Insight from Jeffrey Epstein’s deceased former business partner

Steve Hoffenberg's message

BY HENRY ABBOTT

One of the few people who worked with Jeffrey Epstein and would talk publicly about it, Steve Hoffenberg was found dead last week. MELISSA BUNNI ELIAN/THE WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGES

Authorities needed dental records to confirm the body rotting in the Derby, Connecticut, apartment belonged to Steve Hoffenberg. Upon its discovery on August 23, one police officer told the media it looked like the corpse had been there about a week; yet nearly a month had passed since Jeffrey Epstein’s one-time business partner had Tweeted anything, and he often tweeted five or more times a day.

Photos of his apartment’s shabby exterior seemed to affirm a morality tale: Once Hoffenberg wore expensive suits, traveled by private jet, and almost purchased Pan Am Airlines and the New York Post. But he also mentored Jeffrey Epstein, swindled investors, and that’s what you get.

After nearly two decades in prison, Hoffenberg had led a strange final chapter in which he spent a lot of time talking ab…