Newly released documents from the U.S. Department of Justice reveal that disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein attempted to purchase a multimillion-dollar palace in Morocco just one day before his arrest in July 2019 on sex trafficking charges.
According to the records, Epstein signed a $14.95 million wire transfer on July 5, 2019, as part of an agreement to acquire the offshore company that owned Bin Ennakhil, a sprawling estate in Marrakech’s exclusive Palmeraie district. The property was reportedly valued at €18 million. He was arrested the following day upon his arrival in New York.
Three days later, Epstein’s longtime accountant, Richard Kahn, cancelled the wire transfer, and the transaction was never finalised.
The payment is described in the documents as Epstein’s final major financial move before his arrest.
Bin Ennakhil — meaning “between the palm trees” in Arabic — has been marketed as an architectural showpiece, built over three years by more than 1,300 craftsmen and decorated with elaborate carvings and mosaics. Epstein had reportedly expressed interest in the property as far back as 2011.
Negotiations with the seller, German businessman Gunter Kiss, were said to have been lengthy and, at times, tense. Initial offers from Epstein were rejected as insufficient.
His associate, Karyna Shuliak, later led inspections and negotiations, at one stage reportedly presenting herself as acting on behalf of billionaire investor Leon Black before it became clear that Epstein himself was the intended buyer.
Documents also referenced a proposed “sale and tax strategy” that would have involved registering the property at a lower declared value while transferring shares of the offshore company at a higher price.
Kensington Luxury Properties, which facilitated aspects of the deal, denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the arrangement did not violate Moroccan tax laws.
Speculation has emerged in local media about whether Morocco — which does not have an extradition treaty with the United States — might have been considered a potential refuge for Epstein.
READ ALSO: Former UK Envoy Mandelson Issues Unreserved Apology to Epstein Victims
However, the released files contain no direct evidence that he discussed the country as a sanctuary from U.S. authorities.
A former associate, speaking anonymously, suggested the attempted purchase indicated Epstein “had no clue” about his imminent arrest, though acknowledging Morocco could have offered a discreet and luxurious base.
Epstein’s connections to Morocco reportedly date back to the early 2000s. One of his accusers, Virginia Giuffre, wrote in her memoir that she was flown to Tangier by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell to review Moroccan-style interior designs for his private island.
In 2002, Epstein also attended the wedding of Morocco’s Mohammed VI, reportedly at the invitation of former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
After serving a jail sentence in 2008 for soliciting a minor, documents suggest Epstein renewed efforts to secure property in Marrakech as early as 2010.
While the palace purchase ultimately collapsed, the newly disclosed records offer fresh insight into Epstein’s financial dealings and international ties in the final days before his arrest — and raise further questions about the scope of his global network and ambitions.