US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack Says Epstein Built Wealth and Influence Through Ties to Israel

Newly released documents from the US Department of Justice's Epstein Files, which contain a massive trove of emails, texts, and internal material tied to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, have renewed scrutiny of his decades-long network of powerful figures.

One of the most discussed figures in the files is Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, whose association with Epstein stretches back years.

Barrack and Epstein's Long-Standing Correspondence

​According to CBS News, Barrack maintained regular, close contact with Epstein for years after Epstein's conviction for soliciting a minor.

The analysis, which is based on 100 texts and email exchanges from the DOJ files recently made public, describes Barrack and Epstein as part of a circle of wealthy and influential figures who continued to socialise long after the latter's criminal activities became widely known.

​Billionaire real-estate investor Barrack was also US President Donald Trump's longtime adviser, and also served as a prominent fundraiser for Trump's 2016 campaign before he was appointed ambassador. His correspondence with Epstein occurred both before and after his involvement in presidential politics.

​CBS News reports there is no proof of Barrack participating in or having knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities. The correspondence appears to reflect social ties rather than involvement in wrongdoing.

​Connections Involving Israeli Figures and Interests

​Alongside Barrack's interaction with Jeffrey Epstein, the files and related reporting have also rekindled scrutiny of Epstein's connections with former Israeli officials and businesses.

​In an Al Jazeera report in February, Les Wexner's name appears on financial and communications documents in the Epstein files. He admitted to being naive and too trusting, saying, 'I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a con man. And while I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.'

​Lex Wexner, the retail conglomerate behind brands like Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, is placed at the heart of Epstein's network. His considerable fortune helped provide Epstein with a gateway to international power circles, including connections to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

​After meeting Epstein in the mid-1980s, Wexner entrusted him with substantial financial authority, giving him power of attorney over assets and placing him in leadership roles in his philanthropic foundation. He served as a Wexner Foundation trustee and as the Wexner-affiliated property companies' president, per Al Jazeera.

​Through the foundation, Epstein was introduced to Israeli leaders, including Barak, and paid for research and projects that kept these connections active. Wexner's support was key in giving Epstein a path into Israel's political and social circles.

Richard Kahn's Testimony

​Epstein's longtime accountant Richard Kahn recently testified to House lawmakers that although he didn't know of Epstein's crimes, he outlined how Epstein earned his wealth over the years, noting that Epstein 'made hundreds of millions of dollars... and struck up friendships with some of the world's most powerful men,' per NBC New York.

​During questioning, lawmakers also revealed that Epstein had financial connections to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. The testimony established that Epstein maintained financial ties with Barak.

​Reports show that Epstein's reach extended into diverse circles, including business and diplomatic communities tied to Israel.