Epstein Sent Chilling ‘Threat’ to Photographer Over Pictures

Jeffrey Epstein didn’t just try to control his public image. According to one photographer, he tried to physically intimidate anyone who threatened it.

Veteran portrait photographer Christopher Anderson — known today for his striking images of political power players like JD Vance and Marco Rubio — says Epstein once dispatched a hulking bodyguard to his studio to demand the return of unpublished photos.

“It was the kind of visit you don’t forget,” Anderson told followers this week. “I understood immediately this man wasn’t there to negotiate.”

The confrontation dates back to 2015, when New York magazine hired Anderson to photograph Epstein for a profile written by author Michael Wolff. At the time, Epstein was quietly rebuilding influence among billionaires, academics, and political donors despite his 2008 sex-offender conviction.

“I didn’t know much beyond the fact that he had deep connections to powerful men,” Anderson wrote. “But you could feel the energy in the room shift the moment he walked in.”

He says Epstein arrived at his Manhattan townhouse flanked by assistants, including secretary Lesley Groff and a young woman “with an Eastern European accent” who later reappeared setting up a massage table near Epstein’s office.

“His eyes scanned me like he was figuring out leverage,” Anderson recalled. “He asked what my pictures were worth. He wanted control from the first minute.”

During the shoot, Epstein allegedly made a surprising offer: $20,000 for ownership of every portrait after publication. “He didn’t want anyone else to have the pictures,” Anderson wrote. “He even pulled out a personal check.”

But days later, Epstein abruptly backed out of the story and demanded the images immediately — even though the magazine hadn’t published them yet.

“I told him the photos weren’t his property until after the issue was printed,” Anderson said. “That’s when the threats started.”

According to Anderson, Epstein sent a man named Merwin — described as “massive,” dressed in a long black coat and leather gloves — to confront him in person.

“He didn’t say much,” Anderson said. “He didn’t have to. The message was clear.”

Anderson says Merwin returned again after the magazine killed the story under Epstein’s pressure. This time, he collected the hard drive containing every image.

“I cashed the check,” Anderson admitted. “I was scared. Epstein got exactly what he wanted.”

This week, Anderson revealed he found a forgotten backup copy of the shoot on an old drive. He posted several images to Instagram, including shots of Epstein at his desk inside his Upper East Side townhouse.

One photo revealed a printed email between Epstein and the office of the Duke and Duchess of York. The message — dated February 17, 2011 — shows Epstein complaining about money he believed Sarah Ferguson still owed him.

“I agreed to reduce the amount I am owed by the Duchess in wages from $72,596 to $59,933,” Epstein wrote, framing himself as the wronged party.

Social-media users were stunned.

“The bravery of this post is unreal,” one commenter wrote. “More info in this Instagram post than all the Epstein files,” another added.

The revelations come as lawmakers pressure the Justice Department to release the full Epstein files — documents believed to detail his network of associates, favors, and alleged accomplices.

Only a small, heavily redacted portion has been made public.

“There’s no reason these should still be hidden,” Rep. Ro Khanna told NPR. “Survivors deserve the truth. And so do the American people.”

Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie have now asked a court to appoint a special master to force transparency.

“What we need,” Khanna said, “are the names of the rich and powerful men who visited Epstein’s island.”