The DC Machine Epstein Built to Free Karim Wade

September 30, 2015. Karim Wade's prison assistant Elisabeth Feliho wrote to Epstein on Wade's behalf, asking him to fund "a US Legal/lobby firm based in DC" to push Senegal on the UN Working Group decision that Wade's detention was arbitrary: "Total cost for 3 months would be 100.000 USD and they are ready to start today" (vol00009-efta00844576-pdf-0). Epstein was skeptical: "Sorry but who are you ?" (vol00009-efta00698766-pdf-0). Two days later Feliho identified herself and named the firm: "Sorry this is Elisabeth Karim's assistant" (vol00009-efta00844576-pdf-0), "The firm is Nelson Mullins based in DC" (vol00009-efta00844576-pdf-0). She added a warning: "Please let us know before you contact them so we can advise them in advance so they expect your call" (vol00009-efta00844473-pdf-0). On October 5, Nina Keita forwarded the chain to Epstein with her own plea: "he really, really needs your help... A lot of his friends have disappeared" (vol00009-efta00698766-pdf-0). Epstein decided that day: "i am speaking to the wash firm tomorrow when i return to new York" (vol00009-efta00844308-pdf-0).

By December 2015 the Nelson Mullins engagement was three months old. On December 14 Vinoda Basnayake wrote to Cheikh Tidiane Sy, with Bob Crowe CC'd, laying out the fee structure on record: "We wanted a fee of $50,000 per month for 3 months of work paid quarterly in advance which would be $150,000" (vol00009-efta00838871-pdf-5). Mr. Diagne, Wade's lawyer, had agreed but asked for the last $50,000 to be deferred to November 30. The same letter named the early Congressional contact: "We are engaging Congress and had an initial briefing with Senator Ed Markey, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Africa" (vol00009-efta00838871-pdf-5).

By December 2015, Bob Crowe at Nelson Mullins, a Washington DC lobbying firm, was chasing Epstein for the retainer: "We did not get the $50,000 promised by 11-30" (vol00009-efta00707609-pdf-0).

In February 2016, Crowe wrote: "We feel that the development of Macky extending his term limits from 5 to 7 years helps us" (EFTA01742150-1). In April, Crowe reported progress: "I had a good meeting at State today. My contact is working behind the scenes to help put pressure on Macky Sall and his administration. Also our Ambassador is helping. We are also working with State to get Wade's detention highlighted in the FY 17 Human Rights Report for Senegal" (EFTA02394840-0). Crowe added: "Vinoda continues to work with Congress."

By March 2016 the Nelson Mullins campaign had its first published placement. Senator Ron Dellums, the former chair of the House Armed Services Committee, had published declarations in The Hill; the French translation ran days later in the major Senegalese newspapers. Cheikh Tidiane Sy emailed back to Vinoda Basnayake: "Congratulations Vinoda ! The French version of the paper was published today in the Senegalese major newspapers. You can see it also in Seneweb.com" (vol00009-efta00699098-pdf-0). Bob Crowe forwarded the local press review to Epstein with Feliho's cover note attached: "copies of articles of the local press on Senator Dellums declarations" (vol00009-efta00658752-pdf-0). Crowe escalated to House Democratic leadership: "I am having dinner tonight with Jim Clyburn, Assistant Democratic Leader in the House and prominent member of the black caucus" (vol00009-efta00639067-pdf-0).

June 15, 2016. Macky Sall told the khalife des mourides at Touba that the decision was made: "J'ai décidé de le libérer et je ne compte pas revenir sur ma décision" (vol00009-efta00825650-pdf-0). Public coverage of the announcement carried the headline that Wade was rejecting the pardon (vol00009-efta00825642-pdf-0). Epstein had a different read from his private channel. He wrote to Nina Keita the same night: "i was told he initilaly refused , but two hours ago they sent a message that he now agrees to leave prison" (vol00009-efta00825658-pdf-0). Nina, who had been arranging Karim's prison access since 2013, was already working her sources: "I can't reach any of his people right now" (vol00009-efta00703643-pdf-0). She came back with the answer in French: "macky a dit kil va le liberer mais peux pas savoir c kil ya derriere" (vol00009-efta00825557-pdf-0).

June 16, 2016. Crowe wrote to Epstein: "He has told my friends high up at State that he was going to do it. They have been putting pressure on him!" (vol00009-efta00825493-pdf-0). Eight days later Sultan Bin Sulayem emailed Epstein: "Karim was released from jail last night" (EFTA02459411-0). The next day Sultan confirmed: "he was flown directly to Doha on the night of his release" (EFTA02339435-0).