Mark Lloyd: The Fixer Who Organized Zuma's Dinner, Then Borrowed Epstein's Money

Mark Lloyd organized a private dinner for South African President Jacob Zuma at the Ritz Hotel in March 2010. He invited Russian models on Jeffrey Epstein's behalf. The dinner, and Zuma's impression on Lloyd, are documented in the Mandelson-South Africa correspondence. But Lloyd's role in Epstein's network extended well beyond a single evening. Over the next eight years, the archive shows him as a fixer, a borrower, and a broker across South Africa, Morocco, and London.

In March 2015, Epstein's staff sent a reminder: "Mark Lloyd is keeping his entire day free this Sat. march 7th so he can see you." Lloyd had confirmed weeks earlier: "I will keep the whole day free, so just let me know nearer the time. It will be great to sec him" (EFTA02085358-0). The next month, Lloyd wrote to Epstein from Marrakech asking for money. "I wonder if in the meantime, you could help me out with a temporary loan of 1.6m Moroccan Dirhams? This sum equates to approx 160,000 U.S. Dollars," he wrote. He offered to sign a loan agreement "like last time" at 5% interest. In the same email, Lloyd mentioned having had supper with HBJ, the initials used for Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, former Prime Minister of Qatar, and told him "it would be very worthwhile for him to heed your advice on anything to do with strategic financial operations" (EFTA02504894-0).

Epstein did not agree immediately. He replied: "im researching, you had a 60 day loan the and paid it 50 days late. almost twice as long as agreed, . note was may of 2012" (EFTA02504869-0). Lloyd answered: "Crikey! I am so sorry for that delay. I do recall paying interest of 5%. Anyway, please rest assured I will not be tardy with this one!" (EFTA02371721-0). Lloyd pushed for the full amount: "Could we PLEASE do this for the 160? I was going to request 200, however I really need the 160" (EFTA02371758-0). Epstein set his own terms: "we can do 100k for 3 months, with 1 percent interest. penalty of 10k per month if in default. onerous but makes it easier to explain as your file contains some previous delays. hope that is ok" (EFTA02505436-0). Lloyd sent his Barclays bank details the same day (EFTA02505030-0).

Lloyd was also Epstein's connection to Marrakech real estate. In September 2015, he wrote: "I have just heard that Mr Kiss has agreed to rent Ben Rnnakhil. Monthly rate is 360,000 euros" (EFTA02389327-0). And he served as a social connector. In November 2016, Lloyd emailed Joi Ito after a meeting that Epstein had arranged: "It was terrific to meet you earlier this afternoon. I'm most grateful to Jeffrey for the introduction." He then offered Ito introductions to Lord Ara Darzi, Dr. Youssef Boutros-Ghali, Dr. John Chipman at the IISS, Ben Goldsmith, and a Kuwaiti minister (EFTA02338478-0).

The day after the dinner, Mandelson emailed Epstein: "Went well this afternoon. Ben booked for trip. I am also summoned to see Presdt Zuma tomorrow for private meeting. Do we like South Africa??" Epstein replied: "verymuch, you can ask him about the girl next to mark lloyd, vera, my new future ex" (vol00009-efta00889339-pdf-1). Lloyd followed up with his own review: Vera "was magnificent! She is that rare combination of elegance, charm and natural beauty and what is more, she is smart with it! She made a very positive impression on all those who met her" (vol00009-efta00763442-pdf-0).

In December 2018, less than seven months before Epstein's arrest, Lesley Groff sent an internal email about Marrakech travel plans: "Ok. I sent an email follow up to Mark Lloyd about hotel accommodations for the girls. Waiting to hear back" (EFTA02270866-0). Who "the girls" were is not specified in the archive.