File 032865
Email Correspondence Between Jeffrey Epstein and Gerald Barton Regarding Real Estate Developments (File 032865)
Email exchange between Jeffrey Epstein and Gerald Barton from May 2016 discussing real estate development projects, financial circumstances, and Donald Trump's acquisition of Doonbeg Golf Club in Ireland.
Summary
Gerald Barton writes to Jeffrey Epstein describing his recovery from financial difficulties following the closure of Landmark office in 2014, detailing involvement in major real estate developments in Oklahoma City, Maryland, and West Virginia. Barton mentions the death of business partner Aubrey McClendon in a car accident and provides commentary on economic conditions and capital availability. The email references Donald Trump's recent purchase and management of Doonbeg Golf Club in Ireland, characterizing it as one of Europe's top resorts.
From: jeffrey E. [jeeyacation@gmail.com]Sent: 5/17/2016 1:56:20 PMTo: Gerald BartonSubject: Re:thanks for filling me inOn Tue, May 17, 2016 at 3:53 PM, Gerald BartonMy Extraordinarily Talented, Outrageous Friend,wrote:Thank you for asking how I am doing. The short answer is very well. I hope that you are in good health andcontinue to use your special talents to make the world a better place and for your somewhat uniqueamusements.The longer answer to your question is that at the end of 2014 I closed down the office of Landmark, transferredall of the assets to pay all of the major creditors, except me, and found myself as broke as I was when you firstcalled me that Friday after Thanksgiving, with my only remaining assets, a large capital loss, my reputation,and my energy.Since then, our luck has been better than even an optimist like me would expect. Being free of the $500,000 aday I was fined by the OTS, after several years they abandoned this fine, which was initiated strictly to ensurethat I had no opportunity to finance any new developments, I became involved with an extraordinary, large,important real estate development in Oklahoma City and two others in the D.C. area.The bad news is that my dear friend and good partner, Aubrey McClendon, was killed in a single car accidenton March 2nd of this year and the development with great potential is now either delayed or abandoned. Thegood news is that our involvement in a 1,000 acre development on Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland is inthe process of being financed and should be underway sometime this summer. Our second project is a 405acre development in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, that is probably the prettiest piece of property I know of inthe U.S. that is zoned and developable. Its business plan is now underway and we should be in the financingmode this fall. My impression is that there is a tremendous amount of money on the sidelines, but the top 5%or 10% that control it are terribly frightened of losing money they don't need, while the 90% to 95% of thecitizens are continuing their daily labors somewhat frightened that they are not certain where next month's ornext year's mortgage payment is coming from.On a lighter note, Donald Trump recently bought our development in Ireland, Doonbeg Golf Club. It has beenrated the first or second best resort in Europe. To-date, to my surprise, he is managing it reasonably well,probably because he is presently devoted to an endeavor that amuses him.Jeffrey, I want you to understand that I am extremely pleased and not at all melancholy about my presentcircumstances. Whenever I get an opportunity, I always visit those assets I helped create and almost withoutexception, I wish I had been smarter, but generally satisfied that I made a positive contribution and one muchhigher than normally done by my competitors, because I am fortunate that the labor focus of my life has notattracted the best and the brightest.HOUSE OVERSIGHT 032865When good fortune brings you to the D.C. area, please let me know. I always enjoy understanding youractivities and do so with amazement and amusement.JerryOn Mon, May 16, 2016 at 3:56 PM, jeffrey E. <jeevacation@gmail.com> wrote:how are youOn Mon, May 16, 2016 at 2:35 PM, Gerald Barton wrote:Jeffrey,I am certainly glad that you have thick skin and care little about what the press says. I am sorry that youhave to appear tolerant against intolerance.From all appearances, you fulfill the challenge of Kipling when he said:"If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,If all men count with you, but none too much."In spite of outward appearances, I know very few know how you really feel and I can only hope that thatfeeling is shown best in the naming of your airplane.JerruGerald G. BartonThe Barton Development Group, Inc.1993 Moreland Parkway, Suite 204Annapolis, MD 21401Direct Line:Fax:please noteThe information contained in this communication isconfidential, may be attorney-client privileged, mayconstitute inside information, and is intended only forthe use of the addressee. It is the property ofJEEUnauthorized use, disclosure or copying of thiscommunication or any part thereof is strictly prohibitedHOUSE OVERSIGHT 032866Iand may be unlawful. If you have received thiscommunication in error, please notify us immediately byreturn e-mail or by e-mail to jeevacation@gmail.com, anddestroy this communication and all copies thereof,including all attachments. copyright -all rights reservedGerald G. BartonThe Barton Development Group, Inc.1993 Moreland Parkway, Suite 204Annapolis, MD 21401Direct Line: IMFax:please noteThe information contained in this communication isconfidential, may be attorney-client privileged, mayconstitute inside information, and is intended only forthe use of the addressee. It is the property ofJEEUnauthorized use, disclosure or copying of thiscommunication or any part thereof is strictly prohibitedand may be unlawful. If you have received thiscommunication in error, please notify us immediately byreturn e-mail or by e-mail to jeevacation@gmail.com, anddestroy this communication and all copies thereof,including all attachments. copyright -all rights reservedHOUSE OVERSIGHT 032867