Epstein, Karp Worked to Surveil Woman's Alleged Extortion Attempt Against Leon Black

Newly released records show the two men discussed secret recordings, surveillance, and having the woman arrested.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Newly released Justice Department files reveal that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and former Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp discussed how to handle a woman who allegedly demanded $100 million from billionaire Leon Black. The emails show Epstein and Karp trading notes about secret recordings, professional surveillance, and efforts to have the woman arrested for what Epstein described as an "extortion" attempt.

Why it matters

The revelations highlight the lengths that powerful individuals like Epstein and Karp were willing to go to silence and intimidate women who made allegations against their wealthy clients. This case raises concerns about the abuse of power, the violation of individual privacy, and the potential misuse of law enforcement resources to target accusers.

The details

The emails show that Epstein and Karp agreed to have the investigation firm Nardello & Co. surveil the woman, referred to as "GG," for a full week in 2015. Karp then updated Epstein on GG's movements, including that she was "snuck out" of an apartment through the garage in a car with tinted windows to the airport. Karp also kept Epstein informed about a transcript of a meeting with GG that took place at the Four Seasons restaurant. Epstein advised Karp and another Paul Weiss attorney to "have her arrested" and possibly deported before she could file a lawsuit.

  • In August 2015, Karp informed Epstein about "GG" staying at an apartment in Manhattan's Upper East Side neighborhood before being "snuck out" through the garage, "in a car with tinted windows," to JFK airport.
  • In 2015, Epstein and Karp discussed having the woman, referred to as "GG," arrested for what Epstein described as an "extortion" attempt.

The players

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender who traded notes with Brad Karp over how to handle a woman accused of trying to shake down Leon Black.

Brad Karp

The former chairman of the elite Wall Street law firm Paul Weiss, who interacted with Jeffrey Epstein to "negotiate a series of fee disputes" on behalf of Leon Black.

Leon Black

The billionaire former CEO of Apollo Global Management, who was accused of having a relationship with the woman referred to as "GG" and was the subject of the alleged extortion attempt.

Guzel Ganieva

The woman referred to as "GG" in the emails, who allegedly demanded $100 million from Leon Black during a meeting at the Four Seasons restaurant in 2015.

Nardello & Co.

The investigation firm that was hired to surveil the woman referred to as "GG" for a full week in 2015.

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What they’re saying

“I have come to the conclusion that we will need to bring in law enforcement sooner rather than later. Needs tobe a close sensitive relation Your call on fbi or nypd.”

— Jeffrey Epstein (Justice Department files)

“I'll check again with lorin, but my strong belief is that the answer is yes. Especially with the referral coming from the most recent head of the sdny usao.”

— Brad Karp (Justice Department files)

The takeaway

This case highlights the troubling extent to which powerful individuals like Epstein and Karp were willing to go to silence and intimidate women who made allegations against their wealthy clients. It raises serious concerns about the abuse of power, the violation of individual privacy, and the potential misuse of law enforcement resources to target accusers.