The U.S. Department of Justice has released a new batch of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier at the center of a vast and disturbing network of sexual abuse and trafficking that spanned decades. Among the millions of pages now being reviewed, some references have surfaced that touch the world of sports - including a mention of former Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen.
To be clear, Allen is not named as a participant in any of Epstein’s criminal behavior. His name appears in what amounts to passing references - including an email in which Epstein reportedly expressed interest in reconnecting with Allen after a brief encounter. According to that message, Allen had apparently invited Epstein to view a “mouse/brain project,” and Epstein was looking to follow up, asking for Allen’s contact information.
Here’s the excerpt from that email:
“Hello Lauren. Jeffrey requested I touch base with you to get the specifics of tomorrow’s meeting with Bill!
Might you be able to pass along the details to me? Also, Jeffrey ran into Paul Allen the other day and Paul had mentioned to Jeffrey he must go by to see his ‘mouse/brain project’… Jeffrey would very much like to take Paul up on this but has no contact information for him… Might you be able to provide?
Jeffrey is hoping he could go after his meeting with Bill tomorrow…”
That’s the extent of the current connection. There’s no indication of an ongoing relationship between the two men, no evidence of collaboration, and certainly no suggestion that Allen was involved in Epstein’s criminal activities. At this stage, Allen’s name appears in the context of a social interaction - an invitation to view a scientific project, and Epstein’s attempt to follow up.
Given Allen’s status as a billionaire and tech visionary - not to mention his ownership of the Trail Blazers and the Seattle Seahawks - it’s not surprising that he and Epstein may have crossed paths in high-profile circles. Epstein, after all, moved in elite financial and philanthropic networks, often using those connections to build influence.
Allen passed away in October 2018 due to complications from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He left behind a legacy that spans sports, science, and technology - from his co-founding of Microsoft to his investments in neuroscience and space exploration, and of course, his stewardship of major sports franchises.
As these documents continue to be reviewed, we’ll keep an eye out for any developments that might provide additional context. But at this point, the mention of Allen appears limited to a brief, informal interaction - a footnote in a much larger, and far more troubling, story.
Out of respect for the gravity of the broader investigation, the victims at the center of it, and Allen’s family, it’s important to approach these details with care and clarity. We’ll continue to report on any new information as it becomes available.