Prominent Figures Dined with Jeffrey Epstein 17 Months Post-Prison Release

New York, NY – A dinner party hosted by Jeffrey Epstein in his lavish Upper East Side mansion in 2010, just 17 months after his release from prison for sex offenses, drew a notable gathering of media and entertainment figures to honor Prince Andrew. The event, held in Epstein's $75 million residence, included journalists Katie Couric and George Stephanopoulos, comedian Chelsea Handler, filmmaker Woody Allen, and broadcaster Charlie Rose. Epstein had been released on July 22, 2009, after serving a 13-month sentence for state charges of "procuring a minor for prostitution" and "solicitation of prostitution."

Katie Couric, who was working at ABC News at the time, later stated, "I didn’t know anything about him at the time, ... a lot of the stuff about him hadn't come out yet." However, critics have questioned whether a high-profile news reporter would have been unaware of Epstein's criminal background, given the public nature of his 2008 plea deal. George Stephanopoulos, anchor of ABC's Good Morning America and a former Clinton administration operative, also attended despite Epstein's recent incarceration.

The gathering is often cited as an example of Epstein's efforts to rehabilitate his image and re-enter high society following his conviction. Reports indicate that the dinner was organized by publicist Peggy Siegal, and guests were primarily invited to meet Prince Andrew. Stephanopoulos later expressed regret, telling The New York Times, "I should have done more due diligence."

Chelsea Handler described the dinner as "so awkward and so weird," while Couric, in her memoir, likened the ambiance of Epstein's mansion to "Eyes Wide Shut with a twist—creepy chandeliers and body-part art." Woody Allen, accompanied by his wife Soon-Yi Previn, reportedly defended his presence as mere neighborly socializing. The mansion itself would later become a site where authorities uncovered evidence of Epstein's trafficking operation.