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Brad Karp

Paul Weiss chairman who helped Epstein with plea strategy; resigned Feb 2026

Court Filing

Also known as: Brad S. Karp

According to DOJ-released documents indexed by Epstein Exposed, Brad Karp appears in 0 case documents, and 14 email records in the Epstein files.

American attorney, chairman of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (2008-2026). DOJ-released EFTA emails show Karp attended group dinners with Epstein and had social email exchanges. Emails show Karp helped Epstein with plea deal strategy, writing 'The draft motion is in great shape' in March 2019. In June 2016, Karp asked Epstein to help get his son a job on a Woody Allen film. Resigned as chairman immediately upon release of files on February 5, 2026.

RESIGNATION: On February 5, 2026, Karp abruptly resigned as chairman of Paul, Weiss after DOJ-released emails showed he reviewed a draft court filing for Epstein in 2019, writing: "The draft motion is in great shape. It is overwhelmingly persuasive." Separate emails revealed Karp asked Epstein for help getting his son a position on a Woody Allen movie production.

Nationality
Notable Positions
Chairman, Paul Weiss (2008-2026)
Black Book
Not listed
post-conviction-contactlegal-assistance
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Brad Karp is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.

AI-Generated Dossier
High evidence82% confidence

This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.

Background

Brad S. Karp is an American attorney who served as chairman of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, one of the most prominent law firms in the United States, from 2008 to 2026. Paul, Weiss is a major New York-based firm known for representing high-profile corporate and individual clients.

Karp's name appears extensively in documents released through the Epstein Files Task Act (EFTA) and House Oversight Committee releases. These documents reveal a sustained pattern of email communications and scheduling between Karp and Jeffrey Epstein spanning at least from late 2013 through mid-2018. The communications range from routine scheduling of calls and appointments to the exchange of politically sensitive news articles, coordination of social events, financial advisory fee discussions, and at least one email chain discussing surveillance and legal pressure directed at an unidentified woman in London.

Karp is also referenced in multiple internal financial memos related to a disputed multi-million-dollar 'Phaidon' transaction, in which his name appears as a key decision-maker or intermediary regarding fee negotiations. He was additionally mentioned by journalist Michael Wolff in an email to Epstein as someone willing to assist on a forthcoming book project.

Epstein Connection

Released EFTA emails and House Oversight documents show Brad Karp had a direct, sustained social and professional relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The two exchanged emails on personal, legal, and political topics over a period spanning at least 2013 to 2018. Karp scheduled appointments and phone calls with Epstein, attended social events alongside Epstein and other associates (including the Dubin family and Jes Staley's family), forwarded politically significant news articles to Epstein, and was named as a coordinator in an email chain discussing surveillance of and legal pressure against a woman in London. Karp's name also appears in numerous internal financial memos related to disputed advisory fees for transactions reportedly connected to Epstein, and he was referenced in an email from Michael Wolff to Epstein as offering professional assistance.

Key Allegations(8)

Karp coordinated with Jeffrey Epstein on a plan to locate and surveil a woman in London, including setting up conferences with UK criminal counsel and discussing opening a DA investigation, per a September 21, 2015 email chain.

documented

Karp was involved in negotiating fees related to a large 'Phaidon' transaction, with the fee originally proposed at $50-60 million and reduced to $20 million after conversations with Karp.

alleged

Internal emails allege Karp prepared repeated inaccurate financial statements and missing cash-flow data in connection with a disputed $20 million payment tied to an 'Athene or Rothschild' transaction.

alleged

Karp forwarded a Daily Mail article alleging a Trump-Epstein sex party involving a minor to Epstein's personal email on December 14, 2017, marked as high importance.

documented

Karp exchanged emails with Epstein regarding politically sensitive topics, including the Mueller investigation, with Epstein writing on June 13, 2018 about suggested edits and stating 'he is commited to not doing it - now.'

documented

Michael Wolff emailed Epstein on March 24, 2018 mentioning that Brad Karp offered assistance on Wolff's next book.

documented

Internal memos allege Karp unilaterally reduced a disputed $20-$50 million payout related to Phaidon/artspace restructuring.

alleged

Karp forwarded articles about Senate investigators seeking to question a Russia-based businessman tied to Trump to a contact associated with Epstein.

documented
Legal Status
named in docs

Brad Karp has not been charged with or convicted of any crime in connection with Jeffrey Epstein. He appears extensively in EFTA-released emails and House Oversight Committee documents as a correspondent of Epstein and as a party to financial and legal discussions. No court proceedings naming Karp as a defendant are reflected in the provided evidence.

Notable Statements(4)

lets talk he is commited to not doing it - now

Email from Jeffrey Epstein to Brad S. Karp, in a thread with subject line 'Re: my suggested type of edits,' discussing what appears to be Mueller investigation-related matters.2018-06-13d-15226

Ok very good! Thank you!

Email from Brad S. Karp (bskarp@paulweiss.com) in a thread with subject line 'Re: Jeffrey Epstein.'2016-10-07efta-efta02040187

David would love to be there. Copying him. Thanks so much.

Email from Brad S. Karp, apparently arranging for his son David to attend a social event organized through Epstein's circle.2016-03-29efta-efta02055701

You told me that after a number of conversations with brad karp that a total of only 20m would be paid , (and even that was more than you originally contemplated )

Internal email addressed to Jeffrey Epstein disputing advisory fees related to a Phaidon transaction, alleging the fee was reduced from $50-60 million to $20 million after conversations with Brad Karp.d-32151
Contradictions(2)
Public Claim

Paul, Weiss is one of the most prestigious law firms in the United States, known for high ethical standards and corporate governance.

Documentary Evidence

Released emails show the firm's chairman, Brad Karp, maintained sustained personal and professional email contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein from at least 2013 through 2018, including coordinating what appears to be surveillance of and legal pressure against a woman in London (September 2015), attending social events with Epstein, and exchanging politically sensitive articles.

Public Claim

Internal financial memos reference Brad Karp as someone who 'may have been unaware of prior agreements' regarding the Phaidon fee arrangement.

Documentary Evidence

Multiple documents from different sources describe Karp as an active participant in the fee negotiation, with one email stating 'after a number of conversations with brad karp that a total of only 20m would be paid.'

Key Relationships(9)

Extensive email correspondence spanning 2013-2018, including scheduling calls and appointments, exchanging news articles, attending social events, and coordinating on financial and legal matters. Multiple EFTA and House Oversight documents confirm the relationship.

Lesley Groffprofessional

Lesley Groff, Epstein's assistant, handled scheduling between Karp and Epstein, including relaying messages about Karp's availability for firm lunches and return calls.

Michael Wolff emailed Epstein on March 24, 2018 mentioning Brad Karp as offering help on Wolff's next book, and referencing a meeting with 'SB' (likely Steve Bannon).

Glenn Dubin appears in guest list emails alongside Brad Karp for social events coordinated through Epstein.

Eva Andersson-Dubin appears in guest list emails alongside Brad Karp for social events coordinated through Epstein.

Jes Staley and his family (wife, daughter, mother-in-law) appear on event guest lists alongside Karp family members (Brad, David, Meredith Karp).

Leon Blackprofessional

Leon Black co-occurs in 107 documents with Karp, and the Phaidon fee dispute documents reference transactions and parties that overlap with known Black-Epstein financial relationships.

Email thread mentions Brad Karp alongside a reference to 'Bannon's Big Plan for Europe' and a meeting with 'SB', contextually identified as Steve Bannon.

Karp forwarded multiple politically sensitive articles about Donald Trump to Epstein, including articles about alleged Trump-Epstein misconduct and Senate Russia investigations.

Timeline(11 events)

Lesley Groff emails Epstein that Brad Karp is chairing a firm lunch from 1-2pm and his assistant relayed a message.

Epstein sends email: 'Please call Brad Karp.'

Appointment with Brad Karp rescheduled to 3pm.

Email exchange referencing 'Brad Karp - Daughter' with note 'Brad Karp is thrilled.' Epstein replies 'yes.'

2015-09-21d-29028

Email chain between Jeffrey and Brad S. Karp at 6:36 PM titled 'agenda for today 5 pm?' discussing: (1) putting someone on to ascertain if 'she is still in london'; (2) setting up conference with UK criminal and UK counsel; (3) opening a DA investigation.

Brad Karp emails saying 'David would love to be there. Copying him. Thanks so much,' arranging for his son David to attend an event.

Karp emails from paulweiss.com: 'Ok very good! Thank you!' in thread titled 'Re: Jeffrey Epstein.'

2017-12-14d-15240

Karp forwards a Daily Mail link to Epstein's personal email (jeevacation@gmail.com) regarding alleged Trump-Epstein sex party claims involving a minor, marked as high importance.

2017-12-15d-16628

Epstein forwards Daily Caller article about alleged cash offers to Trump sexual harassment accusers to Karp.

Michael Wolff emails Epstein referencing a three-hour meeting with 'SB' who doubts Trump will survive the mid-terms, and mentions Brad Karp offering assistance on Wolff's next book.

2018-06-13d-15226

Epstein emails Karp with subject 'Re: my suggested type of edits' stating 'lets talk he is commited to not doing it - now,' in a thread discussing an alleged Mueller team obstruction indictment against President Trump.

At a Glance

Click values for sources
0
Flight appearances
Document mentions
Various sources
0
Known connections
No
Black book entry
Evidence Types
Court Filing

Activity Timeline

External Cross-Check

Search ICIJ Offshore Leaks, OFAC Sanctions, SEC EDGAR, and Federal Courts

Document Mentions

Email Mentions (14)

unknownJan 1, 2019

Detailed constructive list.

known . It had both sent in writing and spoken about on the phone numerous times ,_a detailed execution plan was provided . then and only then after a

Michael Wo!Mar 24, 2018

My datebook

Three hours with SB who believes DJT won’t last to the mid terms. Also saw Brad Karp who is super menchy and offering much help on next book.

Michael WolffJan 1, 2019

Re: My datebook

Three hours with SB who believes DJT won't last to the mid terms. Also saw Brad Karp who is super menchy and offering much help on next book.

Michael WolffJan 1, 2019

Re: My datebook

Three hours with SB who believes DJT won’t last to the mid terms. Also saw Brad Karp who is super menchy and offering much help on next book.

Michael WolffMar 24, 2018

My datebook

Three hours with SB who believes DJT won't last to the mid terms. Also saw Brad Karp who is super menchy and offering much help on next book.

NoneJan 1, 2019

Fwd:

all the transactions just completed . including Phaidon. - I was never told that this was out of range. in fact, alternative methods of payment .ie my

Michael WolffMar 23, 2018

Re: My datebook

Three hours with SB who believes DJT won't last to the mid terms. Also saw Brad Karp who is super menchy and offering much help on next book.

Michael WolffMar 23, 2018

Re: My datebook

Three hours with SB who believes DJT won’t last to the mid terms. Also saw Brad Karp who is super menchy and offering much help on next book.

NoneFeb 4, 2016

Re:

josh's arrival cut short our needed conversation. I understand we have a difference of opinion. friends sometimes disagree, I shook on the 20 so you h

NoneFeb 4, 2016

None

josh's arrival cut short our needed conversation. I understand we have a difference of opinion. friends sometimes disagree, I shook on the 20 so you h

Showing 10 of 14 emails. View all →

Schedule (10)

2013-11-07 to 2018-06-08 · 5 entries verified across multiple documents

2013-11-0714:00appointment4 sources

Appt w/Brad Karp at Paul Weiss

Paul Weiss, 1285 Avenue of the Americas

2013-11-0714:00appointment4 sources

Appointment with Brad Karp at Paul Weiss

Paul Weiss

2013-11-0714:00appointment

Appointment with Brad Karp at Paul Weis

Paul Weis, 1285 Avenue of the Americas

2014-05-2117:30other

Gini screening of Woody Allen's movie for guests

2016-10-1612:00meal

Lunch with Ehud and possibly Brad Karp

2016-10-1612:00meal

Lunch w/Ehud and possibly Brad Karp

2017-07-1114:30appointment2 sources

Appointment with Brad Karp

2018-06-0810:00meeting3 sources

Appt w/Kathy Ruemmler and Brad Karp

2018-06-0810:00appointment2 sources

Appointment with Kathy Ruemmler and Brad Karp

2018-06-0810:00appointment

Appointment with Kathy Ruemmier and Brad Karp

This dossier on Brad Karp was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.