A prominent Swedish-American businesswoman, who presented herself as a mentor for promoting young women into the top tiers of the financial elite, is now revealed to have acted as a "link" for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She reportedly sent him photographs and CVs of her "best and brightest" protégés for him to choose from. Barbro Ehnbom proposed young women to the late financier for over a decade, arranging for them to meet him at his New York home as part of a women's networking club she founded. There is no indication that any of the women proposed by Ehnbom were minors or were abused by Epstein.
In hundreds of emails between Ehnbom and Epstein, or his assistant Lesley Groff, an intimate and friendly tone depicts an established relationship that benefited both parties. This communication continued from 2005 to 2018—persisting even after his 2008 conviction and during his 13-month imprisonment. Epstein committed suicide in prison in 2019, while Ehnbom later stated she was "deeply outraged" by the abuse to which girls had been subjected.
Epstein's sponsorships
According to Politico, the messages show Ehnbom telling Epstein that she depended financially on him to continue her projects in Sweden. These included the Swedish-American Life Science Summit, an invitation-only event for businesses, scientists, and investors she co-founded, as well as the networking club Barbro’s Best and Brightest (her "BBBs") and the Female Economist of the Year scholarship in Sweden, launched in 2001. In several emails, Ehnbom requested money from Epstein and, at times, introductions to his network of wealthy acquaintances. The emails suggest that Epstein frequently deposited $25,000 into organizations linked to Ehnbom, while she implied he had once made a donation of $100,000.
Financial and political elite
In messages, one woman thanked him for an "inspiring, exciting, and thoughtful conversation." Another, for whom he had arranged a trip to Africa following their talk, described it as a "dream come true." On December 16, Ehnbom shared a LinkedIn post on the X platform from a former "BBB," Camilla Wagner, who stated that while she had never met Epstein, she knew women who, like many in the economic, political, and business elite, had contact with him before 2019, when his monstrous crimes became known. "It is easy to judge without context, but rarely is it honest," she stated.
"BBB is not a network for 'pretty women'," she said. "It is a network of capable women helping each other, as they have always done. Doors open. Contacts are shared. Careers are made possible." By July 2017, Ehnbom had mentored approximately 200 women through her program, as she told Epstein. Between May 2005 and July 2016, she discussed approximately ten "BBB" gatherings at his New York home. Some nights were "small gatherings" of six to eight women, while other times there were more.
Photos and notes
Ehnbom frequently mentioned names of Swedish and American officials she knew, but primarily spoke of the "BBB girls" and the young women she wanted him to meet. She sent him photographs along with comments on their appearance, sometimes their age, and whether she thought they would suit him: "small beautiful brunette," "VERY ATTRACTIVE," "small blonde in a pink dress… she is very beautiful I think… I notice you seem to have similar taste," "22 today!!". Sometimes she also mentioned their professional qualifications. These types of messages continued even after his conviction for soliciting a minor.
The correspondence reveals a pattern: Ehnbom proposed women for evenings at his Manhattan home with champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Some of them contacted him directly after the events. A few visited him alone, others received professional mentoring, while one was offered a trip to Africa. The women who had direct contact with him appeared extremely polite and grateful, while some seemed flattered by the prospect of work. Skype conversations were often followed by invitations to visit. In one instance, she asked his assistant to book her a flight from Sweden to New York just four days later, in January 2014.
Ehnbom, in a LinkedIn post, wrote: "I am deeply outraged by the abuse and harm suffered by many girls. I am disgusted that I had any contact with a person who was subsequently revealed to have committed indefensible acts. This feeling is shared by many who met him in professional settings and perceived him as respectable—an image that was subsequently revised with horror." Her relationship with Epstein began before his first imprisonment, following his guilty plea for soliciting a minor. He was imprisoned in June 2008 in Florida for 13 months, with extensive work release.
Even when the sexual charges were under investigation, Ehnbom expressed support for him. In a 2007 email, she wrote: "Why don't they go after that woman down there instead of this? … sorry you have to go through all this s***." She maintained contact during his imprisonment, sending him updates and photos from her programs. In a 2009 email, she asked him: "Did you like the young [redacted] I sent you last week?" It is unclear what she was referring to. After his release, the "BBB" gatherings at his home continued. In emails from 2013 and 2016, there is talk of women who could work as an "assistant" or in an unspecified "job position," with CV exchanges and Skype scheduling.
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