein's personal assistant who appears in over 900 documents in the released files. He came from a prominent Palm Beach family — his stepfather, William Atterbury III, was a Pennsylvania Railroad heir and one of Epstein's attorneys. Cowles met Epstein around 2006 after graduating from Florida State University and became deeply embedded in Epstein's inner circle, working across the Palm Beach, New York, and Bahamas properties.

How many times did Story Cowles visit Epstein in jail?

Story Cowles visited Epstein in Palm Beach County Jail approximately 130 times, making him the most frequent visitor by a wide margin. He would typically arrive in the morning, stay several hours, leave around lunchtime, then return in the afternoon and stay until around 7 PM — logging six to seven hours per day. Notably, Cowles signed in as a 'paralegal' on visitor logs despite having no legal credentials, which authorities believe was done to circumvent visiting restrictions that limited access to lawyers and medical professionals.

What was Story Cowles's relationship with Sarah Kellen?

Story Cowles and Sarah Kellen were in a romantic relationship. The released emails show frequent personal exchanges between them, discussing daily schedules, household logistics at Epstein's properties, and personal matters. The two shared a suite in a building owned by Epstein's brother Mark at 301 East 66th Street in New York City. Kellen, who was Epstein's scheduler and has been identified in court filings as an alleged co-conspirator in Epstein's sex trafficking operation, appears alongside Cowles in 85 shared documents.

Why did Epstein try to block Story Cowles's deposition?

In the Jane Doe v. Epstein civil case (Case No. 08-80893), Epstein filed a motion for a protective order to prohibit Cowles's deposition, arguing that conversations between Cowles and Epstein were protected by attorney-client privilege. The plaintiff's attorneys countered that Cowles 'possesses non-privileged information' and that the privilege claim was invalid since Cowles was neither an attorney nor a certified paralegal. This legal battle generated multiple filings visible in the released documents, including Epstein's original motion, the plaintiff's response, and Epstein's reply.

Did Jeffrey Epstein pay Story Cowles's expenses?

Yes. Financial records from Epstein's trust show direct payments for Cowles's expenses. An August 2009 ledger shows a $4,064.66 payment to American Express on Cowles's behalf and a $1,057.70 payment to the law firm Atterbury, Goldberger & Weiss designated for Cowles. A September 2009 ledger shows an additional $4,230.80 payment to the same law firm for Cowles. The law firm was run by Cowles's stepfather, William Atterbury III, who also served as one of Epstein's attorneys — illustrating the entangled personal, legal, and financial relationships in Epstein's circle.

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Story Cowles

Person

1,285

Total Mentions

1,163

Documents

306

Connected Entities

Former personal assistant to Jeffrey Epstein in Palm Beach, frequent visitor during Epstein's jail stay

Story Cowles was Jeffrey Epstein's personal assistant who visited Epstein in Palm Beach County Jail nearly 130 times — more than any other individual — and whose deposition Epstein fought to block in the Jane Doe v. Epstein civil case.

Cowles appears extensively across court filings, financial records, personal emails, and deposition transcripts. In legal documents, Epstein moved for a protective order to prevent Cowles's deposition, arguing attorney-client privilege even though Cowles was not a lawyer or paralegal. Financial ledgers show Epstein's trust paying Cowles's American Express bills and legal fees to the firm Atterbury, Goldberger & Weiss — the firm of Cowles's stepfather William Atterbury III, who was also one of Epstein's attorneys. Personal email exchanges between Cowles and Sarah Kellen reveal a close personal relationship, with the two coordinating daily logistics at Epstein's properties and discussing schedules with "JE."

Key Highlights

•Cowles visited Epstein in Palm Beach County Jail approximately 130 times — more than any other person — often signing in as a 'paralegal' despite having no legal credentials
•Epstein's trust fund records show direct payments for Cowles's American Express bills and legal fees to his stepfather's law firm, Atterbury, Goldberger & Weiss
•Epstein filed motions to block Cowles's deposition in the Jane Doe v. Epstein case, claiming attorney-client privilege — the court fight generated multiple filings (DE 536, 540, 548)
•Cowles was the boyfriend of Sarah Kellen, Epstein's scheduler and alleged co-conspirator, and the two shared a suite in Mark Epstein's 301 East 66th Street building in New York
•Emails show Cowles managing day-to-day operations at Epstein's properties, including coordinating with staff on household matters like cable bills and visitor schedules

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 1,163)

EFTA00735483.pdf

EFTA00735483

2 mentions

From: Jeevacation [email protected]> To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Knight, JE and yourself meeting tomorrow Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:42:04 +0000 I'll go there Sent from my iPhone On Jun 14, 2010, at

Re: Knight, JE and yourself meeting tomorrow Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:42:04 +0000 I'll go there Sent from my iPhone On Jun 14, 2010, at 3:23 PM, Story Cowles <I > wrote: Sent from Story's iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Date: June 14, 2010 3:23:14 PM EDT To: "story cowles" Subject: Re: Knight

EFTA00736217.pdf

EFTA00736217

2 mentions

From: Jeevacation To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Date: Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:29:18 +0000 Yes Sent from my iPhone On Jul 2, 2010, at 9:08 AM, Story Cowles < And Lynn? Sent

: Jeevacation To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Date: Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:29:18 +0000 Yes Sent from my iPhone On Jul 2, 2010, at 9:08 AM, Story Cowles < And Lynn? Sent from Story's iPhone On Jul 2, 2010, at 9:07 AM, Jeevacation < Add jojo as Igor and janusch will be on holiday Sent from my iPho

EFTA00733041.pdf

EFTA00733041

2 mentions

To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Re: Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:55:39 +0000 yes and confirm with carter and pshcow On Sat, Apr 24, 2010 at 11:51 AM, Story Cowles < wrote: You want Paul to join for lunch Sunday at 12? Sent from Story's iPhone On Apr 24, 2010, at 11:41 AM, Jeffrey Epstein <jeevacation@gmail.

From: Jeffrey Epstein <[email protected]> To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Re: Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:55:39 +0000 yes and confirm with carter and pshcow On Sat, Apr 24, 2010 at 11:51 AM, Story Cowles < wro

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EFTA00735394.pdf

EFTA00735394

2 mentions

stein <[email protected]> To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Re: Re: Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:40:44 +0000 elkins On Sun, Jun 13, 2010 at 2:39 PM, Story Cowles < I will call and clear 2 hours with Williams in morning? 2-4? Sent from Story's iPhone > wrote: On Jun 13, 2010, at 2:38 PM, Jeffrey Epstein <j

From: Jeffrey Epstein <[email protected]> To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Re: Re: Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:40:44 +0000 elkins On Sun, Jun 13, 2010 at 2:39 PM, Story Cowles < I will call and clear 2 hours wi

540.pdf

DOJ-COURT-540

Source: DOJ First Production

2 mentions

ORDER [DE 536] Plaintiff, Jane Doe, hereby files this response to Defendant Epstein’s Motion for A Protective Order Regarding the Deposition of Story Cowles [DE 536]. The motion should be denied in its entirety, as Cowles possesses non-privileged information and any true attorney-client information he

fendant Epstein’s Motion for A Protective Order Regarding the Deposition of Story Cowles [DE 536]. The motion should be denied in its entirety, as Cowles possesses non-privileged information and any true attorney-client information he possesses obviously need not be disclosed during his deposition.

EFTA00735540.pdf

EFTA00735540

2 mentions

Jeffrey Epstein <[email protected]> To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:27:26 +0000 ok On Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 12:26 PM, Story Cowles < > wrote: Just leaving Mad Dog. Want Larry to come to house and explain what we have seen with pictures? Sent from Story's iPhone The informatio

From: Jeffrey Epstein <[email protected]> To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:27:26 +0000 ok On Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 12:26 PM, Story Cowles < > wrote: Just leaving Mad Dog. Want Larry

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EFTA00561104.pdf

EFTA00561104

2 mentions

From: Sarah K To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Re: Re: Date: Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:19:40 +0000 Just sitting down for lunch. Mmm. So hungry!! On Mar 3, 2011, at 2:19 PM, Story Cowles .

Story Cowles Subject: Re: Re: Re: Date: Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:19:40 +0000 Just sitting down for lunch. Mmm. So hungry!! On Mar 3, 2011, at 2:19 PM, Story Cowles .c:MI > wrote: > Ok. Well lemme know.... > What are you doing? > Sent from Story's iPhone > On Mar 3, 2011, at 5:16 PM, Sarah K <a wrote: >> No

EFTA00727545.pdf

EFTA00727545

2 mentions

uthority, personally appeared Jack Goldberger, Esq. having personal knowledge and being duly sworn, deposes and says: I. I, Jack Goldberger, hired Story Cowles on July 16, 2008 and he has worked for me since that time. 2. I hired Mr. Cowles as law office assistant to be directly involved only with Mr. Ep

uly sworn, deposes and says: I. I, Jack Goldberger, hired Story Cowles on July 16, 2008 and he has worked for me since that time. 2. I hired Mr. Cowles as law office assistant to be directly involved only with Mr. Epstein's case while he was serving his jail sentence at the Palm Beach County Stockad

EFTA00735369.pdf

EFTA00735369

2 mentions

From: Jeffrey Epstein <[email protected]> To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010 23:04:39 +0000 when will their list be ready? On Sat, Jun 12, 2010 at 9:52 AM, Story Cowles < wrote: I will a

[email protected]> To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010 23:04:39 +0000 when will their list be ready? On Sat, Jun 12, 2010 at 9:52 AM, Story Cowles < wrote: I will ask Gary for a more detailed list. I am still waiting on Rich Kahn and Darren (mooring permit) to finish their lists Sent from St

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EFTA00735392.pdf

EFTA00735392

2 mentions

Epstein <[email protected]> To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Re: Re: Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:40:30 +0000 yes On Sun, Jun 13, 2010 at 2:39 PM, Story Cowles < I will call and clear 2 hours with Williams in morning? 2-4? Sent from Story's iPhone > wrote: On Jun 13, 2010, at 2:38 PM, Jeffrey Epstein <j

From: Jeffrey Epstein <[email protected]> To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Re: Re: Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:40:30 +0000 yes On Sun, Jun 13, 2010 at 2:39 PM, Story Cowles < I will call and clear 2 hours with

EFTA00559717.pdf

EFTA00559717

2 mentions

Friona' To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:28:07 +0000 called comcast there is an outstanding balance of 279.29 and then they stopped service because o

anyways.. basically the boxes either need to be dropped off by Troy or he can schedule comcast to come pick them up.. On Nov 19, 2010, at 5:03 PM, Story Cowles wrote: > We need to take care of that! We need to pay Comcast and be reimbursed. Don't want this to do anything to your credit. > Sent from Story'

EFTA00559719.pdf

EFTA00559719

2 mentions

From: To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Re: Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:58:06 +0000 nope. I said I was out of the apt by Aug. 15; the last bill I ever received was for $166 whic

nd have them deal with it. We told wally the had to take over the cable bills, so it wasn't like we didn't remind them On Nov 19, 2010, at 5:29 PM, Story Cowles wrote: > Ugh. Did you pay? > Sent from Story's iPhone > On Nov 19, 2010, at 5:28 PM, wrote: >> called comcast >> there is an outstanding balanc

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EFTA00559716.pdf

EFTA00559716

2 mentions

From To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:16:16 +0000 I know! On Nov 19, 2010, at 5:03 PM, Story Cowles wrote: > We need to take care of that! We nee

From To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:16:16 +0000 I know! On Nov 19, 2010, at 5:03 PM, Story Cowles wrote: > We need to take care of that! We need to pay Comcast and be reimbursed. Don't want this to do anything to your credit. > Sent from Story'

EFTA00181472.pdf

EFTA00181472

2 mentions

Was it somebody from New York? A What, you mean when he was jail? O When he was in jail. A Story. O It was Story? A It was Story. O This is Story Cowles? Do you know the last name? A I don't know his last name. o And when you say she came with a person, you mean she came to the house with a pers

AM right. So this is during the day he came over. Story came over and visited with A Visited? I think so. Q Okay. Do you know the purpose for Mr. Cowles, or Story as you referred to him, meeting with at the house during the year time period when Mr. Epstein was in jail? 78 1 stayed permanently?

548.pdf

DOJ-COURT-548

Source: DOJ First Production

2 mentions

56,09-80802,09-81092 I --------------- EPSTEIN'S REPLY TO JANE DOE'S RESPONSE TO EPSTEIN'S MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER REGARDING THE DEPOSITION OF STORY COWLES Defendant, JEFFREY EPSETIN ("Epstein"), submits his Reply to Plaintiff, Jane Doe's Response to Epstein's Motion for Protective Order Regarding the

filed his Motion for Protective Order Regarding the Depositio11 of Story Cowles ("Motion") [DE #536] seeking to prohibit the deposition of Story I Cowles. 2. Jane Doe filed her Response [DE #540] to said Motion on May 7, 2010. 3. Jane Doe's Response, and the affidavit of her counsel, Bradley Edward

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EFTA00561079.pdf

EFTA00561079

2 mentions

From: Sarah K To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Date: Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:11:49 +0000 Seriously the cutest freakin thing ever.. I want to snoosh him!! On Feb 28, 2011, at 9:02 PM, S

Subject: Re: Date: Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:11:49 +0000 Seriously the cutest freakin thing ever.. I want to snoosh him!! On Feb 28, 2011, at 9:02 PM, Story Cowles wrote: > <image.jpeg> > Sent from Story's iPhone EFTA00561079

EFTA00561422.pdf

EFTA00561422

2 mentions

From: Sarah K caa> To: Story Cowles -Mlaa> Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Date: Sat, 09 Apr 2011 18:11:55 +0000 good idea babe! On Apr 9, 2011, at 8:10 PM, Story Cowles wrote: > Watch th

Sarah K caa> To: Story Cowles -Mlaa> Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Date: Sat, 09 Apr 2011 18:11:55 +0000 good idea babe! On Apr 9, 2011, at 8:10 PM, Story Cowles wrote: > Watch the social network again! > Sent from Story's iPhone > On Apr 9, 2011, at 2:06 PM, Sarah K <aa> wrote: >> IN pretty sure I can re

EFTA00560520.pdf

EFTA00560520

2 mentions

From: Sarah K To: Story Cowles Subject: Re: Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:36:13 +0000 I"m good. got a late start this morning.. trying to figure out the schedule with JE.. any plans

"m good. got a late start this morning.. trying to figure out the schedule with JE.. any plans today before you leave? On Jan 13, 2011, at 9:31 AM, Story Cowles wrote: > No problemo. How ya doing? > Sent from Story's iPhone > On Jan 13, 2011, at 9:25 AM, Sarah K wrote: >> Good morning baby! >> My LSJ pa

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EFTA00560892.pdf

EFTA00560892

2 mentions

0 It only says AA Degree and TCC. He said there needs to be more detail..what school, etc. Doesn't know what TCC means On Feb 8, 2011, at 3:58 PM, Story Cowles < wrote: Not really sure what that means. It states AA degree earned and year and school. Sent from Story's iPhone On Feb 8, 2011, at 2:46 PM, Sa

From: Sarah K To: Story Cowles <I Subject: Re: Story resume Date: Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:04:16 +0000 It only says AA Degree and TCC. He said there needs to be more detail..what sch

EFTA00736396.pdf

EFTA00736396

2 mentions

From: Jeevacation <a To: Story Cowles ..MI llin Subject: Re: Date: Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:02:13 +0000 Did you forget to follow up with Elkins? Sent from my iPhone On Jul 6, 2010, at 5:1

llin Subject: Re: Date: Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:02:13 +0000 Did you forget to follow up with Elkins? Sent from my iPhone On Jul 6, 2010, at 5:19 PM, Story Cowles ‹ > > Beverly Morrison is trying to reach you. > (561) 310-4946 > > Sent from Story's iPhone wrote: EFTA00736396

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Connected Entities(20 of 306)

Jeffrey Epstein