Jeffrey Epstein Was Vladimir Putin's Wealth Manager, FBI Source Claimed in Newly Released Epstein Files By Meredith Kile 17

More evidence related to the alleged crimes of Jeffrey Epstein has been released by the Justice Department, revealing new details about the personal and professional life of the convicted sex offender billionaire.

Included in the large bulk of newly unsealed documents is FBI testimony from a confidential human source, or “CHS,” taken on Nov. 27, 2017. The testimony occurred about a year and a half before Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges; he died by suicide awaiting trial.

The source’s testimony isn’t related to Epstein’s sex crimes — he also pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008, making him a registered sex offender — but his business dealings.

At the time of his death, a filing in Epstein’s sex trafficking case estimated his net worth at roughly $560 million, according to CBS News. He also owned a Manhattan townhouse worth more than $50 million, a ranch in New Mexico worth $17 million, a mansion in Palm Beach, Fla., estimated at about $12 million, an $8.6 million apartment in Paris, and two private islands — Great St. James and Little St. James — that were purchased for $60 million in 2023.

The FBI’s source, who had an established relationship with the bureau, claimed in their testimony that Epstein — a wealth manager — “made his money from charging his clients fees to hide their money offshore.”

There have been plenty of headlines about Epstein’s connections to powerful businessmen like Donald Trump and Bill Gates, and even royalty like Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. However, the FBI testimony alleged that the businessman was a resource for other powerful politicians.

“Epstein was President Vladimir Putin’s wealth manager and provided the same service for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe,” the source claimed. PEOPLE has reached out to the Kremlin for comment.

Putin’s finances are a closely guarded secret. Officially, as the president of Russia, he projects a simple lifestyle. He earns an annual salary of around $140,000 and, property-wise, has an apartment in St. Petersburg and a plot of land outside Moscow, along with a few vintage cars and a trailer.

However, in July 2017, financier Bill Browder — formerly the largest foreign portfolio investor in Russia — testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, claiming, “Russia has a well-known reputation for corruption; unfortunately, I discovered that it was far worse than many had thought.”

Browder shared his belief that Putin “has accumulated $200 billion of ill-gotten gains” through corruption and criminal activity. He also alleged that Putin “keeps his money in the West,” which could lend credence to the claims of the FBI source.

Related Stories

FBI Received Rape Allegation Against Trump During Epstein Probe, File Shows, but DOJ Dismisses Claims as ‘Untrue and Sensationalist’

Ghislaine Maxwell Claims 29 People Who Reached Epstein Settlements Were Not Indicted

Elsewhere in the new files are emails reported to be between Epstein and another powerful man with strong ties to Trump: Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

In multiple emails released by the DOJ, Musk asked Epstein about visiting Little Saint James. In one November 2012 exchange, Epstein asked how many people Musk planned to bring to visit.

“Probably just Talulah and me,” Musk replied, referring to actress Talulah Riley, his partner at the time. He then asked, “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?”

In a December 2013 email exchange, Musk again asked about visiting the island, writing, “Will be in the BVU/St Bart’s area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit?”

Epstein responded: “Any day 1st – 8th . play it by ear if you want. always space for you.”

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.          

It’s unknown if Musk ever actually visited the island. While the emails don’t indicate any wrongdoing by the tech billionaire, he took to X following the release of the new files to defend himself against any allegations in relation to Epstein’s reported crimes.

“I have never been to any Epstein parties ever and have many times call [sic] for the prosecution of those who have committed crimes with Epstein.” Musk wrote in one post.

In another, he bragged, “If I actually wanted to spend my time partying with young women, it would be trivial for me to do so without the help of a creepy loser like Epstein and I would still have 99% of my mind available to think about other things. But I don’t.”

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor