Newly released emails from the Department of Justice reveal that Dr. Jess Ting, a prominent figure in transgender medical procedures, sought funding from Jeffrey Epstein for a documentary about his work. The correspondence, which dates back to 2016, shows that Ting was enthusiastic about his innovative transgender clinic at Mount Sinai Health System in New York.
Details of the Request
In an email sent to Epstein, Ting expressed excitement about his role as director of Mount Sinai’s transgender medicine and surgery program. This program, launched in 2016, was the first full-spectrum academic initiative in the United States dedicated to transgender surgery and care. Ting described the program as a groundbreaking development and suggested that it would make an engaging documentary.
Ting explicitly asked Epstein for financial support, stating, “If I could just be really forward, I was wondering if you would be interested in supporting this documentary?” He offered to meet with Epstein in person to present the project, highlighting its potential positive impact on the world.
In addition to this request, Ting thanked Epstein for a previous $50,000 grant that Epstein had provided for breast cancer research in a 2013 email exchange. This prior financial support underscores the existing connection between the two before the documentary discussions took place.
Background on Epstein
Epstein, who was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor, was under investigation for an alleged sex trafficking operation at the time of his correspondence with Ting. He died in August 2019 in his jail cell, with authorities ruling his death a suicide. The investigation into Epstein’s activities and his connections with various prominent individuals continues to draw scrutiny.
In 2013, an unnamed associate of Epstein invited Ting to his private island, suggesting a visit during Ting’s vacation. The assistant’s correspondence described the opportunity as a chance to enjoy a day on the island and partake in its amenities. While Ting acknowledged the invitation as “extremely generous” and expressed interest in coordinating a visit, there is no evidence that the trip took place.
Ting, who has been associated with Mount Sinai since 2001, has not been implicated in any of Epstein’s alleged crimes. His contributions to transgender healthcare include leading the hospital’s first transgender-related vaginoplasty, a procedure that facilitates gender affirmation.
The documentary titled “Born to Be,” which chronicles Ting’s work with transgender patients, was released in 2019. Documents released by the DOJ do not confirm whether Epstein ultimately provided funding for this film.
The release of these emails falls under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, aimed at shedding light on Epstein’s extensive network and interactions with various professionals.
