Academic and art world figure who appeared on Epstein's flight logs as a passenger on multiple flights. Guggenheim was associated with New York University and the art world. She was named in flight logs alongside other Epstein associates. No further public documentation details the nature of her relationship with Epstein. She has not been accused of wrongdoing.
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Eileen Guggenheim is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
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
Eileen Guggenheim is an American academic and art world figure who served as Chairman of the Board of the New York Academy of Art (NYAA). In the 1990s, she was lecturing and working with student services at the NYAA. She is married to Russell Wilkinson. Her office was staffed by personnel including Sarah Johnson and Lisa Kirk, who coordinated academy affairs and donor relations.
Guggenheim's name appears across a substantial body of documentary evidence in the Epstein case files, primarily in the context of her institutional role at the NYAA and her ongoing professional relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, who was a former NYAA board member. Email records from 2012 through 2014 show regular communications between Guggenheim's office, Epstein, and Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff regarding contributions, academy tours, and social events.
Guggenheim was interviewed by the FBI on September 11, 2007, as part of a federal investigation into the sexual exploitation of minors. Her interview notes were later produced as non-testifying witness material in the United States v. Ghislaine Maxwell case in 2021. She has not been accused of wrongdoing or charged with any crime.
Epstein Connection
Guggenheim met Jeffrey Epstein through New York Academy of Art (NYAA) functions in the 1990s, where Epstein served as a board member. Their relationship was primarily professional, centered on Epstein's role as a donor to and former board member of the NYAA. Documentary evidence shows ongoing communications between Guggenheim, her office staff, Epstein, and Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff from at least 2012 through 2014, involving topics such as Epstein's financial contributions to the academy, scheduled tours of the NYAA, and social events like the Tribeca Ball. Guggenheim was interviewed by the FBI in 2007 as part of the federal investigation into Epstein's sexual exploitation of minors. She also appears on lists of Epstein associates alongside other prominent names. One victim alleged that Guggenheim, in her capacity as dean of the NYAA, introduced her to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at a graduation gallery show in the mid-1990s.
Key Allegations(4)
An artist alleged that Guggenheim, as dean of the NYAA, introduced her to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at a graduation gallery show and told her to sell them artwork, leading to the artist entering Epstein's orbit. The artist subsequently alleged that Epstein and Maxwell violently groped her in the summer of 1996.
allegedGuggenheim was interviewed by the FBI on September 11, 2007, as part of a federal investigation regarding the sexual exploitation of minors. She stated she met Epstein through NYAA functions and that Epstein was a former NYAA board member.
documentedGuggenheim's name appeared on lists of Epstein associates alongside names such as Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, Alan Dershowitz, Leslie & Abigail Wexner, Glenn & Eva Dubin, Richard Branson, and the Maxwells.
documentedEmail records show Guggenheim maintained ongoing communications with Epstein and his staff regarding NYAA contributions, tours, and events from at least 2012 through 2014.
documentedLegal Status
Guggenheim was interviewed by the FBI on September 11, 2007, as part of a federal investigation regarding the sexual exploitation of minors. Her husband Russell Wilkinson and AUSA A. Marie Villafana were present during the interview. Her interview notes were produced as non-testifying witness material in United States v. Ghislaine Maxwell (20 Cr. 330) on April 12, 2021. She has not been charged with any crime.
Notable Statements(4)
“Dear Jeffrey, Happy holidays! I am writing because I feel guilty- I have forgotten”
“You and Jeffrey have always been so good”
“By now you must be deep into your trip to China”
“handsome press release put out on Jeffrey's philanthropic”
Key Relationships(3)
Guggenheim met Epstein through NYAA functions in the 1990s where he was a board member. Maintained ongoing communications regarding contributions, academy tours, and social events through at least 2014. Multiple email exchanges and phone call records document this relationship. (efta-efta00269756, efta-efta02116832, efta-efta02151055, efta-efta02087927)
An artist alleged Guggenheim introduced her to both Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at a graduation gallery show in the mid-1990s. Guggenheim appears on associate lists alongside the Maxwells. (efta-efta00094959, efta-efta01652995)
Lesley Groff, Epstein's assistant, coordinated communications between Epstein and Guggenheim's office regarding phone calls, contributions, academy tours, and events. 111 shared documents. (efta-efta02012167, efta-efta01871974, efta-efta02029096, efta-efta02109875)
Timeline(18 events)
Guggenheim met Jeffrey Epstein through New York Academy of Art (NYAA) functions while she was lecturing and working with student services. Epstein was a NYAA board member.
An artist alleged that Guggenheim, as dean of the NYAA, introduced her to Epstein and Maxwell at a graduation gallery show and encouraged her to sell them artwork. The artist alleged Epstein subsequently offered to help her painting career, leading to an alleged assault by Epstein and Maxwell in the summer of 1996.
Guggenheim was interviewed by the FBI as part of a federal investigation regarding the sexual exploitation of minors. Her husband Russell Wilkinson and AUSA A. Marie Villafana were present. Guggenheim identified herself as current Chairman of the NYAA board and stated she met Epstein through NYAA functions.
Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff sent message: 'Please call Eileen Guggenheim.' A subsequent email indicated 'ok, will remind' regarding Guggenheim.
Groff communicated about Guggenheim: 'She is at home.'
Groff sent message: 'Please call Eileen Guggenheim...she is at her office for the next hour.'
Guggenheim emailed Epstein referencing his trip to China.
Guggenheim emailed Epstein regarding a 'handsome press release put out on Jeffrey's philanthropic' activities.
Calendar reminder set to 'follow up with Eileen Guggenheim if we have heard nothing.' Subsequent emails involved 'Mr. Epstein contribution' with Lisa Kirk and Eileen Guggenheim copied.
Calendar note: 'need to hear from Eileen Guggenheim re table for Tribeca Ball.'
Guggenheim wrote: 'Can't find our phone number, but I do have news.'
Communications between Sarah Johnson (Office of Eileen Guggenheim) and Lesley Groff regarding Jeffrey Epstein visiting/touring the NYAA.
Scheduled tour of NY Academy of Art by Jeffrey Epstein on May 7; further communications between Guggenheim's office and Epstein's office about the visit.
Email involving Elizabeth Hobson, Lisa Kirk, and Eileen Guggenheim with subject 'Jeffrey Epstein': 'Finally spoke with Jeffrey on this.'
Guggenheim emailed Epstein with holiday greetings, expressing she 'feel[s] guilty' about having 'forgotten' something. Separately wrote 'You and Jeffrey have always been so good.'
Guggenheim wrote about a discussion with 'David' involving Lisa, referencing ongoing matters.
Federal prosecutors discussed a New York Times article about victims coming forward, including the artist who alleged Guggenheim introduced her to Epstein and Maxwell.
Guggenheim's 2007 FBI interview notes were produced as non-testifying witness material in United States v. Ghislaine Maxwell.
At a Glance
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External Records
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Black Book Entry
Document Mentions
This dossier on Eileen Guggenheim was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.