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

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by Jay Root and Bianca Pallaro

February 14, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Prominent New York City fundraising firm Dynamic SRG repeatedly approached Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, in an effort to secure donations for Democratic political campaigns. Between 2012 and 2014, the firm sent multiple emails offering Epstein access to exclusive events with influential figures and opportunities to play a role in high-profile fundraisers in exchange for contributions. The emails targeted several prominent New York politicians, including then-Congressmembers Kathy Hochul, Hakeem Jeffries, and Joe Crowley. Despite these efforts, records show no evidence that Epstein made any donations to these campaigns after the early 2000s. This revelation raises questions about the ethics of political fundraising and the lengths consultants will go to secure contributions. The emails, obtained from Justice Department files released in recent weeks, highlight how Dynamic SRG leveraged Epstein’s connections and financial influence to bolster Democratic campaigns. For instance, one email from 2012 urged Epstein to contribute to a fundraiser for Hochul, who was then running for re-election. The firm’s approach suggests an attempt to capitalize on Epstein’s past donations to political figures, even after his conviction for sex crimes in Florida in 2008. This strategy appears to have been unsuccessful, as no records indicate any donations from Epstein or his associates to these campaigns. The lack of response from Epstein and the absence of contributions raise eyebrows about the firm’s persistence in targeting him despite his criminal history. Additionally, the emails do not reveal any direct interaction between Epstein and Dynamic SRG, leaving it unclear whether he ever seriously considered their offers. Campaign finance records reviewed by The New York Times found no evidence of donations from Epstein to prominent New York candidates after 2006. This story sheds light on the often opaque and ethically complex world of political fundraising

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/14/2026