File 031694
Email Chain Between Jesse Kornbluth and Peggy Siegal Regarding New York Times Article on Epstein's Social Rehabilitation (File 031694)
Email correspondence from April 30, 2011, between journalist Jesse Kornbluth and publicist Peggy Siegal discussing a forthcoming New York Times piece about wealthy individuals and corporate power, with focus on Epstein's continued social acceptance post-prison and Siegal's role in organizing his social events.
Summary
Journalist Jesse Kornbluth contacts publicist Peggy Siegal requesting comment for a New York Times article about how the wealthy maintain power and the concept of shunning bad actors within their social circles. Kornbluth specifically references Epstein's post-prison social rehabilitation, including a Yom Kippur breakfast event organized by Siegal attended by 120 guests with children. The email chain includes Siegal's characterization of Epstein as brilliant and attractive to intelligent people, followed by Kornbluth's direct questions to Siegal about why she remained friends with Epstein after his crimes and what would be required for her to cut ties with him.
From:Sent: 4/30/2011 9:36:09 PMTo: Jefffrey Epstein [jeeyacation@gmail.com]Subject: Fw: from Jesse KornbluthImportance: HighSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: "Peggy Siegal'Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:59:25 -0400To:Subject: Fw: from Jesse KornbluthJesse Kornbluth could never make a dime. He is an angry loser who was married to Annette Tapert years ago.(She now is married toJoe Allen and they live near you in PB) Annette left him because there was no bread on the table and he is nasty.What should I do? Call him or not? Peg-----Original Message-----From: Jesse KornbluthTo: Peggy SiegalCc: Jesse KornbluthSent: Sat Apr 30 16:29:18 2011Subject: Re: from Jesse KornbluthPeg --Obviously, I'm sharing what follows on the assumption that everything here is just between us.The thesis of the Times piece is that the rich and their corporations have SO much powerthat we no longer live in a democracy.Can "we the people" make change? Not really.Who can? The rich and powerful.Huh? All they want is the status quo. Or more.But they could --- okay, its not likely, but they could --- turn on the bad actors at their social/economic level.For example: Wall Street CEOs, donors to the Tea Party, etc.That's the topic. Shaming. Shunning.One of the people I deal with --- there are several others. --- is Jeffrey Epstein.Reading the clips, I don't see that Jeffrey as been shunned.In this piece --- http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-04-01/bill-clinton-katie-couric-woody-allen-jeffrey-epsteins-society-friends-close-ranks/ ---I read:The crowd at the events top publicist Peggy Siegal has organized for Epstein proves the point, at least behind closed doors. "I andmany others that know him describe him as brilliant," says Siegal."His unique mind is what attracts the world's smartest people to his home." Last September, with Siegal's help, Epstein hosted a BreakFast after Yom Kippur. A group of 120 friends brought their children over for a buffet dinnerThis was just a few months after he finished his prison obligations in Florida.And here he is, entertaining --- with children present.HOUSE OVERSIGHT 031694This Break Fast is one of a number of social events involving post-prison Jeffrey that attracted celebrated, powerful people.Of course I have zero idea who said, "NO WAY" and didn't cross his doorway.My questions are:1) I You have known him for decades, were/are friends, etc.Why was your reaction to his crimes to continue being his friend --- and not in a covert way?2) What would he have had to do for you to shun him --- to cut him out of your life?You're the ultimate professional; you may not want to respond.Especially because I'm NOT reaching out to anyone else who's named in the piece.I don't care about them.But it ain't me to blindside you.JKOn Apr 30, 2011, at 4:03 PM, Peggy Siegal wrote:Would love to talk to you. What is piece about? Peg-----Original Message-----From: Jesse KornbluthTo: Peggy SiegalSent: Sat Apr 30 15:38:06 2011Subject: from Jesse KornbluthPeg As you've seen, I'm doing a piece for the Times.You're briefly in it.Pd like 3 minutes of your time, if possible.Turning it in late Sunday....We could do this by email.Or phone.I'm atIf I'm out, my cell iTHANKSJKHOUSE OVERSIGHT 031695