Ex-Goldman Sachs executive buys Jeffrey Epstein’s New York mansion for $51 million

Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his prison cell while awaiting trial

Credit: Reuters

The New York townhouse where Jeffrey Epstein is alleged to have abused underage girls has been sold to a former Goldman Sachs executive for a “steal” at $51 million.

Michael Daffey, an Australian who is understood to have made a fortune on cryptocurrency, has purchased the 28,000 square-foot mansion for $37 million less than the asking price after a number of potential buyers were put off by the property’s history.

The 40-room house used to have on display a collection of eyeballs in a frame on the wall, as well as a taxidermy tiger and poodle.

Victims described there being a massage room, where they were abused. It is now understood to be empty and free of Epstein’s possessions.

“I think it is half off,” said property broker Dolly Lenz, who had been among those trying to sell the property.

“It is 28,000 square feet. That’s less than $4,000 a foot for the most magnificent mansion on the best block, just off Fifth Avenue. It’s the very best in New York.”

The mansion was originally put up for sale a $88 million

Credit: REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

Speaking to the New York Post, she added: “We offered it to a lot of people who said, ‘We don’t want to go near that place.’

“Fancy international people who are always in for a deal said, ‘No way.’”

She described the price as a “steal”.

A spokesperson for Daffey said that the former banker “had never previously been in the home nor ever met its owner, but he is a big believer in New York’s future and will take the other side of all the people who say the city’s best days may be in the past.”

The proceeds of the sale will go to the Epstein victim compensation programme, which has so far paid out more than $65 million to dozens of claimants.

Epstein, the billionaire paedophile, killed himself while awaiting trial for running an underage sex trafficking ring.

He had homes in New Mexico, Florida and Paris as well as a private island called Little St. James

Speaking about Mr Daffey’s purchase of the New York mansion, Ms Lenz added: “I think he made a smart move, however, it will be a long time before people forget it was a place were children were abused,” she said.

“But he’s betting on it long-term. That’s what some people do.”