References to Kentucky appear throughout millions of records released by the U.S. Department of Justice related to convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein. The documents range from political invitations to horse racing references and associates’ visits to the commonwealth.
Kentucky, Louisville, and other state ties show up hundreds of times in emails sent or received by Epstein, as well as in financial and background documents included in the release.
The massive document dump followed passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, introduced by U.S. Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Ro Khanna of California. Massie has criticized the Justice Department’s redactions and continues to press for additional disclosures tied to Epstein.
One of the clearest Kentucky connections involves Epstein’s former chief pilot, Dave Rodgers, a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. Rodgers regularly flew Epstein and his guests to various properties, including Epstein’s private Caribbean island.
However, many other Kentucky references also appear in the records. With millions of pages covering different aspects of Epstein’s life and business, simply appearing in the files does not suggest wrongdoing.
Here are some of the Kentucky mentions included in the release:
Mentions of Racing
Several references appear tied to racing events in Kentucky, though mentions of the Kentucky Derby are largely absent.
In a June 29, 2013 email, a redacted individual wrote to Epstein: “In the motorcoach at the track in Kentucky. I have zero cell service here…only wifi.”
Two days later, a likely email from the same person said they were in Indianapolis and that the race in Kentucky had been postponed by a day due to rain. The timing aligns with the Quaker State 400, a NASCAR event at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta that ran June 30, 2013, after rain delayed it. The emails, however, do not specify the event.
Epstein also maintained close contact with Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, CEO of the UAE-based port operator DP World. Bin Sulayem referenced Kentucky horse racing in several emails.
In August 2010, after Epstein asked him to visit New York, Bin Sulayem replied that he might travel in September “with his highness as he is racing in Kentucky around middle of sep.”
The phrase “his highness” may have referred to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, founder of the horse racing operation Godolphin, which has its American headquarters in Lexington, or another Emirati royal.
In September 2010, the UAE team won gold in endurance at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington. Maktoum earned silver individually, and his son, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, placed third.
In October 2010, Bin Sulayem emailed Epstein saying he had been in “Kentucky for the race our team got gold metal in the world endurance race I didn’t participate,” again appearing to reference the Lexington event.
In another email reportedly sent to Bin Sulayem — whose name was initially redacted but later identified by the DOJ — Epstein wrote, “I loved the torture video.” The nature or existence of the referenced video is not publicly known.
Other emails from Bin Sulayem to Epstein appeared to include discussions of sexual experiences.
As scrutiny of Bin Sulayem’s relationship with Epstein increased after the release, Bloomberg reported that British government-owned British International Investment and Canadian pension fund Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec paused deals with DP World. The company did not immediately respond to comment requests.
Mentions of Politics
Some released emails center on politics, including longtime U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Epstein received an invitation to a January 2013 fundraiser for McConnell at the Manhattan home of billionaire John Catsimatidis. The invitation stated that McConnell, then the Senate Republican leader, would attend.
“The Senator asked (New York State Republican) Chairman Ed Cox and myself to keep the group small so he could have time to speak with everyone and we have done so,” the invite read.
Epstein was also invited to a McConnell fundraiser in the U.S. Virgin Islands two years later. While the email threads do not show whether Epstein attended either event, he declined to donate at least once. Attorney Erika Kellerhals asked, “Do you want to make a donation? : )” Epstein replied: “no.”
In another exchange, attorney Kathy Ruemmler sent Epstein a link to a Washington Post op-ed written by McConnell about Judge Neil Gorsuch’s Supreme Court nomination. She wrote, “Oops — a little too candid,” and Epstein asked her to have someone named Greg call him.
In 2018, Epstein received an email that appeared to come from Harvard professor and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. The email suggested McConnell values “continued power above all else and would be thrilled if trump died.” The address was redacted but showed Summers’ initials and Twitter handle.
Spokespeople for McConnell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Other References to Kentucky
Many Kentucky references in the DOJ’s millions of pages are limited in detail, loosely connected to the state, or unrelated to Epstein directly.
Evolutionary biologist Robert Trivers emailed Epstein about a lecture at the University of Kentucky in 2016 and mentioned considering a job there. He also wrote to Epstein, “all best to you, what about that island of yours?”
In a January 2010 email chain, a person who referred to Epstein as “my would be husband” wrote that they were traveling “to Kentucky to see a rich man,” among other destinations.
In 2012, a redacted individual emailed Epstein about a skid steer for sale in Lexington that could be delivered to “Miami for shipment to LSJ,” which may have referred to Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In 2011, Epstein forwarded a New York Times article involving Louisville to a redacted recipient.
A significant number of Louisville mentions also appear in FBI briefs summarizing press coverage of matters unrelated to Epstein.
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