Wealthy NYC law tycoon resigns chairmanship in disgrace over Epstein scandal, as shocking 'mistress' email about a client is revealed
A top New York City lawyer has stepped down as chairman of his firm after his shocking email correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein appeared to show him discussing how to manage a client's alleged affair.
Brad Karp resigned from the position at white-shoe law firm Paul Weiss on Wednesday after his involvement with convicted sex offender Epstein came to light.
Karp dealt with Epstein as he represented private equity investor Leon Black who used the disgraced financier for tax and estate planning advice to the tune of $170 million, per the New York Times.
The latest release of Department of Justice files related to the disgraced financier showed Karp emailed with Epstein multiple times, even apparently conferring with him on how to deal with one of Black's alleged mistresses.
A source told the New York Times that Paul Weiss lawyers were upset about the exchanges.
In one email to Karp, Epstein allegedly suggested Black hire a private investigator to surveil his former mistress.
In another, Epstein suggested Karp look into the woman's visa status.
'Is it possible for your contacts to 1 get her current visa status? 2. Is there a way for us to file something that would revoke a tourist visa?' wrote Epstein.
Lawyer Brad Karp expressed his regret after correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein resurfaced in the latest Department of Justice file drop
Karp with his wife, Roberta. Karp worked for billionaire Larry Black who used Epstein for financial planning
The chairman of major law firm Paul, Weiss resigned hours after saying he regretted asking Jeffrey Epstein (pictured) to help get his son a job working for Woody Allen
'Both good ideas; will work on this,' Karp responded.
In his resignation statement, Karp implied that stories on his involvement with Epstein had become a 'distraction' for the law firm.
'Leading Paul, Weiss for the past 18 years has been the honor of my professional life,' he said.
'Recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed a focus on me that is not in the best interests of the firm.'
Karp had spent his entire 40-year legal career at the major firm and been chairman since 2008.
He will remain employed at the law firm and continue to focus his full-time attention on client services, according to the firm.
Most of the files that mentioned Karp referred to phone calls, meetings and business dealings involving Black and Paul Weiss.
'Paul Weiss was retained by Leon Black, then the CEO of the firm's longtime client Apollo, to negotiate a series of fee disputes with Jeffrey Epstein that spanned several years,' the firm said in a statement.
Black reportedly paid Epstein almost $160 million between 2012 and 2017.
Epstein died by suicide in his New York City jail cell in August 2019
Former CEO of Apollo Global Management Leon Black was represented by Karp and his firm for years
The latest release of files contained allegations of abuse by Black, including the rape of an autistic 16-year-old girl.
Black was sued in 2023 over the accusations and his lawyers claimed at the time that he had never met the teen in question. The suit is ongoing.
Earlier this week, Paul Weiss released a statement expressing Karp's regret for his interactions with Epstein.
'Mr Karp attended two group dinners in New York City and had a small number of social interactions by email, all of which he regrets,' it read.
After one dinner in 2015, Karp sent the disgraced financier an email of gratitude.
The lawyer thanked the predator for 'an evening I'll never forget.'
'It was truly "once in a lifetime" in every way, though I hope to be invited again,' said Karp. 'You are an extraordinary host — and your home...!!!'
'You are always welcome,' Epstein replied. 'There are many, many nights of unique talents. You will be invited often.'
In another interaction, Karp appeared to ask Epstein for help setting his son, David, up for a job with Woody Allen.
Karp wrote in the email: 'He certainly doesn't need to be paid and he's a really good, talented kid.'
'I will ask, of course,' Epstein responded.
David even interacted with Epstein multiple times, thanking him for his 'interest in helping [his] film career.'
Karp cancelled a speaking event at the Wall Street Journal’s Invest Live in Palm Beach following the revelations.
Karp's law firm faced backlash last year after Paul Weiss offered President Trump $40 million in free legal services to help stave off executive orders accusing them of 'illegal DEI practices'.
The Daily Mail contacted Paul Weiss, Karp, David Karp and a spokesperson for Black for comment.
