Consultants Offered Epstein Access to Top N.Y. Democrats if He Donated

Dynamic SRG repeatedly asked the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to contribute to campaigns of prominent New York Democrats, records show.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A well-connected New York City fund-raising firm, Dynamic SRG, repeatedly contacted convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2012 and 2014, asking him to make contributions to the campaigns of several prominent New York Democratic politicians, including Kathy Hochul, Hakeem Jeffries, and Joe Crowley. While Epstein does not appear to have donated to any of the candidates, the emails show the consultants offered him access to exclusive gatherings and organizing roles in exchange for contributions.

Why it matters

The repeated solicitation of contributions from Epstein by the prominent consulting firm, which continues to work with many high-profile elected officials, underscores the extent to which he was still courted as a donor despite being convicted of felony sex crimes in 2008. This raises questions about the vetting processes used by political campaigns and consulting firms when accepting donations.

The details

The files released by the Justice Department show that Dynamic SRG contacted Epstein on behalf of the campaigns of Kathy Hochul, Hakeem Jeffries, and Joe Crowley, all of whom were members of Congress at the time. The emails offered Epstein opportunities to serve on host committees and gain access to exclusive VIP receptions in exchange for contributions, but there is no evidence he actually donated to any of the candidates. Campaign finance records show the firm was paid substantial sums by the politicians' campaigns.

  • The emails to Epstein were sent between 2012 and 2014.

The players

Dynamic SRG

A well-connected New York City fund-raising firm that has counted many high-profile elected officials as clients.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender who was once a prominent donor to Democratic politicians, but whose contributions were treated as a political liability after his arrest on prostitution charges in 2006.

Kathy Hochul

A former member of Congress who is now the governor of New York and is seeking re-election this year.

Hakeem Jeffries

A Brooklyn congressman who is now the House minority leader and is in line to become speaker if his party prevails in the midterm election this year.

Joe Crowley

A former congressman from Queens who was one of Dynamic SRG's top clients, with the firm being paid more than $700,000 by his congressional campaigns over nine years.

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What they’re saying

“We regret that a predator like Jeffrey Epstein received one.”

— Walter Swett, Founder and partner at Dynamic SRG (The New York Times)

“I've never had a conversation with him, never met him, know nothing about him other than the extreme things he's been convicted of doing.”

— Hakeem Jeffries (CNN)

“Who in their right mind would ask a pedophile for money? Never in my wildest dreams did I think my name would somehow be involved in it.”

— Joe Crowley, Former congressman (The New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater scrutiny and vetting of political donations, especially from individuals with a history of criminal behavior, to ensure that elected officials and their campaigns are not complicit in enabling or normalizing such individuals.