Following the last batch of documents released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R.4405), it became clear that Jeffrey Epstein sought to access influential figures within the automotive sector. It also appears that he had some success.
While Epstein attempting to court people tied to the auto industry isn’t new information, the rolling release of the documents (at least those that have been unclassified) pertaining to the criminal investigation yielded some fresh hits earlier this year. More names surfaced in January, as part of the latest batch of released documents.
Due to the dense nature of the files — there are presently about 3.5 million pages of records related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act — progress has been extremely slow. However, several executives had been identified by February and the Detroit Free Press just published an article naming a few more. This encouraged us to likewise grab a shovel and dig in.
Among the alleged targets were Stellantis Chairman and Exor CEO John Elkann as well as Exor Director Axel Dumas. However, there doesn’t appear to be any evidence that Elkann or Dumas had any significant dealings with Epstein. But there were a few instances in the Justice Department's files where a representative of Dumas that told Epstein that he would "be delighted" to meet with him and Ariane de Rothschild. That initial meeting appears to have been rejected, with an alternate time being suggested.
Based upon our own research, most of the relevant documents appear to be from Epstein's preexisting associates attempting to establish how best to approach these individuals. A spokesperson for Dumas categorically denied contact between the men, whereas representatives of Elkann declined to comment on the matter entirely.
Things are much clearer with Eduardo Teodorani-Fabbri, who was a former board member at Maserati and is related to the Agnelli family that founded Fiat and owns Exor. He was also employed as the director of Exor until 2015, held a seat at Exor’s largest investor, Giovanni Agnelli BV, sat on the board of several other automotive-related businesses, and even served as the chairman of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the United Kingdom until February.
It appears that Teodorani-Fabbri abandoned most of his prominent roles earlier this year, right around the time the United States Department of Justice released numerous files of him contacting Epstein via his official email account at CNH Industrial — a Dutch multinational corporation and subsidiary of Exor, based in the UK.
The emails are extremely bizarre. Teodorani-Fabbri frequently references Epstein as “master” and he typically takes a subservient tone. Keep in mind this is from a man who is supposed to be part of a family automotive dynasty worth an estimated $14 billion.
Some of the letters aren’t even from Teodorani-Fabbri, instead sent by CNH employees attempting to schedule meetings between the men at one of Epstein’s several estates. Visitations looked to have taken place at the ranch in New Mexico and mansion in New York. Were it not for the scandal surrounding those locations, they’d just be viewed as normal business emails.
Several emails likewise appear to be referencing the Italian executive indirectly as a possible avenue for Epstein to gain access to Elkann via the Agnelli family. But these may also be about Tobias Brown, the managing director at UCL Asia who later became Chief Investment Officer for Exor.
Others, sent by Teodorani-Fabbri himself, include statements about the men asking to be introduced to various women. One of these includes Eduardo telling Epstein that he wanted to bring Italian actress Pilar Fogliati to his so-called master. There were likewise mentions of Epstein potentially setting up opportunities to meet with Woody Allen and Bill Gates, something which similarly appears to have been offered to Dumas. Interspersed in these more casual discussions were lewd messages (some including photos) about interacting with young women.
In terms of business dealings, it’s hard to determine exactly what the duo were getting out of the relationship. Epstein was known to have trafficked women (including minors) for influential moguls, likely as part of a large-scale blackmail and intelligence gathering operation. In 2018, Epstein allegedly appears to have requested that an associate of his tour the Ferrari factory. There are also several exchanges between the duo, starting in 2012, about investments in North Dakota. Teodorani-Fabbri also asked to make use of Jeffrey’s private plane on at least one occasion.
Epstein allegedly also received a sweet deal on a new Maserati in 2011, making it one of the earlier recorded interactions between the men. In the relevant message, Epstein was told that he could have any model he wanted at the invoice price — with an example being given that knocked off roughly $15,000.
Based on the publicly available Epstein files, released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Teodorani-Fabbri is mentioned hundreds of times from 2010 onwards.
It appears that Teodorani-Fabbri had much more influence to throw around prior to the FCA-PSA merger that created Stellantis, which makes sense considering his familial ties to Fiat. However, claiming that his influence within the industry evaporated after the merger would be ridiculous and likely doesn’t matter since Stellantis wasn’t even formed until two years after Epstein mysteriously died in police custody.
The assumption was that Epstein wanted to use Teodorani-Fabbri as a possible inroad to sway the automotive industry and make additional business contacts. Granted, the man had a clear interest in high-end vehicles. But there are additional cases of him trying to invest in the automotive sector or court the relevant business magnates.
For example, Epstein sent Bernie Ecclestone (former racing driver and founder of the Formula One Group) care packages as early as 2001 and referenced him during an attempt to purchase Silverstone racetrack. Lawrence Stroll (executive chairman of Aston Martin and F1 team boss) also received gifts from around that time. However, there’s a bit more evidence Stroll may have had direct contact. A letter between Epstein’s partner Ghislaine Maxwell and Stroll’s ex-wife, Claire-Anne, apologizing for not being able to visit their now-infamous private island in the Caribbean.
Formula One names actually feature heavily in the Epstein files. Former driver Eddie Irvine was mentioned by Maxwell in 2003, Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore exchanged numerous cordial emails with Epstein from 2005 to 2010, and Former FIA president Jean Todt wrote to Epstein in 2017 to say that it was nice to meet him.
He was also extremely interested in the arrest of Carlos Ghosn, the former auto executive who served as chairman and CEO of Renault, chairman of AvtoVAZ, chairman and CEO of Nissan, and chairman of Mitsubishi Motors. He also ran Michelin North America for a time. There are numerous emails of Epstein asking Ghosn’s legal team for updates on the case. He also alleged that Mr. Ghosn was of low moral standing, which is kind of wild considering the source of that statement.
None of those can be considered egregious exchanges indicative of criminal wrongdoing. But they do showcase how plugged into the automotive sphere Epstein and company happened to be. Considering the kind of contacts he had in other industries, in addition to politics, it’s reasonable to assume either had or wanted to expand his sphere of influence in vehicle manufacturing and motorsport.
[Images: daily_creativity/Shutterstock; US Department of Justice]
via Autobuzz Today
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