Jeffrey Epstein explored a potential investment in the music conglomerate EMI after a business associate suggested the industry could provide access to women, according to emails recently disclosed by the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
David Stern, a London-based German businessman, informed the convicted sex offender that the music sector was “related to P,” a term Epstein reportedly used as an abbreviation for a derogatory word for women.
Stern, who previously directed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s start-up competition Pitch@Palace and acted as a mediator regarding Sarah Ferguson’s financial difficulties, frequently used this code in his correspondence.
The ‘P Factor’ and political inquiries
The released files reveal that Stern used a “P factor” to rate various locations and events for Epstein, awarding the Spanish island of Ibiza a 9/10 score while giving Sarah Ferguson’s 50th birthday party a rating of 0.2/10. Stern also offered to secure fashion show tickets for Epstein to “review Chinese P”.
During the 2010 discussions, Epstein questioned if they required assistance from “mandelson,” referring to Lord Mandelson, who was then serving as the UK’s First Secretary of State and Business Secretary. While Stern initially suggested it was too early for such involvement, Epstein later contacted the politician directly.
Records indicate Lord Mandelson appeared to respond with: “Talk re EMI ??”. Neither Stern nor Lord Mandelson replied to requests for comment.
Proposed management and failed bids
If the acquisition had proceeded, Epstein proposed installing former Sony Music CEO Tommy Mottola to “fix” the company. Although Mottola’s name appears more than 700 times in the DOJ records, the department noted that such an appearance is not an indicator of wrongdoing.
Mottola did not respond to requests for comment.
The deal ultimately failed to progress, and EMI’s primary lender, Citigroup, took control of the firm. However, internal discussions regarding a bid continued into 2011. US businessman Kevin Law reportedly suggested that Epstein’s “buddy Andrew from the UK” might join a syndicate with private equity firm KKR to bid for the company.
Law has since denied ever bidding on EMI or having any business relationship with Epstein, stating he did not know the former prince. KKR declined to comment.
The acquisition never materialised, and Citigroup eventually split and sold EMI in 2012 to Universal Music and a consortium involving Sony and David Geffen. The DOJ files further indicate that Epstein and his associates discussed purchasing model agencies and fashion-related businesses, though these plans also fell through. These revelations align with previous suspicions from French prosecutors that Epstein utilised fashion industry contacts to transport and house young girls.
