Epstein Files

EFTA01108435.pdf

dataset_9 pdf 635.3 KB Feb 3, 2026 8 pages
SOUTHERN TRUST COMPANY, INC. 6100 Red Hook Quarter, B3 St. Thomas, USVI 00802 June 12,2013 Mortimer B. Zuckerman do Boston Properties 599 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1800 New York, NY 10022 Re: Financial Estate Planning Services Dear Mort: The undersigned, Jeffrey Epstein ("Mr. Epstein"), on behalf of Southern Trust Company, Inc., a Virgin Islands corporation ("STC"), has agreed to collaborate with you, Mortimer B. Zuckerman ("Mr. Zuckerman"), regarding estate planning matters in respect of Mr. Zuckerman's assets and estate (the "Estate Planning") and in connection therewith will provide proprietary services to Mr. Zuckerman including analyzing, evaluating, planning and other services relating to Mr. Zuckerman's financial estate ("Proprietary Services"). The purpose of this letter agreement (this "Agreement") is to set forth the terms upon which Mr. Epstein, on behalf of STC, will provide Proprietary Services in connection with the Estate Planning to and for the benefit of Mr. Zuckerman. The Proprietary Services provided to Mr. Zuckerman may also relate to his heirs, issue, and personal representatives, and any and all affiliated trusts, partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies of, and any other entities affiliated with Mr. Zuckerman, including, without limitation, those relating to the The Daily News, U.S. News & World Report and Boston Properties (collectively, "Affiliates"). 1. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED. Mr. Epstein, on behalf of STC, shall provide to Mr. Zuckerman Proprietary Services deemed appropriate by Epstein and Mr. Zuckerman in connection with the Estate Planning for a term commencing on the date hereof and continuing through and including July 31, 2014. 2. FEE AND ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION. (a) Fee. In consideration for providing the Proprietary Services, Mr. Zuckerman shall pay to STC a total fee in the amount of Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00) (the "Fee"). (b) Payment of Fee. Mr. Zuckerman shall pay STC the Fee in accordance with the following payment schedule: (i) Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00) on or before July 1, 2013; and (ii) Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00) on or before December I, 2013. (c) Additional Consideration. Mr. Zuckerman shall pay STC additional 1 EFTA01108435 consideration for the Proprietary Services as hereinafter provided (the "Additional Consideration"). The Additional Consideration shall be in the form of a discretionary bonus, the amount of which shall be determined jointly, reasonably and in good faith by Mr. Zuckerman and Mr. Epstein, based on a joint review of the Proprietary Services and the value of the benefits conferred upon Mr. Zuckerman and his Affiliates as a result of the Proprietary Services (the "Bonus Review"). The Bonus Review shall begin no later than July 1, 2014, and Mr. Zuckerman shall pay STC any and all Additional Consideration determined in the Bonus Review by no later than July 31, 2014. (d) Mr. Zuckerman's Death. In the event of Mr. Zuckerman's death, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (i) no further Fee payments shall be due and payable under this Agreement other than any Fee payments which had become due and payable prior to Mr. Zuckerman's death; (ii) any Additional Consideration determined to be payable to STC in accordance with Section 2(c) hereof shall be due and payable when and as provided therein; and (iii) Mr. Epstein and STC shall have no further obligation to provide any Proprietary Services. In the event of Mr. Zuckerman's death, the Bonus Review will be conducted when and as provided in Section 2(c) hereof by Mr. Epstein and the personal representatives of Mr. Zuckerman's Estate. (e) Mr. Epstein's Death or Conviction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the following provisions shall apply: (i) In the event of Mr. Epstein's death after the execution of this Agreement, (A) no further Fee payments shall be due and payable under this Agreement other than any Fee payments which had become due and payable prior to Mr. Epstein's death; (B) any Additional Consideration determined to be due and payable in accordance with Section 2(c) hereof, shall be due and payable when and as provided therein; and (C) STC shall have no further obligation to provide any Proprietary Services. In the event of Mr. Epstein's death, the Bonus Review will be conducted when and as provided in Section 2(c) hereof by Mr. Zuckerman and the personal representatives of Mr. Epstein's Estate. (ii) In the event of Mr. Epstein's conviction for a felony offense after the execution of this Agreement, this Agreement shall be terminated and no party hereto shall have any further obligation hereunder. Payment by Wire Transfer. All payments of the Fee and Additional Consideration shall be made by wire transfer to STC's account in accordance with wire transfer instructions to be provided by Mr. Epstein (or the personal representatives of Mr. Epstein's estate) to Mr. Zuckerman. 3. CONFIDENTIALITY OF MR. ZUCKERMAN'S INFORMATION. Mr. Epstein and STC (for purposes of this Section 3 and Sections 4, 5, and 6 hereof, the terms "Mr. Epstein" and "STC" being deemed to include all employees, representatives, agents, and entities affiliated with Mr. Epstein and/or STC) agree that any and all information concerning Mr. Zuckerman or any of his Affiliates obtained in performing the Proprietary Services will be held in strictest confidence and will not be used by Mr. Epstein or STC or disclosed to any person or entity, except in the course of performing the Proprietary Services in furtherance of the Estate Planning. Mr. Epstein and STC further agree that they are being retained to assist Mr. Zuckerman's lawyers, ("Legal Counsel"), in providing legal advice to Mr. Zuckerman in connection with the Estate Planning. It is Mr. Zuckerman's intention and position that 2 EFTA01108436 any work performed by Mr. Epstein or STC in connection with the Proprietary Services will be covered by all applicable evidentiary privileges, including but not limited to the attorney-client privilege and work product privileges. In connection with this retention, all communications between Mr. Epstein or STC, on the one hand, and Mr. Zuckerman's Legal Counsel or Mr. Zuckerman, on the other hand, regarding the Estate Planning shall be regarded as confidential and made solely for the purpose of assisting Mr. Zuckerman's Legal Counsel in giving legal advice to Mr. Zuckerman. In order for Mr. Epstein and STC to carry out their responsibilities, it may be necessary for Mr. Zuckerman's Legal Counsel or Mr. Zuckerman to disclose to Mr. Epstein and STC privileged information and lawyers' work product, and other confidential information regarding Mr. Zuckerman and his Affiliates. Mr. Epstein and STC agree that, except as authorized by Mr. Zuckerman's Legal Counsel or Mr. Zuckerman during and after the period of this retention, neither Mr. Epstein nor STC will disclose to any person or entity any such privileged or confidential information, lawyers' work product, opinions, facts, data or other confidential information so disclosed to Mr. Epstein or STC in connection with the Estate Planning. 4. DISCLAIMER OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND GUARANTEES. Mr. Zuckerman, for and on behalf of himself, and for and on behalf of his Affiliates, hereby acknowledges and agrees as follows: (a) Neither Mr. Epstein nor STC has any authority to, nor shall Mr. Epstein or STC, bind Mr. Zuckerman or any of his Affiliates, in contract or othenvise, or make any decisions or take any actions whatsoever on behalf of Mr. Zuckerman or any of his Affiliates under this Agreement, and neither Mr. Epstein nor STC is serving in any fiduciary capacity whatsoever to, for or on behalf of Mr. Zuckerman or any of his Affiliates. (b) The use of any and all information and materials obtained from Mr. Epstein or STC in connection with the Proprietary Services (which information and materials are proprietary to STC) is at the sole risk of Mr. Zuckerman and his Affiliates, and each of Mr. Zuckerman and each of his Affiliates assumes the full risk and responsibility for any and all actions and decisions taken, or omitted to be taken, by or on behalf of Mr. Zuckerman or such Affiliates in connection with the Proprietary Services and any and all information and materials obtained from Mr. Epstein or STC in connection with the Proprietary Services. (c) The Proprietary Services are provided without warranty of any kind, and each of Mr. Epstein and STC hereby expressly disclaims all representations, warranties, and guarantees with respect to the Proprietary Services and all information and materials provided by Mr. Epstein and STC in connection therewith, whether express or implied or statutory, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, of satisfactory quality, of fitness for a particular purpose and of accuracy. (d) Neither Mr. Epstein nor STC will under any circumstances be liable to Mr. Zuckerman or any of his Affiliates for any loss that Mr. Zuckerman or any of his Affiliates may incur as a result of any decisions or actions taken, or omitted to be taken, in connection with the Proprietary Services and any and all information or materials obtained in connection with the Proprietary Services, other than as a result of Mr. Epstein's or STC's gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of this Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall the aggregate amount of Mr. Epstein's and STC's joint and several liability for any such asserted gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach exceed the total amount of Fee payments and Additional Consideration actually received by STC under this Agreement. Mr. Zuckerman agrees that the amount involved with respect to the Estate 3 EFTA01108437 Planning, in and of itself, does not elevate Mr. Epstein's or STC's standard of care so that any type negligence would equate to gross negligence. (e) In no event shall Mr. Epstein or STC be liable for any injury, or any incidental, special, indirect or consequential damages whatsoever, arising out of or related to the Proprietary Services or the use or failure to use any information or materials provided in connection with the Proprietary Services, however caused, regardless of the theory of liability (contract, tort or otherwise), and even if Mr. Epstein or STC has been advised of the possibility of such damages. 5. INDEMNIFICATION. (a) Indemnity. Mr. Zuckerman agrees to indemnify Mr. Epstein and STC and hold Mr. Epstein and STC harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and third party costs, fees and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements, but excluding the business and operating expenses incurred by STC in performing the Proprietary Services) arising out of, or relating to, or connected with the Proprietary Services (except for any claim, liability, loss, damage, cost, fee or expense arising out of, or resulting from, any action or failure to act by Mr. Epstein or STC that constitutes fraud, bad faith, gross negligence, or willful misconduct on the part of Mr. Epstein or STC). Mr. Zuckerman agrees that the amount involved with respect to the Estate Planning, in and of itself, does not elevate Mr. Epstein's or STC's standard of care so that any type negligence would equate to gross negligence. (b) Notice of Claim for Indemnity. Mr. Epstein and/or STC, as the case may be, shall advise Mr. Zuckerman of any such claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, fees or expenses promptly after receipt of notice thereof, specifying, to the extent known, the facts constituting the basis therefor and the amount asserted to be owed with respect to the same; provided, however, that Mr. Epstein's and STC's right to indemnification hereunder shall not be limited by their failure to promptly advise Mr. Zuckerman of any such liability or claim, except to the extent that Mr. Zuckerman is materially prejudiced by such failure. (c) Coverage of Indemnity. The coverage of the indemnification and hold harmless provided for in this Section 5 includes, without limitation, claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and third party fees, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements) in connection with claims, causes of action or liabilities asserted against Mr. Epstein and/or STC by any of Mr. Zuckerman and/or any of his Affiliates arising out of, relating to, or connected with, the Proprietary Services. The indemnification provided in this Section 5 shall survive the death, disability or incompetency of Mr. Zuckerman and shall be binding upon his estate and his personal representatives. (d) Defense of Indemnified Claims. Mr. Zuckerman (or the personal representatives of his estate) may, at his option, assume and take over the control of the defense and settlement of any such liability or claim, at his sole cost and expense with counsel of his choice (subject to any reasonable objections to such choice of counsel asserted by Mr. Epstein and STC); provided, however, that Mr. Zuckerman (or the personal representatives of his estate) shall not be entitled to assume or control the defense of a liability or claim if the interests of Mr. Epstein and/or STC, on the one hand, and of Mr. Zuckerman and/or any of his Affiliates, on the other hand, with respect to such liability or claim are in conflict with one another and, as a result, one firm or attorney could not represent both the interests of Mr. Epstein and/or STC and the interests of Mr. Zuckerman and/or such Affiliates, in connection with such liability or claim. If Mr. Zuckerman (or the personal 4 EFTA01108438 representatives of his estate) assumes the defense of such liability or claim, Mr. Epstein and STC may participate in the settlement or defense thereof, at their sole expense through counsel chosen by them. Mr. Zuckerman agrees that Mr. Epstein and STC shall have the right to be consulted in connection with Mr. Zuckerman's (or the personal representatives of his estate's) settlement or defense of such liability or claim. In all events, Mr. Zuckerman (or the personal representatives of his estate) shall control the defense and settlement of such liability or claim. Neither Mr. Epstein nor STC may pay, settle or compromise any liability or claim for which either or both of them may claim an indemnification right hereunder without Mr. Zuckerman's (or the personal representatives of his estate's) consent. Each of Mr. Epstein, STC and Mr. Zuckerman (or the personal representatives of his estate) shall act towards each other in good faith in responding to, defending against, settling or otherwise dealing with any such claim or liability, and reasonably cooperate with each other in any such defense and give each other reasonable access to all information relevant thereto. Any settlement of a claim or liability by Mr. Zuckerman (or the personal representatives of his estate) for which Mr. Epstein and/or STC have sought indemnification shall contain an unconditional release of such claim against Mr. Epstein and STC. 6. NO INVESTMENT ADVICE. Mr. Zuckerman acknowledges and agrees that in connection with the Proprietary Services, neither Mr. Epstein nor STC is acting in any way as an "investment advisor' (as such term is defined in and interpreted in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and the interpretive releases issued in connection therewith) to Mr. Zuckerman or to any of his Affiliates, and neither Mr. Epstein nor STC is holding himself or itself out in any way whatsoever as being engaged in any business which directly or indirectly provides advice, recommendations, publications, writings, reports or analyses regarding any matter or thing which might cause either of them to be deemed an "investment advisor" as such term is so defined. Mr. Zuckerman further acknowledges and agrees that no part of the Proprietary Services constitutes or will constitute any advice, recommendations, publications, or writings whatsoever regarding: (a) the value of securities or the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities, (b) the relative advantages or disadvantages of investing in securities in general as compared to other investments; (c) any other matters relating to any specific securities or securities in general; (d) the selection of investment managers, or investment funds or entities; (e) the allocation of certain percentages of assets to specific classes of securities, investment funds, or investment managers; or (t) any other activities or matters similar to those set forth in clauses (a) through (e) above. 7. NOTICES. All notices, requests, permissions or other communications which any party hereto may be required or desire to give to any other party hereto under this Agreement must be in writing and sent by (a) first class U.S. certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, with postage prepaid, (b) telecopy, facsimile or email (with a copy sent by first class U.S. certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, with postage prepaid), or (c) express mail or courier (for either same day or next Business Day delivery). A notice or other communication sent in compliance with the provisions of this Section 7 shall be deemed given and received on (x) the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date it is deposited in the U.S. mail, (y) the date of confirmed transmission to the intended recipient if sent by facsimile, telecopy or email (provided that a copy thereof is sent by mail the same day in the manner provided in clause (b) above), or (z) the date it is delivered to the other party's address if sent by express mail or courier. All notices, requests, permissions and other communications to Mr. Epstein and STC shall be addressed to: 5 EFTA01108439 Southern Trust Company, Inc. 6100 Red Hook Quarter, B3 St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Facsimile No.: (340) 775-2528 email: Attention: Mr. Jeffrey E. Epstein, President with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice to Mr. Epstein or STC): Darren K. Indyke, Esq. Darren K. Indyke, PLLC 575 Lexington Avenue, 4m Floor New York, NY 10022 Facsimile No.: email: All notices, requests, permissions and other communications to Mr. Zuckerman shall be addressed to: Mortimer B. Zuckerman do Boston Properties 599 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1800 New York, NY 10022 Facsimile No.: email: with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice to Mr. Zuckerman): [Legal Counsel's Name] [Legal Counsel's Contact Information] Any party hereto may designate another addressee or change his or its address for notices and other communications hereunder by a notice given to the other parties hereto in the manner provided in this Section 7. 8. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) Governing Law; Arbitration. This Agreement and any disputes hereunder shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, other than principles of law that would apply the law of another jurisdiction. Any dispute arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be submitted to a confidential arbitration in New York, New York, administered by Judicial Arbitration & Mediation Services ("JAMS"), or its successor, in accordance with JAMS rules and procedures then in effect. (b) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior understandings, agreements, representations and warranties by or among the parties hereto or their affiliates, written or oral, with respect to such subject matter, which prior understandings, agreements, representations and warranties are hereby canceled. 6 EFTA01108440 (c) Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented other than in writing signed by all the parties hereto. (d) Waiver. Any waiver of any provision hereof must be in writing and shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which such waiver is given. No failure on the part of any party hereto to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under this Agreement preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder. (e) Binding Effect; Assignability. Mr. Zuckerman agrees that this Agreement is binding on himself, individually, and his heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. This Agreement (including the rights and obligations hereunder) shall not be assignable by any party hereto except with the prior written consent of the other parties hereto. (f) Severability. If any of the covenants, terms, conditions or provisions of this Agreement are held invalid for any reason, such invalidity shall not affect the other covenants, terms, conditions and provisions hereof which can be given effect without the invalid covenant, term, condition or provision, as the covenants, terms conditions and provisions of this Agreement are intended to be and shall be deemed severable. (g) Counterparts; Delivery. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed and delivered by delivery of a facsimile copy of an executed signature page or counterpart hereof or by e-mailing a PDF version of a signed signature page or counterpart hereof, and each shall have the same force and effect as the delivery of an originally executed signature page or counterpart hereof. (h) Construction. This Agreement shall be deemed to have been prepared, and negotiations shall be deemed to have occurred in connection with such preparation, pursuant to the joint efforts of all of the parties to this Agreement. This Agreement therefore shall be construed simply and fairly and not strictly for or against any party to this Agreement. If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign, date and return one copy of this Letter Agreement. [Signatures on the next page] 7 EFTA01108441 Very Truly Yours, SOUTHERN TRUST COMPANY, INC. By: Jeffrey Epstein JEFFREY EPSTEIN Agreed to and Accepted this day of June, 2013: MORTIMER B. ZUCKERMAN 8 EFTA01108442

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Feb 3, 2026