The latest release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case has revealed that University of Newcastle Vice Chancellor Alex Zelinsky, who was born in Wollongong, sought to organise a business meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell and others during a trip to New York in 2004. Professor Zelinsky has strongly emphasised that he never met convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and was unaware of Maxwell's relationship with him at the time.
Background and Career of Alex Zelinsky
Professor Alex Zelinsky hails from Wollongong, where he attended Keira High School before beginning his career with a cadetship at BHP. He holds a mathematics degree and a PhD from the University of Wollongong, and in 2010, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science. Additionally, he served as a member of the university's council from 2012 to 2015. In the early 2000s, he was working as a technology pioneer, building his company, Seeing Machines.
The 2004 Meeting Attempt with Ghislaine Maxwell
Professor Zelinsky first met Ghislaine Maxwell, who was then working in a business networking capacity, at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2004. He described her as seeming very well-connected, and she offered to introduce him to people from the IT sector. Back in Australia on April 10, 2004, he reached out to Maxwell via email, proposing a meeting for lunch or dinner during his upcoming visit to New York on May 15-16. Maxwell responded, suggesting alternative dates as weekends were not ideal for her.
Ultimately, they met briefly at a New York bar with a consultant from Arthur Andersen and the former chief executive of Compaq. Professor Zelinsky stated, "We had a drink. It was very quick, very social. There was no follow-up and no business arrangements resulted." He has condemned the abhorrent crimes of Epstein and Maxwell, noting, "I had nothing to do with Epstein and I was unaware of Maxwell's relationship with him."
Release of Epstein Documents and Broader Context
Approximately three million pages of documents relating to Epstein were released by the US Department of Justice on Saturday under a congressional order. These files shed further light on the deceased financier's extensive network of contacts across business, politics, and media. Professor Zelinsky is among thousands of individuals named, including former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Kevin Rudd's Denial and Involvement
In related news, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has denied ever visiting Epstein at his New York home, despite an entry in Epstein's schedule from June 2014 suggesting such a meeting. Rudd's office issued a statement clarifying that they have no records of the meeting and that any attempts to arrange an introduction were unsuccessful. This comes as Rudd is reportedly quitting his ambassador post early to lead a think tank.
Legal Status of Epstein and Maxwell
Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire financier, died by suicide in 2019 in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He had previously been jailed in 2008 for soliciting paid sex from a minor. Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite and Epstein's former girlfriend, is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence in the US for her role in sex trafficking.
Professor Zelinsky expressed bewilderment at the release of these unrelated emails, stating, "It's bizarre they [US Department of Justice] have released all of these unrelated emails." There is no suggestion that he was aware of any inappropriate activity involving Epstein or Maxwell during his business dealings.
