Ken Starr was a key member of Jeffrey Epstein's defense team and was described as the 'most powerful force' behind Epstein's controversial 2008 non-prosecution agreement, which allowed Epstein to plead to reduced state charges and serve just 13 months in county jail despite federal investigators identifying dozens of underage victims.
Starr appears extensively in legal correspondence as Epstein's defense attorney, writing on Kirkland & Ellis letterhead to senior Department of Justice officials to pressure them into dropping the federal case against Epstein. He authored an eight-page letter to Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip — a former Kirkland & Ellis colleague — accusing prosecutors of misconduct. Beyond the legal representation, released emails reveal a warm personal relationship: Starr addressed Epstein as 'my friend, my brother,' signed messages with 'hugs' and 'love,' hosted Epstein on the Baylor University campus in 2012, and called him 'a prince.' Several documents also reference Starr in news coverage and third-party analyses of the plea deal, establishing his role alongside co-counsel Alan Dershowitz and Jay Lefkowitz.
member the phone call, 16 but from the e-mail, I accept that it happened. 17 Q So, what had been your knowledge and relationship 18 of -- with Ken Starr of Kirkland S Ellis -- 19 A Right. 20 Q -- up to this point? 21 A So, I had been an associate at Kirkland, I think I 22 indicated, what was
Page: EFTA00009050 →12 A They wanted to argue -- they, being defense 13 counsel, wanted to argue why we should not pursue this case. 14 Q And in this case, it was Starr and Lefkowitz from 15 Kirkland & Ellis, and Lilly Ann Sanchez, I believe who met 16 with you. 17 A Fair. I remember it was Starr and Lefkowitz
Page: EFTA00009055 →member the phone call, 16 but from the e-mail, I accept that it happened. 17 Q So, what had been your knowledge and relationship 18 of -- with Ken Starr of Kirkland S Ellis -- 19 A Right. 20 Q -- up to this point? 21 A So, I had been an associate at Kirkland, I think I 22 indicated, what was
Page: EFTA00009050 →t I wanted to bring him into this. 13 Q So, the -- we know he was present at the December 14 14, 2007 meeting, right? 15 A Yeah. 16 Q With Ken Starr and company. He is not present 17 at -- to -- according to our investigation, at any other case 18 with defense counsel. Others are. His ASAC, i
Page: EFTA00009361 →t I wanted to bring him into this. 13 Q So, the -- we know he was present at the December 14 14, 2007 meeting, right? 15 A Yeah. 16 Q With Ken Starr and company. He is not present 17 at -- to -- according to our investigation, at any other case 18 with defense counsel. Others are. His ASAC, i
Page: EFTA00009361 →07 meeting, right? 15 A Yeah. 16 Q With Ken Starr and company. He is not present 17 at -- to -- a
Page: EFTA00009361 →S Ellis, a 16 firm of which two attorneys, Ken Starr and Jay Lefkowitz had 17 been representing Jeff
Page: EFTA00009233 →notifying the executive office of the U.S. Attorneys 15 that you were seeking employment with Kirkland S Ellis, a 16 firm of which two attorneys, Ken Starr and Jay Lefkowitz had 17 been representing Jeffrey Epstein. Is that correct? 18 A We may -- we may get into it a little bit later, 19 but I th
Page: EFTA00009233 →notifying the executive office of the U.S. Attorneys 15 that you were seeking employment with Kirkland S Ellis, a 16 firm of which two attorneys, Ken Starr and Jay Lefkowitz had 17 been representing Jeffrey Epstein. Is that correct? 18 A We may -- we may get into it a little bit later, 19 but I th
Page: EFTA00009233 →HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_010486 - HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_010559
reviously encountered. Mr. Epstein hired an army of legal superstars: Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz, for- mer Judge and then Pepperdine Law Dean Kenneth Starr, former Deputy Assistant to the President and then Kirk- land & Ellis Partner Jay Lefkowitz, and several others, including prosecutors who had forme
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_010548 →sex crimes. Disgusted with I recalls thinking he’d found | In Acosta, the chief saw from confronting a man w connections. But it turned out that Ac Starr’s high-powered multir And while Acosta had a ster clerking for future Supreme only argued two cases befor At the time, Reiter did not one had to loo
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_010524 →sh Limbaugh out of prison for his alleged illegal drug use—and Jay Lefkowitz, a defense attorney who'd worked with US attorney R. Alexander Acosta at Ken Starr's law firm. And so in September, the US attorney's office reached a for- mal agreement with Epstein’s team: the United States would defer federal pros
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_010529 →EFTA00230208_email_003_sub_001 - EFTA00230208_126
States Attorney's Office Hon. R. Alexander Acosta (305) 530-6444 Southern District of Florida Pages From: Date; Fax It: Direct Si: arintir Kenneth W. Starr December 5, 2007 3 (213) 680-8500 Message: Case No. 08-80736-CV-MARRA P-013339 EFTA00230244 12/05/07 WED 15:24 FAX 1 213 880 8500 KIRKLAND&
ent e-mails and letters regarding victim notification and other issues. Some of these issues also are addressed in the U.S. Attorney's letter to Mr. Starr, but in light of our discussions, I believe a separate response is needed. In a recent e-mail, you write that you were surprised at the tone of my
r. See October 9, 2007 New York Post article attached at Tab C. Prior to signing the Non-Prosecution Agreement, Mr. Epstein's defense team included Ken Starr, Jay Lefkowitz, , Alan Dershowitz, Gerald Lefcourt, Roy Black, Guy Lewis, Martin Weinberg, Jack Goldberger, Stephanie Thacker", and the associates
EFTA00224943
n, R. Garcia A. Laurie Email re non-prosecution agreement with attached correpondence 11/28/2007 Alice S. Fisher, Assistant Attorney General Starr Letter - 3 pages re 18 U.S.C. 2255 Lefkowitz, Acosta, Sloman, Laurie, Oosterbaan lia Email regarding Epstein's plan to appeal to DC and propos
2007 1:17 pm draft Plea Agreement 9/7/2007 Meeting (US: Alexander Acosta, Drew Oosterbaan, Jeff Sloman, Marie Villafafia, and John McMillan, DEF: Kenneth Starr, Jay Lefkowitz, and Lilly Sanchez) 9/10/2007 5:17 pm draft Non-Prosecution Agreement 9/10/2007 J. Sloman A. Marie Villafaiia Email re negotia
007 Jeff Sloman, Andrew Lourie, Drew Oosterbaan, John McMillan, Karen Atkinson Marie Villafatia Email regarding press coverage of meeting with Ken Starr Privileged Confidential Page I I of 51 Contains 6(c) Material EFTA00224953 EPSTEIN INVESTIGATION TIMELINE Date To From Re: Exhibit # 8/30
EFTA00208682
Against Public Prosecutor; Overriding Need; Attorney Conduct at Issue; Waiver Suppl. Box #3 P-013504 Thru P-013507 File folder labeled "Mtg w/ Ken Starr, RAA, JS, Drew" containing handwritten notes by A. Marie Villafafia Attorney-Client Privilege Work Product Inadequate Log; No Factual Underpinni
ivileged. Will be produced to opposing counsel upon lifting of stay] N/A Suppl. Box #3 P-013342 Thru P-013350 File folder entitled "12/05/07 Starr to Acosta" containing drafts of 11/30/07 letters from A. Acosta to K. Starr and from J. Sloman to J. Leflcowitz re performance and victim notific
handwritten notes, draft victim notification letter, and draft correspondence to Jay Lefkowitz (Also contains a November 28, 2007 letter from Kenneth Starr to Alice S. Fisher; and a November 29, 2007 letter from Jay Lefkowitz to R. Alexander Acosta (P- 010528 thru P-010530 and P-010556 thru P-010559).
EFTA00225044
d numerous emails and conversations (mostly via telephone and possibly some in person) with members of the defense team. USA Acosta had contact with Ken Starr, Jay Lefkowitz, Gerry Lefcourt, and Alan Dershowitz. FAUSA had contact with Alan Dershowitzi • Lefcourt, and Lilly . Criminal Chief had contact
On September 7, 2007, USA Acosta, FAUSA , CEOS Chief and I met with Kenneth Starr, Jay Lefkowitz, and Lilly Ell (Exhibit 5). At the meeting, Mr. Starr focused primarily on federalism/policy arguments, and Mr. Epstein's background. I remember Mr. Starr thanking me for bringing § 2255 to their attent
which as Drew politely reminded me, is required under the law. (Exhibit 44). On September 7, 2007, USA Acosta, FAUSA , CEOS Chief and I met with Kenneth Starr, Jay Lefkowitz, and Lilly Ell (Exhibit 5). At the meeting, Mr. Starr focused primarily on federalism/policy arguments, and Mr. Epstein's backgroun
phanie Thacker. We respectfully request and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you in person about this matter. Kind Regards, Kenneth W. Star and Jay P. Leflcowilz Kirkland & Ellis LLP The information contained in this communication is confidential, may be attorney-client privileged, may
Page: EFTA00013602 →upsets your plans too much. From: Ami Sheth [mailto: Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 12:26 PM To: Roth, John (ODAG) Cc: Jay Lefkowitz; Kenneth Starr; Ken Starr Subject: Epstein - On behalf of Jay Lefkowitz and Ken Star Dear Mr. Roth, As promised in yesterday's letter to you, we have attached the following
Page: EFTA00013602 →To: Roth, John (ODAG) Cc: Jay Lefkowitz; Kenneth Starr; Ken Starr Subject: Epstein - On behalf of Jay L
Page: EFTA00013602 →upsets your plans too much. From: Ami Sheth [mailto: Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 12:26 PM To: Roth, John (ODAG) Cc: Jay Lefkowitz; Kenneth Starr; Ken Starr Subject: Epstein - On behalf of Jay Lefkowitz and Ken Star Dear Mr. Roth, As promised in yesterday's letter to you, we have attached the following
Page: EFTA00013783 →phanie Thacker. We respectfully request and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you in person about this matter. Kind Regards, Kenneth W. Starr and Jay P. Lefkowitz Kirkland & Ellis LLP The information contained in this communication is confidential, may be attorney-client privileged, may
Page: EFTA00013783 →To: Roth, John (ODAG) Cc: Jay Lefkowitz; Kenneth Starr; Ken Starr Subject: Epstein - On behalf of Jay L
Page: EFTA00013783 →EFTA00192835
o related to the indictment. On September 7, 2007, Epstein's attorneys met with the U.S. Attorney, Drew Oosterbaan, Jeff Sloman, John McMillan, and I. Ken Starr presented federalism arguments, urging deferral to state prosecution. When those arguments failed, Epstein's attorneys slated that he wanted to enga
sterbaan, Jeff Sloman, John McMillan, and I. Ken Starr presented federalism arguments, urging deferral t
RNEY 3 Case No. 08-80736-CV-MARRA P-011819 EFTA00192865 U.S. Department of Justice Washington, D.C. 20530 June 23, 2008 Jay Lefkowitz„ Esq. Kenneth Starr, Esq. Kirkland and Ellis LLP 777 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90017 Gentlemen: This Office has completed a thorough review of the U.S.
EFTA00207876
oreover, we do not believe that whatever Kenneth Starr or Lilly Ann Sanchez may have said to this office
orce those claimed rights. EFTA00207876 We do not believe there is any right to discovery in this case. Moreover, we do not believe that whatever Kenneth Starr or Lilly Ann Sanchez may have said to this office, or what this office said to Kenneth Starr or Lilly Ann Sanchez, has any bearing on whether a duty
stand you to take the position that you can withhold the other half of the U.S. Attorney's correspondence, correspondence between the Department and Ken Starr and Lillian Sanchez on behalf of Epstein, and information about role in the Epstein case. In short, we understand you to be asserting a blanket po
EFTA00212695
nitiated to enforce those claimed rights. We do not believe there is any right to discovery in this case. Moreover, we do not believe that whatever Kenneth Starr or Lilly Ann Sanchez may have said to this office, or what this office said to Kenneth Starr or Lilly Ann Sanchez, has any bearing on whether a duty
oreover, we do not believe that whatever Kenneth Starr or Lilly Ann Sanchez may have said to this office
stand you to take the position that you can withhold the other half of the U.S. Attorney's correspondence, correspondence between the Department and Ken Starr and Lillian Sanchez on behalf of Epstein, and information about Bruce Reinhart's role in the Epstein case. In short, we understand you to be assert
EFTA00212713
stand you to take the position that you can withhold the other half of the U.S. Attorney's correspondence, correspondence between the Department and Ken Starr and Lillian Sanchez on behalf of Epstein, and information about Bruce Reinhart's role in the Epstein case. In short, we understand you to be assert
oreover, we do not believe that whatever Kenneth Starr or Lilly Ann Sanchez may have said to this office
nitiated to enforce those claimed rights. We do not believe there is any right to discovery in this case. Moreover, we do not believe that whatever Kenneth Starr or Lilly Ann Sanchez may have said to this office, or what this office said to Kenneth Starr or Lilly Ann Sanchez, has any bearing on whether a duty
herwise what many consider the murder of Vince Foster (Foster, albeit the subject of a different investigation was also under the purview of attorney Starr and formal investigation of the results of Starr's investigation were drowned out by the details of the Lewinsky affair.) This is a bit strange consi
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015024 →e. * * Jeffrey Epstein in context: (As sent to the Wash Post) | send you this in response to the recent column entitled Believe in the Process by Kenneth Starr. Perhaps rethink any public affiliation with Ken Starr; although his demeanor on paper is undoubtably consoling, it is also a bit intoxifying when it
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015024 →Post) | send you this in response to the recent column entitled Believe in the Process by Kenneth Starr. Perhaps rethink any public affiliation with Ken Starr; although his demeanor on paper is undoubtably consoling, it is also a bit intoxifying when it would be best now if we keep our wits about us, no? |
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015024 →reality," noting that there was no evidence that Epstein committed federal sex trafficking offenses. The letter was signed by former Epstein lawyers Kenneth Starr, Jack Goldberger and Lilly Ann Sanchez, as well as Epstein's current attorney, Martin G. Weinberg. Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/p
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031431 →From: Sent: To: Subject: J [[email protected]] 3/5/2019 11:19:19 PM Martin Weinberg Fwd: Herald Weingarten, Reid I; Lilly Ann Sanchez Ken Starr Privileged - Redacted -- Forwarded message --- From: Lilly Sanchez‹ Date: Tue, Mar 5, 2019 at 6:08 PM Subject: Herald To: jeffrey E. <jeevacation@gma
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031428 →Herald Weingarten, Reid I; Lilly Ann Sanchez Ken Starr Privileged - Redacted -- Forwarded message --- Fr
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031428 →Post) | send you this in response to the recent column entitled Believe in the Process by Kenneth Starr. Perhaps rethink any public affiliation with Ken Starr; although his demeanor on paper is undoubtably consoling, it is also a bit intoxifying when it would be best now if we keep our wits about us, no? |
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017599 →e. * * Jeffrey Epstein in context: (As sent to the Wash Post) | send you this in response to the recent column entitled Believe in the Process by Kenneth Starr. Perhaps rethink any public affiliation with Ken Starr; although his demeanor on paper is undoubtably consoling, it is also a bit intoxifying when it
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017599 →herwise what many consider the murder of Vince Foster (Foster, albeit the subject of a different investigation was also under the purview of attorney Starr and formal investigation of the results of Starr's investigation were drowned out by the details of the Lewinsky affair.) This is a bit strange consi
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017599 →reality," noting that there was no evidence that Epstein committed federal sex trafficking offenses. The letter was signed by former Epstein lawyers Kenneth Starr, Jack Goldberger and Lilly Ann Sanchez, as well as Epstein's current attorney, Martin G. Weinberg. Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/p
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031391 →From: Sent: To: Subject: J [[email protected]] 3/5/2019 11:19:19 PM Martin Weinberg [[email protected]]; Weingarten, Reid L ; Ken Starr Fwd: Herald „Lilly Ann Sanchez Privileged - Redacted - Forwarded message --- From: Lilly Sanchez Date: Tue, Mar 5, 2019 at 6:08 PM Subject: Herald To
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031388 →inberg [[email protected]]; Weingarten, Reid L ; Ken Starr Fwd: Herald „Lilly Ann Sanchez Privileged - Redac
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031388 →herwise what many consider the murder of Vince Foster (Foster, albeit the subject of a different investigation was also under the purview of attorney Starr and formal investigation of the results of Starr's investigation were drowned out by the details of the Lewinsky affair.) This is a bit strange consi
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015011 →e. * * Jeffrey Epstein in context: (As sent to the Wash Post) | send you this in response to the recent column entitled Believe in the Process by Kenneth Starr. Perhaps rethink any public affiliation with Ken Starr; although his demeanor on paper is undoubtably consoling, it is also a bit intoxifying when it
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015011 →Post) | send you this in response to the recent column entitled Believe in the Process by Kenneth Starr. Perhaps rethink any public affiliation with Ken Starr; although his demeanor on paper is undoubtably consoling, it is also a bit intoxifying when it would be best now if we keep our wits about us, no? |
Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015011 →EFTA00191199
d privileged. Will be produced to opposing counsel upon lifting of stay) Suppl. Box #3 P-013342 Thru P-013350 File folder entitled "12/05/07 Starr to Acosta" containing drafts of 11/30/07 letters from A. Acosta to K. Starr and from J. Sloman to J. Lefkowitz re performance and victim notificat
llafafia, Alex Acosta, Jeff Sloman, Karen Atkinson, Robert Senior, Rolando Garcia, and Nesbitt Kuyrkendall regarding efforts by Jay Lefkowitz and Ken Starr to speak with Alex Acosta and instructions to direct question to Marie Villafalla and Karen Atkinson Deliberative Process Work Product Attorney-
h, handwritten notes, draft victim notification letter, and draft correspondence to Jay Leflcowitz (Also contains a November 28, 2007 letter from Kenneth Starr to Alice S. Fisher; and a November 29, 2007 letter from Jay Lefkowitz to R. Alexander Acosta (P-010528 thru P-010530 and P-010556 thru P-010559).

Jeffrey Epstein
PersonAmerican sex offender and financier (1953–2019)

Alan Dershowitz
PersonAmerican lawyer, author, and art collector (born 1938)

Alexander Acosta
PersonAmerican attorney and politician, 27th U.S. Secretary of Labor (born 1969)

Jay Lefkowitz
PersonAmerican lawyer
Leon Black
PersonAmerican billionaire businessman (born 1951)

Department of Justice
OrganizationUnited States Department of Justice, federal executive department responsible for law enforcement
Jack Goldberger
PersonAmerican criminal defense attorney who represented Jeffrey Epstein, partner at Goldberger Weiss P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida

Prince Andrew
PersonThird child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born 1960)
Roy Black
PersonAmerican lawyer (1945–2025)

United States
LocationCountry located primarily in North America

Bill Clinton
PersonPresident of the United States from 1993 to 2001 (born 1946)

George W. Bush
PersonPresident of the United States from 2001 to 2009

Bradley Edwards
PersonAmerican attorney who represented Epstein victims, author of Relentless Pursuit

Kenneth Marra
PersonAmerican judge
Gerald Lefcourt
PersonAmerican lawyer
the Southern District
LocationFederal judicial district in New York City

Lesley Groff
PersonExecutive assistant to Jeffrey Epstein (2001-2019)
Jane Doe
PersonPseudonym for anonymous victims/witnesses in Epstein legal proceedings

Ghislaine Maxwell
PersonBritish socialite and sex trafficker, daughter of Robert Maxwell, accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein
Martin Weinberg
PersonAmerican attorney (born 1946)