A combined photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Larry Nassar, using images from different sources. Reuters
The Department of Justice said Tuesday afternoon that a controversial letter, said to be from the late Jeffrey Epstein to convicted sex offender Larry Nassar, is not authentic. Officials confirmed the document, which circulated as part of recently released Epstein-related files, is a fake.
The letter surfaced earlier in the day when authorities released thousands of pages of records connected to Epstein. At first glance, the document appeared to show Epstein writing to Nassar in 2019 and included deeply disturbing language referring to “young ladies.”
Contents Raised Immediate Alarm
The letter included explicit and offensive statements and appeared to reference sexual exploitation. One passage read: “As you will know by now, I have taken the ‘short route’ home.” Another line stated, “Good luck! We shared one thing … our love & caring for young ladies and the hope they reach their full potential.”
It went on to include an even more graphic reference involving the president at the time. The letter ended with the signature: “Life is unfair. Yours, J. Epstein.”
Given the nature of the statements and the public figures mentioned, the document quickly drew widespread attention and concern.
FBI Confirms Letter Is Fake
Later on Tuesday, the Department of Justice posted a public update stating: “The FBI has confirmed this alleged letter from Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar is FAKE.”
Officials explained that several details did not match verified records or known facts. The department added that the document’s release should not be taken as proof of its claims. “This fake letter serves as a reminder that just because a document is released by the Department of Justice does not make the allegations or claims within the document factual,” the statement said.
How the Letter Entered Official Files
The document first came to light in 2023, when investigators found it among more than 4,000 pages of records held by the Bureau of Prisons. The envelope carried a postmark dated August 13, 2019, three days after Epstein died in federal custody. Authorities later returned the letter after a prison in Arizona marked it as undeliverable.
An investigator questioned what to do with the envelope in an internal message, writing: “It appeared he mailed it out and it was returned back to him.”
Officials remain unsure whether Epstein and Nassar had any connection.
Background on the Two Men
Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, in a death ruled a suicide. His brother continues to dispute that finding.
Nassar, a former gymnastics doctor, is serving a 60-year federal prison sentence related to child sexual abuse images. A Michigan court also sentenced him to up to 175 years after more than 150 women testified that he sexually abused them.
Claims Around Politics Dismissed
The letter included references to former president Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes. The Department of Justice said recent document releases include untrue and sensational claims and stressed that it released the material to meet legal requirements, not to validate allegations.
