David Mitchell

David Mitchell is a New York-based real estate developer and merchant banker who operated Mitchell Holdings LLC and maintained regular contact with Jeffrey Epstein from at least 2009 through 2019. The archive documents 9,454 emails exchanged between Mitchell and Epstein's network over this decade, reflecting a sustained business relationship centered on real estate transactions, investment opportunities, and frequent in-person meetings at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. Mitchell served as Epstein's real estate broker and advisor on property acquisitions, including efforts to purchase Bill Cosby's Manhattan townhouse in 2017-2018. He also collaborated with Epstein on international business ventures in Dubai and London, arranged property tours with banker Ariane de Rothschild, and participated in complex financing deals involving hotels and racing venues. Mitchell's correspondence reveals a pattern of same-day meeting requests and rapid-response availability that characterized his relationship with Epstein throughout the period documented in the archive.

Background#

David Mitchell operated Mitchell Holdings LLC, a merchant banking and real estate investment company headquartered initially at 41 East 60th Street, then 815 Fifth Avenue, 801 Madison Avenue, and finally 745 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. According to business documents in the archive, Mitchell Holdings was described as a "New York-based merchant banking company" involved in real estate development and financing. Mitchell has faced legal disputes over unpaid rent from tenants at properties he owned. His business interests included partnerships in the Life Hotel with restaurateur Steve Hanson, as referenced in a July 2017 email identifying it as "Steve Hanson and David Mitchell hotel."

Public records show Mitchell was involved in international real estate and financing projects, including work in Dubai with Sultan Bin Sulayem in 2010, and efforts to secure financing for the Silverstone racing circuit in the United Kingdom through partnerships with Guggenheim Partners. Following the release of the Epstein files, Conchita Sarnoff, an investigative journalist who has written extensively about the Epstein case, contacted Mitchell in October 2023 seeking an interview for a Newsweek story, though there is no indication Mitchell responded.

Correspondence with Epstein#

Mitchell's communication with Epstein spanned from at least February 2010 through June 2019, with correspondence coordinated primarily through Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff. The pattern of contact was characterized by frequent scheduling of in-person meetings at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse, typically early morning appointments.

In June 2010, Mitchell traveled to Dubai on Epstein's behalf to evaluate real estate investment opportunities with Sultan Bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World. Mitchell sent Epstein a detailed memo on June 15, 2010 with "bullet point notes on our trip to Dubai" and requested a follow-up meeting. That same month, Mitchell inquired about bridge financing for Sultan's projects, noting that a $125 million cash injection was "almost impossible as a bridge unless there is real collateral."

Mitchell's correspondence reveals his role as a real estate intermediary. In October 2017, he facilitated a tour of 854 Fifth Avenue for Epstein and Ariane de Rothschild, coordinating with broker Tristan Harper to navigate security requirements at the foreign diplomatic building. Mitchell remained on-site to "facilitate" the viewing after complications arose with Rothschild's identification documents.

Between June 2017 and October 2018, Mitchell acted as Epstein's agent in pursuing Bill Cosby's Manhattan townhouse, located across from Epstein's own residence. In November 2017, Mitchell reported that Cosby's lawyer indicated the "residence is not for sale" but suggested an offer "might be attention worthy to get a conversation started." Mitchell provided updates on these negotiations as late as October 2018, writing "have update on Cosby when can I call you."

Mitchell also served as Epstein's intermediary for art transactions. In April 2018, art dealer Hicham Aboutaam proposed taking Mitchell's Roman marble sculptures on consignment with a $1.5 million net price for both pieces. When Epstein's attorney Richard Kahn questioned the valuation, Epstein explained that "david told him that price".

The tone of Mitchell's emails to Epstein was deferential and accommodating. In April 2019, Mitchell wrote asking "do you have availability tomorrow morning, after 9.30am". When religious services delayed him, Mitchell asked "can I come closer to 10 please", to which Epstein replied "1045". Mitchell's correspondence shows he prioritized Epstein's schedule, once asking "are you available now if I make it over" after Epstein indicated availability "after 10 am."

In June 2019, Harvard mathematician Martin Nowak connected Mitchell with Epstein regarding "another meeting in Paris" to discuss "foundations of mathematics, logic or language," suggesting Mitchell had interests beyond real estate. Epstein responded that he would "be in paris all wee of the 16th."

Connections#

Mitchell's primary correspondent in Epstein's network was Lesley Groff, with whom he exchanged 927 emails coordinating meeting times and logistics. He had significant interaction with Rich Kahn (401 emails), who served as Epstein's attorney and business advisor, particularly on real estate and art valuations.

Mitchell corresponded with several figures in Epstein's business and social circles. He communicated with Emily Curtis (144 emails) regarding meetings and scheduling, and with Stephen Kosslyn (101 emails), a Harvard psychologist who appeared on Epstein's schedule. Through Epstein, Mitchell had contact with Todd Boehly (39 emails), an investor involved in financing discussions, and Andrew Farkas (29 emails), a real estate developer.

Mitchell worked alongside David Stern on the Dubai projects in 2010, with both traveling together to meet with Sultan Bin Sulayem's representatives. His hotel partnership with restaurateur Steve Hanson (45 emails) appears in several references, including financing challenges discussed with Epstein.

Mitchell also appears to have facilitated introductions for Epstein. In December 2011, he asked Epstein "can I introduce you to my data base mangement guys", to which Epstein responded "yes please."

Document References#

Mitchell appears in multiple DOJ disclosure documents related to Epstein's 2019 arrest and detention. A scheduling document from August 2017 lists an appointment with Mitchell at 1:00pm on Wednesday, August 16, alongside meetings with Rich Kahn, Darren Indyke, and Maxim Churkin. Another document confirms an 8:00am appointment with Mitchell in June 2017.

Financial and business planning documents in Volume 11 of the DOJ files show Mitchell's involvement in multiple ventures. A Silverstone racing circuit presentation from 2010 describes Mitchell Holdings LLC as a partner with Guggenheim Partners in seeking financing for capital improvements at the British Racing Drivers Club facility. In May 2011, Mitchell informed Epstein he was "having some issues with Todd and Guggenheim" and "seeking potentially new financial partner for Silverstone", asking if he could pitch the project to Sultan Bin Sulayem.

Documents related to the Life Hotel show Mitchell's business challenges. In November 2017, Mitchell sent Epstein financial information about the hotel marked "only for your use," and in 2018, correspondence reveals disputes over Steve Hanson's management and funding advances that exceeded $672,000.

The Dubai trip planning documents from June 2010 show detailed coordination between Mitchell, David Stern, and Sultan Bin Sulayem's staff, including scheduled meetings with the Dubai Stock Exchange and DMCC representatives. Mitchell's communications demonstrate Epstein's involvement in vetting these international business opportunities.

Visits to Epstein Properties#

The archive documents frequent visits by Mitchell to Epstein's Manhattan townhouse between 2010 and 2019. The pattern shows Mitchell typically met Epstein early in the morning, often at 8:00am or 8:30am appointments scheduled through Lesley Groff.

Manhattan townhouse: Mitchell visited Epstein's residence regularly throughout the documented period. Confirmed visits include:

1. April 16, 2009 - Morning appointment arranged through assistant (email exchange)
2. May 13, 2010 - 10:00am tentative meeting (scheduling email)
3. July 7, 2010 - Listed on weekly schedule (calendar)
4. February 3, 2010 - Request to schedule conversation about Carlton House (forwarded email)
5. December 14, 2011 - Next day meeting request, asking "what time works tomorrow at your house" (email)
6. April 21, 2013 - 11:30am appointment (rescheduling exchange)
7. May 22, 2013 - 9:00am appointment with tentative cancellation (calendar reminder)
8. September 2013 - Multiple availability inquiries for meetings "this Thursday or Friday" (correspondence)
9. September 22, 2014 - 11:30am appointment (daily schedule)
10. January 10, 2014 - 8:15am confirmed appointment (email exchange)
11. January 15, 2016 - 8:30am appointment listed on schedule (daily itinerary)
12. June 12, 2017 - Proposed 7:30am or 8:00am meeting, ultimately scheduled for 8:00am on June 15 (email thread)
13. June 14, 2017 - 9:45am impromptu visit while "in the area" (coordination emails)
14. June 15, 2017 - 8:00am confirmed appointment (calendar alert)
15. July 29, 2014 - Checking availability "today...or tomorrow, or if need be Thursday" (assistant message)
16. August 16, 2017 - 1:00pm appointment (schedule)
17. October 25, 2017 - 4:00pm property tour at 854 Fifth Avenue facilitated by Mitchell (schedule and coordination)
18. November 20, 2017 - Phone call requested while "available on his cell" (assistant message)
19. November 30, 2017 - Morning meeting request "he can do early if you like" (scheduling inquiry)
20. April 2-6, 2019 - Multiple scheduling exchanges including April 3 ("are you available now if I make it over"), April 5 ("do you have availability tomorrow morning"), and April 6 with adjusted time request (series of brief texts)
21. June 10, 2019 - Phone callback needed, followed by message "David will call in an hour" (coordination)
22. October 2, 2023 - 5:00pm meeting reconfirmation (brief exchange)

Other properties: No visits to Epstein's Palm Beach residence, New Mexico ranch, Little St. James island, or Paris apartment are documented in the archive. Mitchell's correspondence with Epstein about travel was limited to Epstein's location ("are you in NY"), and in October 2023, Epstein responded to a meeting request by noting "I'm in Carib", presumably referring to the Caribbean.