Former CIA officer John Kiriakou has renewed a controversial claim about convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s role with foreign intelligence.
Kiriakou linked Epstein with Israeli intelligence, saying the latter’s movements were typical of an access agent.
Kiriakou, a well-known whistleblower who previously exposed CIA torture practices, said in recent interviews that Epstein was “a textbook example of an access agent” and that “there’s an accusation he was an access agent for the Israelis”—a subject he said intelligence communities have been reluctant to discuss.
What intelligence agencies mean by an ‘access agent’
In intelligence terminology, an access agent is someone used to get close to powerful people who are otherwise hard to recruit directly—a role Kiriakou bases on Epstein’s extraordinary social network and proximity to political, financial and academic elites.
According to Kiriakou, Epstein’s wealth, access, and travel patterns align with what intelligence professionals would identify as a typical access-building profile. However, he refrained from providing any documentary evidence to support his claims.
New Epstein files rekindle old questions
Kiriakou’s comments resurface amid renewed public interest in Jeffrey Epstein following the Justice Department’s massive release of Epstein-related files in late January 2026 under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The records, amounting to millions of pages, were designed to offer comprehensive public insight into Epstein’s activities and his various connections.
The newly released files include internal government documents, correspondence and investigative reports.
The Justice Department later acknowledged it had begun removing hundreds of files that inadvertently exposed sensitive personal data of abuse victims, prompting sharp criticism from victim advocates.
Some of the disclosed material references Epstein’s interactions with prominent global figures, including politicians, business leaders and academics.
Former CIA officer John Kiriakou. Photo/courtesy
Speculation persists; evidence does not
Crucially, the files do not provide authoritative proof that Epstein acted on behalf of Mossad or any other foreign intelligence service, according to reporting by major news organisations.
Reuters reported this week that while speculation about Epstein’s ties to foreign intelligence—including Israeli and Russian agencies—has circulated widely in political commentary, no conclusive evidence has emerged to confirm such claims.
Kremlin officials also weighed in to dismiss unrelated rumours alleging Epstein was a Russian intelligence asset, underscoring how unverified many of the theories remain.
Informant claims and official caution
An anonymous FBI informant cited in government documents said they “became convinced” Jeffrey Epstein was an Israeli spy trained under former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, based on conversations involving legal figures and Epstein associates.
However, those statements represent informant opinions contained in a vast cache of unvetted material – not established fact.
Experts caution that Epstein’s connections to global elites – his wealth, private properties and high-level contacts – may appear consistent with access work, but access alone does not prove formal intelligence recruitment. Analysts note that many wealthy intermediaries cultivate influence without serving foreign services.
The Justice Department has also made clear that the latest batch of files, while extensive, does not provide direct evidence linking Epstein to espionage.
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Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has downplayed the likelihood of new charges arising from the disclosures, even as photographs and correspondence contained in the files continue to fuel public scrutiny.
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