New Epstein Files Put the Hamptons in Focus

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Newly released emails and FBI reports reveal Epstein’s access to VIP summer circles, from restaurants and clubs to private Hamptons homes — not surprising, but deeply disturbing.

Hamptons Summer Scene Under Fresh Scrutiny

In the Hamptons, connections are everything. Hedge fund executives, restaurateurs, club owners, and media figures mix at beaches, parties, and exclusive events during the summer. Being seen in the right circles often equals social credibility.
The newest Epstein files, first reported by the New York Post, show these elite networks in unprecedented detail.

Jeffrey Epstein and “girls weekends” in the Hamptons. Photo released by the Dept. of Justice

Latest Documents Show Epstein’s Hamptons Ties

A 2016 email thanks Epstein for a “girls’ weekend,” noting pink T-shirts and calling it a “happiest time.” A Montauk photo shows young women dining outdoors, though the documents do not disclose their identities or ages.

The files, which include emails and FBI reports as recent as 2020, show Epstein moving beyond Palm Beach and Manhattan into Hamptons society. The records reference planned trips, overnight stays, and “girls’ weekends” in the area.

According to Casper Media, Stephen Hanson was once one of the city’s most successful restaurateurs. The BR Guest founder was also someone that Jeffrey Epstein called one of his “closest friends,” as revealed in emails between the two Manhattanites, in which they talked about travel plans, a horticulturist, Entourage the movie, and a plane that Hanson appears to have tried to help Epstein purchase. Photo: Stephen Hanson from founding journalist Chris Crowley on Instagram.

Other emails detail weekend planning, including travel and lodging arrangements. An FBI document from 2020 references a tip that Epstein had close Hamptons contacts who could provide underage girls; the files do not indicate the outcome of that tip.

Local Business Figures Mentioned, Not Accused

Several Hamptons social figures appear in the emails:

  • Stephen Hanson, a restaurant owner, is referenced in a 2017 email in which Epstein asked if girls could stay at Hanson’s Hamptons property for a weekend. Hanson agreed; the documents do not allege any wrongdoing or knowledge of illegal activity.
  • Mark Baker, a club promoter active in New York and the Hamptons, appears in multiple communications. A 2010 email references Baker planning weekly parties for “beautiful Russian girls” to make new friends. Later emails describe introductions and meeting plans. No illegal activity is alleged.

Pattern of Grooming and Influence Emerges

The files reference grooming—how someone builds trust with a minor to exploit them—when discussing Epstein’s actions broadly.

Jeffrey Epstein mug shot.

Hamptons’ Privacy Image Challenged by Latest Files

Traditionally, the Hamptons are known for discretion and privacy. These latest files suggest Epstein had access to summer VIP events and fine-dining circles, revealing a hidden layer of social networking.

The emails illustrate how Epstein leveraged his network for influence, arranging trips and introductions that took advantage of the Hamptons’ social structure, where private homes and VIP events function as semi-exclusive clubhouses.

While no one mentioned in the emails is accused of crimes, the documents highlight how Epstein used his connections to gain access and influence in elite circles. For a community that values discretion, the Hamptons are now part of the story of a convicted pedophile whose wealth opened doors to the East End’s most exclusive spaces.