Jason Leopold
LightNews LightNews
banner
jasonleopold.bsky.social
Jason Leopold
@jasonleopold.bsky.social
140K followers 840 following 970 posts
Investigative Reporter, Bloomberg News. "FOIA terrorist." Subscribe to my newsletter, FOIA Files and my FOIA podcast, Disclosure.

Signal: JasonLeopold.666

http://swap.fm/l/O8A3zzBKsGWpqLtjzLSF
https://www.bloomberg.com/foiafiles
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
jasonleopold.bsky.social
Jason Leopold @jasonleopold.bsky.social · 4d
NEW/EXCLUSIVE: A French branch of HSBC closed a bank account maintained by Jeffrey Epstein in 2007 after compliance officers flagged transactions for suspicious activity, including payments tied to a modeling agent later accused of rape & sex trafficking
🧵
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
The letter says We hereby inform you that we do not intent to maintain our relationship and notify you this day, subject to a one-month notification period, the end of our banking contract for your account in existence since December 22", 2006. that is with effect on January 21", 2008. Consequently, after this period is over, you should retumn all unused checks still in your possession and provide us with your new banking references, in order to enable us to wire the amount remaining on your account upon closing date. If not provided, we will issue a certified check for said amount, Furthermore, we would like to have communication of the list of drawn checks which may still be presented for payment on your account, so as to keep sufficient and useful amount in order to avoid your account to become in debit. Failing that, your checks will be rejected. The end of our banking contract occurring at HSBC's request, no charge will be invoiced for the closing down of your account. The letter says We hereby inform you that we do not intent to maintain our relationship and notify you this day, subject to a one-month notification period, the end of our banking contract for your account in existence since December 22", 2006. that is with effect on January 21", 2008. Consequently, after this period is over, you should retumn all unused checks still in your possession and provide us with your new banking references, in order to enable us to wire the amount remaining on your account upon closing date. If not provided, we will issue a certified check for said amount, Furthermore, we would like to have communication of the list of drawn checks which may still be presented for payment on your account, so as to keep sufficient and useful amount in order to avoid your account to become in debit. Failing that, your checks will be rejected. The end of our banking contract occurring at HSBC's request, no charge will be invoiced for the closing down of your account.
Reposted by Jason Leopold
emptywheel.bsky.social
Lots of useful details in here.
jasonleopold.bsky.social Jason Leopold @jasonleopold.bsky.social · 28m
🚨 NEW/EXCLUSIVE: The FBI turned over dozens of emails to me in response to my #FOIA request that provides a behind-the-scenes look at discussions involving the review and redaction of the Epstein files

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
Email says We are prepared to receive boxes tomorrow, as NY agents are travelling to WFO in the morning, and vill arrive to Winchester where they will start photographing and we will start scanning and processing the physical files. Once I see the volume, I'|l have a better estimate of processing times, although 1 suggest we do a rolling delivery to further demonstrate the FBIls commitment to delivery and transparency.
November 25, 2025 at 9:47 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
🚨 NEW/EXCLUSIVE: The FBI turned over dozens of emails to me in response to my #FOIA request that provides a behind-the-scenes look at discussions involving the review and redaction of the Epstein files

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
Email says We are prepared to receive boxes tomorrow, as NY agents are travelling to WFO in the morning, and vill arrive to Winchester where they will start photographing and we will start scanning and processing the physical files. Once I see the volume, I'|l have a better estimate of processing times, although 1 suggest we do a rolling delivery to further demonstrate the FBIls commitment to delivery and transparency.
November 25, 2025 at 9:40 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW episode of my podcast, Disclosure, is now available for all to listen!

Behind the scenes at the Peace Corps as agency personnel spent two months preparing for a visit by DOGE. Based on dozens of emails I obtained via #FOIA

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
Waiting for Doge
Podcast Episode · Disclosure · 11/18/2025 · 43m
podcasts.apple.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
If you have 45 mins to spare, give a listen to the NEW episode of my podcast, Disclosure! My co-host, Matt Topic & went on a deep dive into WH toilets to find out if papers Trump allegedly flushed could be recovered. Based on my epic #FOIA lawsuit!

open.spotify.com/episode/7Aef...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:34 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NOTE: This is part of a series of stories based on emails and other documents sent to and from Jeffrey Epstein's private Yahoo account obtained by @bloomberg.com earlier this year. These weren't included in more than 20K pages of docs that a congressional committee released publicly on Nov. 12.
jasonleopold.bsky.social Jason Leopold @jasonleopold.bsky.social · 4d
NEW/EXCLUSIVE: A French branch of HSBC closed a bank account maintained by Jeffrey Epstein in 2007 after compliance officers flagged transactions for suspicious activity, including payments tied to a modeling agent later accused of rape & sex trafficking
🧵
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
The letter says We hereby inform you that we do not intent to maintain our relationship and notify you this day, subject to a one-month notification period, the end of our banking contract for your account in existence since December 22", 2006. that is with effect on January 21", 2008. Consequently, after this period is over, you should retumn all unused checks still in your possession and provide us with your new banking references, in order to enable us to wire the amount remaining on your account upon closing date. If not provided, we will issue a certified check for said amount, Furthermore, we would like to have communication of the list of drawn checks which may still be presented for payment on your account, so as to keep sufficient and useful amount in order to avoid your account to become in debit. Failing that, your checks will be rejected. The end of our banking contract occurring at HSBC's request, no charge will be invoiced for the closing down of your account. The letter says We hereby inform you that we do not intent to maintain our relationship and notify you this day, subject to a one-month notification period, the end of our banking contract for your account in existence since December 22", 2006. that is with effect on January 21", 2008. Consequently, after this period is over, you should retumn all unused checks still in your possession and provide us with your new banking references, in order to enable us to wire the amount remaining on your account upon closing date. If not provided, we will issue a certified check for said amount, Furthermore, we would like to have communication of the list of drawn checks which may still be presented for payment on your account, so as to keep sufficient and useful amount in order to avoid your account to become in debit. Failing that, your checks will be rejected. The end of our banking contract occurring at HSBC's request, no charge will be invoiced for the closing down of your account.
November 21, 2025 at 9:30 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
To be clear, the Epstein files are digitized and are stored on FBI servers. But some in the public may be unaware given the social media comments.
November 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW FOIA Files newsletter is out! A scooplet!

FBI Deploys Police to Guard Facility Where Epstein Files Are Stored

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
FBI Deploys Police to Guard Facility Where Epstein Files Are Stored
Officers were tasked with guarding the building and personnel after some social media comments called for protests or other methods to secure the files if names are scrubbed from the documents.
www.bloomberg.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW/EXCLUSIVE: A French branch of HSBC closed a bank account maintained by Jeffrey Epstein in 2007 after compliance officers flagged transactions for suspicious activity, including payments tied to a modeling agent later accused of rape & sex trafficking
🧵
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
The letter says We hereby inform you that we do not intent to maintain our relationship and notify you this day, subject to a one-month notification period, the end of our banking contract for your account in existence since December 22", 2006. that is with effect on January 21", 2008. Consequently, after this period is over, you should retumn all unused checks still in your possession and provide us with your new banking references, in order to enable us to wire the amount remaining on your account upon closing date. If not provided, we will issue a certified check for said amount, Furthermore, we would like to have communication of the list of drawn checks which may still be presented for payment on your account, so as to keep sufficient and useful amount in order to avoid your account to become in debit. Failing that, your checks will be rejected. The end of our banking contract occurring at HSBC's request, no charge will be invoiced for the closing down of your account. The letter says We hereby inform you that we do not intent to maintain our relationship and notify you this day, subject to a one-month notification period, the end of our banking contract for your account in existence since December 22", 2006. that is with effect on January 21", 2008. Consequently, after this period is over, you should retumn all unused checks still in your possession and provide us with your new banking references, in order to enable us to wire the amount remaining on your account upon closing date. If not provided, we will issue a certified check for said amount, Furthermore, we would like to have communication of the list of drawn checks which may still be presented for payment on your account, so as to keep sufficient and useful amount in order to avoid your account to become in debit. Failing that, your checks will be rejected. The end of our banking contract occurring at HSBC's request, no charge will be invoiced for the closing down of your account.
November 21, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
podcastdelivery.com
Listen here 👇
Disclosure
Listen to Disclosure.
episodes.fm
November 17, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
podcastdelivery.com
Explore how Russian pranksters duped a top official and what happens to flushed White House documents. Join FOIA expert jasonleopold.bsky.social and attorney mvtopic.bsky.social as they reveal hidden government secrets and the battles to uncover them.
Disclosure
November 17, 2025 at 8:01 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
Saw Patti Smith last night in LA. She is an absolute legend. Spectacular show.
November 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
The professionals who surrounded Jeffrey Epstein defended and deflected, coached and countermessaged, burnished and polished. Together, they helped extend Epstein’s influence and freedom, even lending an air of invincibility. 

This is "The Network"
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Jeffrey Epstein Leaned on His Elite Network for Help as Investigators Closed In
A cache of 18,000 messages shows the elite support the disgraced financier got in his “hour of terror.”
www.bloomberg.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
In 2019, in Jeffrey Epstein’s last weeks of freedom, he made his final purchases for his Kindle: a guide to raising children, though he wasn’t known to have any, The Annotated Lolita and Nietzsche’s The Birth of Tragedy.
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
November 16, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
agordon.me
New from me: Global Entry revocations are surging in the last ~2 years, well outpacing enrollment, according to data from a FOIA. People often don't know why their membership was revoked. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 14, 2025 at 3:16 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
From the first @bloomberg.com story in Sept on Jeffrey Epstein's Yahoo emails we obtained

A spreadsheet that reveals 2K gifts, luxury items & payments totaling $1.8M. Notations indicated they were intended for Epstein’s friends, biz associates & victims

1/
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Jeffrey Epstein Email Trove Reveals Ghislaine Maxwell’s Secrets
A cache of 18,000 messages obtained by Bloomberg News reveals Maxwell’s deep ties and involvement with the disgraced financier and sex offender.
www.bloomberg.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
“I’m the chief law enforcement officer of the country,” Trump said of requesting the Epstein investigation. “Not that I want to use that, but I am the chief law enforcement agent in the country, and I’m allowed to do it.”

www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
‘I know nothing about that.' Trump responds to Epstein email saying 'he knew about the girls'
Trump also said he hasn’t thought about pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, the Epstein associate in prison on charges related to sex trafficking.
www.usatoday.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
Here’s a Look at What the FBI’s Epstein Files Would Reveal

An index from an 8-year-old #FOIA lawsuit shows the FBI is withholding bank & phone records, photos, comms w/foreign govt agencies & other revealing material related to its 2006 investigation
www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
Here’s a Look at What the FBI’s Epstein Files Would Reveal
An index from an eight-year-old FOIA lawsuit shows that the bureau is withholding bank and phone records, photographs, communications with foreign government agencies and other revealing material rela...
www.bloomberg.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
bloomberg.com
Exclusive: Jeffrey Epstein’s emails reveal the unusual collection of books he bought prior to his arrest on sex-trafficking charges in 2019. From Trump to power and sex, the titles offer an unusual insight into his interests and mindset
Epstein’s Emails Reveal Book Purchases About Trump, Sex, Money and Power
The disgraced financier purchased books about making money, treating narcissism, negotiating with anyone, achieving ecstasy and understanding life
bloom.bg
November 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
bloomberg.com
Exclusive: Jeffrey Epstein’s emails reveal the unusual collection of books he bought prior to his arrest on sex-trafficking charges in 2019. From Trump to power and sex, the titles offer an unusual insight into his interests and mindset
Epstein’s Emails Reveal Book Purchases About Trump, Sex, Money and Power
The disgraced financier purchased books about making money, treating narcissism, negotiating with anyone, achieving ecstasy and understanding life
bloom.bg
November 15, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW: In Oct 2016, when a new book about Jeffrey Epstein came out, he bought 17 copies. In 2019, in Epstein’s last weeks of freedom, he made his final purchases: a guide to raising children, The Annotated Lolita & Nietzsche’s The Birth of Tragedy
🧵

🎁 www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Epstein’s Emails Reveal Book Purchases About Trump, Sex, Money and Power
TThe disgraced financier purchased books about making money, treating narcissism, negotiating with anyone, achieving ecstasy and understanding life
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW FOIA Files newsletter is out!

‘This is Not a Drill.’ How the Peace Corps Prepared for a DOGE Visit

The agency spent two months running through training exercises leading up to DOGE’s arrival in April, according to emails I obtained via #FOIA

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
An email sent to Peace Corps personnel about DOGE As you are probably aware, a DOGE employee visited Peace Corps today. She and a few of her colleagues will be working here with us over the coming weeks. They will be sitting in conference room 7218 for the duration of their stay. During their stay with us, please observe the following: • Do NOT walk by the conference room to peek in. The location was selected for their privacy. Be mindful of your hallway conversations. • Do NOT discuss their presence outside the agency. Do NOT share their names with anyone. • Be courteous and respectful of their time. These folks are professionals with a big job to do and a narrow window in which to do it. We want them to be able to do their job safely and effectively. Your decorum and professionalism is expected.
November 14, 2025 at 3:35 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
Welcome back #FOIA officers!

FOIA requests are being processed again!
November 15, 2025 at 1:01 AM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
In Sept, my colleagues & I published one of the first stories in our series from the trove of 18K emails we obtained from Jeffrey Epstein's private Yahoo acct.

This email Maxwell sent to Epstein on Aug 23, 2007 still piques my interest
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
FROM: Gmax <gmax To: <jeeproject@yahoo.com> DATE: Thu, Aug 23 2007 5:31 PM SUBJECT: You have to assume they wen t to donald trump then, gossman, the docs in wpb, paschow etc G
November 15, 2025 at 12:31 AM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
REUPPING from August

The FBI redacted Trump’s name, as well as the names of other prominent public figures, from the Epstein files under privacy exemptions

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
The FBI Redacted Trump’s Name in the Epstein Files
The bureau’s FOIA team tasked with conducting a final review of the records blacked out the names before higher-ups said last month that releasing the documents ‘would not be appropriate or warranted....
www.bloomberg.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
suryamattu.com
A cache of 18,000 emails offers another window into Epstein’s mind. Bloomberg parsed Amazon receipts from that inbox—filtering, verifying, and cataloging book orders—to build this timeline.
jasonleopold.bsky.social Jason Leopold @jasonleopold.bsky.social · 11d
NEW: In Oct 2016, when a new book about Jeffrey Epstein came out, he bought 17 copies. In 2019, in Epstein’s last weeks of freedom, he made his final purchases: a guide to raising children, The Annotated Lolita & Nietzsche’s The Birth of Tragedy
🧵

🎁 www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Epstein’s Emails Reveal Book Purchases About Trump, Sex, Money and Power
TThe disgraced financier purchased books about making money, treating narcissism, negotiating with anyone, achieving ecstasy and understanding life
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:57 PM