Epstein Files Expose Disturbing Joke About Hawking and Underage Allegations
In a shocking revelation from the latest batch of Jeffrey Epstein documents, an email exchange shows the late financier and a billionaire friend making light of serious allegations involving Stephen Hawking. The correspondence, released by the US Department of Justice, includes nearly 2,000 emails between Epstein and real estate mogul Andrew Farkas, shedding new light on their casual attitude towards criminal accusations.
Email Exchange Details Nobel Prize Quip
The 2015 email, addressed to Farkas, founder of Island Capital, features Epstein writing about local newspaper suggestions that Hawking had sex with underage girls on his private island. Farkas responded with a dark jest, stating that if the claims were true, Epstein would deserve 'the Nobel Prize for medical science'. This exchange underscores the flippant manner in which Epstein and his associates discussed potential crimes, adding to the growing scrutiny of Hawking's connections to the convicted paedophile.
Photographic Evidence and Conference Links
Accompanying the emails is a photograph published by the DOJ, showing Hawking grinning broadly while seated between two bikini-clad women, their identities redacted. Although the exact location and date remain unclear, it is believed the image was taken on Little Saint James, Epstein's island in the US Virgin Islands, which he purchased in 1998. Hawking was among 21 prominent scientists who attended a 2006 conference hosted by Epstein, titled 'The Energy of Empty Space That Isn't Zero', where he also enjoyed a submarine tour specially modified for his needs.
Allegations and Epstein's Response
Further emails reveal that Hawking was previously accused by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre of participating in an underage orgy on the island. In a 2015 email to his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein proposed offering a reward to anyone who could disprove these allegations, specifically mentioning the Hawking claim. Despite these references, there is no evidence implicating Hawking in any wrongdoing, and he is mentioned over 250 times in the files, often repetitiously.
Epstein's Scientific Ambitions and Public Relations Efforts
The documents also highlight Epstein's self-proclaimed role as a 'science philanthropist', with large donations to scientific causes and a fascination with transhumanism. Emails suggest he was advised to use his relationship with Hawking to improve his public image, including releasing photos or videos of the physicist's submarine experience. The conference was held at a luxury hotel on St Thomas, with guests splitting time between there and Epstein's private island.
Additional Claims and Context
An unsubstantiated FBI tip-off from 2019 alleged that Epstein visited a gay club with Hawking in 2011, though the DOJ notes that such documents may include false submissions. Hawking's personal life, as detailed in a 2021 documentary, reveals complexities, including his departure from his family on Christmas Day 1989 to be with his carer. The DOJ has released over three million documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, with more identified but not fully disclosed.
Aftermath and Statements
Andrew Farkas, through his spokeswoman, has expressed regret over his association with Epstein and condemned his crimes. Epstein was found dead in his prison cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The ongoing release of files continues to fuel public interest and scrutiny into the networks surrounding the disgraced financier.
