Dossier

Steve Hanson

NYC restaurant mogul (B.R. Guest); email correspondent of Epstein; involved in Kimbal Musk matchmaking

Court Filing

Also known as: Stephen Hanson, Stephen P. Hanson, Shanson900

According to DOJ-released documents indexed by Epstein Exposed, Steve Hanson appears in 0 case documents, and 1 email record in the Epstein files.

New York City restaurant mogul and founder of B.R. Guest Hospitality (est. 1987), which operated prominent NYC restaurants including Ruby Foo's, Blue Water Grill, Dos Caminos, and Strip House. NYU Stern alum (BS '76). Named Bon Appetit Restaurateur of the Year in 2003. Appears in multiple Epstein email exchanges, communicating directly with Epstein under the handle 'Shanson900.'

In a 2015 email to Epstein, Hanson referenced a dinner discussing Putin and Syria, writing 'Last nite was absolutely great.' Most notably, Hanson was involved in Epstein's apparent matchmaking of Kimbal Musk (Elon Musk's brother) with a young woman named Sarah/Jennifer in 2012-2013. When Kimbal ended the relationship in April 2013, Sarah forwarded his breakup email to both Epstein and Hanson for advice. Hanson's response criticized Sarah for giving 'too much too quick' and instructed her to 'Leave NOW. In 1 week we will have a plan for u,' adding 'U have to control this.

It's a game. Your losing. You're not even playing' - language that suggests he was aware of and possibly coordinating the arrangement Epstein was orchestrating. A February 2026 Fortune investigation characterized this as a potential honey trap operation targeting Elon Musk's inner circle. Hanson has not publicly commented on his relationship with Epstein.

Nationality

American

Notable Positions

Founder & CEO, B.R. Guest Hospitality

Black Book

Not listed

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Steve Hanson 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

Medium evidence62% 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

Steve Hanson (Stephen P. Hanson) is an American restaurateur and founder and CEO of B.R. Guest Hospitality, established in 1987, which operated prominent New York City restaurants including Ruby Foo's, Blue Water Grill, Dos Caminos, and Strip House. He is an alumnus of NYU Stern School of Business (BS '76) and was named Bon Appétit Restaurateur of the Year in 2003.

Hanson appears extensively in the Epstein documentary record, with numerous email communications exchanged directly between Hanson and Jeffrey Epstein spanning from at least late 2013 through late 2016. Hanson communicated with Epstein using his own name and also under the handle 'Shanson900.' He was also copied on correspondence involving Epstein's attorney Richard Kahn, and appears in scheduling documents alongside other Epstein associates. Hanson has not publicly commented on his relationship with Epstein.

Epstein Connection

Steve Hanson maintained a direct and sustained email correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein from at least December 2013 through November 2016, as documented in dozens of EFTA (Epstein Files Transparency Act) email records. He emailed Epstein at both his personal name-based addresses and at jeevacation@gmail.com. He also used the alias 'Shanson900' in communications with Epstein. Hanson was CC'd on at least one email from Epstein's attorney Richard Kahn to Epstein. A scheduling document references moving 'Steve' and 'Todd' in relation to a meeting with 'Mort,' suggesting coordination of social or business engagements. The nature of the relationship appears to be social and possibly financial, with email subjects referencing real estate ('320 E 82nd St Letter'), payment memoranda, and topics related to 'will, trusts.'

Key Allegations(9)

Hanson maintained a frequent and sustained direct email correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein from at least December 2013 through November 2016.

documented

Hanson used the email alias 'Shanson900' when communicating with Epstein.

documented

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Hanson was copied on correspondence between Epstein's attorney Richard Kahn and Epstein.

documented

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Hanson communicated with Epstein regarding real estate, specifically referencing '320 E 82nd St Letter.'

documented

efta-efta01739128

Epstein emailed Hanson about topics described as 'will, trusts' in July 2014.

documented

efta-efta01917029

A memorandum authored by Stephen P. Hanson addressed to Barry Sternlicht and Dan Yih regarding 'Payment' was found among Epstein's files.

documented

efta-efta01919402

Hanson was referenced in Epstein's scheduling communications alongside 'Todd' and 'Mort,' with a proposed meeting rescheduling.

documented

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Hanson was referenced in an April 2010 email from Epstein to Brice Gordon mentioning 'steve.'

alleged

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Hanson was allegedly involved in Epstein's apparent matchmaking of Kimbal Musk with a young woman named Sarah/Jennifer in 2012-2013, and provided coaching-style advice when the relationship ended in April 2013.

alleged

Legal Status

named in docs

Steve Hanson appears in numerous EFTA documents as a correspondent and associate of Jeffrey Epstein. He has not been publicly charged, investigated, or identified as a witness or victim in any Epstein-related legal proceedings based on the provided evidence.

Contradictions(1)

Public Claim

Hanson has not publicly commented on or acknowledged any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Documentary Evidence

Dozens of email exchanges between Hanson and Epstein from 2013 through 2016 demonstrate a sustained direct personal correspondence, with Hanson emailing Epstein at multiple addresses including jeevacation@gmail.com. A memorandum in Epstein's files was authored by Hanson, and he was copied on communications with Epstein's attorney Richard Kahn.

efta-efta01943352 efta-efta01793457 efta-efta01737786 efta-efta01934135 efta-efta01919402 efta-efta01782612 efta-efta01799954

Key Relationships(4)

Jeffrey Epsteinsocial

Extensive direct email correspondence between Hanson and Epstein spanning December 2013 to November 2016, with emails sent to multiple Epstein addresses. Topics included real estate, wills/trusts, payments, and social engagements.

Richard Kahnprofessional

Hanson was CC'd on at least one email from Epstein's attorney Richard Kahn to Epstein, suggesting shared involvement in legal or financial matters.

Mort Zuckermansocial

A scheduling email references moving 'Steve & Todd to 2pm' so Epstein could 'make 3pm with Mort at his office,' suggesting overlapping social circles between Hanson and Mort Zuckerman through Epstein.

Brice M. Gordonsocial

An April 2010 email from Epstein to Brice Gordon references 'steve,' possibly Hanson, suggesting a shared social context.

Timeline(25 events)

2010-04-17efta-efta01811539

Jeffrey Epstein emails Brice Gordon with a reference to 'steve,' potentially Steve Hanson.

2013-12-10efta-efta01943352

Jeffrey Epstein sends email to Stephen Hanson.

2013-12-13efta-efta01942249

Jeffrey Epstein sends email (subject includes 'Just back'), with Hanson potentially involved in the exchange.

2013-12-17efta-efta01941910

Jeffrey Epstein sends email to Stephen Hanson.

2014-01-06efta-efta01939307

Jeffrey Epstein sends email to Stephen Hanson (content fragment: 'sorry, it').

2014-03-15efta-efta01929616

Jeffrey Epstein sends email to Stephen Hanson.

2014-04-03efta-efta01928362

Jeffrey Epstein sends email to Stephen Hanson.

2014-04-27efta-efta01929967

Jeffrey Epstein sends email to Stephen Hanson (content fragment: 'lets be').

2014-07-09efta-efta01920720

Jeffrey Epstein sends email to Stephen Hanson.

2014-07-12efta-efta01917267

Jeffrey Epstein sends two emails to Stephen Hanson; one asks 'how many,' another states 'there are.'

2014-07-16efta-efta01917029

Jeffrey Epstein sends two emails to Stephen Hanson; one references 'will, trusts.'

2014-07-24efta-efta01914502

Jeffrey Epstein sends email to Stephen Hanson.

2014-12-15efta-efta01793457