Leonardo DiCaprio’s name appears in newly released documents connected to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The files, made public on January 30, reveal email correspondence from Peter Mandelson, a former British ambassador and Member of Parliament, who sought advice from Epstein on possible sponsorship deals for the actor.
This development highlights the investigation’s wider impact as the DOJ discloses over three million documents related to Epstein’s arrest in July 2019 on charges of sex trafficking minors. The inquiry into DiCaprio involves an email from 2009 in which Mandelson asked Epstein if he could suggest any companies outside the U.S. interested in endorsement arrangements involving DiCaprio.
Details of the Sponsorship Inquiry to Epstein
In the message dated June 12, 2009, Mandelson reached out to Epstein requesting guidance on potential endorsement opportunities across several international markets, including India, China, Japan, and Russia. He asked,
[Can] you think of anyone in India, China, Japan, etc., that might want the endorsement of Leonardo DiCaprio? Russia etc., cars etc.,
and added,
[He] is looking for non-U.S. products to endorse to make some [money].
At the time, Mandelson was holding multiple key government roles under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, including Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, President of the Board of Trade, and First Secretary of State.
The Context of DiCaprio’s Name in Epstein Files
Leonardo DiCaprio’s name has been mentioned in Epstein-related records before, often as part of Epstein’s attempts to associate himself with prominent celebrities. One deposition from Johanna Sjoberg, an Epstein accuser, described Epstein frequently name-dropping Hollywood stars during conversations, though the accuser denied ever meeting DiCaprio personally.
During her deposition, when asked,
I saw one press report that said you had met Cate Blanchett or Leonardo DiCaprio?
Sjoberg responded,
I did not meet them, no,
and explained,
When I spoke about them, it was when I was massaging him [Epstein], and he would get off [of the phone] — he would be on the phone a lot at that time, and one time he said, ‘Oh, that was Leonardo,’ or ‘That was Cate Blanchett, or Bruce Willis.’ That kind of thing.
Representatives for Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett denied any personal contact or phone calls between the actors and Epstein.
Peter Mandelson’s Links to Jeffrey Epstein
Peter Mandelson, who was removed from his ambassador position due to his connection with Epstein in 2025, also appears in the DOJ files regarding financial transactions. Documents show that Epstein’s bank accounts made three separate payments of $25,000 each to Mandelson.
Mandelson has stated to The Guardian,
I have no record and no recollection of receiving these sums and do not know if the documents are authentic,
and acknowledged that maintaining ties with Epstein was a mistake, adding,
I deeply regret doing so and apologize unequivocally to the women and girls who suffered.
Background on Jeffrey Epstein’s Criminal History and Document Release
Jeffrey Epstein was accused by numerous women of sexual abuse and exploitation before his death by apparent suicide in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Investigations into Epstein’s activities date back many years, including a prolonged inquiry by the Palm Beach Police Department starting in 2005.
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution, including from a minor, which resulted in his designation as a registered sex offender. For years, many related documents were sealed, but congressional pressure led to a law passed in November 2025 that mandated the release of government files tied to Epstein’s case, significantly expanding public access to investigation materials.
The Broader Significance of the Epstein Document Revelations
The connection of Leonardo DiCaprio’s name to sponsorship inquiries via Epstein underscores the complex network surrounding the disgraced financier, involving high-profile figures across politics, business, and entertainment. Although DiCaprio’s representatives have denied any direct involvement or contact with Epstein, the documents reveal the extent of Epstein’s attempts to leverage famous personalities.
These disclosures continue to fuel public scrutiny and pressure authorities to address the full scope of Epstein’s operations and associations. The financial links and inquiries around Mandelson further illuminate how Epstein’s influence reached into prominent political circles. As more files are sifted through, additional revelations about the web of relationships connected to Epstein may emerge, deepening the investigation’s implications for various high-profile individuals.
