Epstein Tried to Purchase Moroccan Palace Days Before 2019 Arrest

The disgraced financier had long been interested in acquiring the property known as Palace Bin Ennakhil.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:04pm

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Recently released documents from the U.S. Department of Justice reveal that convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein had tried to purchase a palace in Marrakech, Morocco, just 10 days before his arrest in 2019. Epstein had been interested in acquiring the property, known as Palace Bin Ennakhil, since 2011 but disputes over the price and purchase agreement had prevented the deal from being finalized until March 2019. Epstein had arranged to have $27.7 million wired through a new account at Charles Schwab to complete the purchase, but the transfers were flagged as suspicious shortly before his death in August 2019.

Why it matters

Epstein's interest in purchasing a property in Morocco, a country with no extradition treaty with the U.S., has raised questions about whether he was attempting to use the purchase to avoid arrest if new charges emerged against him. While the Department of Justice files do not explicitly state this as a motive, Epstein's history of trying to evade authorities and his connections to the north African nation dating back to the early 2000s have fueled speculation about his intentions.

The details

Epstein had been trying to purchase the Palace Bin Ennakhil, a property in the affluent Palmeraie neighborhood of Marrakech, since 2011. The estate features traditional Moorish architecture, including more than 2,500 palm trees, 60 marble fountains, mosaic-tiled courtyards, a hammam steam spa, and a pool. Epstein had been working with real estate broker Marc Leon to finalize the purchase, which was ultimately completed in March 2019, just 10 days before Epstein's arrest.

  • In 2011, Epstein first expressed interest in purchasing the Marrakech palace.
  • In 2015, Epstein told Leon via email that a London-based firm, Knight Frank, had estimated the palace's value at 15 million Euros.
  • In March 2019, the terms of the deal were finalized, and Epstein arranged to have $27.7 million wired through a new account at Charles Schwab to complete the purchase.
  • In August 2019, Epstein was found dead in his cell while facing federal child sex trafficking charges.

The players

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted pedophile and disgraced financier who had long been linked to various properties and estates, including a ranch in New Mexico, a townhouse in New York City, and a private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Marc Leon

A real estate broker who was dealing with Epstein on the purchase of the Palace Bin Ennakhil in Marrakech.

Knight Frank

A London-based real estate firm that provided an estimated value of 15 million Euros for the Marrakech palace in 2015.

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What they’re saying

“I would agree with the Knight Frank's estimation of value if it is just for the garden! There are 1900 Dactilifera palm trees, 300 Washington palm trees and 320 three hundred year old olive trees which would cost around 15 million euros alone along with the garden design … If Knight Frank would like to give their real opinion of value for the construction and quality of this masterpiece, we can organize a visit.”

— Marc Leon, Real Estate Broker

What’s next

It is unclear if Moroccan authorities will investigate Epstein's attempted purchase of the palace or if the property's current owner will face any scrutiny.

The takeaway

Epstein's interest in acquiring a property in Morocco, a country with no extradition treaty with the U.S., raises questions about whether he was attempting to use the purchase to evade authorities if new charges emerged against him. This case highlights the lengths Epstein went to in order to avoid accountability for his crimes.