Jeffrey Epstein was paid a $25 million fee for his involvement in securing a settlement between Edmond de Rothschild and the U.S. Justice Department, according to recently disclosed federal records. The payment was part of the bank’s resolution of a criminal investigation into undeclared U.S.-related accounts, finalized in late 2015.
The settlement required Edmond de Rothschild (Suisse) SA and Edmond de Rothschild (Lugano) SA to pay over $45 million to U.S. authorities. Epstein’s compensation was facilitated through Southern Trust Company Inc., which acted on behalf of the financier to handle “outstanding matters” linked to the Justice Department’s Swiss Bank Program. This program was established to offer Swiss banks a way to address potential criminal liabilities tied to tax evasion and undeclared accounts.
Documents describe Epstein’s contributions as involving “risk analysis” and “application and use of certain algorithms,” highlighting a technical role in the bank’s compliance or negotiation efforts. The agreement awarding Epstein the fee was signed midway through the bank’s settlement process, signaling his significant contribution.
Despite Epstein’s infamous legal history, including a 2008 conviction, records reveal he maintained sustained interactions with Edmond de Rothschild officials. Ariane de Rothschild, a senior executive at the bank, corresponded with Epstein extensively over a five-year period before his arrest in 2019 and met with him multiple times. The bank’s spokesperson characterized Epstein as a business acquaintance from 2013 to 2019 and emphasized that Ariane de Rothschild was unaware of Epstein’s crimes, condemning his conduct.
The disclosed files do not suggest criminal wrongdoing by Ariane de Rothschild in relation to her communications with Epstein. However, the revelations shed light on Epstein’s financial dealings and high-level corporate connections beyond his criminal cases.