Skip to main content
Skip to content

Masha Drokova

Russian VC and Epstein's publicist; 1,000+ file mentions

Court Filing

Also known as: Maria Drokova, Masha Bucher

According to DOJ-released documents indexed by Epstein Exposed, Masha Drokova appears in 0 case documents, and 20 email records in the Epstein files.

Russian-born venture capitalist, founder of Day One Ventures, and former Putin youth organization (Nashi) leader. Mentioned more than 1,000 times in DOJ-released EFTA emails and Skype chats between 2017 and Epstein's 2019 arrest. Served as publicist for Epstein in 2017. Skype chat history includes exchanges described as 'borderline pornographic.' Connected Epstein to journalists and tech founders.

Nationality
Notable Positions
Founder, Day One Ventures
Black Book
Not listed
post-conviction-contactassociatesocial-connection
Share
PostReddit
Premium Print View

Large reports can take 10 to 30 seconds. Your download will start automatically.

Masha Drokova 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 evidence87% 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

Masha Drokova (also known as Maria Drokova, Mariya Bucher) is a Russian-born venture capitalist and founder of Day One Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm. According to an FBI FD-1023 CHS (Confidential Human Source) reporting document, Drokova is based in Silicon Valley and has been running her venture fund from that location. She was formerly associated with a Putin-era youth organization (Nashi). Her aliases include Mania Drokova and Mariya Bucher, as documented in FBI records.

Drokova's connection to the Epstein case is extensively documented through hundreds of email and Skype communications spanning from at least May 2017 through June 2019, just weeks before Epstein's arrest. She served as a publicist connected to Epstein's efforts to manage his public image, particularly around his funding of scientific research. Documents also show she acted as a connector, introducing Epstein to journalists, scientists, tech founders, and other figures in the venture capital ecosystem.

An FBI investigation document references Drokova in the context of both a counterintelligence inquiry (Sentinel Case 245H-WF-2182018) and a separate FBI case (804I-LA-3315657-INTELPRODS and 50D-NY-3027571), the latter involving questions about improper domestic or foreign influence over the U.S. electoral process. The FBI CHS reporting document from October 2020 indicates that information about Drokova was gathered through an encrypted messaging app contact with a confidential source.

Epstein Connection

Masha Drokova maintained a sustained and multifaceted relationship with Jeffrey Epstein documented through extensive email and Skype communications from May 2017 through at least June 5, 2019. She served as a publicist coordinating media strategy and PR outreach for Epstein, specifically around his donations to scientific research and narratives about Trump-era budget cuts to science funding. She coordinated directly with Epstein (jeevacation@gmail.com) on pitching stories to major outlets including MIT Technology Review, Nature, Washington Post, and Bloomberg. Drokova also functioned as a connector, introducing Epstein to scientists like Martin Nowak and tech figures like Serguei Beloussov, and facilitating introductions to individuals such as 'Nellie.' An FBI law enforcement document states that Timothy Cook Draper hired Drokova as a publicist in connection with Epstein-related activities. Her communications with Epstein included coordination with his assistant Lesley Groff and other members of his inner circle.

Key Allegations(9)

Served as publicist for Jeffrey Epstein, hired by Timothy Cook Draper (Tim Draper) in that capacity

documented

Coordinated media and PR outreach on Epstein's behalf, pitching stories about his science funding to major news outlets including MIT Technology Review, Nature, Washington Post, and Bloomberg

documented

Maintained extensive email and Skype communications with Epstein from at least May 2017 through June 2019

documented

Connected Epstein with scientists and tech figures, including facilitating introductions between Epstein and Serguei Beloussov and a person named 'Nellie'

documented

Questioned Martin Nowak about the specifics of Epstein's funding of his research and potential publications in Nature/Science

documented

Referenced in FBI CHS reporting document in connection with inquiries about improper domestic or foreign influence over the U.S. electoral process

documented

Named in FBI counterintelligence-related investigation (Sentinel Case 245H-WF-2182018) alongside Tim Draper, in context mentioning U.S. sanctions against Russia and security concerns related to POTUS

documented

Discussed establishing project criteria, an advisory board, and legal structure with Epstein in December 2017, suggesting a collaborative venture or entity

documented

Experienced gender discrimination while raising her venture fund, as recounted in a story forwarded to Epstein by Steven Sinofsky

documented
Legal Status
named in docs

Masha Drokova is not known to have been charged, convicted, or identified as a formal target in the Epstein case. However, she appears in FBI investigative documents including an FD-1023 CHS reporting document (October 2020, case files 804I-LA-3315657-INTELPRODS and 50D-NY-3027571) and a separate FBI counterintelligence-related record (Sentinel Case 245H-WF-2182018). The former involved questions about improper foreign influence on the U.S. electoral process; the latter involved security considerations related to POTUS protection and information sharing with the U.S. Secret Service.

Cases:804I-LA-3315657-INTELPRODS50D-NY-3027571245H-WF-2182018
Notable Statements(11)

I have helped scientists for 20 years. I don...

Jeffrey Epstein's email reply to Masha Drokova regarding questions for an article about his donations to scientific research2017-08-24d-18856

you should contact robert trivers

Jeffrey Epstein directing Masha Drokova to reach out to Robert Trivers for an article about science funding2017-08-24d-17785

thank you Jeffrey! Martin, great meeting you. I'd be happy to have a call for around 20...

Drokova responding after meeting Martin Nowak, offering to schedule a call for PR work2017-07-20d-30743

Figuring out: 1. Criteria for projects 2. Advisory board 3. Right legal structure

Drokova discussing organizational planning with Epstein2017-12-14efta-02547475

Nellie, Jeffrey, Please meet each other. You both are one of the most amazing, talented

Drokova introducing a person named Nellie to Jeffrey Epstein via email2018-09-03efta-02624942

connected. as he's been investing/building things in quantum technologies for 10+ years

Drokova referencing a connection's background in quantum technologies to Epstein2018-01-13efta-02540089

joi is the head of MIT media lab. . . he is the pinnacle

Jeffrey Epstein describing Joi Ito to Masha Drokova2017-10-28efta-02574453

Hi Jeffrey! How was your meeting with

Deleted Skype message from Drokova to Epstein, one of the last documented communications before his July 2019 arrest2019-06-05efta-efta01612654

where in the world are you? what is new? I'm in New York

Drokova reaching out casually to Epstein via email2018-06-06efta-02645029

yes, it could be great

Epstein responding positively to Drokova about 'science in Trump time' media project2017-09-10efta-02627229

nothing is not possible except

Email in a chain CC'd to Lesley Groff, Eugenia Goryacheva, Drokova, and Epstein about a connection being made2018-01-18efta-02537547
Contradictions(2)
Public Claim

Drokova's public profile centers on her identity as an independent venture capitalist and founder of Day One Ventures, with no prominent public acknowledgment of her work for Epstein

Documentary Evidence

FBI documents state that Drokova was hired as a publicist in connection with Epstein-related activities, and hundreds of email/Skype communications document a sustained professional and personal relationship with Epstein spanning at least two years (2017-2019)

Public Claim

Day One Ventures is presented publicly as an independent venture capital firm

Documentary Evidence

Documents show Drokova shared portfolio company information directly with Epstein, discussed establishing project criteria, advisory boards, and legal structures with him, and maintained communications that blur professional and personal boundaries

Key Relationships(7)
Jeffrey Epsteinprofessional

Extensive email and Skype communications spanning May 2017 to June 2019. Drokova served as publicist coordinating media and PR for Epstein, connected him with scientists and tech figures, and discussed organizational planning including project criteria and legal structures. (d-30743, d-31641, efta-02547475, efta-efta01612654, sd-11-EFTA02212936)

Lesley Groffprofessional

Lesley Groff (Epstein's assistant) was CC'd on email chains involving Drokova and Epstein, indicating Drokova's integration into Epstein's inner operational circle. (efta-02537547)

Martin Nowakprofessional

Drokova coordinated with Harvard professor Martin Nowak on PR/media work related to Epstein's science funding. She questioned Nowak about specifics of Epstein-funded research and potential publications. (d-28617, d-30743, d-29534, kaggle-ho-026752)

Joi Itosocial

Epstein described Joi Ito to Drokova as 'the head of MIT media lab... he is the pinnacle,' indicating Epstein used Drokova as a conduit for his network involving Ito. (efta-02574453)

Robert Triversprofessional

Robert Trivers was included in an email chain with Drokova and Epstein regarding questions for an article about Epstein's science funding. (d-33087, d-17785)

Steven Sinofsky forwarded a story about Drokova's experience with sexism in venture capital to Epstein, indicating awareness of the Drokova-Epstein connection. (d-36484, d-33222)

Alan Dershowitz is referenced in the same FBI CHS reporting document (FD-1023) that discusses Drokova, in the context of information about improper influence over the electoral process. (efta-efta00090314)

Timeline(29 events)

Scheduled appointment with Jeffrey Epstein; Yury noted as her assistant

2017-06-24efta-02645006

Email from Epstein to Drokova about weekend plans, marked confidential

2017-06-28efta-02646359

Drokova emails Epstein asking him to contact her when free

2017-07-09efta-02644814

Drokova tells Epstein she has 'additional ideas' and asks for his feedback

2017-07-20d-30743

Drokova confirms meeting Martin Nowak and offers to schedule PR call

2017-07-25d-29534

Email chain coordinating media outreach for science funding story; reference to Moscow Skype contact in communication with Nowak

2017-07-30d-31641

Drokova coordinates with Epstein on pitching story about Trump science funding cuts to major media outlets

2017-08-07d-28617

Drokova asks Martin Nowak about specifics of Epstein-funded research and potential publications in Nature/Science

2017-08-24d-33087

Epstein emails Drokova and Robert Trivers with questions for a Huffington Post article about his science donations amid Trump budget cuts

2017-09-10efta-02627229

Epstein responds positively to Drokova about 'science in Trump time' media project

2017-09-30efta-02597094

Email exchange about press matters between Drokova and Epstein

2017-10-14efta-02582527

Email exchange; Drokova responds about 'progress'

2017-10-17efta-02579612

Discussion about multiple locations including reference to R and LA

2017-10-28efta-02574453

Epstein tells Drokova that Joi Ito is 'the head of MIT media lab... he is the pinnacle'

2017-12-14efta-02547475

Drokova discusses with Epstein: project criteria, advisory board composition, and right legal structure for an entity

2017-12-24efta-02555642

Brief email exchange between Drokova and Epstein

2018-01-12efta-02540506

Serguei Beloussov connected to Epstein through Drokova's introduction; Beloussov expresses eagerness to connect

2018-01-13efta-02540089

Drokova tells Epstein the connection has been made, noting the person has been investing/building in quantum technologies for 10+ years

2018-01-18efta-02537547

Email chain CC'd to Lesley Groff, Eugenia Goryacheva, Drokova, and Epstein about a connection

2018-02-08efta-02529047

Drokova and Epstein exchange scheduling emails; she proposes visiting February 17-18

2018-03-08efta-02508633

Epstein tells Drokova he will be 'there the 27th'; planning March meeting

Drokova asks if Epstein will be in New York March 27, 28-30

2018-06-06efta-02645029

Drokova asks Epstein 'where in the world are you?' and says she is in New York

2018-06-26efta-02515807

Drokova shares 'the next big thing in data storage' -- a company her fund invested in -- with Epstein

2018-08-27efta-02626197

Multiple emails exchanged between Drokova and Epstein including discussion about introducing 'Nellie'

2018-09-03efta-02624942

Drokova sends introduction email connecting 'Nellie' and Jeffrey Epstein, describing both as 'one of the most amazing, talented'

Skype chat: Drokova sends (later deleted) message to Epstein: 'Hi Jeffrey! How was your meeting with...' -- one of the last documented communications before his July 2019 arrest

FBI CHS (Confidential Human Source) provides information about Drokova in the context of investigation into improper domestic or foreign influence over U.S. electoral process; contact via encrypted messaging app

FBI internal email discusses sharing information from investigation (Sentinel Case 245H-WF-2182018) with Secret Service regarding POTUS security; references Draper hiring Drokova as publicist and mentions US sanctions against Russia

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 (20)

Showing 10 of 20 emails. View all →

Schedule (4)

2017-09-18 to 2019-06-24 · 1 entries verified across multiple documents

2017-09-1812:30appointment

Appt w/Masha Drokova

2017-09-1812:30appointment5 sources

Appointment with Masha Drokova

2019-06-2414:15meeting

Meeting between Jeffrey Epstein and Masha Drokova

2019-06-2414:15meeting

Meeting arranged between Jeffrey Epstein and Masha Drokova

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