## CHAPTER 23

Another one of Epst
say, "Jeffrey Epstein left
to strike out on his own
some questions remain
given on April 1, 1981, 1
and Robert Blackburn:

Q: Sir, are you aware th
lating around your f
leaving the firm?

- A: I'm aware that there

- Q: What rumors have y

- A: Nothing to do with!

HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_009249

- Q: Can you relate what

## Jeffrey Epstein: 1981

pstein will always maintain that his resignation had noth- E ing to do with the SEC's investigation into Bear Stearns and Edgar Bronfman's ill-fated attempt to take over St. Joe's.

But of course this raises the question: Why did Epstein resign from Bear Stearns?

In his testimony before the SEC, Epstein says he was offended by the company's investigation of a twenty-thousand-dollar loan he'd made to his friend Warren Eisenstein. Epstein didn't know it at the time, he maintains, but if used to buy stock, such a loan might have been unethical, if not illegal.

On top of that, questions about Epstein's expenses had come up. In the end, Bear Stearns fined him $2,500-an embarrassing thing, to be sure. So much for making full partner anytime soon.

- A: It was having to do

As far as the investigat tion; the first time a seci no interest in Epstein's (

Q: Mr. Epstein, did any
substance that you s
Minerals to the stal
mission? Has anyo
directly or indirectl
pensation for this p
you from Bear Stea
divulging informat
Commission?

But $2,500 is not $250,000 or even $25,000. Who'd give up a job as junior partner over that?

- A: No.

98
documents/HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_009249.jpg
{"people":["jeffrey epstein","robert blackburn","edgar bronfman","warren eisenstein"]}