Newly released documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein show that Nick Ribis, a former executive at Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts, sent a substantial payment to Epstein in 2018, adding to a growing body of evidence detailing how the financier was used as an intermediary in high-value transactions involving prominent business figures.
The records, part of a broader release of Epstein-related materials, suggest Ribis' payment followed a pattern in which Epstein acted as a conduit between wealthy individuals and complex financial arrangements, according to people familiar with the documents.
One source described earlier dealings involving Ribis, saying: "I've dug into Nick Ribis before. In 2016, Ribis was trying to orchestrate some kind of deal to get a casino out of a bankruptcy restructuring that would have been beneficial to Apollo, and Epstein was the conduit between Leon Black and Ribis."
While the exact purpose of the 2018 transfer has not been disclosed in the released materials, analysts say the structure mirrors prior transactions in which Epstein facilitated connections between financiers and corporate operators.
Epstein's role as an intermediary has been a recurring theme in investigations into his financial network, with multiple accounts indicating he served as a bridge in sensitive or opaque transactions involving high-net-worth individuals.
The new disclosures also revive scrutiny of Epstein's relationship with Donald Trump and figures tied to his Atlantic City casino operations during earlier decades.
Jack O'Donnell, who served as president of the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, told CNN that Epstein maintained a close personal relationship with Trump during that period. "In my mind, it [Epstein] was his best friend, you know, from really the time I was there for four years," O'Donnell said.
O'Donnell also recounted an incident involving Trump and Epstein at the casino, describing how regulatory concerns arose when a 19-year-old woman was present on the gaming floor, where state law prohibits individuals under 21.
"They made me call him and I had to, believe it or not, read him the Riot Act about this action because they gave him a break this time, but if this happens again, the fine is going to be substantial and it's going to be on your head," O'Donnell said.
No fines were issued following the incident, according to O'Donnell, a detail that has fueled broader questions about regulatory enforcement and the treatment of high-profile casino operators.
The newly surfaced payment from Ribis adds a financial dimension to those historical relationships, connecting Epstein not only to social interactions but also to transactional networks linked to the casino and investment industries.
O'Donnell further emphasized the closeness of the relationship, stating: "To get on a helicopter with a friend and three other people and fly down to Atlantic City, I mean, you can connect those dots. They were pretty good buddies."
