British private equity executive Lyndon Lea is facing scrutiny after his name appeared in newly released investigative files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Epstein files, released by the U.S. Department of Justice and comprising more than three million pages of documents, reveal that Lea and Epstein connected in 2009, shortly after Epstein completed a prison sentence for soliciting a child for prostitution. According to the Santa Barbara Independent, which reviewed the documents, Lea was a Montecito resident at the time and had recently hosted a lavish party at his $38 million Channel Drive estate.
Email exchanges in the documents show that Epstein requested to meet Lea because they “shared the same interests,” with the connection facilitated by David Stern, an Epstein associate and former aide to Prince Andrew. At the time of their introduction, Lea was a cofounding partner of London-based Lion Capital LLC and owned 200 acres of El Capitan Ranch for his polo team, Zacara.
Details of the Epstein Files Connection
The documents indicate that in 2010, Lea attended a party organized by Jean-Luc Brunel, a former model agent and Epstein associate who died in prison in 2022 while facing charges of rape and trafficking minors. According to email correspondence, Epstein wrote to Brunel suggesting a dinner for Lea, to which Brunel responded he would invite “10 models.”
Additionally, the files show that later in 2010, Lea arranged employment for a Romanian model as a favor to Epstein. In the emails, Epstein described the woman as “serious, not a toy,” but added that “toys are also available.” Lea confirmed he had “organized a job” for her, stating she would need to complete interviews “to feel like she’s earned it but it’s already sorted unless she does something bizarre.”
Business Dealings and Correspondence
The two men maintained regular correspondence through 2016, frequently discussing business matters. The emails show Lea sought Epstein’s advice on purchasing private jets and potential investments in a British restaurant chain. However, the extent of their personal relationship beyond these communications remains unclear.
In 2011, Lea was appointed to the board of Not for Sale, a U.S. anti-trafficking charity focused on ending sexual exploitation of children and adults. He reportedly still holds this position. The organization works to combat “coercion for the purpose of labor or commercial sex,” according to its mission statement.
Questions Surrounding the Epstein Files Revelations
It remains unclear what knowledge Lea had of Epstein’s criminal activities during their relationship. Defense attorneys for other individuals named in the Epstein files have emphasized that inclusion in the documents does not indicate wrongdoing. The files do not show whether Epstein ever visited Lea’s Channel Drive estate in Montecito.
Meanwhile, travel records indicate that Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime confidant who was later convicted of sex trafficking, stayed at the nearby Four Seasons Resort on multiple occasions during this period. The significance of her presence in the area has not been established.
Current Status and Investments
Lea sold his 8,000-square-foot Balinese-inspired Montecito home in 2021 and is now believed to be residing in the Bahamas. During his time in Santa Barbara, he invested in Happy Endingz, an eco-conscious swimwear company founded by a UCSB graduate. The company is no longer in operation.
Requests for comment sent to Lion Capital and Not for Sale were not returned. Representatives have not issued public statements regarding Lea’s appearance in the investigative documents or the nature of his relationship with Epstein.
As more individuals and organizations review the extensive Epstein files, additional details about Lea’s interactions may emerge. Authorities have not indicated whether further investigation into any of the individuals named in the documents is planned.
