Brad Karp, longtime chairman of the powerful Wall Street law firm Paul Weiss, resigned from his top leadership role after a series of emails revealed his extensive interactions with the late disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Karp was replaced by partner Scott Barshay, head of the corporate department, who has advised on blockbuster deals including Anheuser-Busch InBev's $107 billion takeover of SABMiller and Chevron's $55 billion acquisition of Hess, the firm said late yesterday.
In a statement released by Paul Weiss, Karp said, "recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed a focus on me that is not in the best interests of the firm." He will remain at the firm focused on serving clients, the firm said. He did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
Karp came under scrutiny after emails released by the DOJ on Friday revealed his longstanding personal and business communications with Epstein, including months before authorities arrested the financier on sex trafficking charges in July 2019. Paul Weiss had said on Tuesday that Karp “regrets” his interactions with Epstein. Karp has not been accused of wrongdoing.
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