EFTA01087017.pdf
dataset_9 pdf 595.4 KB • Feb 3, 2026 • 7 pages
SOUTHERN TRUST COMPANY, INC.
6100 Red Hook Quarter, B3
St. Thomas, USVI 00802
August 21, 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 corporations, 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 August 21, 2013 and ending on August 20, 2014.
2. FEE.
(a) Fee. In consideration for STC's provision of 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) promptly upon execution of
this Agreement by the parties hereto; and
(ii) Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00) on February 21, 2014, subject
to the Second Payment Election (as hereinafter defined) by Mr. Zuckerman.
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(c) Second Payment Election. By no later than February 15, 2014, Mr.
Zuckerman and Mr. Epstein shall review STC's performance under this Agreement, and thereafter,
upon written notice given by Mr. Zuckerman to STC and Mr. Epstein by not later than February 21,
2014, specifying the reasons therefor, Mr. Zuckerman may, in his discretion, elect to decline to pay all
or part of the second Fee payment provided for in Section 2(bXii) hereof (the "Second Payment
Election").
(d) Mr. Zuckerman's Death. In the event of Mr. Zuckerman's death at any time
during the term of this Agreement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, Mr. Zuckerman's estate shall be liable for all Fee payments due and payable hereunder.
The right to make the Second Payment Election under Section 2(c) hereof shall be personal to Mr.
Zuckerman and may not be exercised by his estate, heirs, personal representatives, successors or
assigns.
(e) Mr. Epstein's Death. In the event of Mr. Epstein's death at any time during
the term of this Agreement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, all
Fee payments made prior to Mr. Epstein's death shall be returned to Mr. Zuckerman, no further Fee
payments shall be due and payable, and STC shall have no further obligation to provide any
Proprietary Services.
(0 Payment by Wire Transfer. All payments of the Fee shall be made by wire
transfer to STC's account in accordance with wire transfer instructions to be provided by Mr. Epstein
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 by Mr. Epstein or STC 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, McDermott, Will & Emery ("Legal Counsel"), in providing legal advice to Mr. Zuckerman in
connection with the Estate Planning. It is Mr. Zuckerman's intention and position that 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.
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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.
Without in any way limiting the foregoing, neither Mr. Epstein nor STC shall have any liability to Mr.
Zuckerman or any of his Affiliates in connection with the Proprietary Services or any such information
or materials, except for a loss solely and directly caused by 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 gross negligence,
willful misconduct or breach exceed the total amount of Fee payments actually received by STC under
this Agreement. Mr. Zuckerman agrees that the values of the assets and the amounts involved with
respect to the Estate Planning, in and of themselves, do 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 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,
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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 values of the assets
and the amounts involved with respect to the Estate Planning, in and of themselves, do 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 as
to which indemnification may be required under the provisions of Section 5(a) hereof 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 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 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
ethically or legally 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
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
settlement or defense of such liability or claim. In all events, Mr. Zuckerman 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 consent. Each of Mr. Epstein, STC and Mr. Zuckerman shall act towards
each other in good faith in responding to, defending against, settling or othenvise 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 for which Mr. Epstein and/or STC are entitled to indemnification under the provisions
of this Section 5 shall contain an unconditional release of such claim or liability in favor of Mr.
Epstein and STC.
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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 (f) 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:
Southern Trust Company, Inc.
6100 Red Hook Quarter, B3
St. Thomas, USVI 00802
Facsimile No.:
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:
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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):
McDermott, Will & Emery
340 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10173
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 United States
Virgin Islands, other than principles of law that would apply the law of another jurisdiction.
(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.
(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.
Severability. If any of the covenants, terms, conditions or provisions of this
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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.
Very Truly Yours,
SOUTHERN TRUST COMPANY, INC.
By:
Jeffrey Epstein
JEFFREY EPSTEIN
Agreed to and Accepted this
day of June, 2013:
MORTIMER B. ZUCKERMAN
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