Served as a trustee for one of Jeffrey Epstein's foundations, signed his famous 'birthday book'
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William Elkus 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
William S. Elkus is a venture capital professional associated with Clearstone Venture Partners, a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm. His email domain in documents appears as clearstone.com, and a separate document references a 'Clearstone Online Gaming Fund' as a private and confidential investment vehicle. Elkus operated professionally out of both Los Angeles and New York, based on phone and meeting coordination reflected in the evidence.
Elkus served as a co-trustee alongside Jeffrey Epstein and Mark Epstein for a trust entity known as 'Epstein Interests DTD 12/26/91,' established on December 26, 1991. This trust maintained financial accounts at Bear Stearns at 457 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022. The trust's portfolio values, as reflected in multiple Bear Stearns statements from the early 2000s, ranged from approximately $620,000 to over $1.9 million.
Email correspondence shows Elkus maintained a social and professional relationship with Jeffrey Epstein spanning at least from March 2011 through August 2016, well after Epstein's 2008 conviction. Communications included arranging in-person meetings, requesting fashion industry contacts, discussing Epstein's foundation website, and facilitating introductions with international business figures.
Epstein Connection
William Elkus had a documented dual-track connection to Jeffrey Epstein: (1) a formal fiduciary role as co-trustee of the 'Epstein Interests DTD 12/26/91' trust, which held financial accounts at Bear Stearns alongside Jeffrey Epstein and Mark Epstein; and (2) a longstanding personal/social relationship evidenced by years of direct email correspondence. Elkus communicated with Epstein through his personal email and through Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff. Their exchanges spanned topics including fashion week access, Epstein's foundation website, meetings in New York, and introductions to international figures such as Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. Elkus also appeared on Epstein's mailing and contact lists.
Key Allegations(6)
Elkus served as a co-trustee of 'Epstein Interests DTD 12/26/91,' a trust entity that maintained financial accounts at Bear Stearns alongside Jeffrey Epstein and Mark Epstein.
documentedElkus maintained direct email correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein from at least March 2011 through August 2016, including arranging in-person meetings in New York.
documentedElkus requested fashion week contacts and show access from Epstein in August-September 2012.
documentedElkus pointed out issues with the Jeffrey Epstein Foundation website and suggested changes in April 2012.
documentedElkus facilitated introductions between Epstein and international business contacts including Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Yusuf Bukhari in 2014-2016.
documentedElkus appeared on Epstein's mailing and contact lists.
documentedLegal Status
William Elkus appears extensively in EFTA (Epstein Financial Trust/Account) documents as a co-trustee and correspondent. No charges, investigations, or legal proceedings involving Elkus are reflected in the available evidence.
Notable Statements(7)
“Lesley, sorry I can't in the next hour. Is her no longer available at 6:30 East Coast time?”
“Hi Jeffrey! Any fashion week suggestions for us? I asked Eva she doesn”
“Jeffrey, they got their schedules filled and were able to get into shows, but thanks.”
“Jeffrey, I was with Deepak”
“I am well and so is everyone in my family. Sophie”
“thanks, sultan is the guy that built the palm islands”
“Lesley, thanks for arranging the call. All went well”
Key Relationships(7)
Co-trustee of 'Epstein Interests DTD 12/26/91' trust with accounts at Bear Stearns at 457 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York. Multiple financial statements from 2001-2002 list 'EPSTEIN & WILLIAM ELKUS TTEES' as account holders alongside Jeffrey Epstein and Mark Epstein. [efta-efta01320343, efta-efta00195416, efta-efta00195371, efta-efta00195303, efta-efta00194979, efta-efta00195038]
Extensive direct email correspondence from 2011-2016 including arranging meetings, discussing fashion week, foundation website, and international business contacts. [efta-efta02191107, efta-efta01874396, efta-efta01883820, efta-efta01905934, efta-efta01784264]
Mark Epstein (Mark L.) listed alongside William Elkus as co-trustees of 'Epstein Interests DTD 12/26/91' on Bear Stearns account statements. [efta-efta01320343, efta-01320297, efta-01320537, efta-efta00195416]
Lesley Groff, Epstein's assistant, facilitated phone calls and communications between Elkus and Epstein. [efta-efta02191107, efta-efta02191078, efta-efta01798797, efta-efta01836451]
Elkus referenced asking 'Eva' for fashion week suggestions in the same email chain where he sought Epstein's help. [efta-efta01874396]
Elkus copied Sultan Bin Sulayem on email correspondence with Epstein regarding Yusuf Bukhari in August 2016. Epstein noted Sultan 'is the guy that built the palm islands.' [efta-efta01784198, efta-efta01920148]
Elkus mentioned being with Deepak Chopra in an August 2016 email to Epstein. [efta-efta01784198]
Timeline(18 events)
Trust entity 'Epstein Interests DTD 12/26/91' established, with Jeffrey Epstein, Mark L. Epstein, and William Elkus serving as trustees.
Bear Stearns financial statements for 'Epstein Interests' trust show portfolio activity with Elkus as trustee. Statement period May 26-June 29, 2001.
Bear Stearns statement shows 'Epstein Interests' trust net equity of $1,916,563 for December 2001 period.
Bear Stearns statement shows 'Epstein Interests' trust net equity of $935,778 for November-December 2002 period.
Email exchange between Elkus and Epstein. Epstein asks 'are you awake?' referencing Elkus's cell number.
Lesley Groff emails Elkus at Clearstone Venture Partners to arrange a phone call with Jeffrey Epstein.
Elkus provides cell number (310-422-1148) to coordinate call with Epstein; later confirms 'the call went well.'
Elkus emails Epstein about issues with the Jeffrey Epstein Foundation website. Epstein responds asking when Elkus will next be in New York.
Elkus responds to Epstein that he has no active plans for New York but will let him know.
Elkus emails Epstein requesting fashion week suggestions, mentioning he asked Eva (Andersson-Dubin).
Elkus sends Epstein a 'dream list of top shows' for fashion week, described as 'probably the most difficult ones.'
Elkus reports to Epstein that schedules were filled and they were able to get into fashion shows, thanking him.
Email exchange: Elkus asks 'are you in New York?' Epstein replies he is in the Caribbean and asks if Elkus will be at TED (conference).
Elkus asks Epstein 'are you in New York on Monday?' Epstein responds 'Not until 24th.'
Elkus emails Epstein about meeting on March 12, forwarded to scheduling.
Elkus and Epstein coordinate meeting time, settling on 5pm. Epstein responds 'tremendous...see you then!'
Elkus reports writing a 'full reply' to someone; Epstein references 'Sultan' as 'the guy that built the palm islands.'
Elkus emails Epstein with Sultan Bin Sulayem and Yusuf Bukhari copied, mentioning being with Deepak Chopra. Reports family is well, mentions someone named Sophie.
At a Glance
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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.
William
Document Mentions
This dossier on William Elkus was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.