Jeffrey Epstein Was Asked to Inquire About Sponsorship Opportunities on Leonardo DiCaprio’s Behalf, Newly Released Files Show

Leonardo DiCaprio’s name appears in a newly released tranche of documents tied to the Department of Justice’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

On Friday, Jan. 30, the DOJ released more than 3 million additional files from the criminal investigations into Epstein, who was arrested in July 2019 and charged with sex trafficking of minors.

In one email dated June 12, 2009, Peter Mandelson — a former British ambassador to the United States and a U.K. Member of Parliament — asked Epstein whether he knew of any non-U.S. companies seeking a celebrity endorsement.

“[Can] you think of anyone in India, China, Japan, etc., that might want the endorsement of Leonardo DiCaprio? Russia etc., cars etc.,” Mandelson wrote. “[He] is looking for non-U.S. products to endorse to make some [money].”

At the time, Mandelson was serving in former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s cabinet as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, President of the Board of Trade, and First Secretary of State.

DiCaprio’s name has surfaced in Epstein-related materials before. In earlier records connected to the investigation, it was listed among a series of celebrity “name drops” attributed to Epstein.

According to The Guardian, Johanna Sjoberg — one of Epstein’s accusers — said in a deposition released in 2024 that Epstein frequently talked up supposed connections with Hollywood stars. During questioning, a lawyer asked whether she had met Cate Blanchett or Leonardo DiCaprio.

“I did not meet them, no,” Sjoberg replied. She said the references came up while she was massaging Epstein and he was often on the phone, describing instances where Epstein allegedly claimed, “Oh, that was Leonardo,” or named other celebrities such as Blanchett or Bruce Willis.

A representative for DiCaprio denied to The Guardian that the actor ever had a phone call with Epstein, and a representative for Blanchett denied that she had ever met or spoken with the late financier.

While numerous well-known figures have been mentioned across the Epstein files, many have not been accused of wrongdoing or of assisting Epstein in any way.

Mandelson, meanwhile, faced renewed scrutiny over his ties to Epstein. According to the BBC, he was removed from his ambassador role in September 2025 over the relationship. The DOJ’s latest release also included documents indicating three separate payments of $25,000 sent to Mandelson from Epstein’s JPMorgan bank accounts.

“I have no record and no recollection of receiving these sums and do not know if the documents are authentic,” Mandelson told The Guardian. He added that continuing his association with Epstein was wrong. “I deeply regret doing so and apologize unequivocally to the women and girls who suffered.”

Epstein was accused of sexual abuse by dozens of women before he died in an apparent suicide in August 2019 at age 66, while awaiting trial on federal conspiracy and sex trafficking charges.

Authorities in Florida had investigated Epstein for years before a Palm Beach Police Department inquiry began in 2005. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from a minor, which required him to register as a sex offender.

After years of controversy and legal battles over sealed records connected to Epstein, Congress passed a bill in November 2025 requiring the release of government files.