Freshly disclosed documents have unveiled that Microsoft took decisive action against convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by permanently banning him from the Xbox Live gaming platform. This move formed part of a broader initiative to purge registered sex offenders from online gaming services, specifically targeting those based in New York.
Epstein's Xbox Live Account Suspended in 2013
According to an email from Microsoft dated December 2013, Epstein's account was "permanently suspended" from Xbox Live due to allegations of "harassment, threats, and/or abuse of other players." However, a separate email from the same day clarifies that this suspension was directly linked to a coordinated effort with New York authorities to remove registered sex offenders from the platform.
The second email explicitly states: "This action is based on the New York Attorney General's partnership with Microsoft and other online gaming companies to remove New York registered sex offenders from online gaming services to minimise the risk to others, particularly children." It confirms that any Xbox Live account associated with Epstein's email address would be permanently disconnected from the service.
Background of the Gaming Industry Agreement
This purge stemmed from a 2012 agreement between New York State and multiple gaming companies, as previously reported by The New York Times. Microsoft's Xbox was among several prominent companies that committed to closing accounts belonging to over 3,500 registered sex offenders in New York. The primary objective was to prevent these individuals from communicating with children through online gaming platforms.
Other major corporations participating in this initiative included:
- Sony
- Electronic Arts (EA)
- Warner Bros.
- Disney
- Blizzard Entertainment
- Apple
Epstein's Criminal History and Platform Access
Jeffrey Epstein became a registered sex offender in 2008 after pleading guilty to charges of soliciting prostitution and procuring a child for prostitution. His controversial plea deal resulted in an 18-month prison sentence, though he was released after serving just 13 months. He died in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
While the suspension email suggests Epstein was an active Xbox Live user, evidence indicates he may not have personally used the service extensively. Records show he only joined Xbox Live (now rebranded as Xbox Network) in October 2012. The agreement between New York and Microsoft was announced in April 2012, meaning it took over a year for Epstein's account to be banned following this policy implementation.
Additional Evidence of Epstein's Gaming Interests
Further emails reveal Epstein maintained some interest in Xbox products. In July 2014, he inquired with his executive assistant Lesley Groff about whether they possessed an Xbox 360 Kinect. Another email from December 2016 appears to discuss purchasing an Xbox One S console as a birthday gift for an unspecified individual.
The revelation of these documents has prompted reaction from gaming industry figures. Former Xbox Live senior director Larry Hryb, known online as Major Nelson, commented on the social media platform Bluesky: "Our team was thorough, I'll give them that."
This disclosure emerges from millions of new files relating to Jeffrey Epstein that were released last week, uncovering unexpected connections between the disgraced financier and various aspects of digital culture, including online gaming platforms.
