Jeffrey Epstein was "very likely" recruited by the KGB during the Cold War to orchestrate a sophisticated blackmail scheme against the Western elite, according to a former senior MI6 intelligence official. Christopher Steele, who previously headed the Russia desk at the British spy agency, has made startling claims about the financier's alleged role in a "kompromat operation" with Russian connections, warning that the latest document releases reveal a "bigger picture" of espionage activities.
Intelligence Tracking Back to the 1970s
Mr Steele revealed that American intelligence agencies had been monitoring Epstein's activities since as far back as the 1970s. Speaking on Times Radio, the former intelligence chief stated: "My understanding from sources in America is that they [the FBI] have tracked Epstein's activities and operations back to the 1970s, as far back as that."
He elaborated on Epstein's alleged connections, explaining: "Epstein was effectively involved with Russian organised crime in Brighton Beach in New York and through them with the Russian mission in New York and was almost certainly recruited by them at that time."
Kremlin Funding and Unexplained Wealth
The former MI6 official suggested that Epstein's substantial wealth, which he used to cultivate relationships with influential figures, may have originated from Moscow. "Possibly the majority of his investment funds, which seem to never have been explained, actually came from the Soviet Union," Mr Steele claimed, raising questions about the source of the financier's millions.
Document Release Supports Espionage Claims
The release of more than three million new documents relating to the late sex offender lends credibility to explosive assertions made by senior security officials. These files suggest Epstein was operating on behalf of Moscow, and possibly Israel, while facilitating encounters for some of the world's most powerful men.
Notably, the documents include 1,056 references naming Russian President Vladimir Putin and 9,629 mentions of Moscow. Evidence indicates that Epstein managed to secure meetings with Putin even after his 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution.
Robert Maxwell Connection
American intelligence experts believe Epstein entered the world of espionage through business dealings with Robert Maxwell, the disgraced media magnate who died under mysterious circumstances in 1991. Maxwell, who reportedly worked as a Soviet asset during the 1970s while also assisting Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, is suspected of laundering money from Russia to the West with Epstein's assistance.
Maxwell's daughter, Ghislaine, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for child sex trafficking and other offences connected to her association with Epstein. She reportedly met the financier shortly after her father's death.
Expected Further Revelations
Mr Steele anticipates that more evidence will emerge over time. "My understanding is that the Americans have this sort of evidence. It hasn't been made public. And I suspect that as we go through their stories, it's going to unfold over time, that that will become clearer," he told the radio station.
The former intelligence chief also speculated about British intelligence access to this information, noting the close working relationship between UK and US security services. He referenced the vetting process for Peter Mandelson's ambassadorial appointment to Washington, stating: "When Mandelson was being vetted for the ambassador in Washington, this information should have been shared by the American government with our security services. I don't know whether it was, but it certainly should have been."
These revelations follow previous reports by the Mail on Sunday that raised suspicions about Epstein running "the world's largest honeytrap operation" on behalf of the KGB, procuring women for his network of powerful associates as part of an alleged intelligence gathering operation.
