Jide Zeitlin
Zeitlin is a former Goldman Sachs partner and Tapestry CEO whose email correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein documents his use of Epstein as an introduction channel to Gulf business figures and as a resource on Russian sanctions exposure, while Epstein simultaneously forwarded Zeitlin's messages to Steve Bannon.
Jide Zeitlin is a former Goldman Sachs partner and founder of the Keffi Group advisory firm who served as a director and later CEO of Tapestry Inc. (the parent company of Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman) before resigning in July 2020. According to a ProPublica investigation published that month, Zeitlin had operated a photography studio in his SoHo apartment building under the alias "James Greene," soliciting female models via Craigslist at the email address [email protected]; accuser Gretchen Raymond stated she met "Greene" in January 2007 and the arrangement lasted until October 2007, and that she reported the matter to Senate staff in December 2009 1. Public records indicate that Zeitlin’s resignation followed a separate woman’s police report alleging he took sexual photographs of her without her knowledge, also dating to 2007 2.
Email records from the Jeffrey Epstein Task Force Archive document that Zeitlin maintained active correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein from at least February 2018 through April 25, 2019 — weeks before Epstein’s July 2019 arrest — accumulating 149 hits in the DugganUSA corpus and 30 in DOJ Volume 11 3. Zeitlin was introduced to Epstein through a person identified as "Steve" 4; Epstein forwarded Zeitlin’s emails to Steve Bannon on at least two occasions, noting "keeping you in the loop" 5 6. Epstein also brokered an introduction between Zeitlin and Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World, in May 2018; Zeitlin reported missing that meeting because he was "stuck at the White House" the same day 7.
The correspondence records Zeitlin asking Epstein in May 2018 whether he knew sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska and Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg. Epstein subsequently researched sanctions law on Zeitlin’s behalf, writing that he was "not sure if the co is sanctioned" and suggesting that a meeting with Treasury could allow structuring around sanctions through a "trust swap" option 8 9. Separately, in January 2019, Epstein forwarded Zeitlin the resume of a woman named Yulia; email records show Zeitlin contacted her directly, writing "I received your name and resume from Jeffrey Epstein" and identifying himself as a Tapestry director 10 2.
Career and Institutional Affiliations
Zeitlin built his career at Goldman Sachs, rising to partner. His mentor at the firm was Hank Paulson, who later served as U.S. Treasury Secretary; according to ProPublica reporting, Paulson stated publicly that "there were never any complaints about inappropriate behavior by Jide when he was at Goldman Sachs" 1. Zeitlin subsequently founded the Keffi Group (email domain [email protected]), an advisory firm operating from New York 3. Public records indicate he served on the Tapestry board before being appointed CEO, resigning from that role in July 2020 2. He was also a member of the Obama administration’s Economics and International Trade Agency Review Team 11. Both Zeitlin and Kathryn Ruemmler appear in what the database records as a "Goldman Triple" cluster within the Epstein correspondence Connection #8.
Correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein
The EFTA corpus records that Zeitlin's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein began around February 2018 through an introduction by a person identified only as "Steve" 4. Epstein's response — "jide, I know who you are. no need for credentials" 12 — suggests that someone had already communicated Zeitlin's background before the formal introduction 13. The two met in person at Epstein's residence at 9 East 71st Street on at least April 24, 2018 14 and June 4, 2018 at 3:30pm 15, and coordinated a meeting in Brooklyn on July 31, 2018 16. Zeitlin flew via Teterboro Airport on July 23, 2018, with email context placing him in contact with Epstein around that date 17. Correspondence continued through April 25, 2019 18 3.
Epstein forwarded Zeitlin's emails to Steve Bannon on at least two documented occasions: on April 25, 2018, he forwarded Zeitlin's message containing the phrase "You are a fascinating person, Jeffrey" 19, and on May 5, 2018, he forwarded another with the notation "keeping you in the loop" 5. The introduction thread that initiated the Zeitlin-Epstein relationship also included "Steve" as a carbon-copy recipient 4, which the record correlates with Bannon 6. In a separate exchange, Zeitlin referenced a "mutual friend" who had agreed with Epstein's view that a "full divestiture may be required," describing the challenge of structuring an option "in such a way that it does not make me appear to be a strawman" 20 6.
The correspondence also covered geopolitics with a level of granularity suggesting access to official channels. Zeitlin referenced Netanyahu's communications with Pompeo about Iran (EFTA02451920, April 30, 2018), reported seeing Epstein's contact in Dubai (EFTA02598421, June 18, 2018), and commented on a GE stock announcement: "I hope that your friend Eva sold her GE stock before yesterday's announcement" (EFTA02567528, June 20, 2018) 11. In August 2018, Zeitlin shared a FARA registration document from fara.gov with Epstein, writing "Interesting that key aspects of their approach now mirror my proposal" 21 11.
A schedule note from Lesley Groff dated January 6, 2019 reads "this week ehud jide, barnaby. miro on feb 3rd" 22, placing Zeitlin on the same week's visitor schedule as Ehud Barak at 9 East 71st Street 23.
Sanctions Exposure and Oligarch Inquiries
On May 4, 2018, Zeitlin wrote to Epstein: "Separately, do you know Oleg Deripaska or Ivan Glasenberg?" 24. Deripaska, the Russian aluminum magnate and owner of Rusal and EN+, had been designated under OFAC sanctions the previous month. Glasenberg was CEO of Glencore. Epstein responded the following day with the results of his own research: "not sure if the co is sanctioned. i have tried to research for you sanctions and the case law. not much. if you had a meeting with the appropriate division of treasury, im sure you can structure around it. trust swap. option." 8 9. Two months later, in July 2018, Zeitlin described a situation involving unnamed parties whose "ownership and other webs" their sophisticated advisors had been unable to untangle after more than a year 25 9.
Gulf Business Introductions Through Epstein
In May 2018, Epstein introduced Zeitlin to Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and Dubai Ports World 26, providing bin Sulayem's WhatsApp contact. Zeitlin reported that he was unable to attend the scheduled meeting because he was "stuck at the White House" and bin Sulayem had "a narrow window" 27 7. In a message from the same date, Zeitlin noted that Nigeria Trade Minister Okey Enelamah, who had discussed DP World with bin Sulayem at the World Economic Forum, had recently visited Zeitlin's home 27 13. Epstein also facilitated a three-way email introduction between Zeitlin and Deepak Chopra 28 13.
Photography Alias and Tapestry Resignation
The ProPublica investigation detailed that the SoHo photography studio operated under the "James Greene" alias was located in the same building as Zeitlin's family residence. Zeitlin used the email address [email protected] to solicit models via Craigslist 1. Accuser Gretchen Raymond reported that the arrangement began in January 2007 and continued through October 2007; she stated she brought the matter to the attention of Senate staff in December 2009. Paulson's public statement that no complaints of inappropriate behavior were made during Zeitlin's time at Goldman Sachs does not address the period after his departure from the firm 1.
Separately, in January 2019 while Zeitlin was still a Tapestry board director, Epstein forwarded him the resume of a woman named Yulia. Email records show Zeitlin reached out to her directly, identifying himself as a Tapestry director 10. By February 2019, Yulia wrote to Epstein asking whether matters were "all fine" because she had not heard from Zeitlin since he forwarded her resume to a firm 29 2.
All Connections
6 total
All Connections
6 totalZeitlin asked Epstein about Deripaska and Glasenberg (May 2018). Met at 358 El Brillo Way. Epstein provided sanctions advisory on RUSAL/EN+ divestiture. Zeitlin called Epstein 'lovable rogue...real, not fictional, and brilliant.' Also involved in Sultan bin Sulayem/DP World introduction. Zeitlin was later CEO of Tapestry (Coach parent).
Both in Goldman Triple. Zeitlin used Epstein as recruiter for Tapestry/Coach. Both connected to Goldman Sachs orbit.
All Findings
9 total
All Findings
9 totalfinancial (1)
Zeitlin asked Epstein about sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska and Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg on May 4, 2018 (EFTA02449325). Epstein researched sanctions status for Zeitlin: 'understood. not sure if the co is sanctioned. i have tried to research for you sanctio[ns]' (EFTA02451090, May 5, 2018). Zeitlin also discussed 'ownership and other webs' that advisors could not untangle (EFTA02600937, Jul 31, 2018). A FARA registration document was shared between them (EFTA02599558, Aug 4, 2018 - fara.gov/docs/20180712-19.pdf). This cluster suggests Zeitlin was seeking Epstein's help navigating sanctioned entities, possibly related to Deripaska's Rusal/En+ divestiture.
relationship (4)
Zeitlin maintained intense, substantive correspondence with Epstein from Feb 2018 through at least Apr 2019 (149 DugganUSA hits, 30 DOJ Vol 11 hits). Email domain [email protected]. They met regularly at 9 E 71st St and Palm Beach. Zeitlin visited Epstein at 9 E 71st on Apr 24, 2018 ('12 noon? 9 east 71' - EFTA02464713), Jun 4, 2018 at 3:30pm (EFTA02249416). Zeitlin flew via Teterboro (Jul 23, 2018 - EFTA02601150). In-person Brooklyn meetup Jul 31, 2018 (EFTA02601061). Communication continued through Apr 25, 2019 (EFTA02282966), just weeks before Epstein's Jul 6 arrest.
Goldman Sachs partner Zeitlin introduced to Sultan Bin Sulayem through Epstein (May 2018). Zeitlin had White House meeting same day, spoke with VP. Mentioned Nigeria trade minister Okey Enelamah discussed DP World with Sulayem at WEF. Zeitlin also asked Epstein if he knew Oleg Deripaska or Ivan Glasenberg (Glencore). Shows Epstein as broker between Goldman partners and Gulf/Russian oligarchs.
Zeitlin served as Epstein's conduit to high-level international business contacts. (1) Sultan Bin Sulayem (Chairman of DP World/Dubai Ports): Epstein introduced Zeitlin to bin Sulayem (May 2, 2018, EFTA02453039), providing his WhatsApp number. Zeitlin met with bin Sulayem at Epstein's direction but missed the meeting due to being 'stuck at the White House' (EFTA02447106, May 3, 2018). (2) Nigeria Trade Minister Okey Enelamah visited Zeitlin's home (EFTA02447106). (3) Deepak Chopra: Three-way email introduction between Epstein, Zeitlin, and Chopra (EFTA02624910). (4) Epstein instructed Zeitlin: 'jide, I know who you are. no need for credentials' (EFTA02524568, Feb 23, 2018) — suggesting someone had provided Zeitlin's background unsolicited.
Lesley Groff's Jan 6, 2019 schedule note shows 'this week ehud jide, barnaby. miro on feb 3rd.' (EFTA02268918). This places Zeitlin in Epstein's schedule alongside Ehud Barak ('ehud') in the same week in early Jan 2019. Zeitlin and Barak were both scheduled as visitors at 9 E 71st St. A separate schedule note from EFTA02358462 (Jan 30, 2017) mentions 'Nader Ehud to arrive early on Feb 1 to NY and leaving for Palm Beach on feb. 3' — this 'Nader' appears to be a person coordinating Ehud Barak's travel, not George Nader (Mueller witness).
intelligence (4)
ProPublica investigation revealed Zeitlin used the alias 'James Greene' and operated a photography studio in his SoHo apartment building (adjacent to his family residence) where he photographed women under a false professional identity. He solicited models via Craigslist using email [email protected]. Accuser Gretchen Raymond (38, Stamford CT) met 'Greene' in Jan 2007 responding to Craigslist ad; relationship lasted until Oct 2007. Raymond reported to Senate staff Dec 2009. Zeitlin's Goldman mentor Hank Paulson stated 'there were never any complaints about inappropriate behavior by Jide when he was at Goldman Sachs.' While no direct Epstein collaboration is proven in the photography scheme, the pattern of a powerful Goldman partner using deception to photograph women overlaps with Epstein's documented methods of compromising associates and placing women in their orbit.
Epstein forwarded Zeitlin communications to Steve Bannon at least twice. (1) Apr 25, 2018: Epstein forwarded Zeitlin's 'You are a fascinating person, Jeffrey' email to Bannon (EFTA02461392). (2) May 5, 2018: Epstein forwarded a Zeitlin email to Bannon with the note 'keeping you in the loop' (EFTA02451692). The Zeitlin-Bannon connection through Epstein is also confirmed by the introduction chain: Zeitlin was introduced to Epstein via 'Steve' (EFTA02523785: 'Thank you, Steve. Tomorrow works well, Jeffrey'). Zeitlin also discussed a 'full divest[iture]' with an unnamed 'mutual friend' who agreed with Epstein's view (EFTA02450701, May 5, 2018).
Zeitlin discussed geopolitics with Epstein at high level, referencing Netanyahu, Iran, GE stock, and specific insider knowledge. (1) 'Netanyahu's comments with Pompeo about Iran? Bibi' (EFTA02451920, Apr 30, 2018). (2) 'I hope that your friend Eva sold her GE stock before yesterday's announcement' (EFTA02567528, Jun 20, 2018) — suggests awareness of Epstein's access to corporate intelligence. (3) 'Saw your friend earlier today in Dubai' (EFTA02598421, Jun 18, 2018). (4) Discussed FARA filings: 'Interesting that key aspects their approach now mirror my proposal' (EFTA02599558, Aug 4, 2018) with link to fara.gov document. (5) Was member of Obama Economics and International Trade Agency Review Team (LittleSis). (6) Zeitlin called Epstein 'a fascinating person' and said he was 'reasonably certain' about something after visiting (EFTA02460518, Apr 25, 2018).
Zeitlin resigned as Tapestry/Coach CEO in July 2020 after a woman filed a police report alleging he took 'sexual photos of her without her knowledge' in 2007. The photos were taken when the woman was 'in her twenties.' This pattern — a powerful man with sexual photos of a younger woman — matches Epstein's documented modus operandi of compromising associates through sexual material. Critically, in Jan 2019 (EFTA02627382), Epstein sent Zeitlin a resume and name of a woman named 'Yulia' to place at Tapestry/Coach, where Zeitlin was a board director. Zeitlin contacted Yulia directly, writing 'I received your name and resume from Jeffrey Epstein. I am a director of Tapestry, the holding company that owns the Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman brands.' By Feb 2019 (EFTA02629898), the woman wrote Epstein: 'I haven't heard from mr. Zeitlin since last Monday when he sent out my resume to FIRM. Do you think it's all fine?'
Full Timeline
10 events
Full Timeline
10 events- 1.Finding #206
- 2.Finding #179
- 3.Finding #163
- 4.EFTA02523785
- 5.EFTA02451692
- 6.Finding #168
- 7.Finding #365
- 8.EFTA02451090
- 9.Finding #164
- 10.EFTA02627382
- 11.Finding #172
- 12.EFTA02524568
- 13.Finding #170
- 14.EFTA02464713
- 15.EFTA02249416
- 16.EFTA02601061
- 17.EFTA02601150
- 18.EFTA02282966
- 19.EFTA02461392
- 20.EFTA02450701
- 21.EFTA02599558
- 22.EFTA02268918
- 23.Finding #176
- 24.EFTA02449325
- 25.EFTA02600937
- 26.EFTA02453039
- 27.EFTA02447106
- 28.EFTA02624910
- 29.EFTA02629898