Author and alternative medicine guru Deepak Chopra is the latest celebrity to come under scrutiny after the Department of Justice (DOJ) released more than three million pages of files on the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
A slew of famous names pop up in the DOJ’s files, released on January 30, including business leaders like Casey Wasserman and powerful politicians like former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Chopra was among them, and a new investigation from CNN reveals the extent of his ties with Epstein.
On February 4, Chopra posted on X defending his appearance in the files and distancing himself from Epstein’s crimes, which include operating a sex-trafficking ring and sexually abusing underage girls.
“I want to be clear: I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct. Any contact I had was limited and unrelated to abusive activity,” he wrote. “Some past email exchanges have surfaced that reflect poor judgment in tone. I regret that and understand how they read today, given what was publicly known at the time.”
Fast Company has reached out to Deepak Chopra for further comment.
Now, Chopra’s email exchanges with Epstein are under scrutiny, particularly Chopra’s frequent references to Epstein’s “girls.”
Chopra and Epstein maintained frequent contact over text and email from 2016 to 2019, the year that Epstein was arrested. Their messages, which number in the hundreds, according to reports, also indicate several in-person meetings at Epstein’s properties in New York City, Paris, and South Florida.
In at least two exchanges, Chopra encouraged Epstein to bring his “girls” on trips. In 2017, he wrote, “If you want use a fake name. Bring your girls,” while inviting Epstein to Israel, later adding, “Your girls would love it as would you.” Later that year, Chopra invited Epstein to Switzerland, again inviting him to come “with your girls.” It is unconfirmed if Epstein accepted these invitations, nor is it clear the age of the “girls” Chopra referenced.
Girls frequently came up in Epstein and Chopra’s conversations. In 2017, while discussing philosophy, Chopra wrote to Epstein, “God is a construct Cute girls are real.” In 2016, after sending Epstein a video of himself with actress Kat Foster, Chopra described her as “innocent and smart at the same time,” to which Epstein replied, “secondary to cute.” Over text, the two once discussed Chopra’s apparent seduction of a woman whose name was redacted. Epstein wrote, “I liked watching you zero in on your prey. Made me smile.” Chopra responded: “I not a predator Just a lover.”
Chopra also expressed support for Epstein in early 2019 ahead of his arrest in July. In a text exchange, Chopra said he was “sending love” to Epstein from India. Epstein replied, “Can you send it in female form.”
In a later exchange, Epstein complained about “another round of very bad press.” Chopak advised him to “Stay silent” and “Meditate.” When Epstein reached out again noting “the toxicity of my press,” Chopak replied, “I am not concerned about that.”
Being named in the Epstein files is not necessarily indicative of wrongdoing. Chopra maintains his innocence: A recent video circulating on X shows Chopra being approached at an airport and asked about his appearance in the Epstein files. Chopra replied: “No misconduct. Zero.”