Key Takeaways
- • Jeffrey Epstein inquired about purchasing a private jet from Apollo Global Management co-founder Marc Rowan in January 2016, according to emails released by the US Department of Justice on January 30, 2026.
- • The inquiry came through Epstein's representative, who requested details including flight hours, photographs, and other pertinent information about Rowan's aircraft for sale.
- • The correspondence occurred during a broader period (2013-2016) when Rowan maintained contact with Epstein, adding to documented connections between Apollo's leadership and the convicted sex offender.
- • The disclosure renews scrutiny on Apollo Global Management's historical ties to Epstein, particularly given prior revelations about co-founder Leon Black's substantial financial dealings with Epstein.
Summary
Newly released Department of Justice emails reveal that late financier Jeffrey Epstein considered acquiring a private jet from Apollo Global Management Inc. co-founder Marc Rowan approximately a decade ago. According to the correspondence dated January 12, 2016, a representative acting on Epstein's behalf contacted Rowan's executive assistant requesting detailed information about the aircraft, including flight hours, photographs, and other specifications relevant to a potential sale.
The jet inquiry represents a documented transaction discussion between Epstein and Rowan during a period when the two maintained contact. Records indicate that Rowan corresponded with Epstein on multiple occasions between 2013 and 2016, spanning several years of the relationship. The specificity of the request—asking for technical details and documentation typical of aircraft sales due diligence—suggests the inquiry progressed beyond casual conversation, though no evidence in the released materials indicates the transaction was completed.
This disclosure carries implications for Apollo Global Management's institutional credibility. The alternative asset manager has faced ongoing scrutiny since 2019 regarding its leadership's connections to Epstein. Co-founder Leon Black previously disclosed that he paid Epstein at least $50 million for advisory services, a relationship that generated significant reputational and legal challenges for the firm. The emergence of additional correspondence between Epstein and Rowan expands the documented scope of the convicted sex offender's interactions with Apollo's executive leadership.
The DOJ's release of these materials reflects the broader effort to publicly disclose communications related to Epstein investigations, offering institutional investors, regulators, and stakeholders additional context regarding the networks and relationships that surrounded the financier during the years preceding his arrest and conviction.
The jet inquiry represents a documented transaction discussion between Epstein and Rowan during a period when the two maintained contact. Records indicate that Rowan corresponded with Epstein on multiple occasions between 2013 and 2016, spanning several years of the relationship. The specificity of the request—asking for technical details and documentation typical of aircraft sales due diligence—suggests the inquiry progressed beyond casual conversation, though no evidence in the released materials indicates the transaction was completed.
This disclosure carries implications for Apollo Global Management's institutional credibility. The alternative asset manager has faced ongoing scrutiny since 2019 regarding its leadership's connections to Epstein. Co-founder Leon Black previously disclosed that he paid Epstein at least $50 million for advisory services, a relationship that generated significant reputational and legal challenges for the firm. The emergence of additional correspondence between Epstein and Rowan expands the documented scope of the convicted sex offender's interactions with Apollo's executive leadership.
The DOJ's release of these materials reflects the broader effort to publicly disclose communications related to Epstein investigations, offering institutional investors, regulators, and stakeholders additional context regarding the networks and relationships that surrounded the financier during the years preceding his arrest and conviction.
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