Reid Weingarten
Defense attorney who represented Epstein in 2008 plea deal
Prominent defense attorney at Steptoe & Johnson who represented Jeffrey Epstein during the original 2007-2008 plea negotiations. Also represented other high-profile clients in white-collar cases.
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Reid Weingarten appears in records associated with Jeffrey Epstein, including flight logs, contact lists, or legal documents. Appearance in these records does not imply any wrongdoing or criminal conduct. Many individuals had legitimate professional or social interactions.
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
Reid Weingarten is a prominent American white-collar criminal defense attorney and partner at the law firm Steptoe & Johnson LLP, based in Washington, D.C. He is recognized as one of the most prominent defense lawyers in the United States, with extensive experience handling high-profile federal criminal cases. In a published interview, Weingarten identified the Southern District of New York as the most formidable federal prosecutor's office and discussed his experience with the DOJ Criminal Division, Public Integrity Section, and Fraud Section (d-16753).
Weingarten's career has involved representation of numerous high-profile clients in white-collar and federal criminal matters. He was reported by both the Washington Post and Bloomberg News as a candidate for prominent legal roles, including potentially serving as outside counsel to President Trump (d-15277, d-16887) and as potential legal counsel for Jared Kushner (d-16576, d-19410). His name also arose in connection with a possible representation of Michael Flynn, with an email noting a decision point about 'whether or not to take Flynn' (d-18177, d-25160).
Weingarten served as Jeffrey Epstein's defense attorney during Epstein's 2019 federal prosecution in the Southern District of New York (Case No. 19-cr-00490). In that capacity, he argued for Epstein's pretrial release before Judge Richard M. Berman, filed multiple motions and bail submissions, and ultimately filed a notice of appeal to the Second Circuit after Epstein was denied bail (d-1765, d-7834, d-473, d-6542). Documentary evidence also reveals an extensive personal and professional email correspondence between Weingarten and Epstein spanning at least from 2012 to early 2019, well beyond the scope of typical attorney-client communications about pending litigation.
Epstein Connection
Reid Weingarten served as Jeffrey Epstein's lead defense attorney in the 2019 federal sex trafficking case (United States v. Jeffrey Epstein, 19-cr-00490-RMB) in the Southern District of New York. He authored letters to Judge Richard M. Berman arguing for Epstein's pretrial release, citing Epstein's ties to the United States, compliance with sex offender registration, and the allegedly local nature of the conduct (d-1765, d-7834). He filed a notice of appeal to the Second Circuit after Epstein was remanded on July 18, 2019 (d-473, d-6542). Beyond formal legal representation, extensive email correspondence reveals a long-standing personal relationship. Weingarten and Epstein exchanged emails from at least October 2012 through January 2019, discussing current events, political figures, news articles, scheduling personal meetings and breakfasts, and making cryptic references to high-profile individuals including Clinton, Richardson, Gates, Michael Cohen, David Pecker, and Michael Flynn (d-23514, d-17261, d-22357, d-18177, d-32394, d-34654, d-20030). Weingarten appeared in Epstein's black book with four phone numbers listed.
Key Allegations(10)
Weingarten served as Jeffrey Epstein's defense attorney in the 2019 federal sex trafficking case and argued for pretrial release before Judge Richard M. Berman
documentedWeingarten filed a notice of appeal to the Second Circuit on Epstein's behalf after bail was denied on July 18, 2019
documentedWeingarten maintained extensive personal email correspondence with Epstein from at least 2012 through early 2019, well beyond typical attorney-client communications about pending litigation
documentedWeingarten and Epstein exchanged emails containing cryptic references to 'wild bill c', 'Richardson', 'Gates', and a 'Jackson shitshow'
documentedBloomberg reporter Greg Farrell told Weingarten that 'Jared wants you as his atty,' and Weingarten forwarded this message to Jeffrey Epstein
documentedWeingarten discussed with Epstein a decision about 'whether or not to take Flynn' alongside a Politico article about Alexander Acosta, Trump, and Epstein's plea
documentedWeingarten emailed Epstein that Michael Cohen was 'just beginning to make trouble' and Epstein asked about David Pecker's status, with a reference to Mizrahi Bank hiring interest
documentedWeingarten was contacted by the Washington Post about potentially being selected as Trump's outside counsel, and forwarded this inquiry to Epstein
documentedWeingarten referenced an SDNY matter in a cryptic exchange with Epstein in January 2019, including mention of a 'new guy' who could 'only shoot blanks'
documentedLegal Status
Reid Weingarten served as Jeffrey Epstein's defense attorney in Case No. 19-cr-00490-RMB in the Southern District of New York. He appeared as counsel of record, authored bail submissions, filed motions, and filed a notice of appeal. He is not charged, investigated, or identified as a subject in any criminal matter in the provided documents.
Notable Statements(4)
“Anything surprise you?”
“Bannon won...tax code fucks rich people”
“you seemed to imply that your new guy could only shoot blanks? ifthats so. its meaningless. sdny is waiting their turn”
“whether or not to take flynn”
Contradictions(2)
Weingarten stated he was not discussing Russia/Trump/Comey matters on or off the record when asked by a Bloomberg reporter about potentially representing Jared Kushner
Weingarten forwarded the very same message from Bloomberg reporter Greg Farrell -- which stated 'Jared wants you as his atty' -- directly to Jeffrey Epstein's personal email, suggesting he was sharing such inquiries with Epstein despite claiming discretion
Attorney-client privilege and confidentiality disclaimers were repeatedly appended to Weingarten's emails, asserting communications were privileged and confidential
The email exchanges between Weingarten and Epstein frequently discussed third-party matters unrelated to Epstein's legal representation, including political gossip, news articles about Trump, references to other potential clients like Flynn and Kushner, and commentary on figures like Michael Cohen and David Pecker, suggesting the relationship extended well beyond attorney-client matters
Key Relationships(11)
Weingarten served as Epstein's defense attorney in the 2019 federal case 19-cr-00490-RMB, filing bail submissions, motions, and a notice of appeal (d-1765, d-473, d-6542, d-7834)
Extensive personal email correspondence from 2012 to 2019, including scheduling breakfasts/meetings, sharing news articles, and discussing political figures, suggesting a relationship beyond legal representation (d-23514, d-21540, d-32394, d-22357, d-34654)
Weingarten corresponded with and appeared before Judge Richard M. Berman in the Epstein case, submitting bail arguments and other motions (d-1765, d-7834, d-1148, d-7217)
Martin Weinberg co-appeared as defense counsel with Weingarten in the Epstein case, sharing 160 documents in common (d-6762, d-6511)
Darren Indyke, Epstein's attorney/associate, appeared in an email chain where Weingarten's forwarded message about the WaPo Trump outside counsel story was shared (d-16887)
Multiple emails between Weingarten and Epstein discussed Trump-related news articles, including Trump tax stories, Trump mental health articles, allegations involving Trump and Epstein, and the potential role of Trump's outside counsel (d-21737, d-27676, d-19042, d-15277)
Cryptic email reference to 'wild bill c' in context of discussing Clinton, Richardson, and Gates with Epstein (d-23514, d-17261)
Reference to 'Richardson' in cryptic email chain with Epstein discussing New York meetings (d-23514, d-17261)
Reference to 'Gates' in cryptic email chain with Epstein (d-23514, d-17261)
Weingarten shared a Politico article linking Alexander Acosta, Trump, and Epstein's plea deal in an email to Epstein (d-18177, d-25160)
Weingarten's filings in the Epstein case are referenced alongside Ghislaine Maxwell case proceedings in compiled court documents (d-1148, d-7217, d-6240, d-7404)
Timeline(19 events)
Weingarten emails Epstein (jeevacation@gmail.com) with cryptic references to 'wild bill c', 'Jackson shitshow', 'Richardson', and 'Gates', discussing a meeting in New York
Weingarten forwards Wall Street Journal article about Turkish President Erdogan and Fethullah Gulen to Epstein
Weingarten forwards Guardian article about Trump lawyers receiving a court date in a rape allegation case involving Epstein to Epstein's email
Weingarten emails Epstein a Daily Mail article alleging a fabricated Trump-Epstein sex-party story
Weingarten emails Epstein about deciding 'whether or not to take Flynn' and shares Politico article linking Acosta, Trump, and Epstein
Weingarten forwards Washington Post inquiry from Ashley Parker about his potential selection as Trump's outside counsel to Epstein
Bloomberg journalist Greg Farrell reaches out to Weingarten seeking DC legal story tips, mentioning 'Bernie E' and Jeffrey Skilling's sentence reduction
Weingarten forwards Bloomberg reporter message stating 'Jared wants you as his atty' to Jeffrey Epstein's personal email
Email exchange between Weingarten and Epstein references Charlie Rose and Brett Ratner
Weingarten emails Epstein: 'Bannon won...tax code fucks rich people'
Epstein sends Weingarten a link to New York Magazine article about Michael Wolff's 'Fire and Fury' book on Trump
Multiple scheduling emails between Weingarten and Epstein arranging a breakfast meeting, with Weingarten traveling from Vancouver; includes link to Daily Beast article about Trump
Weingarten tells Epstein that Michael Cohen is 'just beginning to make trouble'; Epstein asks about David Pecker's status; reference to Mizrahi Bank hiring interest
Epstein emails Weingarten with subject line 'where?' -- message contains only confidentiality notices
Weingarten and Epstein exchange emails about a New York Times story on Trump's taxes; Epstein remarks about owning 'a ltd partnership' and it being 'all legal'
Cryptic BlackBerry exchange between 'J' (likely Epstein) and Weingarten referencing a 'new guy' who 'could only shoot blanks' and that 'sdny is waiting their turn'
Email exchange between Weingarten and 'J' referencing 'Brad' who 'represents SoftBank' and a mention of 'DB'
Judge Richard M. Berman denies Epstein bail and orders remand; Weingarten files notice of appeal to the Second Circuit
Appeal record transmitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
At a Glance
Click values for sourcesSources
3 sources for document mentions
The documents include a letter from Reid Weingarten to Judge Richard M. Berman regarding Jeffrey Eps...
“The documents include a letter from Reid Weingarten to Judge Richard M. Berman regarding Jeffrey Eps”
The document is a letter from Reid Weingarten, Jeffrey Epstein's defense attorney, to Judge Richard ...
“The document is a letter from Reid Weingarten, Jeffrey Epstein's defense attorney, to Judge Richard ”
Jeffrey Epstein, represented by Reid Weingarten, filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court...
“Jeffrey Epstein, represented by Reid Weingarten, filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court”
Sources
1 source for known connections
Co-Document Mentions
“Named alongside other network members in 3 documents”
Sources
1 source for black book status
Epstein's Black Book
“Listed with 4 phone numbers in the contact directory seized by authorities”
Activity Timeline
Known Connections (1)
External Cross-Check
Search ICIJ Offshore Leaks, OFAC Sanctions, SEC EDGAR, and Federal Courts
Document Mentions
Email Mentions (30)
GOP fundraiser Broidy under investigation for alleged effort to sell government influence, people familiar with probe say - The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-fundraiser-broidy-under-inyestigation-for-alleged-effort-to-sell-goyernment-influence-people-familiar-with
(No Subject)
aides have said Ankara would view as hostile any foreign government that gave sanctuary to leaders of the Gulen movement. Turkey hasn't yet made a f
Re: The Anatomy of a Crisis: A Strong Dollar and Disappearing Liquidity | Zero Hedge | Zero Hedge
In recent weeks, prosecutors with the Justice Department’s public integrity section — which examines possible political and government corruption — ha
Re: The Anatomy of a Crisis: A Strong Dollar and Disappearing Liquidity | Zero Hedge | Zero Hedge
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-08-16/anatomy-crisis-strong-dollar-and-disappearing-liquidit even though ari is gay, hard to watch steve rape him
fact checking questions for New York Magazine story
Hi Jeffrey, Sorry for the phone tag. In case it's easier to respond by email, I have put my questions below. I'm at my desk and should be here until
Re:
At cheryl's...sitting with her...watching trump shit...is Google going to happen? Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Re:
You are not in nyc now are you? Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Re:
I will at some point....what time do you leave tomorrow Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Re:
Turns out you were right about sdny but they are "going to wait their turn"... Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Re:
Crim Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Showing 10 of 30 emails. View all →
Schedule (43)
2012-02-15 to 2019-02-16 · 14 entries verified across multiple documents
Breakfast with Reid Weingarten
Breakfast w/Reid Weingarten
Breakfast with Reid Weingarten
Breakfast w/Reid Weingarten
Breakfast with Reid Weingarten
Appt w/Reid Weingarten
Appointment with Reid Weingarten
Breakfast with Reid Weingarten
Appointment with Reid Weingarten
TENTATIVE Appt w/Reid Weingarten
Appointment with Reid Weingarten
Appt w/Reid Weingarten
Appointment with Reid Weingarten (Assistant: Pamela)
Appointment with Reid Weingarten
Appointment with Reid Weingarten
Tentative appointment with Reid Weingarten
TENTATIVE appointment with Reid Weingarten
TENTATIVE Appt w/Reid Weingarten
Appointment with Reid Weingarten (might be cancelled)
MIGHT BE CANCELLED appointment with Reid Weingarten
This dossier on Reid Weingarten was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.