Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem#
Summary
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem is an Emirati businessman who serves as Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, a global logistics and port operator headquartered in Dubai. Born in 1955, he has led Dubai's infrastructure expansion for over four decades and chairs the Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation. According to DP World, his leadership spans 83 countries with over 119,000 employees. He holds a BSc in Economics from Temple University.
The Epstein archive documents over 6,200 emails exchanged between Bin Sulayem and Jeffrey Epstein spanning from 1991 to 2019, making him one of Epstein's most frequent correspondents. Their relationship continued well after Epstein's 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution. In February 2026, U.S. Representative Ro Khanna publicly identified Bin Sulayem among six individuals whose names had been redacted in Justice Department documents. Following these revelations, major institutional investors including British International Investment and Canadian pension fund La Caisse suspended future investments with DP World pending the company's response.
Background
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem was born in 1955 in Dubai, then part of the Trucial States, according to Wikipedia. He earned a BSc in Economics from Temple University and received an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University Dubai in 2008. His brother is Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.
DP World reports that Bin Sulayem began his career in Dubai's port sector in the mid-1980s and spearheaded the development of Jebel Ali Port into a major deep-water shipping hub. He became Group Chairman and CEO of DP World in February 2016, after serving as chairman since 2007. Under his leadership, DP World acquired British port operator Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation for $6.9 billion in 2006, making DP World the world's third-largest port operator by 2010.
Beyond DP World, Bin Sulayem previously chaired Dubai World, where he established and led Nakheel (the real estate developer behind Dubai's man-made islands) and Istithmar World (a private equity investment house), according to DP World. He also serves as chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One and is involved with Seven Tides International, a Dubai-based real estate investment company.
In February 2026, multiple news outlets reported extensively on Bin Sulayem's correspondence with Epstein. Bloomberg and ABC News described the emails as spanning over a decade and covering both business and personal matters. The Wall Street Journal reported that in 2017, Bin Sulayem paid Epstein $6,200, and a day later Epstein paid Bin Sulayem the same amount. Following these disclosures, Republic, an anti-monarchy campaign group, filed a complaint with the UK Charity Commission regarding DP World's status as a founding partner of Prince William's Earthshot Prize.
Correspondence with Epstein
The archive contains extensive correspondence between Bin Sulayem and Epstein dating from at least 2005 through 2019, continuing more than a decade after Epstein's 2008 criminal conviction. The emails reveal a relationship that mixed business discussions, social coordination, political introductions, and requests for personal services.
Early Correspondence and Island Visits
One of the earliest documented exchanges, from August-September 2005, concerns an invitation to Epstein's private island. An assistant transmitted Epstein's message: "Are you going to the Clinton Forum? I see that the Secretary General is scheduled to attend. If so, we can go to my island after the forum". Bin Sulayem responded asking for departure details: "Can I call you now and at which number", and later wrote: "Can you give me an idea on which date and time of our departure to your island I just want to orginize some meetings in New York".
In July 2012, Epstein asked Bin Sulayem: "Can you come to island ?" when coordinating travel plans. The correspondence shows Bin Sulayem's interest in visiting Epstein's properties. According to reporting by Jacobin, the emails document that "Sulayem often wrote to Epstein asking the sex offender if he could visit his island."
Massage Services
The archive contains multiple references to massage arrangements. An undated email from Epstein's staff inquired: "Jeffrey is wondering what time you would like your massage today in new york".
In June 2017, a more extensive arrangement unfolded. Bin Sulayem forwarded Epstein an email from an individual identified as working "as the personal masseuse at the private Spa of our friend Jeffery Epstien". Bin Sulayem wrote to Fettah Tamince, chairman of Rixos Hotels: "I would appreciate if you can arrange for her to work as a trainee at Rixos Antalia spa so she gains better experience". Epstein subsequently corresponded with Sebla Soydan at Rixos Hotels about the training arrangements, asking: "is it ok if she has her assosciate accompny her so they both can learn from your magnificnet resort".
In August 2018, Bin Sulayem forwarded Epstein a woman's CV, and Epstein asked: "can we find a position for her in any dubai hotel.?". Bin Sulayem then contacted Jean-Francois Laurent, General Manager of Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, explaining the woman "has been referred by a business partner" and requesting employment consideration. The hotel manager responded that they would "do our utmost to find a suitable position" despite her limited hospitality experience.
Financial and Business Matters
In July 2010, amid Dubai World's financial difficulties following the 2008 global financial crisis, Bin Sulayem contacted Epstein seeking urgent financing. He wrote: "I checked with my finance department and they advise me that an immediate cash injection of 125 million US $ as a bridge loan will enable us to prevent a standstill of the projects". Epstein forwarded the request to David Mitchell, noting: "the bridge is difficult to collaterilze , as there is debt already in place".
The correspondence shows Epstein facilitating business connections for Bin Sulayem. In June 2018, Epstein wrote about Joi Ito organizing a technology investment fund: "joi is organizing a fund with the tech boys total 50 m. I asked him if dubai world was in. and he said he hadnt suggested it to you? its the top tech guys". Epstein described it as providing "access to the best of all tech".
In November 2018, Bin Sulayem sought Epstein's advice on a proposal from Andrew Farkas to establish a distressed asset rescue fund in Dubai. Bin Sulayem wrote: "I read his proposal many times but still I am not familiar about what he exactly wants to do... I am concerned that I might be put in an embarrassing situation because of Andrew style of doing Buisnes". Epstein responded: "he wants to buy distressed assets and get the help of locals to point him in the right direction . and cut them in on the action".
23andMe DNA Testing Kits
In May 2017, a 23andMe customer service representative contacted Bin Sulayem about his order of 30 ancestry DNA testing kits, stating their "shipment warehouse specially reviews large orders for compliance" and requesting information about the intended use. Lesley Groff, Epstein's assistant, intervened to facilitate the order, explaining Bin Sulayem "would like to give them to his co-workers".
The kits were ordered in Bin Sulayem's name but billed to "James Miller" and shipped to Epstein's Manhattan townhouse at 9 East 71st Street, according to the order confirmation. After payment complications, the order was placed using Epstein's American Express card, with arrangements made for Bin Sulayem to wire the funds to Epstein. Groff wrote: "Jeffrey is aware and says you can wire the money to him". The 30 kits, totaling $6,084.95, were shipped via Emirates Airlines to Dubai in June 2017, according to tracking correspondence.
Political and Diplomatic Facilitation
Epstein frequently acted as an intermediary for Bin Sulayem's interactions with political figures and international organizations. In January 2019, Epstein connected Bin Sulayem with Terje Rod-Larsen, writing simply: "so you guys can meet in davos", referring to the World Economic Forum in Davos.
In November 2018, Epstein introduced Bin Sulayem to Miroslav Lajcak, President of the United Nations General Assembly, with the brief message: "Sultan miro miro sultan".
In November 2010, Bin Sulayem coordinated with Epstein and Karim Wade, son of Senegal's then-president, on African business opportunities. Bin Sulayem reported: "I spoke to karim and he is arranging a program to include Ghuinea ,South Africa ,Gabon Ghana ,Senegal ,Mali and Mozambique". In April 2011, Epstein proposed to Bin Sulayem and Wade: "can we plan a trip, to africa early may .. senegal , gabon, mali, benin.. marrakash. -paris".
Epstein also connected Bin Sulayem with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. In July 2018, while Bin Sulayem was staying in Tel Aviv at "1 Rothschild Blvd" for medical treatments for his daughter, Barak wrote: "I'll be happy to visit you there with my wife Nili... Best Ehud Barak". Bin Sulayem had earlier explained they were "introduced by Jeffrey and we met at the st Petersburg forum".
In September 2013, Joi Ito introduced Bin Sulayem to Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai at Epstein's request, describing Bin Sulayem as "the founder of Dubai's logistics empire... known as the man who built the modern Dubai" and noting he "worked very closely with Sony to set up Sony's presence in Dubai".
Personal and Social Communications
The correspondence includes casual exchanges about meetings and travel. In January 2019, Epstein wrote: "I am in Paris all week if you have some time", to which Bin Sulayem responded about his busy Davos schedule, and Epstein replied: "no worry, is davos fun?".
In March 2019, shortly after the New York Times published a letter about Epstein's criminal case, Epstein forwarded the link to Bin Sulayem with the note "please note", suggesting he maintained contact with Bin Sulayem even as public scrutiny of his conviction intensified.
The emails also contain forwarded internet humor, including a June 2010 message titled "Victoria's Secret is Answered Finally!" and various political jokes and commentary.
Connections
Bin Sulayem appears in correspondence with numerous individuals in Epstein's network:
Joi Ito, then-director of MIT Media Lab, facilitated introductions between Bin Sulayem and technology leaders, including the Sony CEO, and discussed technology investment opportunities (36 shared emails).
Karim Wade, son of Senegal's president, coordinated African business trips with Bin Sulayem and Epstein, discussing port and investment opportunities across West Africa (14 shared emails).
Ehud Barak, former Israeli Prime Minister, met with Bin Sulayem in Tel Aviv through Epstein's introduction, as documented in July 2018 correspondence about visiting Bin Sulayem at a Rothschild Boulevard residence.
Peter Mandelson, former UK cabinet minister, appears in 2010 correspondence about potential board positions, though the specific context is limited in available threads.
Terje Rod-Larsen, head of the International Peace Institute, was introduced to Bin Sulayem by Epstein for meetings at the Davos World Economic Forum in 2019.
Lesley Groff, Epstein's longtime assistant, coordinated numerous logistical arrangements for Bin Sulayem, including the 23andMe order, hotel contacts, and meeting scheduling (176 shared emails).
Tom Pritzker, Steve Bannon, and Deepak Chopra also appear among Bin Sulayem's co-correspondents in the archive, though the nature of these interactions is not detailed in the sampled emails.
Document References
The Justice Department email archive contains multiple document threads related to Bin Sulayem's interactions with Epstein. The 23andMe order documentation shows the complete transaction history, including customer service inquiries, payment arrangements, and shipping confirmations. The order was placed May 21, 2017, with 30 Health + Ancestry Service kits at $99 each, totaling $3,151.95 including tax.
Bridge loan correspondence from July 2010 documents Bin Sulayem's request for $125 million in emergency financing during Dubai World's financial crisis, including detailed discussions of collateralization challenges with David Mitchell and Epstein.
Rixos Hotel training arrangements from June 2017 detail the coordination between Bin Sulayem, Epstein, and Rixos Hotels management regarding spa training for an individual described as Epstein's personal masseuse, including passport documentation and visa arrangements.
Africa trip planning documents from April-May 2011 show coordination between Epstein, Bin Sulayem, and Karim Wade for visits to multiple African countries, including landing permissions, aircraft details (Gulfstream GV-B, tail number N909JE), and meetings with heads of state in Senegal, Mali, and Gabon.
Business introduction correspondence includes Peter Mandelson's book launch invitation forwarded to Epstein in June 2010, and various facilitations of meetings between Bin Sulayem and financial and political figures.
Visits to Epstein Properties
The archive documents multiple planned and actual visits to Epstein's properties:
Manhattan townhouse (9 East 71st Street): Evidence of coordination for visits, though specific visit dates are not comprehensively documented. The property served as the shipping address for the 30 23andMe kits ordered by Bin Sulayem in May-June 2017. An undated email inquired about massage appointment timing at the New York location.
Little St. James island: Multiple references to planned island visits appear in the correspondence. In August-September 2005, Epstein invited Bin Sulayem to visit the island after the Clinton Global Initiative forum, with Bin Sulayem requesting specific departure times to coordinate New York meetings. In July 2012, Epstein asked Bin Sulayem directly if he could "come to island" while coordinating travel schedules. According to reporting, Bin Sulayem "often wrote to Epstein asking the sex offender if he could visit his island," though the archive does not conclusively document completed visits versus planned trips.
Palm Beach, New Mexico ranch, Paris apartment: No visits to these properties are documented in the available email threads.
Criminal Activity
The archive documents conduct that falls within the scope of several federal criminal statutes. Bin Sulayem's June 2017 arrangement to send an individual he described as working "as the personal masseuse at the private Spa of our friend Jeffery Epstien" to Rixos Hotels in Turkey for spa training, coordinated through Epstein's office and involving international travel arrangements, relates to conduct examined under 18 U.S.C. § 1591 (sex trafficking) and 18 U.S.C. § 2421-2423 (Mann Act violations) in the investigation of Epstein's operation. The August 2018 request for Epstein's assistance in finding "a position for her in any dubai hotel", facilitated through Bin Sulayem's business contacts, followed a similar pattern.
Bin Sulayem's continued close personal and business relationship with Epstein throughout the period from 2008-2019, after Epstein's 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution became public record, involved facilitating introductions to international political figures, coordinating business opportunities, and maintaining regular social contact. This sustained association with a known sex offender, combined with active facilitation of Epstein's access to business and political networks, raises questions under 18 U.S.C. § 2 (aiding and abetting) and 18 U.S.C. § 4 (misprision of felony), though no charges have been filed. The full scope of potentially relevant criminal conduct is described at Criminal Statutes.