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DOJ Emails Show Microsoft’s Steven Sinofsky Sought Epstein’s Help in 2012 Exit Negotiations

The files detail a confidential Surface RT failure warning that preceded a $14 million retirement settlement.

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Steven Sinofsky, president of Microsoft's Windows division, speaks during a press conference to display Microsoft new tablet computer and Windows 8 software at 1933 Old Millfun on October 23, 2012 in Shanghai, China.
Epstein tried to set up Steven Sinofsky with Tim Cook meeting

Overview

  • Justice Department–released emails confirm Sinofsky consulted Jeffrey Epstein while navigating his abrupt November 2012 departure from Microsoft.
  • Sinofsky warned Steve Ballmer and Kevin Turner that Surface RT was “about to catastrophically fail,” and Microsoft later recorded roughly $900 million in related inventory writedowns.
  • Epstein urged Sinofsky to demand $20 million, offered to “smooth” the process for a $1 million fee, and the negotiations concluded with a settlement of about $14 million in July 2013.
  • Correspondence shows Sinofsky forwarded confidential internal emails, raised concerns about restrictive non‑competes, and cited Microsoft’s history of suing former employees.
  • The emails indicate Epstein worked on industry introductions, including a contact with Apple’s Tim Cook, and show the pair remained in touch through at least 2017, with no criminal conduct alleged against Sinofsky in the files.