Dossier

Carlos Ghosn

Ghosn illustrates how a major geopolitical corporate event — the arrest of the most powerful automotive executive in the world — activated Epstein's capacity to rapidly gather and distribute non-public information across legal, financial, and corporate channels through shared nodes like Brad Karp at Paul Weiss.

Jeffrey Epstein
51 findings 5 connections 0 entities

Carlos Ghosn Bichara (born March 9, 1954, Porto Velho, Brazil) is a Lebanese-Brazilian-French automotive executive who built his reputation as a turnaround specialist at Michelin North America before leading restructurings at Renault and Nissan that earned him the nickname "Le Cost Killer." As Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, he oversaw one of the largest automotive groups in the world and was pursuing deeper integration with Fiat Chrysler when, on November 19, 2018, he was arrested at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on charges of understating his compensation and misusing corporate funds. On December 29, 2019, Ghosn escaped Japan while on bail, hidden inside an audio equipment case on a private jet bound for Istanbul and then Beirut. He remains a fugitive from Japanese justice, with outstanding arrest warrants in Japan and France, effectively barred from most international travel.

While no direct relationship between Ghosn and Jeffrey Epstein has been documented, Epstein's private correspondence reveals sustained interest in the Ghosn arrest and the broader Renault-Nissan-Fiat Chrysler merger politics that the arrest disrupted. The primary conduit was Brad Karp, chairman of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, who simultaneously served as Ghosn's registered lobbyist and as Epstein's regular correspondent. Karp and Epstein exchanged information on the Ghosn situation from November 2018 through at least January 2019, with Epstein claiming an unnamed source who "had it right from day one" and Karp confirming the assessment after his own visit to Tokyo. Epstein also held a financial position in Renault stock through Southern Financial LLC and maintained decade-long social ties to the Agnelli/Elkann family that controlled Fiat Chrysler, giving him access to information on both sides of the merger equation.

Epstein's Information Gathering After the Arrest

The documented correspondence between Epstein and Brad Karp shows a pattern of information gathering that began within 24 hours of Ghosn's November 19, 2018 arrest. On November 20, Karp informed Epstein he was "dealing with Ghosn crisis" 1. By November 30, Epstein had already gathered enough information to offer Karp a briefing, writing "ghosen info when you like." Karp's reply — "That was quick. On call with DOJ now. Will call right after" — suggests he was surprised by the speed of Epstein's inquiries 2. Epstein characterized his approach with the analogy of "the experienced mechanic vs apprentice — just need to know exactly where to knock."

Simultaneously, Epstein reached out to Tom Pritzker, chairman of Hyatt Hotels. Pritzker traveled to Japan regularly — his company owned the Grand Hyatt Tokyo — making him a natural source on Japanese corporate matters. Epstein wrote Pritzker on November 30, asking "the nissan guy ghosen is being held incommunicado in tokyo, can you ask around re why?" 3. Pritzker responded: "Ghosn thing is weird. Let me see." In the same exchange, Pritzker raised a separate concern about the Miami Herald's investigation of Epstein by Julie K. Brown, published just two days earlier, writing "Read Miami paper. My concern is their intent to drum this into story." Epstein was managing two crises simultaneously, deploying the same network for information on the Ghosn arrest and media strategy for his own legal exposure.

The most intriguing element is Epstein's unidentified source. On December 26, 2018, Epstein emailed Karp that "my guy had it right from day one" regarding Ghosn 4. Karp, who had just returned from a personal visit to Tokyo for the Ghosn case, validated the assessment with "Your guy totally had it right" 5. The phrase "from day one" indicates this source had been providing information since the arrest itself, and Karp's confirmation suggests it was substantive enough to be tested against his own findings on the ground.

In late January 2019, Epstein pursued a concentrated round of inquiries over 72 hours from Paris. On January 24, he offered Karp an update on multiple topics including Ghosn, providing a French phone number (011 331 441 70210). Two days later, he told Karp that Ghosn was "a very very not good guy" — Karp replied "Indeed" — and then asked whether Karp represented Rajeev Misra, CEO of SoftBank Vision Fund. Karp confirmed: "Sort of. Spoke to him yesterday" 6, connecting Epstein's Ghosn inquiries to the broader Japanese-Saudi investment nexus. On January 28, Epstein emailed Eduardo Teodorani-Fabbri asking about "Allesandro benedetti?" 7, linking the Agnelli family side of the automotive merger triangle. Epstein was physically positioned in Paris, close to Renault's headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt and to the French government actors whose approval any merger required.

The Renault-Nissan-Fiat Chrysler Merger Triangle

Ghosn's arrest did not occur in an industrial vacuum. As Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, he had been pursuing deeper integration between the two companies and was in active discussions with John Elkann, chairman of Exor NV and the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, about adding FCA to the alliance. A meeting between Ghosn and Elkann was reportedly scheduled for January 2019 to finalize terms. The November 2018 arrest prevented that meeting and permanently disrupted the merger timeline. By May 2019, with Ghosn removed, FCA approached Renault directly with a proposed $35 billion combination that would have made Elkann chairman — a proposal FCA withdrew ten days later, blaming French government interference.

Epstein's access to information on this merger triangle was unusually broad. On the Fiat Chrysler side, Eduardo Teodorani-Fabbri, a grandson of Gianni Agnelli and senior executive at CNH Industrial (an Exor subsidiary), maintained a decade-long relationship with Epstein documented across at least 15 DOJ Vol 11 files spanning 2009 to 2017. Their correspondence involved luxury social events across New York, Los Angeles, Rome, Paris, London, and the Caribbean, coordinated through Teodorani's CNH Industrial email and assistants (EFTA02234187, EFTA02321914, EFTA02414742, and others). Separately, Ginevra Elkann hosted an EDGE Foundation event at the Agnelli family estate in Turin in May 2012, and Lapo Elkann invited Epstein to London events in January 2014, placing Epstein within one social degree of the Exor chairman. Ghosn and Epstein also appeared on the same World Economic Forum participant lists recovered from Epstein's files — the 2011 Davos meeting 89 and the 2013 meeting 10 — though Epstein was not on the official lists himself and no direct interaction has been documented.

Epstein's financial interest in the Fiat/Exor empire was explicit. In an April 19, 2015 email to Jabor Y., Epstein wrote: "shabaz could look at the details of EXOR. the owner of cushman, agnelli family holding. they just bid for an re insurance co last week, they will spin off ferrari this year and will have fiat chrysler.maserati. most of their money is liquid. 15billion or so" 11. In a separate exchange the same day, someone asked Epstein about John Elkann: "has heard great things about him from a friend... what do you think?" Epstein replied: "I think he is the new target. How do we meet him? Not through Edu for sure" 12 — explicitly seeking a channel to the Exor chairman that bypassed Teodorani. On the Renault-Nissan side, Epstein received Richard Kahn's forwarded BAML special situations research on June 14, 2018, which argued the market was pricing "NEAR ZERO probability of merger with Nissan" while the underlying dynamics favored a deal 13. Epstein held approximately 4,000 shares of Renault SA through Southern Financial LLC.

No evidence has emerged that Epstein had foreknowledge of Ghosn's arrest. Neither Greg Kelly (Nissan director arrested the same day) nor Hari Nada (the Nissan executive who orchestrated the internal investigation and struck an immunity deal with Tokyo prosecutors) appears in the Epstein corpus in any Ghosn-related context. This absence suggests Epstein's access operated at the strategic level — merger politics, corporate governance, financial positioning — rather than at the operational level of Nissan's internal conspiracy against its chairman.

The Paul Weiss Lobbying and Legal Campaign

Paul Weiss registered under the Lobbying Disclosure Act in Q4 2018 on behalf of "Carlos Ghosn Bichara," with Brad Karp personally listed as a lobbyist. The declared purpose was "reasonable bail conditions and fair trial in Japan by engaging with the media and the U.S. government." LDA filings show $240,000 in direct Paul Weiss lobbying income across six quarters: $20,000 in Q4 2018, $50,000 each in Q1-Q3 2019, $50,000 in Q4 2019, and $20,000 in Q1 2020 when the filing was terminated. The campaign expanded in Q1 2019 when Paul Weiss engaged SKDKnickerbocker, the Democratic-aligned PR firm, as a subcontractor for media strategy. SKDK lobbyist Jill Zuckman worked issues classified as Foreign Relations and Civil Rights. SKDK invoiced $490,000: $110,000 in Q1 2019, $300,000 in Q2 2019, and $80,000 upon termination in Q3 2019.

A parallel lobbying effort emerged in Q2 2019 through BGR Government Affairs, the firm of former RNC Chairman and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. BGR lobbyists Barbour and Go Griffith registered to work on "Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice" issues on Ghosn's behalf, generating $350,000 in fees: $50,000 in Q2 2019, $150,000 in Q3, and $150,000 in Q4 2019 when the filing terminated. The total documented U.S. lobbying expenditure across the three firms was approximately $1.08 million between late 2018 and early 2020. Notably, the lobbying was registered under LDA rather than FARA, despite Ghosn holding French, Brazilian, and Lebanese citizenship and being detained in Japan. By framing the effort as a domestic civil rights and criminal justice advocacy campaign rather than advocacy for a foreign principal, the registrants avoided the more stringent disclosure requirements of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Karp's dual role as both Epstein's correspondent and Ghosn's registered lobbyist created a tension that the available documents do not resolve. During the same period that Karp was receiving Ghosn-related briefings from Epstein and validating Epstein's anonymous source, Paul Weiss was billing Ghosn for lobbying services and coordinating PR strategy through SKDK. There is no evidence that Ghosn was aware of the Karp-Epstein relationship or that Epstein's information flowed to Ghosn's defense team in any improper manner. However, the shared node — Karp simultaneously communicating with a convicted sex offender about his client's case while leading that client's legal representation — represents a conflict-of-interest question that remains open.

Arrest, Escape, and Legal Proceedings

Ghosn's criminal charges spanned three jurisdictions. In Japan, Tokyo prosecutors alleged that Ghosn had understated his compensation by approximately $80 million over eight years (2010-2018) and committed breach of trust by diverting Nissan funds to personal use, including $5 million channeled through Oman's Suhail Bahwan Automobiles via Saudi and Lebanese intermediaries. The internal investigation that led to the arrest was orchestrated by Nissan SVP Hari Nada, who struck an immunity deal with prosecutors. Nada had arranged unauthorized hacking of Ghosn's corporate email months before contacting law enforcement. Nissan's general counsel Ravinder Passi, who initially participated in the probe, later reported retaliation including demotions and corporate surveillance of his family after he questioned the investigation's integrity — and when the inquiry turned toward Nada himself, CEO Nagai shut it down in August 2019. Greg Kelly, a Nissan director arrested alongside Ghosn, was convicted on one count and received a six-month suspended sentence upheld on appeal in February 2025.

In the United States, the SEC filed a civil enforcement action (1:19-cv-08798, SDNY, Judge Hellerstein) on September 23, 2019, alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act. The case was terminated on December 26, 2019 — three days before Ghosn's escape — through a settlement negotiated by Paul Weiss that included a $1 million penalty, a ten-year officer and director bar, and no admission of wrongdoing. A shareholder class action, Jackson County Employees v. Ghosn (3:18-cv-01368, M.D. Tenn.), was filed on December 10, 2018 and terminated in October 2022. Post-escape, Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. v. Bichara (1:23-cv-01041, D. Del.) sought to confirm an arbitral award against Ghosn in U.S. courts; it was filed in September 2023 and terminated in May 2024. France issued an international arrest warrant for misuse of Renault corporate assets, including a $57,000 Versailles palace party and suspicious payments through the Oman channel.

The escape on December 29, 2019, was executed by Michael Taylor, a former Green Beret with deep intelligence community ties. Taylor had previously employed CIA officer Duane "Dewey" Clarridge at his firm American International Security Corporation, ran a Pentagon-funded private spy network in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and served as an undercover FBI operative. His Lebanese wife Lamia Abboud — whom he met while training the Lebanese Army in Beirut after the Gemayel assassination — connected him to the Lebanese networks that facilitated the extraction. Taylor and co-operative George-Antoine Zayek flew into Osaka on a chartered MNG Jet Bombardier Global 6000 from Dubai. Ghosn was hidden in an oversized road case drilled with breathing holes, which was not X-rayed at Osaka's private jet terminal due to a Japanese security exemption for oversized luggage. The route ran Osaka to Istanbul ($350,000 charter contract) and then onward to Beirut on a separate aircraft. Ghosn paid the Taylors $1.3 million or more. Taylor and his son Peter were arrested in May 2020 in Harvard, Massachusetts; extradited to Japan in March 2021; Taylor received two years, Peter twenty months; both returned to the U.S. in October 2022. The escape occurred four months after Epstein's death, and no evidence links Epstein's network to escape planning.

All Connections

5 total
Jeffrey Epstein intelligence strong

Epstein tracked Ghosn arrest through Karp and Pritzker Nov 2018-Jan 2019, had separate intelligence source with inside knowledge, gathered Ghosn intel rapidly, called Ghosn a very very not good guy

Brad Karp legal strong

Karp was dealing with Ghosn crisis from Nov 20 2018, personally traveled to Tokyo, confirmed Epstein source intelligence accurate, Paul Weiss later lobbied for Ghosn in Japan Q3-Q4 2019 and Q1 2020

Tom Pritzker intelligence strong

Epstein asked Pritzker to investigate Ghosn Tokyo imprisonment Nov 30 2018. Pritzker agreed to investigate and was simultaneously advising Epstein on Miami Herald coverage strategy

Amanda Weingarten legal strong

Weingarten added to Paul Weiss Ghosn lobbying team Q3 2019. Named on LDA filings Q3-Q4 2019 and Q1 2020 termination. 245 Epstein emails.

Michael Taylor legal strong

Taylor planned and executed Ghosn escape from Japan Dec 29 2019. Paid 1.3M+. Sentenced 2 years in Japanese prison. Ex-Green Beret with CIA/Pentagon intelligence ties.

All Findings

51 total

financial (7)

financial medium 2015-04-19

FIAT-RENAULT-AGNELLI NEXUS: Epstein had deep connections to the Agnelli/EXOR family that controlled Fiat-Chrysler, the company that would propose merger with Renault in 2019. (1) Eduardo Teodorani-Fabbri (CNH Industrial SVP, Agnelli grandson) was a decade-long close associate (1,251 documents per Italian press). (2) Epstein emailed Jabor Y. on Apr 19, 2015: 'shabaz could look at the details of EXOR. the owner of cushman, agnelli family holding. they just bid for an re insurance co last week, they will spin off ferrari this year and will have fiat chrysler.maserati. most of their money is liquid. 15billion or so.' (3) An unidentified person asked Epstein about John Elkann (EXOR chairman, Agnelli heir) on Apr 19, 2015: 'has heard great things about him... what do you think?' Reply: 'I think he is the new target. How do we meet him? Not through Edu for sure' -- explicitly seeking to reach Elkann WITHOUT using Teodorani as conduit. (4) Ginevra Elkann (Agnelli granddaughter) hosted EDGE event at family estate (May 2012). (5) Lapo Elkann invited Epstein to London events (Jan 2014). This means Epstein had intelligence access to BOTH sides of the Renault-Fiat merger equation through Agnelli/EXOR connections AND Ghosn/Nissan-Renault intelligence via Karp.

[efta] EFTA02504407
financial confirmed 2018-06-14

Richard Kahn (HBRK Associates, Epstein's financial manager) forwarded BAML research note to Epstein on Jun 14, 2018 -- five months before Ghosn's arrest -- containing a RENAULT SPECIAL SITUATIONS BUY recommendation: 'High conviction from BAML Special Sits in London. Risk-reward now asymmetric. Market currently pricing in NEAR ZERO probability of merger with Nissan. WE SAY: CEO's start/stop narrative on the merger has wiped out the perceived optionality. This is posturing for the deal. Renault needs the deal to unlock its punitive HoldCo discount. Nissan needs it as well.' Epstein replied to Kahn AND Paul Barrett: 'same advice to the butcher in columbus Ohio --- silly.' Epstein was thus tracking the Renault-Nissan merger dynamics as a FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY months before Ghosn's arrest disrupted the merger permanently.

[efta] EFTA02635238
financial high 2018-06-14

BofA Merrill Lynch Renault-Nissan merger analysis forwarded to Epstein by Richard Kahn (June 14, 2018): EFTA02635308 and EFTA02635238 discuss 'RENAULT spec-sit' — market pricing 'NEAR ZERO probability of merger with Nissan.' 'CEO's start/stop narrative on the merger has wiped out the perceived optionality.' This investment research was received by Epstein 5 months before Ghosn's arrest and during period of active Epstein-Karp contact. The Renault-Nissan merger question was central to the politics behind Ghosn's arrest.

[efta] EFTA02635238
[efta] EFTA02635308
financial confirmed 2018-06-14

Richard Kahn (HBRK Associates, Epstein's financial manager) forwarded BAML Special Situations research to Epstein on Jun 14 2018 recommending Renault as a spec-sit buy: 'RENAULT: SPEC SITS BUY. MARKET PRICING NEAR ZERO FOR MERGER. ASYMMETRIC RISK/REWARD... We see downside to 75-80 if ruled out vs 95-125 upon a merger.' Southern Financial LLC (Epstein entity) held 4,000 shares of Renault SA worth approx 238K-318K. This shows Epstein had a direct financial position in the Renault-Nissan merger outcome 5 months before Ghosn's arrest.

[efta] EFTA02635308
financial high 2018-10

Paul Weiss/Karp-led Ghosn lobbying totaled at least $240K in registered LDA filings (Q4 2018: $20K, Q1 2019: $50K, Q2: $50K, Q3: $50K, Q4: $50K, Q1 2020: $20K). Additionally, SKDKnickerbocker was hired by Paul Weiss on behalf of Ghosn for PR/media strategy totaling $490K (Q1: $110K, Q2: $300K, Q3 termination: $80K). BGR Government Affairs (Haley Barbour's firm) simultaneously lobbied for Ghosn on law enforcement issues totaling $400K (Q2: $50K, Q3: $150K, Q4 termination: $150K). Total documented Ghosn lobbying spend: $1.13M across three firms in 2018-2020.

[ref] LDA filings
financial medium 2019-12

Total documented US lobbying spend for Ghosn: Paul Weiss direct $240K + SKDK (via Paul Weiss) $490K + BGR Government Affairs $350K = $1.08M. Combined with SEC enforcement (1:19-cv-08798, SDNY, settled Dec 2019) and shareholder class action (3:18-cv-01368, M.D. Tenn, filed Dec 2018), Ghosn had a massive coordinated US legal/lobbying/PR campaign running simultaneously through late 2018 to early 2020.

[ref] LDA_FILINGS_MULTIPLE
financial medium 2025-02

Ghosn's criminal charges spanned three jurisdictions: (1) JAPAN: Understating compensation by ~$80M over 8 years (2010-2018), plus breach of trust for diverting Nissan funds to personal use including $5M through Oman's Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, using Saudi and Lebanese associates. Greg Kelly (Nissan director) convicted on one count, received 6-month suspended sentence, appeal upheld Feb 2025. (2) FRANCE: International arrest warrant for misuse of Renault assets including Versailles party ($57K), $15M Oman channel, and suspicious payments to business associates. (3) USA: SEC settlement $1M, no admission of wrongdoing, 10-year officer/director bar, negotiated by Paul Weiss.

[file] https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-24606

relationship (5)

relationship medium 2011-01

Ghosn attended WEF Annual Meeting 2011 (Davos, Jan 26-30) as Renault-Nissan Alliance CEO, confirmed by participant list in Epstein's files (EFTA02686169) and Doc-Explorer RDF triple (HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017076). Jeffrey Epstein was NOT on the official participant list but possessed it. David R. Epstein (Novartis) appears but is a different person. Epstein's possession of WEF lists shows intelligence-gathering access to these events.

[efta] EFTA02686169
[ref] HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017076
relationship high 2011-08

Eduardo Teodorani-Fabbri (Agnelli family) had extensive Epstein relationship documented in at least 15 DOJ Vol 11 documents spanning 2009-2017: CNH Industrial executive, coordinated through CNH assistants (Denise Jackson, Karen Bird, Lea Ardimento), regular calls/meetings, luxury lunches (Rome seafood restaurant Aug 2011), wine gifts (Dec 2017), canceled trips, and social events. Teodorani used his CNH Industrial email for Epstein communications. The Agnelli family controls Exor NV which owns Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis) — the company pursuing the Renault-Nissan merger that Ghosn's arrest disrupted.

[efta] EFTA02234187
[efta] EFTA02321914
[efta] EFTA02414742
+3 more sources
relationship medium 2015-11

Ghosn and Epstein appeared on same World Economic Forum participant lists (EFTA02686105, EFTA02686169, EFTA02686246, EFTA02707384). Ghosn attended as Chairman/CEO of Renault-Nissan Alliance (France). No direct interaction documented, but WEF Davos was Epstein's primary elite networking venue (Deripaska recruitment documented there). Separately, Tom Pritzker (Hyatt Hotels, WEF participant) was Epstein's natural contact for Japan intelligence — Pritzker traveled to Japan regularly (Nov 2015 documented, EFTA02378886), owned Grand Hyatt Tokyo, and facilitated hotel stays for Epstein associates (Karyna Shuliak) in Tokyo. This explains why Epstein asked Pritzker specifically to 'ask around' about Ghosn in Tokyo.

[efta] EFTA02325141
[efta] EFTA02329093
[efta] EFTA02378886
+4 more sources
relationship medium 2018-06-14

Ghosn-Fiat/Agnelli-Epstein triangle: (1) Ghosn was negotiating with John Elkann (Agnelli family/Fiat Chrysler chairman) to add FCA to the Renault-Nissan alliance. A meeting was scheduled for Jan 2019 but Ghosn's Nov 2018 arrest prevented it. (2) Eduardo Teodorani-Fabbri (grandson of Gianni Agnelli, former top manager at Exor/Fiat/CNH Industrial) appears 1,251 times in Epstein files — decade+ relationship involving luxury real estate, invitations to dinners/parties across NYC/LA/Rome/Paris/London/Caribbean. (3) After Ghosn's arrest, FCA approached Renault directly in May 2019, proposing a $35B merger with Elkann as chairman. FCA withdrew 10 days later blaming French government interference. (4) Epstein received BofA research on Renault-Nissan merger (EFTA02635238/EFTA02635308, June 14, 2018) from Richard Kahn, analyzing merger probability.

[efta] EFTA02321914
[efta] EFTA02344565
[efta] EFTA02555451
+2 more sources
relationship high 2018-11-30

Epstein-Pritzker Ghosn discussion (Nov 30, 2018): Epstein wrote Tom Pritzker (Hyatt Hotels chairman, longtime Epstein associate) about Ghosn: 'the nissan guy ghosen is being held incommunicado in tokyo, can you ask around re why?' In the same email, Epstein references 'my press is brutal but 90% fake, no court cases pending, all silly' — the Miami Herald investigation by Julie K. Brown was breaking. Pritzker responded: 'Ghosn thing is weird. Let me see. Read Miami paper. My concern is their intent to drum this into story. Assume you are working to develop a strategy. I'm thinking.' This reveals Pritzker advising Epstein on PR strategy while also being asked to use his connections to gather Ghosn intelligence.

[efta] EFTA02612701
[efta] EFTA02613045
[efta] EFTA02613108

legal (6)

legal medium 2018-11-20

Brad Karp (Paul Weiss chairman) was 'dealing with Ghosn crisis' from Nov 20, 2018 — the day AFTER Ghosn's arrest. Paul Weiss then registered as a lobbyist for 'Carlos Ghosn Bichara' in Q4 2018, with Brad Karp personally listed as a lobbyist. The lobbying focused on 'reasonable bail conditions and fair trial in Japan by engaging with the media and the U.S. government.' Simultaneously, Karp was corresponding with Epstein about the Ghosn case. Karp was thus the nexus between Epstein and the Ghosn representation.

[efta] EFTA02616157
legal high 2019-01

Paul Weiss hired SKDKNICKERBOCKER as PR subcontractor for Ghosn media campaign, registered Q1 2019. SKDK lobbyist Jill Zuckman worked issues: Foreign Relations and Civil Rights. SKDK income from Paul Weiss for Ghosn: Q1 2019: $110K, Q2 2019: $300K, Q3 2019: $80K (termination). Total SKDK income: $490K. This was a major coordinated media/lobbying campaign.

[ref] LDA_FILING_409160af
legal high 2019-09-23

SEC v. Ghosn (1:19-cv-08798, SDNY, Judge Hellerstein): Filed Sep 23, 2019, terminated Dec 26, 2019 (3 days before escape). Securities Exchange Act violation. Separate from Japanese criminal charges. Jackson County Employees v. Ghosn (3:18-cv-01368, M.D. Tenn., Judge Campbell): Shareholder class action filed Dec 10, 2018, terminated Oct 2022. Securities/commodities claims.

[ref] COURTLISTENER_16231584
legal high 2019-12-29

BGR Government Affairs (Haley Barbour's firm, former RNC Chairman) separately registered as Ghosn lobbyist in Q2 2019. BGR lobbyists: Haley Barbour and Go Griffith. Issue: Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice. BGR income: Q2 2019: $50K, Q3 2019: $150K, Q4 2019: $150K (termination). Total BGR income: $350K. Ghosn escape was Dec 29, 2019 — BGR terminated Q4 2019.

[ref] LDA_FILING_a9bab8c6
legal medium 2019-12-29

The Ghosn escape operation (Dec 29, 2019): Taylor and Zayek flew into Osaka on a chartered MNG Jet Bombardier Global 6000 from Dubai. Ghosn was hidden in a large 'road case' (equipment box) drilled with breathing holes. Box was not X-rayed at Osaka's private jet terminal (Japan's security exempted oversized luggage from scanning at private terminals). Route: Osaka → Istanbul (Global 6000, $350K contract signed by MNG operations manager Okan Kosemen) → Beirut (separate Bombardier Challenger 300). Total cost: $1.3M+ paid by Ghosn to the Taylors. Taylor and son Peter arrested May 2020 in Harvard, MA; extradited to Japan March 2021; Taylor sentenced 2 years, Peter 20 months; returned to US Oct 2022.

[file] https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/07/nissan-ex-chairman-carlos-ghosns-350000-getaway-flight.html
legal high 2023-09-25

Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. v. Bichara (1:23-cv-01041, D. Del., Judge Andrews): Filed Sep 25, 2023, terminated May 16, 2024. Sompo Japan (Nissan's insurer) brought action to confirm arbitral award against 'Bichara' (Ghosn's surname). Nature: 'Other Statutes: Arbitration' under 9 U.S.C. 207. This is a post-escape enforcement action — Sompo Japan pursuing Ghosn in US courts while he remains a fugitive in Lebanon.

[ref] COURTLISTENER_67829522

intelligence (32)

intelligence high 2011

Ghosn appears on WEF participant lists found in Epstein's files alongside other Epstein contacts: EFTA02686169 and EFTA02686246 (2011 WEF Davos, 28 pages, 14K words — Ghosn listed as 'Chairman and CEO, Renault-Nissan Alliance, France'). EFTA02707384 (later WEF event, 77 pages). EFTA02603142 lists Rajeev Misra (SB Investment Advisers) at same event as other Epstein circle figures. These WEF events were key networking venues for the Epstein network.

[efta] EFTA02603142
[efta] EFTA02686169
[efta] EFTA02686246
+1 more sources
intelligence medium 2015-04

Epstein's interest in the Elkann/Agnelli family was documented in an April 2015 email where he asked about 'john elkann - has heard great things about him from a friend; I know that he is Lapo's brother.. what do you think?' (EFTA02344565). Separately, Ginevra Elkann (granddaughter of Gianni Agnelli, filmmaker) was in Epstein's orbit through John Brockman's EDGE Foundation — she hosted/planned an EDGE event in Turin at the Agnelli family estate. Lapo Elkann (John's brother, fashion/design figure) appeared in Epstein's correspondence via photoshoots and London events. This places Epstein within one degree of the Fiat Chrysler chairman who was directly negotiating with Ghosn on the merger that was disrupted by the arrest.

[efta] EFTA02344565
[efta] EFTA02389138
[efta] EFTA02396208
+3 more sources
intelligence high 2018-06-12

David Stern (FTC) Tokyo-SoftBank meeting identified: On Jun 12, 2018, Stern emailed Epstein: 'Going to Tokyo tomorrow to meet Softbank COO (former Sprint Chairman).' This is Marcelo Claure, confirmed as COO of SoftBank Group on the FII 2018 speaker list (EFTA02603142). Claure's dual role at SoftBank and Sprint, plus his Tokyo meetings, place him at the intersection of Japanese corporate power. Five months later (Nov 19, 2018), Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo. Stern's Tokyo-SoftBank connection is a candidate pathway for Epstein's rapid Ghosn intelligence gathering. Stern also discussed 'EV develops well' in the same email and asked about North Korea access through US channels, demonstrating his intelligence/business broker role in Asia.

[efta] EFTA02603142
[efta] EFTA02614349
intelligence medium 2018-06-14

TIMELINE SYNTHESIS - Epstein-Ghosn nexus: Jun 14 2018: Kahn forwards BofA Renault-Nissan merger analysis to Epstein. Oct 2016: Jabor Y. sends SoftBank links. Nov 19 2018: Ghosn arrested Tokyo. Nov 20 2018: Karp emails Epstein 'Dealing with Ghosn crisis.' Nov 30 2018: Epstein asks Pritzker to investigate Ghosn detention. Q4 2018: Paul Weiss LDA registration for Ghosn. Q1 2019: SKDK hired. Jan 4 2019: Epstein-Karp money issue negotiation. Jan 26 2019: Epstein to Karp: 'ghosen a very very not good guy' then 'Rajeev misra do you represent?' Mar 3 2019: Karp 'I've got some ideas.' Q2 2019: BGR registers. Jul 6 2019: Epstein arrested. Q3 2019: Weingarten added to Ghosn team. Aug 10 2019: Epstein dies. Dec 26 2019: SEC case terminated. Dec 29 2019: Ghosn escapes. Q4 2019: BGR terminates. Q1 2020: Paul Weiss terminates.

[efta] EFTA02616157
intelligence medium 2018-10

COMPREHENSIVE GHOSN-EPSTEIN SUMMARY: No direct Epstein-Ghosn relationship exists. The connection runs through Brad Karp (Paul Weiss), who simultaneously: (a) corresponded socially with Epstein 2013-2019, (b) led Paul Weiss's representation and registered lobbying for Ghosn Q4 2018-Q1 2020, (c) received intelligence briefings on Ghosn FROM Epstein. Epstein also used Tom Pritzker (who has Japan/Tokyo business via Hyatt Grand) as a Ghosn intelligence channel. The Agnelli/Elkann connection (via Teodorani's 1,251 Epstein file mentions) links Epstein to the Fiat Chrysler side of the Renault-Nissan-FCA merger triangle that Ghosn's arrest disrupted. The escape operation (Taylor/Zayek, Dec 2019) occurred 4 months after Epstein's death — no evidence of Epstein involvement in escape planning. However, Paul Weiss continued lobbying for Ghosn through Q1 2020. Key unanswered question: Who was Epstein's 'my guy' intelligence source on Ghosn?

[efta] EFTA02344565
[efta] EFTA02609109
[efta] EFTA02613108
+4 more sources
intelligence medium 2018-11-19

NEGATIVE FINDING: Greg Kelly (Nissan director arrested same day as Ghosn Nov 19, 2018) and Hari Nada (Nissan executive who turned prosecution witness) appear ZERO times in the Epstein corpus in any Ghosn-related context. Greg Kelly returns only unrelated social/guest list references. Hari Nada returns one WEF attendee list mention only. This suggests Epstein's interest in the Ghosn case was at the STRATEGIC level (Renault-Nissan merger politics, corporate governance implications) rather than the OPERATIONAL level (specific Nissan executives involved in the arrest). Epstein was tracking the Ghosn situation as an intelligence broker and potential financial opportunity, not as someone with inside access to Nissan corporate politics.

[efta] EFTA02609103
intelligence medium 2018-11-19

TIMELINE SYNTHESIS: Epstein's automotive intelligence network. (1) 2009-2018: Teodorani (Agnelli/CNH SVP) provides decade of insider access to Fiat/Ferrari/EXOR. (2) Aug 2010: Epstein discusses Elkann/Montezemolo with Mandelson while hosting Teodorani at ranch. (3) Apr 2015: Epstein briefs Gulf contacts on EXOR financials; identifies John Elkann as 'the new target.' (4) Jun 2018: HBRK forwards Renault merger spec-sit buy to Epstein; Southern Financial holds 4000 Renault shares. (5) Nov 19 2018: Ghosn arrested. Karp (now Ghosn's lawyer) tells Epstein he's 'dealing with Ghosn crisis.' (6) Nov 30: Epstein asks Pritzker to investigate, offers Karp 'ghosen info.' (7) Dec 26: Epstein claims 'my guy had it right from day one.' (8) Jan 24 2019: Offers Karp update on 'google, ghosen SIC,' provides French phone number. (9) Jan 26: Calls Ghosn 'very very not good guy,' asks if Karp represents Rajeev Misra (SoftBank). (10) Jan 28: Asks Teodorani about Benedetti. (11) May 2019: FCA proposes Renault merger (with Ghosn removed).

[efta] EFTA02504407
[efta] EFTA02609109
[efta] EFTA02612503
+5 more sources
intelligence medium 2018-11-20

COMPLETE EPSTEIN-GHOSN TIMELINE reconstructed from 12 unique EFTA documents. Nov 20, 2018 (Day 1 post-arrest): Karp emailed Epstein 'Sorry. Dealing with Ghosn crisis. Will step out shortly' (EFTA02616157). Nov 30, 2018 (Day 11): Epstein asked Pritzker 'the nissan guy ghosen is being held incommunicado in tokyo, can you ask around re why?' and simultaneously noted 'my press is brutal but 90% fake. no court cases pending. all silly' (EFTA02613108/EFTA02613045). Pritzker responded 'Ghosn thing is weird. Let me see. Read Miami paper. My concern is their intent to drum this into story.' Epstein: 'plaintiff lawyer driven well played. thx re ghosen' (EFTA02612701). Same day Epstein offered Karp 'ghosen info when you like' -- Karp: 'That was quick' (EFTA02612503). Dec 26, 2018 (Day 37): Epstein told Karp 'following ghosen. it appears my guy had it right from day one.' Karp: 'Just returning from tokyo. Your guy totally had it right' (EFTA02609103/EFTA02609109). Jan 24, 2019 (Day 66): Epstein offered Karp briefing on 'google. ghosen SIC and...' plus French phone number (EFTA02626768/EFTA02626821). Jan 26, 2019 (Day 68): Epstein to Karp: 'ghosen a very very not good guy.' Karp: 'Indeed.' Then Misra inquiry (EFTA02627328/EFTA02627279/EFTA02627134/EFTA02627034).

[efta] EFTA02609103
[efta] EFTA02609109
[efta] EFTA02612503
+10 more sources
intelligence high 2018-11-20

Brad Karp (Paul Weiss chairman, Ghosn's defense lawyer) told Epstein 'Sorry. Dealing with Ghosn crisis. Will step out shortly.' on Nov 20 2018, one day after Ghosn's arrest. Paul Weiss was hired to defend Ghosn. Karp was simultaneously advising both Epstein AND representing Ghosn -- a potential conduit for intelligence exchange.

[efta] EFTA02616157
intelligence high 2018-11-30

Epstein offered Karp 'ghosen info when you like' on Nov 30, 2018 at 9:07 AM. Karp replied 'That was quick' and noted he was 'On call with DOJ now. Will call right after.' Epstein joked about being the 'experienced mechanic vs apprentice' who knows 'exactly where to knock.' This reveals: (1) Epstein gathered intelligence on Ghosn RAPIDLY -- Karp was surprised at the speed, (2) Karp was simultaneously on call with DOJ on Nov 30, 2018 (potentially about Epstein's own SDNY matter), (3) Epstein positioned himself as having superior intelligence tradecraft ('knows where to knock').

[efta] EFTA02612503
intelligence confirmed 2018-11-30

PRITZKER-EPSTEIN GHOSN EXCHANGE reveals parallel concerns. On Nov 30, 2018, Pritzker responded to Epstein's Ghosn inquiry with two separate concerns: (1) 'Ghosn thing is weird. Let me see' -- acknowledging the arrest was unusual and agreeing to investigate, (2) 'Read Miami paper. My concern is their intent to drum this into story. Assume you are working to develop a strategy. I'm thinking.' This was Pritzker reading the Miami Herald (Julie K. Brown's Epstein coverage) and expressing concern that media would use the Ghosn arrest to draw attention back to Epstein. Epstein replied: 'plaintiff lawyer driven well played. thx re ghosen' -- confirming the Miami Herald coverage was plaintiff-attorney-driven. Pritzker was thus Epstein's strategic advisor on BOTH the Ghosn intelligence AND Epstein's own media/legal exposure.

[efta] EFTA02612701
intelligence confirmed 2018-11-30

Epstein emailed Tom Pritzker on Nov 30 2018: 'the nissan guy ghosen is being held incommunicado in tokyo, can you ask around re why?' Simultaneously reported 'my press is brutal but 90% fake. no court cases pending. all silly.' Pritzker replied: 'Ghosn thing is weird. Let me see. Read Miami paper. My concern is their intent to drum this into story. Assume you are working to develop a strategy.'

[efta] EFTA02613045
intelligence high 2018-11-30

Epstein emailed Brad Karp (Paul Weiss chairman) on Nov 30, 2018 — 11 days after Ghosn's arrest — asking Pritzker about Ghosn: 'the nissan guy ghosen is being held incommunicado in tokyo, can you ask around re why?' Pritzker replied: 'Ghosn thing is weird. Let me see.' Epstein separately told Karp: 'ghosen info when you like.' This shows Epstein actively gathering intelligence on Ghosn through his lawyer Karp, who would go on to lead Paul Weiss's Ghosn representation.

[efta] EFTA02612503
[efta] EFTA02612701
[efta] EFTA02613045
+1 more sources
intelligence confirmed 2018-11-30

Same day as Pritzker exchange (Nov 30 2018), Epstein offered Karp 'ghosen info when you like.' Karp responded 'That was quick. On call with DOJ now. Will call right after.' This confirms Epstein was actively providing intelligence on Ghosn to his defense lawyer Karp, who was simultaneously on a call with the DOJ.

[efta] EFTA02612503
intelligence confirmed 2018-11-30

After Pritzker said he would look into Ghosn and referenced the Miami Herald story, Epstein replied: 'plaintiff lawyer driven well played. thx re ghosen.' This reveals Epstein simultaneously managing TWO crises on Nov 30 2018: the Ghosn arrest AND the Miami Herald investigation into his own abuse (Julie K. Brown's series published Nov 28 2018). Epstein characterized his own legal exposure as 'plaintiff lawyer driven' while calling the Ghosn arrest 'weird' -- suggesting he saw both as coordinated legal attacks against powerful men.

[efta] EFTA02612701
intelligence high 2018-12-26

Karp confirmed to Epstein he was 'just returning from tokyo' on Dec 26, 2018, and validated Epstein's intelligence source: 'Your guy totally had it right.' Epstein had written: 'following ghosen. it appears my guy had it right from day one.? any updates?' This confirms: (1) Epstein had a separate intelligence source ('my guy') providing accurate intel on the Ghosn arrest FROM DAY ONE (Nov 19, 2018), (2) Karp personally traveled to Tokyo for the Ghosn crisis, (3) Karp validated Epstein's source was correct. The identity of 'my guy' remains unknown but was someone with inside knowledge of the Nissan/Ghosn situation before it was public.

[efta] EFTA02609103
intelligence confirmed 2018-12-26

On Dec 26 2018, Epstein emailed Karp: 'following ghosen. it appears my guy had it right from day one.? any updates?' This reveals Epstein had a separate intelligence source ('my guy') providing analysis on Ghosn from the beginning, and Epstein was tracking the case in an ongoing intelligence-broker capacity.

[efta] EFTA02609109
intelligence high 2018-12-26

On Dec 26, 2018, Epstein emailed Karp: 'following ghosen. it appears my guy had it right from day one.? any updates?' — 'my guy' suggests Epstein had a personal source/contact providing intelligence on Ghosn from the very beginning of the crisis. This person apparently predicted the trajectory of the Ghosn case correctly.

[efta] EFTA02609103
[efta] EFTA02609109
intelligence medium 2019-01

PARIS LOCATION CONFIRMED: Epstein conducted the entire Jan 24-28, 2019 Ghosn-Misra-Benedetti intelligence operation FROM PARIS. Evidence: (1) Jan 24: Epstein offered Karp Ghosn briefing and provided Paris phone number 011 331 441 70210 (EFTA02626768). (2) Jan 26: Epstein sent Karp 'ghosen a very very not good guy' at 5:24 PM (EFTA02627328), Paris phone at 5:27 PM (EFTA02627206), then 'Rajeev misra do you represent?' at 5:41 PM (EFTA02627134). All timestamps are consistent with Paris evening (11 PM+ local). (3) Jan 27: Epstein contacted Summers from Paris (EFTA02627112). (4) Jan 28: Epstein asked Teodorani about Benedetti. Paris was the strategic operating base for this intelligence operation -- close to Renault HQ (Boulogne-Billancourt), Benedetti operates from Paris, and Ghosn is a French citizen/Renault CEO. Epstein was physically positioned at the geographic nexus of the Ghosn-Renault-Benedetti connections.

[efta] EFTA02626768
[efta] EFTA02627112
[efta] EFTA02627134
+2 more sources
intelligence medium 2019-01

CRITICAL CONTEXT: Ghosn himself confirmed he was negotiating directly with John Elkann for FCA to join Renault-Nissan alliance, with a meeting scheduled for January 2019 to conclude the deal. This is the exact window (Jan 24-28 2019) when Epstein was: (a) briefing Karp on 'google, ghosen SIC,' (b) calling Ghosn 'very very not good guy,' (c) asking about Rajeev Misra/SoftBank, and (d) asking Teodorani about Benedetti. Epstein had BOTH sides: Karp as Ghosn's defense lawyer, AND Teodorani as an Agnelli family insider connected to the FCA/EXOR side. This positions Epstein as a potential intelligence broker in one of the largest automotive mergers in history.

[efta] EFTA02626768
[efta] EFTA02627034
[efta] EFTA02628256
Show 12 more intelligence findings
intelligence medium 2019-01-24

On Jan 24, 2019, Epstein offered Karp a briefing on multiple topics: 'when free I can bring you up to date on google. ghosen SIC and ...' Karp replied 'Yes.' Epstein then provided his PARIS PHONE NUMBER (011 331 441 70210), which is his regular Paris apartment landline used across many contacts (Summers, Nowak, Joi Ito etc.) from 2012-2019. The three topics -- Google, Ghosn, and an unidentified third ('...') -- were offered as a package intelligence briefing, suggesting Epstein was brokering information on multiple corporate matters. 'SIC' likely means Epstein acknowledging his misspelling. The phone number indicates Epstein was IN PARIS or about to travel there when offering the Ghosn briefing, which is significant given Ghosn's French connections (Renault CEO, French citizen).

[efta] EFTA02626768
intelligence high 2019-01-24

Epstein emailed Karp on Jan 24, 2019: 'when free I can bring you up to date on google. ghosen SIC and...' — indicating Epstein had inside intelligence on the Ghosn situation he was prepared to brief his own lawyer on. Two days later (Jan 26, 2019), Epstein emailed Karp: 'ghosen a very very not good guy.' This suggests Epstein had formed a strong negative opinion about Ghosn, possibly based on private intelligence.

[efta] EFTA02626821
[efta] EFTA02627034
[efta] EFTA02627134
+2 more sources
intelligence confirmed 2019-01-24
verified

On Jan 24 2019, Epstein emailed Karp: 'when free I can bring you up to date on google. ghosen SIC and ...' Karp said 'Yes.' Epstein then provided a French phone number (011 331 441 70210). This shows Epstein was briefing Karp on multiple matters including Ghosn, with 'SIC' possibly referring to the Securities and Insurance Commission or a company SIC code. The French phone number suggests a Paris-based contact for the Ghosn matter.

[efta] EFTA02626768
intelligence confirmed 2019-01-26

On Jan 26 2019, Epstein emailed Karp: 'ghosen a very very not good guy.' Then immediately asked: 'Rajeev misra do you represent?' Karp replied 'Sort of. Spoke to him yesterday.' Rajeev Misra was CEO of SoftBank Vision Fund -- SoftBank being a major Nissan investor via its Japanese presence. This 72-hour window (Jan 24-28) also overlaps with Epstein asking Teodorani about 'Allesandro benedetti' on Jan 28.

[efta] EFTA02627034
intelligence confirmed 2019-01-26

On Jan 26, 2019, Epstein emailed Brad Karp: '? ghosen a very very not good guy.' Karp replied 'Indeed.' Ghosn had been arrested Nov 19, 2018 in Tokyo on financial misconduct charges related to Nissan (which was in an alliance with SoftBank-backed companies). This was 2 months after Ghosn's arrest. The exchange suggests Epstein had strong negative views on Ghosn and was gathering intelligence about the SoftBank/Japan corporate network.

[efta] EFTA02627134
intelligence medium 2019-04

Carole Ghosn (nee Nahas), Carlos's second wife (married 2016), was reportedly central to organizing the escape via her brothers and their Lebanon/Turkey contacts, though she denied involvement. Japan issued arrest warrant for her (false statements to judge, April 2019). French media (Le Monde) identified her family network as key escape organizers. She held the Versailles party at Palace of Versailles for their wedding (2016), which became a separate French criminal investigation into misuse of Renault corporate sponsorship. The escape involved George-Antoine Zayek (Lebanese national) — potentially connected through Carole's network. Taylor's wife Lamia is also Lebanese (Abboud family).

[file] https://www.france24.com/en/20200107-nissan-still-pursuing-ghosn-for-misconduct-despite-japan-escape
intelligence medium 2019-08

The Nissan 'coup' against Ghosn was orchestrated by SVP Hari Nada, who struck an immunity deal with Tokyo prosecutors. Nada arranged unauthorized hacking of Ghosn's corporate email and Nissan's computer systems months before contacting prosecutors. The internal investigation was led by general counsel Ravinder Passi, who later reported retaliation including demotions and corporate surveillance of his family after questioning the probe's integrity. When the investigation turned toward Nada himself, CEO Nagai shut it down (Aug 2019). The conspiracy theory — supported by Bloomberg's reporting and Ghosn's own claims — holds that Nada and other Nissan executives feared Ghosn's push to deepen the Renault-Nissan integration/merger, which would have diminished Japanese control of Nissan.

[file] https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2020-ghosn-nada-nissan/
intelligence medium 2019-12

NEGATIVE FINDING: Michael Taylor and Peter Taylor (the American father-son team who orchestrated Ghosn's Dec 2019 escape from Japan hidden in an audio equipment box on a private jet) appear ZERO times in the Epstein document corpus in any context related to Ghosn or escape operations. 'Michael Taylor' returns only an interior designer, Michael Wolff's co-mentions, and USVI shipping references. 'Peter Taylor' returns only Ashley Taylor-Hull's family and Edge Foundation scientists. 'Green Beret' returns one unrelated document. 'escape' returns zero Ghosn-related results. 'instrument case' returns zero relevant results. This absence is significant: Epstein died July-August 2019 and the escape occurred December 2019, so the escape operation was likely planned after Epstein's death. However, given Epstein's demonstrated intelligence network around Ghosn (Karp, Pritzker, 'my guy'), and Paul Weiss's later involvement lobbying for Ghosn in Japan, the question remains whether Epstein's network facilitated early-stage escape planning before his death.

[efta] EFTA02609103
intelligence medium 2020

OCCRP Aleph shows Ghosn registered in Swiss commerce register (Ghosn Bichara Carlos) and Brazilian federal revenue (CARLOS GHOSN BICHARA), confirming his multinational corporate presence. Aleph returned zero results for American International Security Corporation (Taylor's company). LittleSis maps Ghosn's 17 relationships: positions at Nissan, Renault, Mitsubishi, IBM, Sony, Alcoa, Michelin; membership in Clinton Global Initiative and WSJ CEO Council; professional relationship with Michael Taylor (from 2020); and connection to AISC. Ghosn was a member of the Clinton Global Initiative — another overlap point with Epstein network figures (Bill Clinton, Leon Black).

[file] https://littlesis.org/entities/2276
intelligence medium

FARA analysis: No FARA registration for Carlos Ghosn or any entity acting on behalf of Ghosn. The Paul Weiss and BGR lobbying was registered under LDA (domestic lobbying disclosure) but notably NOT under FARA (foreign agent registration), despite Ghosn being a French/Brazilian/Lebanese citizen held in Japan. Nissan Motor Company has 9 historical FARA registrations as a Japanese foreign principal (1971-1991, various registrants). Renault has 4 historical registrations as French foreign principal (1957-1973). No modern FARA registrations. The Ghosn lobbying was framed as civil rights/criminal justice advocacy rather than foreign government influence, avoiding FARA requirements.

[ref] FARA_SEARCH_RESULTS
intelligence high

Aleph records show Ghosn registered in Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SHAB) and Brazil national entity registry (CNPJ). Anthony Ghosn Bichara (Ghosn's son) is an active Republican political donor in NYC (employers: Hearth, Pharsalus Capital). FEC filings show $400K+ in recent contributions to NRSC, Team Hagerty, Schmitt for Senate, Nancy Mace, and other Republican candidates/PACs. This is notable political activity by a Ghosn family member in the US.

[ref] FEC_SCHEDULE_A_GHOSN_BICHARA
intelligence medium

Michael L. Taylor, the ex-Green Beret who extracted Ghosn from Japan, had deep intelligence community ties: (1) Former Army Special Forces, 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Devens; (2) Employed CIA legend Duane 'Dewey' Clarridge (Iran-Contra, founding director CIA Counterterrorist Center) at American International Security Corp; (3) Ran Pentagon's private spy network in Afghanistan/Pakistan alongside Clarridge's Eclipse Group; (4) Went undercover for FBI to sting Massachusetts drug gang; (5) Won $54M Pentagon contract to train Afghan special forces; (6) Lebanese wife Lamia Abboud (married 1985, met while training Lebanese Army in Beirut after Gemayel assassination); (7) George-Antoine Zayek, a Lebanese national, was his co-operative in the Ghosn extraction.

[file] https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2020/05/21/ex-green-beret-nabbed-in-nissan-execs-escape-has-lived-on-the-edge/

document (1)

document unverified 2026-02-12

NEGATIVE: DugganUSA (204K+ docs) searches for 'Ghosn', 'Nissan', and 'Taylor escape' all returned HTTP 429 rate limit errors across multiple retry attempts over multiple sessions. These three searches remain unexecuted as of Feb 12, 2026. The DugganUSA corpus may contain unique Ghosn references not present in DOJ Vol 11, LMSBAND, or Unified DB.

[ref] DugganUSA_429

Full Timeline

49 events
Ghosn appears on WEF participant lists found in Epstein's files alongside other Epstein contacts: EFTA02686169 and EFTA02686246 (2011 WEF Davos, 28 pages, 14K words — Ghosn listed as 'Chairman and CEO, Renault-Nissan Alliance, France'). EFTA02707384 (later WEF event, 77 pages). EFTA02603142 lists Rajeev Misra (SB Investment Advisers) at same event as other Epstein circle figures. These WEF events were key networking venues for the Epstein network.
2011
Ghosn attended WEF Annual Meeting 2011 (Davos, Jan 26-30) as Renault-Nissan Alliance CEO, confirmed by participant list in Epstein's files (EFTA02686169) and Doc-Explorer RDF triple (HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017076). Jeffrey Epstein was NOT on the official participant list but possessed it. David R. Epstein (Novartis) appears but is a different person. Epstein's possession of WEF lists shows intelligence-gathering access to these events.
2011-01
Eduardo Teodorani-Fabbri (Agnelli family) had extensive Epstein relationship documented in at least 15 DOJ Vol 11 documents spanning 2009-2017: CNH Industrial executive, coordinated through CNH assistants (Denise Jackson, Karen Bird, Lea Ardimento), regular calls/meetings, luxury lunches (Rome seafood restaurant Aug 2011), wine gifts (Dec 2017), canceled trips, and social events. Teodorani used his CNH Industrial email for Epstein communications. The Agnelli family controls Exor NV which owns Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis) — the company pursuing the Renault-Nissan merger that Ghosn's arrest disrupted.
2011-08
Epstein's interest in the Elkann/Agnelli family was documented in an April 2015 email where he asked about 'john elkann - has heard great things about him from a friend; I know that he is Lapo's brother.. what do you think?' (EFTA02344565). Separately, Ginevra Elkann (granddaughter of Gianni Agnelli, filmmaker) was in Epstein's orbit through John Brockman's EDGE Foundation — she hosted/planned an EDGE event in Turin at the Agnelli family estate. Lapo Elkann (John's brother, fashion/design figure) appeared in Epstein's correspondence via photoshoots and London events. This places Epstein within one degree of the Fiat Chrysler chairman who was directly negotiating with Ghosn on the merger that was disrupted by the arrest.
2015-04
FIAT-RENAULT-AGNELLI NEXUS: Epstein had deep connections to the Agnelli/EXOR family that controlled Fiat-Chrysler, the company that would propose merger with Renault in 2019. (1) Eduardo Teodorani-Fabbri (CNH Industrial SVP, Agnelli grandson) was a decade-long close associate (1,251 documents per Italian press). (2) Epstein emailed Jabor Y. on Apr 19, 2015: 'shabaz could look at the details of EXOR. the owner of cushman, agnelli family holding. they just bid for an re insurance co last week, they will spin off ferrari this year and will have fiat chrysler.maserati. most of their money is liquid. 15billion or so.' (3) An unidentified person asked Epstein about John Elkann (EXOR chairman, Agnelli heir) on Apr 19, 2015: 'has heard great things about him... what do you think?' Reply: 'I think he is the new target. How do we meet him? Not through Edu for sure' -- explicitly seeking to reach Elkann WITHOUT using Teodorani as conduit. (4) Ginevra Elkann (Agnelli granddaughter) hosted EDGE event at family estate (May 2012). (5) Lapo Elkann invited Epstein to London events (Jan 2014). This means Epstein had intelligence access to BOTH sides of the Renault-Fiat merger equation through Agnelli/EXOR connections AND Ghosn/Nissan-Renault intelligence via Karp.
2015-04-19
Ghosn and Epstein appeared on same World Economic Forum participant lists (EFTA02686105, EFTA02686169, EFTA02686246, EFTA02707384). Ghosn attended as Chairman/CEO of Renault-Nissan Alliance (France). No direct interaction documented, but WEF Davos was Epstein's primary elite networking venue (Deripaska recruitment documented there). Separately, Tom Pritzker (Hyatt Hotels, WEF participant) was Epstein's natural contact for Japan intelligence — Pritzker traveled to Japan regularly (Nov 2015 documented, EFTA02378886), owned Grand Hyatt Tokyo, and facilitated hotel stays for Epstein associates (Karyna Shuliak) in Tokyo. This explains why Epstein asked Pritzker specifically to 'ask around' about Ghosn in Tokyo.
2015-11
David Stern (FTC) Tokyo-SoftBank meeting identified: On Jun 12, 2018, Stern emailed Epstein: 'Going to Tokyo tomorrow to meet Softbank COO (former Sprint Chairman).' This is Marcelo Claure, confirmed as COO of SoftBank Group on the FII 2018 speaker list (EFTA02603142). Claure's dual role at SoftBank and Sprint, plus his Tokyo meetings, place him at the intersection of Japanese corporate power. Five months later (Nov 19, 2018), Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo. Stern's Tokyo-SoftBank connection is a candidate pathway for Epstein's rapid Ghosn intelligence gathering. Stern also discussed 'EV develops well' in the same email and asked about North Korea access through US channels, demonstrating his intelligence/business broker role in Asia.
2018-06-12
Richard Kahn (HBRK Associates, Epstein's financial manager) forwarded BAML research note to Epstein on Jun 14, 2018 -- five months before Ghosn's arrest -- containing a RENAULT SPECIAL SITUATIONS BUY recommendation: 'High conviction from BAML Special Sits in London. Risk-reward now asymmetric. Market currently pricing in NEAR ZERO probability of merger with Nissan. WE SAY: CEO's start/stop narrative on the merger has wiped out the perceived optionality. This is posturing for the deal. Renault needs the deal to unlock its punitive HoldCo discount. Nissan needs it as well.' Epstein replied to Kahn AND Paul Barrett: 'same advice to the butcher in columbus Ohio --- silly.' Epstein was thus tracking the Renault-Nissan merger dynamics as a FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY months before Ghosn's arrest disrupted the merger permanently.
2018-06-14
BofA Merrill Lynch Renault-Nissan merger analysis forwarded to Epstein by Richard Kahn (June 14, 2018): EFTA02635308 and EFTA02635238 discuss 'RENAULT spec-sit' — market pricing 'NEAR ZERO probability of merger with Nissan.' 'CEO's start/stop narrative on the merger has wiped out the perceived optionality.' This investment research was received by Epstein 5 months before Ghosn's arrest and during period of active Epstein-Karp contact. The Renault-Nissan merger question was central to the politics behind Ghosn's arrest.
2018-06-14
TIMELINE SYNTHESIS - Epstein-Ghosn nexus: Jun 14 2018: Kahn forwards BofA Renault-Nissan merger analysis to Epstein. Oct 2016: Jabor Y. sends SoftBank links. Nov 19 2018: Ghosn arrested Tokyo. Nov 20 2018: Karp emails Epstein 'Dealing with Ghosn crisis.' Nov 30 2018: Epstein asks Pritzker to investigate Ghosn detention. Q4 2018: Paul Weiss LDA registration for Ghosn. Q1 2019: SKDK hired. Jan 4 2019: Epstein-Karp money issue negotiation. Jan 26 2019: Epstein to Karp: 'ghosen a very very not good guy' then 'Rajeev misra do you represent?' Mar 3 2019: Karp 'I've got some ideas.' Q2 2019: BGR registers. Jul 6 2019: Epstein arrested. Q3 2019: Weingarten added to Ghosn team. Aug 10 2019: Epstein dies. Dec 26 2019: SEC case terminated. Dec 29 2019: Ghosn escapes. Q4 2019: BGR terminates. Q1 2020: Paul Weiss terminates.
2018-06-14
Richard Kahn (HBRK Associates, Epstein's financial manager) forwarded BAML Special Situations research to Epstein on Jun 14 2018 recommending Renault as a spec-sit buy: 'RENAULT: SPEC SITS BUY. MARKET PRICING NEAR ZERO FOR MERGER. ASYMMETRIC RISK/REWARD... We see downside to 75-80 if ruled out vs 95-125 upon a merger.' Southern Financial LLC (Epstein entity) held 4,000 shares of Renault SA worth approx 238K-318K. This shows Epstein had a direct financial position in the Renault-Nissan merger outcome 5 months before Ghosn's arrest.
2018-06-14
Ghosn-Fiat/Agnelli-Epstein triangle: (1) Ghosn was negotiating with John Elkann (Agnelli family/Fiat Chrysler chairman) to add FCA to the Renault-Nissan alliance. A meeting was scheduled for Jan 2019 but Ghosn's Nov 2018 arrest prevented it. (2) Eduardo Teodorani-Fabbri (grandson of Gianni Agnelli, former top manager at Exor/Fiat/CNH Industrial) appears 1,251 times in Epstein files — decade+ relationship involving luxury real estate, invitations to dinners/parties across NYC/LA/Rome/Paris/London/Caribbean. (3) After Ghosn's arrest, FCA approached Renault directly in May 2019, proposing a $35B merger with Elkann as chairman. FCA withdrew 10 days later blaming French government interference. (4) Epstein received BofA research on Renault-Nissan merger (EFTA02635238/EFTA02635308, June 14, 2018) from Richard Kahn, analyzing merger probability.
2018-06-14
Paul Weiss/Karp-led Ghosn lobbying totaled at least $240K in registered LDA filings (Q4 2018: $20K, Q1 2019: $50K, Q2: $50K, Q3: $50K, Q4: $50K, Q1 2020: $20K). Additionally, SKDKnickerbocker was hired by Paul Weiss on behalf of Ghosn for PR/media strategy totaling $490K (Q1: $110K, Q2: $300K, Q3 termination: $80K). BGR Government Affairs (Haley Barbour's firm) simultaneously lobbied for Ghosn on law enforcement issues totaling $400K (Q2: $50K, Q3: $150K, Q4 termination: $150K). Total documented Ghosn lobbying spend: $1.13M across three firms in 2018-2020.
2018-10
COMPREHENSIVE GHOSN-EPSTEIN SUMMARY: No direct Epstein-Ghosn relationship exists. The connection runs through Brad Karp (Paul Weiss), who simultaneously: (a) corresponded socially with Epstein 2013-2019, (b) led Paul Weiss's representation and registered lobbying for Ghosn Q4 2018-Q1 2020, (c) received intelligence briefings on Ghosn FROM Epstein. Epstein also used Tom Pritzker (who has Japan/Tokyo business via Hyatt Grand) as a Ghosn intelligence channel. The Agnelli/Elkann connection (via Teodorani's 1,251 Epstein file mentions) links Epstein to the Fiat Chrysler side of the Renault-Nissan-FCA merger triangle that Ghosn's arrest disrupted. The escape operation (Taylor/Zayek, Dec 2019) occurred 4 months after Epstein's death — no evidence of Epstein involvement in escape planning. However, Paul Weiss continued lobbying for Ghosn through Q1 2020. Key unanswered question: Who was Epstein's 'my guy' intelligence source on Ghosn?
2018-10
NEGATIVE FINDING: Greg Kelly (Nissan director arrested same day as Ghosn Nov 19, 2018) and Hari Nada (Nissan executive who turned prosecution witness) appear ZERO times in the Epstein corpus in any Ghosn-related context. Greg Kelly returns only unrelated social/guest list references. Hari Nada returns one WEF attendee list mention only. This suggests Epstein's interest in the Ghosn case was at the STRATEGIC level (Renault-Nissan merger politics, corporate governance implications) rather than the OPERATIONAL level (specific Nissan executives involved in the arrest). Epstein was tracking the Ghosn situation as an intelligence broker and potential financial opportunity, not as someone with inside access to Nissan corporate politics.
2018-11-19
TIMELINE SYNTHESIS: Epstein's automotive intelligence network. (1) 2009-2018: Teodorani (Agnelli/CNH SVP) provides decade of insider access to Fiat/Ferrari/EXOR. (2) Aug 2010: Epstein discusses Elkann/Montezemolo with Mandelson while hosting Teodorani at ranch. (3) Apr 2015: Epstein briefs Gulf contacts on EXOR financials; identifies John Elkann as 'the new target.' (4) Jun 2018: HBRK forwards Renault merger spec-sit buy to Epstein; Southern Financial holds 4000 Renault shares. (5) Nov 19 2018: Ghosn arrested. Karp (now Ghosn's lawyer) tells Epstein he's 'dealing with Ghosn crisis.' (6) Nov 30: Epstein asks Pritzker to investigate, offers Karp 'ghosen info.' (7) Dec 26: Epstein claims 'my guy had it right from day one.' (8) Jan 24 2019: Offers Karp update on 'google, ghosen SIC,' provides French phone number. (9) Jan 26: Calls Ghosn 'very very not good guy,' asks if Karp represents Rajeev Misra (SoftBank). (10) Jan 28: Asks Teodorani about Benedetti. (11) May 2019: FCA proposes Renault merger (with Ghosn removed).
2018-11-19
COMPLETE EPSTEIN-GHOSN TIMELINE reconstructed from 12 unique EFTA documents. Nov 20, 2018 (Day 1 post-arrest): Karp emailed Epstein 'Sorry. Dealing with Ghosn crisis. Will step out shortly' (EFTA02616157). Nov 30, 2018 (Day 11): Epstein asked Pritzker 'the nissan guy ghosen is being held incommunicado in tokyo, can you ask around re why?' and simultaneously noted 'my press is brutal but 90% fake. no court cases pending. all silly' (EFTA02613108/EFTA02613045). Pritzker responded 'Ghosn thing is weird. Let me see. Read Miami paper. My concern is their intent to drum this into story.' Epstein: 'plaintiff lawyer driven well played. thx re ghosen' (EFTA02612701). Same day Epstein offered Karp 'ghosen info when you like' -- Karp: 'That was quick' (EFTA02612503). Dec 26, 2018 (Day 37): Epstein told Karp 'following ghosen. it appears my guy had it right from day one.' Karp: 'Just returning from tokyo. Your guy totally had it right' (EFTA02609103/EFTA02609109). Jan 24, 2019 (Day 66): Epstein offered Karp briefing on 'google. ghosen SIC and...' plus French phone number (EFTA02626768/EFTA02626821). Jan 26, 2019 (Day 68): Epstein to Karp: 'ghosen a very very not good guy.' Karp: 'Indeed.' Then Misra inquiry (EFTA02627328/EFTA02627279/EFTA02627134/EFTA02627034).
2018-11-20
Brad Karp (Paul Weiss chairman, Ghosn's defense lawyer) told Epstein 'Sorry. Dealing with Ghosn crisis. Will step out shortly.' on Nov 20 2018, one day after Ghosn's arrest. Paul Weiss was hired to defend Ghosn. Karp was simultaneously advising both Epstein AND representing Ghosn -- a potential conduit for intelligence exchange.
2018-11-20
Brad Karp (Paul Weiss chairman) was 'dealing with Ghosn crisis' from Nov 20, 2018 — the day AFTER Ghosn's arrest. Paul Weiss then registered as a lobbyist for 'Carlos Ghosn Bichara' in Q4 2018, with Brad Karp personally listed as a lobbyist. The lobbying focused on 'reasonable bail conditions and fair trial in Japan by engaging with the media and the U.S. government.' Simultaneously, Karp was corresponding with Epstein about the Ghosn case. Karp was thus the nexus between Epstein and the Ghosn representation.
2018-11-20
Epstein offered Karp 'ghosen info when you like' on Nov 30, 2018 at 9:07 AM. Karp replied 'That was quick' and noted he was 'On call with DOJ now. Will call right after.' Epstein joked about being the 'experienced mechanic vs apprentice' who knows 'exactly where to knock.' This reveals: (1) Epstein gathered intelligence on Ghosn RAPIDLY -- Karp was surprised at the speed, (2) Karp was simultaneously on call with DOJ on Nov 30, 2018 (potentially about Epstein's own SDNY matter), (3) Epstein positioned himself as having superior intelligence tradecraft ('knows where to knock').
2018-11-30
PRITZKER-EPSTEIN GHOSN EXCHANGE reveals parallel concerns. On Nov 30, 2018, Pritzker responded to Epstein's Ghosn inquiry with two separate concerns: (1) 'Ghosn thing is weird. Let me see' -- acknowledging the arrest was unusual and agreeing to investigate, (2) 'Read Miami paper. My concern is their intent to drum this into story. Assume you are working to develop a strategy. I'm thinking.' This was Pritzker reading the Miami Herald (Julie K. Brown's Epstein coverage) and expressing concern that media would use the Ghosn arrest to draw attention back to Epstein. Epstein replied: 'plaintiff lawyer driven well played. thx re ghosen' -- confirming the Miami Herald coverage was plaintiff-attorney-driven. Pritzker was thus Epstein's strategic advisor on BOTH the Ghosn intelligence AND Epstein's own media/legal exposure.
2018-11-30
Epstein emailed Tom Pritzker on Nov 30 2018: 'the nissan guy ghosen is being held incommunicado in tokyo, can you ask around re why?' Simultaneously reported 'my press is brutal but 90% fake. no court cases pending. all silly.' Pritzker replied: 'Ghosn thing is weird. Let me see. Read Miami paper. My concern is their intent to drum this into story. Assume you are working to develop a strategy.'
2018-11-30
Epstein emailed Brad Karp (Paul Weiss chairman) on Nov 30, 2018 — 11 days after Ghosn's arrest — asking Pritzker about Ghosn: 'the nissan guy ghosen is being held incommunicado in tokyo, can you ask around re why?' Pritzker replied: 'Ghosn thing is weird. Let me see.' Epstein separately told Karp: 'ghosen info when you like.' This shows Epstein actively gathering intelligence on Ghosn through his lawyer Karp, who would go on to lead Paul Weiss's Ghosn representation.
2018-11-30
Same day as Pritzker exchange (Nov 30 2018), Epstein offered Karp 'ghosen info when you like.' Karp responded 'That was quick. On call with DOJ now. Will call right after.' This confirms Epstein was actively providing intelligence on Ghosn to his defense lawyer Karp, who was simultaneously on a call with the DOJ.
2018-11-30
Epstein-Pritzker Ghosn discussion (Nov 30, 2018): Epstein wrote Tom Pritzker (Hyatt Hotels chairman, longtime Epstein associate) about Ghosn: 'the nissan guy ghosen is being held incommunicado in tokyo, can you ask around re why?' In the same email, Epstein references 'my press is brutal but 90% fake, no court cases pending, all silly' — the Miami Herald investigation by Julie K. Brown was breaking. Pritzker responded: 'Ghosn thing is weird. Let me see. Read Miami paper. My concern is their intent to drum this into story. Assume you are working to develop a strategy. I'm thinking.' This reveals Pritzker advising Epstein on PR strategy while also being asked to use his connections to gather Ghosn intelligence.
2018-11-30
After Pritzker said he would look into Ghosn and referenced the Miami Herald story, Epstein replied: 'plaintiff lawyer driven well played. thx re ghosen.' This reveals Epstein simultaneously managing TWO crises on Nov 30 2018: the Ghosn arrest AND the Miami Herald investigation into his own abuse (Julie K. Brown's series published Nov 28 2018). Epstein characterized his own legal exposure as 'plaintiff lawyer driven' while calling the Ghosn arrest 'weird' -- suggesting he saw both as coordinated legal attacks against powerful men.
2018-11-30
Karp confirmed to Epstein he was 'just returning from tokyo' on Dec 26, 2018, and validated Epstein's intelligence source: 'Your guy totally had it right.' Epstein had written: 'following ghosen. it appears my guy had it right from day one.? any updates?' This confirms: (1) Epstein had a separate intelligence source ('my guy') providing accurate intel on the Ghosn arrest FROM DAY ONE (Nov 19, 2018), (2) Karp personally traveled to Tokyo for the Ghosn crisis, (3) Karp validated Epstein's source was correct. The identity of 'my guy' remains unknown but was someone with inside knowledge of the Nissan/Ghosn situation before it was public.
2018-12-26
On Dec 26 2018, Epstein emailed Karp: 'following ghosen. it appears my guy had it right from day one.? any updates?' This reveals Epstein had a separate intelligence source ('my guy') providing analysis on Ghosn from the beginning, and Epstein was tracking the case in an ongoing intelligence-broker capacity.
2018-12-26
On Dec 26, 2018, Epstein emailed Karp: 'following ghosen. it appears my guy had it right from day one.? any updates?' — 'my guy' suggests Epstein had a personal source/contact providing intelligence on Ghosn from the very beginning of the crisis. This person apparently predicted the trajectory of the Ghosn case correctly.
2018-12-26
Paul Weiss hired SKDKNICKERBOCKER as PR subcontractor for Ghosn media campaign, registered Q1 2019. SKDK lobbyist Jill Zuckman worked issues: Foreign Relations and Civil Rights. SKDK income from Paul Weiss for Ghosn: Q1 2019: $110K, Q2 2019: $300K, Q3 2019: $80K (termination). Total SKDK income: $490K. This was a major coordinated media/lobbying campaign.
2019-01
PARIS LOCATION CONFIRMED: Epstein conducted the entire Jan 24-28, 2019 Ghosn-Misra-Benedetti intelligence operation FROM PARIS. Evidence: (1) Jan 24: Epstein offered Karp Ghosn briefing and provided Paris phone number 011 331 441 70210 (EFTA02626768). (2) Jan 26: Epstein sent Karp 'ghosen a very very not good guy' at 5:24 PM (EFTA02627328), Paris phone at 5:27 PM (EFTA02627206), then 'Rajeev misra do you represent?' at 5:41 PM (EFTA02627134). All timestamps are consistent with Paris evening (11 PM+ local). (3) Jan 27: Epstein contacted Summers from Paris (EFTA02627112). (4) Jan 28: Epstein asked Teodorani about Benedetti. Paris was the strategic operating base for this intelligence operation -- close to Renault HQ (Boulogne-Billancourt), Benedetti operates from Paris, and Ghosn is a French citizen/Renault CEO. Epstein was physically positioned at the geographic nexus of the Ghosn-Renault-Benedetti connections.
2019-01
CRITICAL CONTEXT: Ghosn himself confirmed he was negotiating directly with John Elkann for FCA to join Renault-Nissan alliance, with a meeting scheduled for January 2019 to conclude the deal. This is the exact window (Jan 24-28 2019) when Epstein was: (a) briefing Karp on 'google, ghosen SIC,' (b) calling Ghosn 'very very not good guy,' (c) asking about Rajeev Misra/SoftBank, and (d) asking Teodorani about Benedetti. Epstein had BOTH sides: Karp as Ghosn's defense lawyer, AND Teodorani as an Agnelli family insider connected to the FCA/EXOR side. This positions Epstein as a potential intelligence broker in one of the largest automotive mergers in history.
2019-01
On Jan 24, 2019, Epstein offered Karp a briefing on multiple topics: 'when free I can bring you up to date on google. ghosen SIC and ...' Karp replied 'Yes.' Epstein then provided his PARIS PHONE NUMBER (011 331 441 70210), which is his regular Paris apartment landline used across many contacts (Summers, Nowak, Joi Ito etc.) from 2012-2019. The three topics -- Google, Ghosn, and an unidentified third ('...') -- were offered as a package intelligence briefing, suggesting Epstein was brokering information on multiple corporate matters. 'SIC' likely means Epstein acknowledging his misspelling. The phone number indicates Epstein was IN PARIS or about to travel there when offering the Ghosn briefing, which is significant given Ghosn's French connections (Renault CEO, French citizen).
2019-01-24
Epstein emailed Karp on Jan 24, 2019: 'when free I can bring you up to date on google. ghosen SIC and...' — indicating Epstein had inside intelligence on the Ghosn situation he was prepared to brief his own lawyer on. Two days later (Jan 26, 2019), Epstein emailed Karp: 'ghosen a very very not good guy.' This suggests Epstein had formed a strong negative opinion about Ghosn, possibly based on private intelligence.
2019-01-24
On Jan 24 2019, Epstein emailed Karp: 'when free I can bring you up to date on google. ghosen SIC and ...' Karp said 'Yes.' Epstein then provided a French phone number (011 331 441 70210). This shows Epstein was briefing Karp on multiple matters including Ghosn, with 'SIC' possibly referring to the Securities and Insurance Commission or a company SIC code. The French phone number suggests a Paris-based contact for the Ghosn matter.
2019-01-24
On Jan 26 2019, Epstein emailed Karp: 'ghosen a very very not good guy.' Then immediately asked: 'Rajeev misra do you represent?' Karp replied 'Sort of. Spoke to him yesterday.' Rajeev Misra was CEO of SoftBank Vision Fund -- SoftBank being a major Nissan investor via its Japanese presence. This 72-hour window (Jan 24-28) also overlaps with Epstein asking Teodorani about 'Allesandro benedetti' on Jan 28.
2019-01-26
On Jan 26, 2019, Epstein emailed Brad Karp: '? ghosen a very very not good guy.' Karp replied 'Indeed.' Ghosn had been arrested Nov 19, 2018 in Tokyo on financial misconduct charges related to Nissan (which was in an alliance with SoftBank-backed companies). This was 2 months after Ghosn's arrest. The exchange suggests Epstein had strong negative views on Ghosn and was gathering intelligence about the SoftBank/Japan corporate network.
2019-01-26
Carole Ghosn (nee Nahas), Carlos's second wife (married 2016), was reportedly central to organizing the escape via her brothers and their Lebanon/Turkey contacts, though she denied involvement. Japan issued arrest warrant for her (false statements to judge, April 2019). French media (Le Monde) identified her family network as key escape organizers. She held the Versailles party at Palace of Versailles for their wedding (2016), which became a separate French criminal investigation into misuse of Renault corporate sponsorship. The escape involved George-Antoine Zayek (Lebanese national) — potentially connected through Carole's network. Taylor's wife Lamia is also Lebanese (Abboud family).
2019-04
Weingarten added to Paul Weiss Ghosn lobbying team Q3 2019. Named on LDA filings Q3-Q4 2019 and Q1 2020 termination. 245 Epstein emails.
2019-07 to 2020-03
The Nissan 'coup' against Ghosn was orchestrated by SVP Hari Nada, who struck an immunity deal with Tokyo prosecutors. Nada arranged unauthorized hacking of Ghosn's corporate email and Nissan's computer systems months before contacting prosecutors. The internal investigation was led by general counsel Ravinder Passi, who later reported retaliation including demotions and corporate surveillance of his family after questioning the probe's integrity. When the investigation turned toward Nada himself, CEO Nagai shut it down (Aug 2019). The conspiracy theory — supported by Bloomberg's reporting and Ghosn's own claims — holds that Nada and other Nissan executives feared Ghosn's push to deepen the Renault-Nissan integration/merger, which would have diminished Japanese control of Nissan.
2019-08
SEC v. Ghosn (1:19-cv-08798, SDNY, Judge Hellerstein): Filed Sep 23, 2019, terminated Dec 26, 2019 (3 days before escape). Securities Exchange Act violation. Separate from Japanese criminal charges. Jackson County Employees v. Ghosn (3:18-cv-01368, M.D. Tenn., Judge Campbell): Shareholder class action filed Dec 10, 2018, terminated Oct 2022. Securities/commodities claims.
2019-09-23
NEGATIVE FINDING: Michael Taylor and Peter Taylor (the American father-son team who orchestrated Ghosn's Dec 2019 escape from Japan hidden in an audio equipment box on a private jet) appear ZERO times in the Epstein document corpus in any context related to Ghosn or escape operations. 'Michael Taylor' returns only an interior designer, Michael Wolff's co-mentions, and USVI shipping references. 'Peter Taylor' returns only Ashley Taylor-Hull's family and Edge Foundation scientists. 'Green Beret' returns one unrelated document. 'escape' returns zero Ghosn-related results. 'instrument case' returns zero relevant results. This absence is significant: Epstein died July-August 2019 and the escape occurred December 2019, so the escape operation was likely planned after Epstein's death. However, given Epstein's demonstrated intelligence network around Ghosn (Karp, Pritzker, 'my guy'), and Paul Weiss's later involvement lobbying for Ghosn in Japan, the question remains whether Epstein's network facilitated early-stage escape planning before his death.
2019-12
Total documented US lobbying spend for Ghosn: Paul Weiss direct $240K + SKDK (via Paul Weiss) $490K + BGR Government Affairs $350K = $1.08M. Combined with SEC enforcement (1:19-cv-08798, SDNY, settled Dec 2019) and shareholder class action (3:18-cv-01368, M.D. Tenn, filed Dec 2018), Ghosn had a massive coordinated US legal/lobbying/PR campaign running simultaneously through late 2018 to early 2020.
2019-12
BGR Government Affairs (Haley Barbour's firm, former RNC Chairman) separately registered as Ghosn lobbyist in Q2 2019. BGR lobbyists: Haley Barbour and Go Griffith. Issue: Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice. BGR income: Q2 2019: $50K, Q3 2019: $150K, Q4 2019: $150K (termination). Total BGR income: $350K. Ghosn escape was Dec 29, 2019 — BGR terminated Q4 2019.
2019-12-29
The Ghosn escape operation (Dec 29, 2019): Taylor and Zayek flew into Osaka on a chartered MNG Jet Bombardier Global 6000 from Dubai. Ghosn was hidden in a large 'road case' (equipment box) drilled with breathing holes. Box was not X-rayed at Osaka's private jet terminal (Japan's security exempted oversized luggage from scanning at private terminals). Route: Osaka → Istanbul (Global 6000, $350K contract signed by MNG operations manager Okan Kosemen) → Beirut (separate Bombardier Challenger 300). Total cost: $1.3M+ paid by Ghosn to the Taylors. Taylor and son Peter arrested May 2020 in Harvard, MA; extradited to Japan March 2021; Taylor sentenced 2 years, Peter 20 months; returned to US Oct 2022.
2019-12-29
OCCRP Aleph shows Ghosn registered in Swiss commerce register (Ghosn Bichara Carlos) and Brazilian federal revenue (CARLOS GHOSN BICHARA), confirming his multinational corporate presence. Aleph returned zero results for American International Security Corporation (Taylor's company). LittleSis maps Ghosn's 17 relationships: positions at Nissan, Renault, Mitsubishi, IBM, Sony, Alcoa, Michelin; membership in Clinton Global Initiative and WSJ CEO Council; professional relationship with Michael Taylor (from 2020); and connection to AISC. Ghosn was a member of the Clinton Global Initiative — another overlap point with Epstein network figures (Bill Clinton, Leon Black).
2020
Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. v. Bichara (1:23-cv-01041, D. Del., Judge Andrews): Filed Sep 25, 2023, terminated May 16, 2024. Sompo Japan (Nissan's insurer) brought action to confirm arbitral award against 'Bichara' (Ghosn's surname). Nature: 'Other Statutes: Arbitration' under 9 U.S.C. 207. This is a post-escape enforcement action — Sompo Japan pursuing Ghosn in US courts while he remains a fugitive in Lebanon.
2023-09-25
Ghosn's criminal charges spanned three jurisdictions: (1) JAPAN: Understating compensation by ~$80M over 8 years (2010-2018), plus breach of trust for diverting Nissan funds to personal use including $5M through Oman's Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, using Saudi and Lebanese associates. Greg Kelly (Nissan director) convicted on one count, received 6-month suspended sentence, appeal upheld Feb 2025. (2) FRANCE: International arrest warrant for misuse of Renault assets including Versailles party ($57K), $15M Oman channel, and suspicious payments to business associates. (3) USA: SEC settlement $1M, no admission of wrongdoing, 10-year officer/director bar, negotiated by Paul Weiss.
2025-02
NEGATIVE: DugganUSA (204K+ docs) searches for 'Ghosn', 'Nissan', and 'Taylor escape' all returned HTTP 429 rate limit errors across multiple retry attempts over multiple sessions. These three searches remain unexecuted as of Feb 12, 2026. The DugganUSA corpus may contain unique Ghosn references not present in DOJ Vol 11, LMSBAND, or Unified DB.
2026-02-12
Sources
  1. 1.EFTA02616157
    Open sourceView source record
  2. 2.EFTA02612503
    Open sourceView source record
  3. 3.EFTA02613108
    Open sourceView source record
  4. 4.EFTA02609109
    Open sourceView source record
  5. 5.EFTA02609103
    Open sourceView source record
  6. 6.EFTA02627034
    Open sourceView source record
  7. 7.EFTA02628256
    Open sourceView source record
  8. 8.EFTA02686169
    Open sourceView source record
  9. 9.EFTA02686246
    Open sourceView source record
  10. 10.EFTA02707384
    Open sourceView source record
  11. 11.EFTA02504407
    Open sourceView source record
  12. 12.EFTA02344565
    Open sourceView source record
  13. 13.EFTA02635308
    Open sourceView source record