Wilbur Ross
Former Commerce Secretary listed in Epstein's black book
Also known as: Wilbur Louis Ross Jr.
Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and billionaire investor who appeared in Epstein's black book. Part of the Palm Beach social scene where Epstein operated. No allegations of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein have been made.
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Wilbur Ross 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
Wilbur Louis Ross Jr. is an American billionaire investor and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce (2017-2021). He built his career in distressed-asset investing, founding W.L. Ross & Company, and became known as a restructuring specialist. He served as an economic adviser to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign before being nominated and confirmed as Commerce Secretary. His firm, WL Ross Holding Corp, was a major SPAC underwritten by Deutsche Bank Securities, and Ross served as Chairman and CEO with over 40 years of private equity and restructuring experience [sd-10-EFTA01369722]. He also became Chairman of public company Nexeo after a deal facilitated through his investment vehicle [efta-efta01369727].
Ross was a prominent figure in the overlapping worlds of New York and Palm Beach high finance and high society. He was listed as an economic adviser to the Trump campaign alongside Peter Navarro, Larry Kudlow, and Stephen Moore [d-17221, d-25566], and was later named by Steve Bannon as a key figure in the administration's 'economic nationalism' agenda alongside Steven Mnuchin, Robert Lighthizer, Peter Navarro, and Stephen Miller [kaggle-ho-019984]. He was also vice-chairman of the Bank of Cyprus, a position that attracted scrutiny regarding alleged links to Russian financial interests [kaggle-ho-031681].
Ross appeared in Jeffrey Epstein's black book with four phone numbers and was part of the Palm Beach social scene where Epstein operated. He was observed socializing with Epstein after Epstein's release from Florida community control [kaggle-ho-021090]. No allegations of criminal wrongdoing in connection with Epstein have been made against Ross.
Epstein Connection
Wilbur Ross appeared in Jeffrey Epstein's black book with four listed phone numbers. He was identified as part of Epstein's social circle in reporting about 'Epstein's Society Friends' who continued to socialize with Epstein after his release from Florida community control [kaggle-ho-021090]. Multiple Deutsche Bank internal documents list Ross and Epstein together on what appear to be client or prospect lists for the 'Quintessentially Platinum' service, alongside names such as Barry Sternlicht, Loeb, Merkin, and Burkle [efta-efta01479062, efta-efta01479101, efta-efta01479122, efta-efta01460914, efta-01479062]. An email recovered in the case files describes an event attended by many wealthy individuals, listing Ross among them [efta-efta02002611, efta-efta01858002]. Ross also appeared on a Deutsche Bank client pipeline list [efta-efta01478894, efta-efta01478857]. These documents suggest overlapping financial and social networks but do not establish any participation in or knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities.
Key Allegations(6)
Ross was part of Epstein's social circle and was seen socializing with Epstein shortly after Epstein's release from Florida community control.
allegedRoss appeared in Epstein's black book with four phone numbers.
documentedRoss and Epstein were listed together on Deutsche Bank internal client/prospect lists for a 'Quintessentially Platinum' service alongside other high-net-worth individuals.
documentedRoss served as vice-chairman of the Bank of Cyprus, which was alleged to be involved in Russian money-laundering, and the bank's chairman was the former CEO of Deutsche Bank, to which Trump allegedly owed money.
allegedA former senior advisor to Ross at the Commerce Department was hired as chief of International Corporate Affairs for Chinese firm HNA following the ZTE settlement.
allegedThe U.S. House voted to hold Ross in criminal contempt for failing to provide documents related to the Trump administration (census citizenship question).
documentedLegal Status
Wilbur Ross appears in Epstein's black book and in multiple case-related documents, primarily Deutsche Bank internal records. He was named as a defendant in a shareholder derivative action against Ocwen Financial board members [dc-3418954]. The U.S. House voted to hold Ross in criminal contempt regarding the census citizenship question [efta-efta00045963]. No criminal charges related to the Epstein case have been brought against Ross.
Key Relationships(7)
Ross and Epstein appeared together on Deutsche Bank client/prospect lists [efta-efta01479062, efta-efta01479101, efta-efta01460914]. Ross was described as part of Epstein's social circle and was seen socializing with Epstein after his release from Florida community control [kaggle-ho-021090]. Ross appeared in Epstein's black book with four phone numbers.
Ross served as an economic adviser to Trump's 2016 campaign [d-17221, d-25566] and was subsequently appointed U.S. Secretary of Commerce (2017-2021). Named by Steve Bannon as a key figure in the administration's economic nationalism agenda [kaggle-ho-019984]. Present with Trump at Mar-a-Lago [d-35375, kaggle-ho-014866].
Ross and Leon Black were both described as socializing with Epstein after his release from Florida community control [kaggle-ho-021090].
Ross attended a lunch hosted by David Koch in Palm Beach for approximately 70 guests, including nine Republican governors and figures such as Pataki, Giuliani, and Donald Trump [kaggle-ho-032219].
Ross and Stephen Schwarzman were both present at a Four Seasons breakfast with Ivanka Trump, Nancy Pelosi, Vernon Jordan, and others [kaggle-ho-019943].
Ross appears in documents related to the Ghislaine Maxwell case through overlapping Deutsche Bank records and Epstein social network references [efta-efta01479062, kaggle-ho-021090].
Ross and Steven Mnuchin were both named as key figures in the Trump administration's economic nationalism agenda by Steve Bannon [kaggle-ho-019984].
Timeline(5 events)
Listed as an economic adviser to Trump's presidential campaign alongside Peter Navarro, Larry Kudlow, and Stephen Moore; cited as a potential cabinet nominee.
Named as a defendant in a shareholder derivative action related to Ocwen Financial.
Present at a Four Seasons breakfast alongside Ivanka Trump, Nancy Pelosi, Stephen Schwarzman, Vernon Jordan, and other political and business elite.
Trump administration approved ZTE settlement; Ross's former senior advisor subsequently hired by Chinese firm HNA.
U.S. House voted to hold Ross in criminal contempt for failing to provide documents related to the census citizenship question.
At a Glance
Click values for sourcesSources
1 source for black book status
Epstein's Black Book
“Listed with 4 phone numbers in the contact directory seized by authorities”
Activity Timeline
External Cross-Check
Search ICIJ Offshore Leaks, OFAC Sanctions, SEC EDGAR, and Federal Courts
Offshore Connections (1)
Cross-referenced against the ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database (814K+ entities from Panama Papers, Paradise Papers, Pandora Papers, and Bahamas Leaks). Matches are based on name similarity and do not imply wrongdoing.
Ross, Jr. - Wilbur Louis
Document Mentions
Email Mentions (6)
Re:
I wish I had a reason to go to Paris this weekend. I am headed to LA now for two events and meetings. Back late Friday. I am thrilled we got my money.
Re:
I wish I had a reason to go to Paris this weekend. I am headed to LA now for two events and meetings. Back late Friday. I am thrilled we got my money.
RE: Daily Beast
You are mentioned ! Jeffrey Epstein's Society Friends Close Ranks by Alexandra Wolfe Alexandra Wolfe is a former contributing editor to Conde Nast
Private equity has direct line to new administration
Private equity has direct line to new administration Jan. 19, 2017 12:05 PM ET1By: Stephen Alpher, SA News Editor There's not just Wilbur Ross who w
None
That Russian oligarch who spent that money on that property and never moved into it and ultimately tore it down, he's also a large shareholder in a b
Re:
I wish I had a reason to go to Paris this weekend. I am headed to LA now for two events and meetings. Back late Friday. I am thrilled we got my money.
This dossier on Wilbur Ross was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.