Jean-Luc Brunel

Jean-Luc Brunel (September 18, 1946 – February 19, 2022) was a French model scout and close associate of Jeffrey Epstein who maintained over 6,000 email exchanges with Epstein spanning from 1991 to 2026. Brunel founded MC2 Model Management with Epstein's financing and was accused of procuring young women and girls for Epstein's sex trafficking operation. The archive documents extensive coordination between Brunel and Epstein regarding models, travel arrangements, and business matters, with Epstein writing to Brunel that he would "have some ideas. that i think you will like" in April 2015. Brunel was arrested in France in December 2020 on charges of rape and sex trafficking of minors and was found dead in his Paris prison cell on February 19, 2022, in an apparent suicide.

Background#

Jean-Luc Brunel began his career in the modeling industry in Paris in the 1970s and gained prominence by leading the international modeling agency Karin Models. In 1988, Brunel was the subject of a CBS 60 Minutes investigation in which multiple young models accused him of rape, groping, and drugging their drinks. The allegations sparked no formal investigation at the time, and Brunel continued working in the fashion industry.

In the mid-1990s, Brunel founded Karin Models of America, which later became MC2 Model Management. According to public reporting and court documents, Epstein provided substantial financing for MC2. By the 2000s, Brunel and Epstein had developed a close personal and business relationship, with flight logs documenting Brunel on at least two dozen trips aboard Epstein's private jet between 2000 and 2005.

In December 2020, Brunel was arrested at Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Senegal. French prosecutors charged him with rape and sexual assault of minors, rape and sexual assault on a minor under 15, rape and sexual assault on a minor over 15, sexual harassment, criminal associations, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Brunel denied all allegations. On February 19, 2022, he was found hanged in his cell at La Santé prison in Paris. His death ended the French investigation into his alleged crimes.

Correspondence with Epstein#

The archive documents a sustained correspondence between Brunel and Epstein spanning more than three decades, with 6,067 emails exchanged between them. Brunel appears as both sender and recipient throughout the archive, with 3,055 emails sent by Brunel and 2,955 emails where he was a direct recipient.

Early Period and Business Coordination

Emails from the late 2000s and early 2010s show frequent coordination on models, travel, and business matters. In November 2009, Brunel forwarded to Epstein a concerning internet search result linking his name to escort services, prompting Epstein to write "I know. It is malicious there is only this on a google search. Someone has done it deliberately to harm".

In June 2010, an exchange regarding photographs shows Epstein and Brunel discussing models, with Epstein writing "it is the same girl as in the photo with you" and later commenting "she's fat" about a lingerie photo. In March 2013, Brunel coordinated with Epstein about a model traveling between Moscow and Paris, with Epstein asking for contact details for the woman (thread).

In May 2012, Lesley Groff emailed Brunel: "Hello Jean Luc...l understand you will be coming by to see JE tonight??", documenting visits to Epstein's residence. In October 2010, Brunel corresponded about arranging for a Ukrainian model to come to New York "on an invitation letter" through MC2.

2015 Mediation Efforts

A significant dispute between Brunel and Epstein appears to have emerged by 2015. In April 2015, Epstein reached out: "I have some ideas. that i think you will like, can we see each other next week?". Brunel responded that he would "not be in NY next week".

The dispute escalated sufficiently that Matthieu de Boisseson, a mutual friend, attempted to mediate. In April 2015, de Boisseson wrote to both parties describing his effort to "facilitate a first exchange of views between both of you" and recommending that "a settlement should imply a compensation for damage incurred to MC2 and Jean-Luc Brunel". When Epstein asked "is there a proposal and structure", de Boisseson responded that a resolution might include "a lump sum acceptable by both of you, together with statements or steps appropriate to restore MC2 and JL's image".

By early April 2015, Brunel wrote to Epstein expressing distress: "Health wise, I don't feel better since I am out of work and I don't know how I can restore my reputation in the future". He thanked Epstein "for the time i have spent in your building" and suggested that Matthieu "might be available from the mid of April" as a mediator.

Attempts at Reconciliation

Despite the dispute, Epstein continued reaching out. In September 2015, shortly before Brunel's birthday, Epstein wrote: "hope you have a good birthday friday. . Im happy to speak to you whevever you feel ready. . I miss our talks". In November 2015, Epstein informed Brunel that "i spoke to michel, we agreed a process forward, I am happy to see you when you like" and asked about Brunel's hernia operation.

When they crossed paths in Paris in March 2015, Epstein wrote: "saw you walking on rue rivoli, very very glad you are well. I leave tonite". Brunel responded that he was "here until tomorrow Germany and telaciv".

In April 2016, Epstein wrote: "I miss talking to you. I am ready to sit with you at your convenience. there are many things happening that may satisfy your needs". However, correspondence in the archive shows limited interaction after 2015, suggesting the relationship remained strained despite reconciliation attempts.

Discussion of Legal Strategy

Fragmentary emails from 2026 (likely misdated messages from earlier years) show Epstein advising Brunel on legal matters. In one exchange, Epstein wrote: "Ask every question you can think of, did she have sex with the girls Make her sit and take the fifth to every question for hours", suggesting aggressive deposition tactics. Another email references someone with "bad press lately, very bad" and concerns about "the market".

Connections#

Brunel's most extensive documented connection in Epstein's network was with Jeffrey Epstein (alias) himself, with whom he exchanged 5,279 emails. He had regular coordination with Lesley Groff (107 shared emails), Epstein's longtime assistant, who facilitated meetings and visits. Brunel also corresponded with Abi Schwinck (53 emails), an MC2 employee, and Andrew Nikou (39 emails).

Other correspondents include Jeff Fuller (34 emails), identified as MC2 staff; Daniel Siad (33 emails); Steve Hanson (29 emails); Rich Kahn (28 emails), Epstein's accountant; and Dominique Nameche (26 emails).

Notably, Brunel had correspondence with Boris Nikolic (bgC3) (15 emails) and Boris Nikolic (14 emails), Epstein's science advisor; Joshua Fink (13 emails); Eva Dubin (11 emails); and Ghislaine Maxwell (7 emails), Epstein's closest associate.

A January 2016 email from Gianni Serazzi documents a business relationship that had soured. Serazzi wrote to Brunel: "Unfortunately our friendship has arrived to its end", accusing Brunel of hiring away his Paris modeling agency staff, resulting in "the end of that company, the loss of the license, my financial loss of over 100k". Serazzi wrote: "I was not interested in your girls, parties or money", suggesting awareness of Brunel's lifestyle.

Document References#

Brunel appears extensively in investigative documents and court filings related to Epstein. In a 2016 deposition of Alan Dershowitz, Dershowitz stated: "I have no memory of ever meeting a man by that name" when asked about Brunel, and confirmed he had no knowledge of Brunel's "role...in Jeffrey Epstein's life".

A 2023 shareholder derivative complaint against JPMorgan Chase details the bank's internal concerns about Epstein's activities. An internal March 2011 JPMorgan report stated that "MC2 Model Management and Jeffrey Epstein engaged in racketeering that involved luring in minor children for sexual play for money" and noted that MC2's owner was a "frequent passenger on Epstein's private jet and often visited Epstein in jail". Despite this report reaching senior executives, JPMorgan continued banking Epstein until 2013.

FBI investigative documents from 2025 summarizing allegations in the Epstein case include references to Brunel. One FBI summary compiled allegations from victims, noting that witnesses "stated Brunel and Epstein were close and traveled often together" and that one victim "stated she saw Brunel on Epstein's Island". An FBI task list from July 2025 includes Brunel among a group of individuals for whom agents were instructed to "build out new spreadsheet w all the derog on them".

Following Brunel's arrest in December 2020, a Washington Post email from an August 2019 DOJ official indicated that the Bureau of Prisons investigation into Epstein's death would "also report that we're looking into Jean Luc Brunel".

Visits to Epstein Properties#

The archive documents coordination for visits to Epstein's properties but does not contain detailed visit logs or schedules for Brunel specifically. Email correspondence shows:

Manhattan townhouse: Multiple documented visits coordinated through assistants. In May 2012, Lesley Groff wrote asking "will be coming by to see JE tonight??". In February 2015, Groff coordinated a potential meeting while "Jeffrey will be in Paris Sat. Feb. 28th-Sat March 7th", with Brunel responding he was "in Milano until 4th". In April 2015, Brunel thanked Epstein "for the time i have spent in your building", suggesting an extended stay at Epstein's Manhattan residence.

Paris: Multiple meetings documented. In March 2015, Epstein wrote: "saw you walking on rue rivoli", indicating both were in Paris. Email correspondence shows Epstein traveled to Paris frequently and coordinated meetings with Brunel there.

Little St. James island: Victim statements summarized in FBI documents indicate "she saw Brunel on Epstein's Island". Flight logs documented in public reporting place Brunel on at least two dozen flights aboard Epstein's private jet between 2000 and 2005.

Other properties: The archive does not contain specific documentation of visits to Epstein's Palm Beach estate, New Mexico ranch, or other properties, though the volume of correspondence and close relationship suggests contact at multiple locations.

Criminal Activity#

The documented evidence in this archive, combined with public allegations and French criminal charges, implicates conduct potentially relevant to multiple federal criminal statutes:

The correspondence documents Brunel's role coordinating international travel for young models and maintaining a close relationship with Epstein throughout the period of Epstein's sex trafficking operation. A March 2011 JPMorgan internal report stated that "MC2 Model Management and Jeffrey Epstein engaged in racketeering that involved luring in minor children for sexual play for money", conduct within the scope of 18 U.S.C. § 1591 (sex trafficking of children) and 18 U.S.C. § 1594 (general provisions related to sex trafficking).

Brunel's documented frequent travel on Epstein's aircraft and coordination of models' travel raises potential relevance to 18 U.S.C. § 2421 (transportation for illegal sexual activity) and 18 U.S.C. § 2423 (transportation of minors). Public reporting indicates Brunel traveled on Epstein's jet between 2000 and 2005, during the period when Epstein was actively trafficking minors.

The sustained coordination documented in the email archive, including discussions of models, photographs, and business arrangements related to MC2, combined with evidence that MC2 served as a vehicle for trafficking, falls within 18 U.S.C. § 371 (conspiracy to commit offense) and 18 U.S.C. § 2 (principals; aiding and abetting).

French authorities charged Brunel with rape of minors, sexual harassment, criminal associations, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. He was being held for trial when he died in custody in February 2022. For a comprehensive overview of potentially applicable statutes, see Criminal Statutes.