Kevin Bass@kevinnbass
THE REID HOFFMAN FILES: GOVERNMENT EDITION
I built an AI system to trawl through every single email in the Epstein files.
I have reported these results previously.
But then it occurred to me:
What if I cross-referenced all of the emails to the entire ecosystem of available public government records?
Then we wouldn't have just emails. We would emails anchored in factual reality by government records -- sworn declarations to the United States government.
I published several rounds of the Reid Hoffman Files.
The first: 1,531 DOJ documents showing 40+ meetings, island visits, mansion sleepovers, estate planning, and a five-year personal relationship Hoffman called "a few interactions for MIT fundraising."
The second: 484 more documents -- jets, drivers, helicopter logistics, Epstein's pilot changing flight plans "because he likes that Reid Hoffman." [EFTA00321136]
2,015 documents. Every quote verbatim. 16 public claims tested. 13 rated FALSE.
This is the third round. It's different.
This time the evidence doesn't come from Jeffrey Epstein's emails. It comes from the United States government: SEC filings, IRS 990 returns, FEC campaign finance records, and USVI corporate registries.
Public records that anyone can verify. Records that Hoffman cannot dismiss as "taken out of context" or "mischaracterized."
Government filings don't have "context problems". They're sworn declarations to federal agencies.
I. THE TRUST NAMES
Hoffman says he was "never a client of Epstein's."
On December 28, 2013, Epstein emailed Hoffman a seven-point wealth architecture plan. [EFTA01752261] [EFTA00979879] [EFTA01944661]
Here is what Epstein advised.
And here is what government filings show Hoffman built.
Epstein advised: "charity structures. DAF. CRT. NIMCRUTS. CLT. GRATS." [EFTA01752261]
IRS Form 990-PF: Hoffman created the Aphorism Foundation, a private foundation with $1,053,909,102 in net assets and $43 million in annual grants.
A private foundation is the vehicle class Epstein recommended.
Epstein advised: "all personal stock held in various trust names (easily understood. aphorism sounds more like an NSA program)" [EFTA00979879]
IRS Form 990-PF: The foundation is called the Aphorism Foundation. Epstein was workshopping what to call Hoffman's trusts. He thought "Aphorism" sounded too opaque. Hoffman used it anyway.
A convicted sex offender had opinions about the name on a billion-dollar IRS filing.
Epstein advised: "pour over will. if michele is left. if neither is left. protection. protection protection." [EFTA01752261]
SEC Schedule 13G: Hoffman's LinkedIn shares were held in the "Reid Hoffman & Michelle Yee Living Trust."
Michele is Michelle Yee, Hoffman's wife. Epstein was planning for what happens if she outlives him. The government filing confirms Hoffman followed Epstein's advice and created a joint trust structure.
Epstein advised: "llinkn stock split? all personal stock held in various trust names." [EFTA00979879]
SEC Schedule 13G: Hoffman held 46.6% of LinkedIn through the living trust in 2012, declining to 11.06% by 2016. Every share ran through the trust structure Epstein advised on. At the time of the Microsoft acquisition -- $26.2 billion -- Hoffman's 11% stake was worth roughly $2.9 billion.
Epstein advised: "Mitcoins, p coins. The DAf can issue p-coins." [EFTA01752261]
SEC Form D: Ten months later, Hoffman became a Director of BlockStream Corp -- a bitcoin infrastructure company. Filed October 2, 2014. $16.2 million offering.
Epstein advised Hoffman to invest in crypto in December 2013.
Hoffman invested in crypto in October 2014.
Epstein advised: "personal cash flow needs. bank borrowings at least for awhile make more sense than after tax sales." [EFTA00979879]
SEC Schedule 13G: Hoffman's LinkedIn ownership declined gradually -- 46.6% to 16.6% to 13.2% to 11.7% to 11.1% -- over four years.
Not a sudden liquidation. Consistent with the borrow-against-stock strategy Epstein recommended.
Hoffman replied to the seven-point plan: "Very helpful. :) Thx. Did take notes." [EFTA00979884]
Six of seven points are confirmed or consistent with government filings. The trust is real. The wife is in it. The LinkedIn stock ran through it. The foundation carries the name. The crypto investment followed. The ownership trajectory matches the advice.
This was not a casual conversation at a fundraiser. This was a financial blueprint for a $2.9 billion estate.
The man who drew it was a convicted sex offender.
The man who followed it was Reid Hoffman.
II. THE BLOCKSTREAM INVESTMENT
The DOJ documents show that Hoffman didn't just follow Epstein's crypto advice -- he cut Epstein in on the deal.
Hoffman used his BlockStream board seat to bump Epstein's allocation from $50,000 to $500,000. Other investors took haircuts so Epstein could get 10x preferential access. [EFTA01917472]
SEC Form D for BlockStream Corp (filed October 2, 2014):
> Entity: BlockStream Corp
> Offering: $16,204,995
> Amount sold: $15,184,998
> Related person: Reid Hoffman -- Director
Hoffman is listed as a Director on a federal securities filing. The DOJ documents show he used that directorship to funnel a convicted sex offender preferential investment access.
This is not "MIT fundraising". This is a registered investment where Hoffman personally brokered Epstein's participation.
Joi Ito confirmed it to Larry Summers in November 2014: "Jeffrey and Reid are both involved in BitCoin stuff as is Danny Hillis." [EFTA02594373]
He wrote that one month after the SEC filing.
On the Newcomer podcast in December 2025, Hoffman said he "never had any engagement with Epstein other than fundraising for MIT."
The SEC filing. Well, it says otherwise.
Not just the emails. But government records themselves.
III. THE NEOTENY FUNDS
Hoffman didn't just invest alongside Epstein at BlockStream. He co-anchored an entire fund with him.
Joi Ito ran a venture capital fund called Neoteny. Hoffman was the anchor investor. Epstein was the other anchor.
Government filings prove both funds were real -- and show exactly how deep the money went.
SEC Form D for Neoteny 3, LP (filed April 9, 2015):
> Entity: Neoteny 3, LP
> Executive Officer and Director: Joichi Ito
> Total offering: $10,000,000
> Total amount sold: $5,100,000
> Number of investors: 14
> Minimum investment: $50,000
> Type: Venture Capital Fund
> Address: 15 Walnut Street, Suite 150, Wellesley MA 02481
April 2015: $1,000,000 wire transfer FROM Southern Financial LLC (Epstein's USVI entity) TO First Republic Bank, payee NEOTENY 3 LP. [EFTA01285436]
April 2018: $30,000 distribution FROM Neoteny 3 LP TO Southern Financial LLC. Wire originator address: "15 Walnut Street, Wellesley MA." [EFTA01287502]
The same address on the SEC filing.
The SEC filing proves the fund existed. The DOJ bank records prove Epstein's money went in and distributions came back out. The addresses match to the street. Epstein put $1 million into a $5.1 million fund -- approximately 20% of the entire fund's capital.
SEC Form D for Neoteny 4, LP (filed June 22, 2018):
> Entity: Neoteny 4, LP
> Executive Officer and Director: Joichi Ito
> Total offering: $50,000,000
> Total amount sold: $6,600,000
> Number of investors: 4
> Minimum investment: $1,000,000
Four investors. A $50 million target. $6.6 million raised.
Ito to Epstein: "Fund is ready to go and Reid is putting in 15M. OK to sign you up for 15M?" [EFTA02471838]
Hoffman and Epstein were solicited for $15 million each. The SEC filing confirms this fund was real and had only four investors when it was filed.
Hoffman and Epstein were coordinating. Donating in the fund of their mutual friend.
Neoteny 4 investor materials found in Epstein's files: "Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, has committed $5-10 million as an anchor investor in Neoteny." [EFTA00805921]
Hoffman's name was in the pitch deck. The pitch deck was in Epstein's files. The fund was filed with the SEC.
IV. THE BAUME DINNER TO THE BIOHUB BOARD
Hoffman to Epstein, July 2015: "I have a dinner with joi, ed boyden, mark zuckerberg... You would be welcome to join." [EFTA00691059]
After the dinner, Zuckerberg's assistant emailed Epstein: "At the party Mark requested Jeffrey send his contact details." [EFTA02074070]
Hoffman personally invited a convicted sex offender to a dinner with the CEO of Facebook. He bought out the restaurant. The CEO asked the sex offender for his contact information. We published this in Round 1.
Here is what government records show happened next.
IRS Form 990 for Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Inc (EIN 81-1669175):
> Board of Directors:
> Mark Zuckerberg
> Priscilla Chan
> Reid Hoffman
> Sam Altman
Net assets: $1,390,000,000
IRS Form 990 for the Aphorism Foundation (EIN 46-4347021):
> Grants to Chan Zuckerberg Biohub:
> 2020: $2,000,000
> 2021: $2,000,000
> 2022: $2,000,000
> 2023: $2,000,000
> 2024: $2,000,000
> Total: $10,000,000
Hoffman and Zuckerberg sit together on the board of a $1.4 billion biomedical research institution. Hoffman's personal foundation has given it $10 million. The relationship that Epstein brokered at a dinner in 2015 is today embedded in the governance structure of one of the largest scientific philanthropies in the country -- and funded at $2 million per year from the foundation that carries the name Epstein workshopped.
V. THE HOFFMAN-ITO FINANCIAL PIPELINE
Hoffman says his Epstein interactions were "at the request of Joi Ito, for the purposes of fundraising for the MIT Media Lab."
The implication: Ito was the connection. Hoffman was doing Ito a favor.
Government filings show the money flowed the exact opposite direction.
Hoffman lied.
IRS 990 Schedule B for the Momoko Ito Foundation (EIN 77-0462154):
> Contributors, tax year 2020:
> REID HOFFMAN, San Francisco, CA: $250,000 (noncash)
> Ladybug Foundation: $50,000
> US Federal Government PPP: $33,300
> Joichi Ito (2022): $10,000
> Joichi Ito (2024): $5,000
Reid Hoffman is the single largest donor to Joi Ito's personal foundation -- $250,000 in 2020, the year after the Epstein scandal forced Ito to resign from MIT, the New York Times board, the Knight Foundation, MacArthur, and Creative Commons.
Ito himself only contributed $10,000 two years later.
IRS Form 990 for the Aphorism Foundation, tax year 2024:
> Grant to Connected Learning Alliance, Dana Point, CA: $1,865,000
IRS Form 990 for Connected Learning Alliance (EIN 30-0976576):
> Board Member: JOICHI ITO, 1 hr/wk
Hoffman's billion-dollar foundation gave $1.87 million to an organization where Joi Ito sits on the board.
IRS Form 990 for the Aphorism Foundation, tax year 2024:
> Grant to Safecast Global, Wellesley, MA: $50,000
IRS Form 990 for the Momoko Ito Foundation, tax years 2020-2022:
> Grant to Safecast Japan, Tokyo: $155,000
> Grant to Safecast Global, Wellesley, MA: $42,434
> Grant to Safecast Global, Wellesley, MA: $4,000
> Grant to Safecast Global, Wellesley, MA: $3,895
Both foundations fund the same tiny nonprofit. The Momoko Ito Foundation funds Safecast exclusively -- it is the foundation's only grantee. Hoffman's Aphorism Foundation also gives to Safecast.
Three financial channels connecting Hoffman to Ito, exposed by IRS filings alone:
1. $250,000 direct to Ito's personal foundation (2020)
2. $1,865,000 to an organization where Ito is a board member (2024)
3. Shared funding of the same nonprofit (Safecast, 2020-2024)
Hoffman didn't interact with Epstein at Ito's request. Hoffman was Ito's patron. The financial relationship survived the scandal. The IRS receipts prove it.
VI. THE FOUNDATION THAT NEVER FILED
Hoffman says every interaction was "for the purposes of fundraising for the MIT Media Lab." The donations to MIT were routed through a single entity: the J. Epstein VI Foundation. "The Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation wishes to remain strictly anonymous with this gift." [EFTA00634805]
This is the organization Hoffman says justified the entire relationship. Here is what government records show about it.
USVI Secretary of State records:
> Entity: J. EPSTEIN VIRGIN ISLANDS FOUNDATION, INC.
> Entity ID: 551494
> Registered: June 15, 2000
> Status: Voluntarily Dissolved -- November 6, 2024
> Registered Agent: Business Basics VI, LLC
> Address: 9053 Estate Thomas, Suite 101, Charlotte Amalie
IRS 990 electronic filing database: Zero returns found.
The organization Hoffman says justified his entire relationship with Jeffrey Epstein -- the charitable vehicle that routed anonymous donations to MIT, Harvard, and other universities -- has no public tax returns.
We don't know how much money flowed through it, where it went, or who approved the grants.
The IRS either has paper returns that haven't been digitized, or the foundation never filed at all.
The same registered agent -- Business Basics VI, LLC -- at the same address handled three other Epstein entities:
> HYPERION AIR, LLC -- registered October 19, 2012 (Epstein's aircraft)
> JEGE, LLC -- registered October 19, 2012 (Epstein's personal assets)
> SOUTHERN COUNTRY INTERNATIONAL, LTD -- registered March 4, 2014
Twenty-seven days after Hyperion and JEGE were registered, Epstein testified before the USVI Economic Development Commission to apply for tax benefits. [186-40]
An expert later testified that "USVI gave Mr. Epstein's companies over $300 million in tax breaks." [290-07]
The corporate infrastructure behind the "MIT fundraising" was a web of USVI shell companies registered to the same agent at the same address -- the same entities that secured $300 million in tax breaks and operated Epstein's private aircraft.
VII. THE BILLION-DOLLAR FOUNDATION
Hoffman's central claim is that his interactions with Epstein were "for the purposes of fundraising for the MIT Media Lab."
IRS Form 990-PF for the Aphorism Foundation (EIN 46-4347021):
> President and Treasurer: REID HOFFMAN
> Net assets: $1,053,909,102
> Grants paid in 2024: $43,449,493
> Number of grants: 27
> Sole contributor: REID HOFFMAN (all contributions are noncash stock transfers)
> Total contributed 2022-2024: $76,300,000
Reid Hoffman controls a billion-dollar charitable foundation funded entirely by his own stock transfers. He personally directs $43 million in annual grants. In 2024 alone, his foundation gave:
> MIT: $1,000,000
> Harvard: $1,500,000 (2022)
He did not need a convicted sex offender to help him raise money for MIT. He writes the check himself.
For comparison, Joi Ito -- the man Hoffman blames for the Epstein introduction -- runs the Momoko Ito Foundation.
IRS Form 990-PF for the Momoko Ito Foundation (EIN 77-0462154):
> Net assets: $6,629
Hoffman's foundation: $1,053,909,102.
Ito's foundation: $6,629.
Hoffman didn't need Ito for access to Epstein, and he didn't need Epstein for access to MIT.
The government filings make the power dynamic clear.
VIII. THE SCORECARD
Here is what Reid Hoffman has said publicly. Here is what government filings show.
He said "a few interactions for MIT fundraising."
SEC Form D: Director of BlockStream Corp. Bumped Epstein from $50K to $500K. [EFTA01917472]
SEC Form D: Co-anchor investor in Neoteny 4 alongside Epstein. Four investors. $50M target. [EFTA02471838]
IRS 990: His own foundation gives $1M/year to MIT directly.
This is not fundraising. This is a financial partnership.
He said "never a client."
> IRS 990-PF: Built the Aphorism Foundation -- the exact vehicle class Epstein recommended. [EFTA01752261]
> SEC 13G: LinkedIn stock held in "Reid Hoffman & Michelle Yee Living Trust" -- the structure Epstein designed. [EFTA00979879]
> DOJ: Epstein workshopped the name. Hoffman took notes. [EFTA00979884]
He said "note to self, Google before going."
> DOJ: Hoffman offered to manage Epstein's press crisis 39 days after the island. [EFTA01756112]
He said the Baume dinner was Ito's idea.
> DOJ: "reid just invited me to join at your dinner, I accepted." [EFTA00850338]
> IRS 990: Hoffman and Zuckerberg now share a $1.4B board seat. Hoffman's foundation sends $2M/year.
He said interactions were "at Joi Ito's request."
> IRS 990: Hoffman is the largest donor to Ito's personal foundation -- $250K in 2020.
> IRS 990: Hoffman's foundation gives $1.87M to an org where Ito is a board member.
The money flows from Hoffman to Ito, not the other way.
The 2,015 DOJ documents told the story in Epstein's words. The government filings tell it in Hoffman's -- sworn under penalty of perjury to the SEC, IRS, and FEC.
Every Form D filing is a declaration to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Every 990 is a return filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Every 13G is a beneficial ownership report filed under penalty of law. These are not emails that can be dismissed as "taken out of context." They are legal documents signed by the people who filed them.
2,015 DOJ documents. Government filings from the SEC, IRS, FEC, and USVI Secretary of State. Every quote verbatim. Every filing number verifiable.
See ya, Reid.