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About
J. Epstein & Co. was a private investment firm founded by financier Jeffrey Epstein in 1982 to manage assets for ultra-high-net-worth clients, positioning itself as an exclusive advisory service that reportedly accepted only clients with net worth exceeding one billion dollars. The firm specialized in bespoke financial services including investment strategies, tax planning, and wealth preservation for a select clientele in business, entertainment, and politics. Its most significant client was Leslie (Les) Wexner, billionaire founder of L Brands (formerly The Limited), who entrusted Epstein with managing a substantial portion of his personal fortune beginning in the mid-1980s, with Epstein gaining power of attorney over Wexner's assets in 1991. The firm operated from offices in New York City with a low public profile, leveraging Epstein's Wall Street experience from Bear Stearns to build a discreet operation known for its opacity and high-level connections. It underwent structural changes including a rebranding to Intercontinental Assets Group Inc. (IAG) in 1987 while retaining its core identity under Epstein's control. By the early 2000s, as Epstein's personal scandals emerged, the firm's activities diminished, effectively ceasing operations around 2003 when Epstein shifted focus to other entities. The organization has been scrutinized in investigations into Epstein's finances, with allegations of commingling client funds and self-dealing, though no formal charges were brought against the firm itself.