Hermès CEO Addresses Epstein’s Pursuit
The CEO of Hermès, Alex Dumas, has firmly distanced himself from Jeffrey Epstein, referring to the late financier as a “financial predator.” This statement came after Epstein attempted to engage with the luxury brand during a turbulent time in 2013 when Hermès was facing a potential takeover by LVMH.
Dumas shared with Reuters that he believed he was targeted by Epstein due to his position as a young CEO amid the LVMH controversy. “He was a financial predator,” Dumas stated, adding that he found Epstein’s behavior repulsive.
Justice Department documents reveal that Epstein repeatedly tried to reach Dumas through his assistant in 2013 and 2014, seeking a meeting. He even proposed that Hermès assist in designing his private jet, but this was met with a clear refusal.
Dumas recounted one encounter with Epstein at a Hermès event in March 2013, noting that Epstein was not invited but managed to join a group that included filmmaker Woody Allen. Dumas emphasized that he had declined Epstein’s requests to meet multiple times thereafter, stating, “I can’t remember exactly what we knew about him back then, but he already had a terrible reputation.”
Emails disclosed by the Justice Department indicate that Epstein showed a keen interest in Hermès, even inquiring about designing his plane. His assistant attempted to set up meetings with Dumas but with no success, citing scheduling conflicts.
Epstein had a history of manipulating connections with the elite, providing him an air of legitimacy while accessing vast sums of wealth. He had longstanding ties with figures like Les Wexner of Victoria’s Secret, who granted him considerable financial control, leading to Epstein earning significant fees over the years.
In terms of his legal history, Epstein’s past includes a 2008 guilty plea in Florida for soliciting a minor, a case handled with notable leniency, drawing criticism for how it was negotiated without notifying victims. Following that, he was required to register as a sex offender and served a minimal jail sentence.
Epstein was arrested again in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and died in custody, a death deemed a suicide.
Hermès has been contacted for further comments regarding the matter.
