Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem has resigned as chairman and chief executive of global ports operator DP World after newly released U.S. Justice Department documents identified communications between the Dubai business leader and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The development was reported in documents and coverage by major international media including The Wall Street Journal.
The files and other public disclosures showed the two men exchanged friendly emails for years and remained in contact until 2019, when Epstein was arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges. Photographs also showed Bin Sulayem visited Epstein’s private island.
Scrutiny intensified this week after U.S. officials confirmed Bin Sulayem was the “sultan” referenced in a 2019 email cited during congressional discussions. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the address was redacted because it was an email address and that “you know that the Sultan’s name is available unredacted in the files.”
Bin Sulayem stepped down on Friday and could not immediately be reached for comment.
Documents show Bin Sulayem communicated with Epstein prior to Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor and continued corresponding afterward. In one 2007 exchange cited in emails released by Distributed Denial of Secrets, Bin Sulayem wrote:
“There is a missunderstanding (sic) she she wanted some BUSINESS! while i only wanted some PUSSYNESS!”
Epstein replied, “praise Allah , there are still people like you.”
Previously released documents and people familiar with the matter also said that in 2016 Epstein purchased a second Caribbean island, Great Saint James, allegedly using the Dubai businessman’s name during the transaction because the owner did not want to sell directly to Epstein.
A spokesman said in 2019 that Bin Sulayem was not aware his name was being used and that legal options were being considered regarding media reports linking him to the offender. The spokesman did not respond to further inquiries after additional ties surfaced in litigation involving JPMorgan Chase.
Bin Sulayem is among the most senior corporate leaders to step aside this year over past associations with Epstein. Executives at Goldman Sachs and the law firm Paul Weiss have also recently announced departures tied to historical links, saying they had been unaware of Epstein’s crimes and later regretted the relationship.
DP World operates more than 60 ports and terminals globally and has pursued international expansion, including acquisitions such as its planned purchase of Australia’s Silk Logistics. Bin Sulayem had served as chief executive since 2016 and chairman since 2007. DP World said Essa Kazim, chairman of Dubai’s stock exchange, has been appointed chairman, while the group’s chief financial officer has been named group chief executive.
Investors indicated continued support following the leadership change. British International Investment said it would proceed with investments after pausing earlier in the week, adding: “We welcome today’s decision by DP World and look forward to continuing our partnership.”
Canadian pension investor La Caisse also said it would continue working with the company, stating: “It has always been important to distinguish the company, DP World, from the individual, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.”
