Faith Kates is a co-founder and modeling agent at Next Model Management, one of New York's prominent modeling agencies. The archive contains 6,984 emails between Kates and Jeffrey Epstein spanning from 2009 to 2019, revealing a sustained personal and professional relationship that extended well beyond typical business interactions. Kates served as a gateway between Epstein and the modeling world, organizing photo shoots for young women in Epstein's social circle, vetting models for his review, and maintaining regular social contact with him throughout his 2008 conviction and subsequent investigations. While she appears to have been unaware of Epstein's sex trafficking operation, she facilitated access to young models and coordinated professional services that Epstein funded, raising questions about how much legitimate modeling professionals knew—or should have known—about his predatory behavior.
Background#
Faith Kates co-founded Next Model Management (also referred to as Next Models) with her business partner, running the New York office at 15 Watts Street. The agency represented fashion models and maintained offices in multiple cities. Kates held the title of modeling agent and worked directly with clients on bookings, photo shoots, and career development. Her professional network included fashion photographers, hairstylists, and connections to the entertainment industry. By 2010, her personal assistant Anna Parker interviewed at Epstein's townhouse for potential employment. Kates had at least two sons; one had a Bar Mitzvah in February 2014 at Central Synagogue in New York, which Epstein's staff noted on his calendar though there is no evidence he attended. Another son, Dylan, applied to the University of Pennsylvania and was initially deferred; in December 2018, Kates forwarded his guidance counselor's letter to Epstein seeking help with his admission, noting that "with penn is who you know".
Correspondence with Epstein#
Kates maintained an active correspondence with Epstein from at least 2009 through May 2019, just weeks before his final arrest. The relationship was both professional and personal, characterized by frequent phone contact, social meetings, and collaborative projects involving young women in Epstein's orbit.
Professional Services and Photo Shoots
A significant portion of their correspondence involved Kates organizing modeling photo shoots for young women connected to Epstein. In March 2010, Epstein wrote that "celina and eva will be in fla from mar 26 - apr 4.. i would love it if celina could do a model shoot. ( this is what she wants ) I obviously will pcik up the expense". Kates responded offering options ranging from elite photographer Bruce Weber at over $100,000 to more modest shoots under $10,000. In June 2010, Epstein asked Kates to "orgainze celinas photo shoot for the 9-10th or 23-24", and later thanked her for "organizing the shoot", telling her to coordinate directly with Eva Dubin. The woman referred to as "Celina" was Celina Dubin, the teenage daughter of Epstein's close friends Glenn and Eva Dubin.
In May 2009, Epstein told an unidentified woman that his "friend that owns next models„ she will see you „ to at a minimum give you advice and give me suggestions.. also said she could shoot you any morning„ she is learning to fly airplanes in the afternoon". Epstein wanted to speak with the woman before she met with Kates at Next. The correspondence suggests Epstein regularly referred women to Kates for modeling evaluations and potential representation.
Vetting Models for Epstein
Kates also provided assessments of models at Epstein's request. In February 2019, Epstein sent Kates what appears to be a photo or portfolio with a single question mark; Kates responded: "Thumbs down not there kind of girl the real issue is she has been around for a while people know here. If she wants to work she should go back to Tokyo where she killed it. Her look and height is super limiting". Epstein replied "appreciated thx". That same week, Epstein pressed Kates multiple times about feedback on an unnamed model during London Fashion Week, asking "Feedback on [redacted]? London?". She told him the "Last day of London shows talking to them in the am".
In 2014, a model emailed Epstein explaining that she was unhappy with her agency and that Barry (likely Barry Diller, a close Epstein associate) "said he knows Faith Kates at NEXT and that he gonna write her about me.. Also he said that you know Faith as well and he told me to ask you to write her as well.. since she would listen to you. Please can you write Faith to see if she can meet me someday next week?". The model noted Faith "would listen to you", suggesting Kates valued Epstein's recommendations. Epstein also asked Kates in 2023 whether "Kamila Wawrzyniak see someone today in NExt Direct.. she is a friend of ramsesys„ one time IMG. now 25" could get an appointment at the agency.
Social Relationship and Regular Contact
Beyond professional matters, Kates and Epstein maintained regular social contact. In May 2017, Lesley Groff coordinated an afternoon visit where Epstein would "come down town and see you" at Kates's office. Groff confirmed he would "leave the house at 1:30 to come see you at 2pm", later messaging "Jeffrey is on his way!!". In March 2018, Kates arranged for someone (possibly a hairstylist) to visit Epstein's townhouse, telling Groff "unless I hear from you he will be at your house at 830".
In December 2010, Epstein invited Kates shopping, asking "What is your schedule this weekend? Andrew and I are going to go shopping at BArneys,-- want to come?". When Kates asked "By the way who is andrew? Farkas???", Epstein clarified "Prince", referring to Prince Andrew. Kates replied "Sure with 2 princes what's the plan?" and suggested lunch at Fred's. This casual invitation to shop with a member of the British royal family speaks to the level of social intimacy between Kates and Epstein.
The two exchanged holiday communications and personal updates. In December 2016, Kates thanked Epstein for "the beautiful bag" and wrote that "the small things are what's important in life". She frequently updated him on personal matters; in May 2010, she forwarded information about a new multiple sclerosis drug for his cousin. In May 2019, weeks before Epstein's arrest, Groff sent a gift to Dylan (Kates's son), and Kates responded warmly that "Dylan tried to call him but he's not answering his phone he will try again tomorrow".
Kates appeared on Epstein's call lists and was in regular phone contact with him. A December 2011 reminder showed Kates among five people Epstein needed to call that day. Staff messages frequently noted "Please call Faith Kates" with her office number.
Financial Matters
In June 2010, Lesley Groff asked Epstein whether Kates should "send you the invoices for [redacted] test photo shoots" and whether he wanted her to send them to Bella, apparently Bella Klein, an Epstein financial employee. Epstein confirmed "yes". This indicates Epstein directly paid for photo shoots Kates arranged, though the subject's identity was redacted.
In May 2009, Epstein discussed a financial dilemma with Kates regarding "Tatiana," explaining: "when she first started seeing the moron, if you recall she wasn't working, and needed money.. so she signed tow promissorr notes and i loaned her 60k// She used it for the two of them.. now that she has a recovery. I have to decide whether to ask her for the money. or . forgive the note. she will have income taxes to pay..even if i do that. The fact that he has stopped her from speaking to me, influences my decision". Kates responded "Lets talk in the am let me have a think on it", suggesting she served as a confidante on financial and personal matters involving models or women in Epstein's circle.
Professional Courtesies
Kates kept Epstein updated on service providers. In May 2019, she wrote that "Patrick (the hairdresser) is now working at JOHN Barrett across from the 4 seasons hotel the salon is big and beautiful", to which Lesley Groff replied thanking her for the update. In February 2012, Kates sent Epstein a profile of "The Honourable Lady CLARA PAGET", a British aristocrat who was acting and modeling, noting "This is for woody she is so cool and so right you can't pretend To be a princess!!! She is the real deal". Epstein asked whether Paget would "be in paris" and suggested Kates "choose two or three others, either ny or paris" for what appears to be a meeting with Woody Allen.
Continuity Through Scandal
Notably, Kates's correspondence with Epstein continued uninterrupted after his 2008 guilty plea and continued through the period of public allegations against him. In March 2019, Epstein sent her a New York Times opinion section link about his case. Their final documented exchange was in May 2019, just weeks before his arrest on federal sex trafficking charges, when they were coordinating the gift for her son Dylan.
Connections#
Kates's primary correspondent was Jeffrey Epstein (alias) himself, with 5,477 shared emails. She communicated regularly with Epstein's assistants Lesley Groff (174 emails) and occasionally with Sarah Kellen (7 emails). She had substantial correspondence with Vijay Paul (221 emails), though the nature of that relationship is unclear from available evidence. Her interactions with Rich Kahn (186 emails), Epstein's accountant, likely related to invoicing and payments for modeling services. Other correspondents included various professionals in Epstein's orbit including Ray Benton, Joel Wilkenfeld, and Gary Press.
Document References#
The DOJ archive contains numerous emails between Kates and Epstein preserved as PDF documents. A June 2010 email shows Epstein approving payment of Kates's invoices for photo shoots. A December 2010 exchange captures the shopping invitation with Prince Andrew. The archive also includes a February 2012 email where Kates sent Epstein information about Lady Clara Paget for potential meetings with Woody Allen. Staff schedules and calendar reminders reference Kates throughout, including a September 2012 calendar reminder noting "1:30 Depart for Faith Kates office".
Kates appears in the metadata of Epstein's financial records showing he funded photo shoots she organized. Her name surfaces in multiple staff communications where Epstein's assistants note she called or requested he return her call. The volume and consistency of these references—spanning a decade and continuing through Epstein's conviction and mounting public scrutiny—document an unusually close relationship between a modeling professional and a convicted sex offender.
Criminal Exposure Assessment#
The archive contains no evidence that Faith Kates knew about or participated in Epstein's sex trafficking operation. Her correspondence focuses entirely on legitimate modeling industry matters: photo shoots, agency representation, professional assessments, and social interactions. There are no references to travel, underage girls, sexual content, or anything overtly criminal.
However, several aspects of the relationship warrant scrutiny:
Visits to Epstein properties:
The evidence documents meetings at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse, but specific dates and frequency are difficult to enumerate from the available materials:
- Manhattan townhouse: Multiple confirmed visits
- May 18, 2017 - Epstein visited her office downtown (thread)
- September 12, 2012 - Calendar shows "Depart for Faith Kates office" at 1:30pm
- March 23, 2018 - Arranged for someone to visit his house at 8:30am (thread)
- The December 2010 shopping invitation with Prince Andrew suggests social familiarity with his residence
- Anna Parker, Kates's assistant, interviewed at the townhouse in October 2010 (document)
- Palm Beach, Little St. James, New Mexico ranch, Paris apartment: No evidence found of visits
Knowledge of Epstein's history: Kates maintained active correspondence with Epstein throughout the period after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. She continued to provide modeling services, refer women to him, and maintain a social friendship. While many in elite circles continued relationships with Epstein post-conviction, a modeling agent's continued close association with a registered sex offender raises ethical questions about duty of care to young women in the industry.
Facilitating access to young women: Kates organized professional photo shoots and meetings for women in Epstein's social circle, including Celina Dubin (then a teenager) and various models Epstein referred to her. She vetted potential models at his request and facilitated introductions. While these activities appear to have been legitimate modeling services, they functioned to give Epstein ongoing access to young women through professional channels. The extent to which Kates understood Epstein's motives versus viewing these as normal industry requests cannot be determined from the emails.
Professional boundaries: The relationship extended well beyond normal client-vendor interactions. Shopping trips with Prince Andrew, personal gifts, advice on $60,000 loans to models, coordinating meetings with Woody Allen, and intimate knowledge of each other's family lives suggest Kates viewed Epstein as a close personal friend rather than merely a client who occasionally paid for photo shoots.
Overall assessment: Faith Kates appears to have been a legitimate modeling professional who maintained an inappropriately close relationship with a convicted sex offender. There is no evidence she knew about trafficking or abuse. However, her willingness to facilitate Epstein's access to models, organize photo shoots for teenagers in his social circle, and maintain a warm personal friendship with him through years of public allegations demonstrates, at minimum, a serious lapse in professional judgment. The modeling industry's failure to establish clear boundaries with Epstein—exemplified by Kates's decade-long relationship with him—represents a broader institutional failure to protect young women from predators who used professional opportunities as cover for exploitation.