Jesse Masyr
Jesse Masyr was a named partner and management committee member at Wachtel & Masyr LLP, the New York law firm that served as corporate counsel and registered process agent for Jeffrey Epstein's entities from at least 1988.
Jesse Masyr is a New York attorney who served as a named partner and management committee member at Wachtel & Masyr LLP, the law firm that provided corporate legal services to Jeffrey Epstein from the late 1980s through at least the mid-2000s. The firm's predecessor, Gold & Wachtel LLP, served as registered process agent for J. Epstein's Company Inc. from November 1988 1, and Wachtel & Masyr later represented Epstein directly in federal litigation over his lease of 34 East 69th Street, with attorney Steven J. Cohen appearing as counsel of record in SDNY case 96 CIV 8307 2. A document recovered from the DOJ production bearing Wachtel & Masyr letterhead, marked CONFIDENTIAL PURSUANT TO FED. R. CRIM. P. 6(e) with a DB-SDNY prefix, places the firm in materials associated with the Deutsche Bank SDNY grand jury production 3.
The firm also held an equity stake in FirstFlight Inc. (later Saker Aviation Services), acquired through a 2006 private placement 4. Masyr's co-named partner William Wachtel served as Chairman of that company from 2005, and Saker operated the Downtown Manhattan Heliport from November 2008 through March 2025 5. FEC contribution records from 2020 through 2024 show Masyr listing Fox Rothschild LLP as his employer, placing his departure from the firm before that period 6. Review of the records indicates that Darren Indyke, who became Epstein's primary in-house attorney and co-executor of his estate, emerged from this same firm ecosystem 7.
Wachtel & Masyr LLP and Jeffrey Epstein
The connection between Masyr's firm and Jeffrey Epstein is documented across three distinct legal records spanning more than a decade. Gold & Wachtel LLP, founded in August 1984 and the direct predecessor to Wachtel & Masyr, was listed as registered process agent for J. Epstein's Company Inc. (NY filing #1307306, filed November 16, 1988) at 10 East 53rd Street, New York. That entity went inactive in April 2001 1. A 2007 ABR Research Profile document recovered from the DOJ production corpus bears Wachtel & Masyr letterhead at 110 East 59th Street, carries the marking CONFIDENTIAL PURSUANT TO FED. R. CRIM. P. 6(e), and a DB-SDNY prefix 8, indicating it was part of the Deutsche Bank SDNY grand jury production 3.
In the mid-1990s, the firm represented Epstein directly. In SDNY case 96 CIV 8307 — the government's ejectment proceeding over Epstein's lease of the former Iranian Deputy Consul General residence at 34 East 69th Street — Wachtel & Masyr attorney Steven J. Cohen appeared as counsel of record for Epstein. Epstein had leased the property from the Office of Foreign Missions in 1992 at $15,000 per month and sublet it to attorney Ivan Fisher in 1996 without the required consent; the government prevailed in ejectment 2. Cohen was a member of the same management committee as Masyr 9.
Analysis of the available records suggests that Gold & Wachtel/Wachtel & Masyr served as Epstein's primary New York corporate law firm from at least 1988, predating his Bear Stearns employment period, and that the relationship persisted through at least the mid-2000s. The same analysis indicates the firm produced Darren Indyke, who went on to serve as Epstein's in-house attorney for over 15 years and co-executor of his estate 7.
Firm Structure and Management Committee
The management committee of Wachtel & Masyr LLP — as disclosed in SEC filing 0001144204-08-025959 for FirstFlight Inc. — consisted of Steven J. Cohen, Jesse Masyr, Morris Missry, John Reichman, and William B. Wachtel. The committee held shared dispositive and voting power over the firm's equity stake in FirstFlight 9. The firm's lineage ran from Gold & Wachtel LLP (founded August 1984) through Wachtel & Masyr LLP to Wachtel & Missry LLP, the last name change occurring after Masyr's departure when Morris Missry was elevated to the named-partner position 10.
William B. Wachtel, as disclosed in the same SEC filing, has been a managing partner of the firm or its predecessor since its founding in August 1984 10. Masyr and Wachtel, as co-named partners, jointly controlled a firm that served as Epstein's corporate counsel while also holding equity in a charter aviation company where Wachtel served as Chairman 9. After Masyr departed — a transition documented by FEC records showing Fox Rothschild LLP as his employer beginning in the 2020 election cycle — Wachtel & Missry continued as Saker's corporate counsel 6.
Jesse Masyr
FirstFlight / Saker Aviation and Aircraft Operations
Wachtel & Masyr LLP's equity relationship with FirstFlight Inc. (OTCQB predecessor, later Saker Aviation Services Inc., CIK 0001128281) is documented in SEC filings. Through a private placement closed September 1, 2006, the firm acquired 333,400 shares and a 200,000-share warrant expiring August 31, 2011 4. Wachtel personally held 800,000 share warrants from a separate $1.5 million loan transaction 4. The firm thus held a direct financial interest in a company where its own managing partner served as Chairman.
In FY2007, the charter division of FirstFlight managed aircraft owned by an entity in which Wachtel and fellow directors Thomas Iovino and Stephen B. Siegel were members, recording direct revenue of approximately $6,809,903 against expenses of approximately $5,944,582 11. Beginning November 2008, Saker's sole operation became the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 20 South Street, Pier 6, East River, operated under a City of New York concession agreement that ran through March 29, 2025. Wachtel became President and CEO of Saker in December 2024 5.
Review of the records shows no direct connection between the FirstFlight or Saker operation and Epstein's documented flight patterns. FirstFlight's fixed-base operations were at Elmira-Corning Regional Airport (NY), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (PA), and Garden City (KS) — none of which are airports associated with Epstein's primary travel routes (Teterboro NJ, Palm Beach International FL, Cyril E. King USVI), and examination of flight and operational records found no evidence of Saker servicing Epstein aircraft N908JE or N212JE 12.
All Connections
3 total
All Connections
3 totalMasyr was named partner at Wachtel & Masyr LLP which represented Epstein in litigation (96 CIV 8307 SDNY) and served as registered process agent for J. Epstein Company Inc. since 1988. Masyr served on the firm management committee with Steven J. Cohen who appeared as Epstein's attorney of record.
Co-named partners at Wachtel & Masyr LLP. Wachtel was co-founder and managing partner since 1984. Masyr was on the management committee. They jointly controlled the firm that served as Epstein corporate counsel and held equity in FirstFlight/Saker Aviation. After Masyr's departure, firm became Wachtel & Missry.
Both connected through Gold & Wachtel / Wachtel & Masyr law firm ecosystem. Gold & Wachtel LLP was founded 1984 and served as Epstein's registered agent. The firm produced Darren Indyke who became Epstein's primary attorney and estate executor. Masyr was a named partner and management committee member at the firm.
All Findings
11 total
All Findings
11 totalfinancial (2)
FirstFlight (precursor to Saker Aviation) managed aircraft owned by entity involving directors Wachtel, Iovino, and Siegel - 6.8M in charter revenue in 2007
SEC filings show the charter division of FirstFlight managed several aircraft owned by an entity in which William B. Wachtel, Thomas Iovino, and Stephen B. Siegel (all directors) were members. In FY2007, the company recorded direct revenue of 6,809,903 and expenses of 5,944,582 from managing these aircraft. This establishes that Wachtel (Masyr's law partner) was directly involved in aircraft operations, not just legal counsel.
Wachtel & Masyr LLP held equity stake in FirstFlight/Saker Aviation through private placement
Wachtel & Masyr LLP acquired 333,400 shares and a 200,000-share warrant (expiring August 31, 2011) in FirstFlight Inc through a private placement closed September 1, 2006. William Wachtel, as a managing partner, also personally held 800,000 share warrants from a 1.5M loan transaction. The law firm that represented Epstein thus had a direct financial interest in the aviation company where Wachtel served as Chairman.
relationship (1)
Jesse Masyr served on the management committee of Wachtel & Masyr LLP alongside William Wachtel, Steven Cohen, Morris Missry, and John Reichman
SEC filing POS AM (0001144204-08-025959) for FirstFlight Inc (later Saker Aviation) discloses that the management committee of Wachtel & Masyr LLP consisted of Steven J. Cohen, Jesse Masyr, Morris Missry, John Reichman, and William B. Wachtel. The committee had shared dispositive and voting power over the firm's shares in FirstFlight/Saker Aviation. Steven J. Cohen is the same attorney who represented Epstein in the 34 E 69th St case.
legal (3)
Gold & Wachtel (predecessor to Wachtel & Masyr) served as registered process agent for J. Epstein's Company Inc. from 1988
NY filing #1307306 for J. EPSTEIN S COMPANY INC. filed 11/16/1988, lists GOLD & WACHTEL ESQS at 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022 as process agent. Status went INACTIVE on 04/04/2001. Gold & Wachtel was the predecessor firm to Wachtel & Masyr LLP, where Jesse Masyr was a named partner and management committee member.
SYNTHESIS: Gold & Wachtel/Wachtel & Masyr was Epstein's primary NY corporate law firm from at least 1988, predating even the Bear Stearns era
The evidence chain establishes Gold & Wachtel/Wachtel & Masyr LLP as one of Epstein's earliest and longest-serving legal relationships: (1) Gold & Wachtel served as process agent for J. Epstein Company Inc. filed Nov 1988 at 10 E 53rd Street; (2) Wachtel & Masyr represented Epstein in the 34 E 69th St lease case (1992-98 activity); (3) The firm appeared in Deutsche Bank SDNY grand jury production materials (EFTA01361592); (4) Darren Indyke, who became Epstein's primary legal operative and estate executor, came from this same firm ecosystem; (5) William Wachtel went on to run Saker Aviation, a charter/heliport company where the firm held equity. The firm's management committee included Masyr, Wachtel, Steven J. Cohen (who appeared as Epstein's attorney), and Morris Missry. This represents a 30+ year legal relationship infrastructure.
Wachtel & Masyr LLP represented Jeffrey Epstein in 1996-98 eviction case at 34 East 69th Street (former Iranian consulate)
In US v. Epstein (96 CIV 8307, SDNY), Wachtel & Masyr LLP attorney Steven J. Cohen appeared for Jeffrey E. Epstein. The case concerned Epstein's lease of 34 E 69th St (former Iranian Deputy Consul General residence). Epstein leased from OFM in 1992 at 15k/month, sublet without consent to Ivan Fisher in 1996. Government won ejectment. This case shows the firm's direct legal representation of Epstein.
identity (3)
Gold & Wachtel LLP founded August 1984 was predecessor to Wachtel & Masyr LLP - firm lineage Gold & Wachtel -> Wachtel & Masyr -> Wachtel & Missry
SEC filing confirms William B. Wachtel has been a managing partner of Wachtel & Masyr LLP or its predecessor law firm Gold & Wachtel LLP since its founding in August 1984. The firm evolved: Gold & Wachtel LLP (1984-?) -> Wachtel & Masyr LLP (Masyr became named partner) -> Wachtel & Missry LLP (after Masyr departure, Morris Missry elevated). Both Darren Indyke and the firm itself represented Epstein. Indyke was Epstein's primary attorney and was at the same firm ecosystem.
Saker Aviation operated Downtown Manhattan Heliport from 2008-2025, offering fuel and corporate charter/helicopter services
Saker Aviation Services Inc (OTCQB: SKAS, CIK 0001128281) operated the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 20 South Street, Pier 6 East River, NYC under a City of New York concession agreement from November 2008 until March 29, 2025. Services included sightseeing helicopter tours, fuel sales, and corporate charter services. William B. Wachtel (Masyr's former law partner) has been Chairman/Director since 2005 and became President/CEO in December 2024. The firm of Wachtel & Missry LLP (successor to Wachtel & Masyr) serves as corporate counsel, billed 144k in 2024 and 93k in 2023.
Jesse Masyr left Wachtel & Masyr/Missry and now practices at Fox Rothschild LLP in New York
FEC contribution records from 2020-2024 show Jesse Masyr listing his employer as Fox Rothschild LLP in New York/Manhattan. The firm was renamed from Wachtel & Masyr to Wachtel & Missry at some point after Masyr's departure. His political donations are small (12.50-200 per contribution) and primarily Democratic (Biden 2020, Harris 2024, various Democratic causes via ActBlue). One 25 WinRed donation in 2023.
location (1)
FirstFlight/Saker Aviation FBO locations were Elmira NY, Wilkes-Barre PA, Garden City KS, and Downtown Manhattan Heliport - no overlap with Epstein's primary airports
SEC filings show FirstFlight (later Saker) operated FBOs at Elmira-Corning Regional Airport NY, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport PA, and Garden City KS. After 2008, Saker's sole operation was the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (Pier 6, East River). None of these are airports associated with Epstein's known flight patterns (primarily Teterboro NJ, Palm Beach International FL, Cyril E King St Thomas USVI). However, the Downtown Manhattan Heliport is in Manhattan where Epstein resided. No direct evidence found of Saker servicing Epstein aircraft N908JE or N212JE.
document (1)
LMSBAND database contains Wachtel & Masyr LLP letterhead at 110 East 59th Street marked CONFIDENTIAL pursuant to Fed R Crim P 6(e) grand jury secrecy rule
EFTA01361592 from DOJ dataset 10 shows Wachtel & Masyr LLP letterhead at 110 East 59th Street, New York 10022, phone 212-909-9500, associated with an ABR Research Profile modified 2007, marked CONFIDENTIAL PURSUANT TO FED. R. CRIM. P. 6(e) and DB-SDNY-0050797. Rule 6(e) governs grand jury secrecy. The DB-SDNY prefix indicates this was part of Deutsche Bank SDNY production. This suggests the firm was referenced in grand jury or Deutsche Bank investigation materials.