Emarti Royal Family Member, Temple University Grad Among People ID’d In Latest Epstein Files

A senior Emirati royal family member with ties to Pennsylvania has been identified in a newly released batch of photos from convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, as House Democrats continue publishing images they say are being released in the interest of transparency.

The House Oversight Committee announced on Friday, Dec. 12, that it has released 92 additional photos provided to the panel by the Epstein estate in response to a congressional subpoena. Lawmakers said more images are expected to follow.

Bin Sulayem is the Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World, one of the world’s largest port operators, and also serves as chairman of Dubai’s Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation, according to his public biography with the World Economic Forum.

He was born into the influential Sulayem family, which has played a significant role in Dubai’s business and political landscape since the early 20th century and maintains longstanding ties to Dubai’s ruling royal family, the House of Al Maktoum. His father was a key advisor to Dubai’s leadership.

Bin Sulayem is a Temple University graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics in Philadelphia.

According to the World Economic Forum, he has been a central figure in shaping Dubai’s modern infrastructure, overseeing the global expansion of DP World, the development of the Jebel Ali Free Zone, and major tourism and real estate projects, including Palm Jumeirah. The Financial Times has reported that bin Sulayem owns hotels on Nakheel’s Palm Islands and holds a stake in a real estate brokerage firm.

He received an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University in Dubai in 2008, and his son, Ahmed Sultan bin Sulayem, currently serves as chairman of the government-owned Dubai Multi Commodities Centre. In 2022, bin Sulayem was named the MENA region’s first HeForShe Champion by UN Women, according to the forum.

The Wall Street Journal has previously reported that financial records show bin Sulayem paid Epstein $6,200 in 2017, with Epstein transferring the same amount back to him the following day. The outlet also reported that bin Sulayem was scheduled to visit Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse during the period between 2011 and 2014.

The Lever has reported that bin Sulayem emailed Epstein in 2015 asking him to facilitate an introduction to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. According to leaked emails reviewed by the outlet, bin Sulayem — the chief executive officer of global logistics giant DP World and an early Middle Eastern business partner of President Donald Trump — wanted to discuss the potential use of Tesla batteries at a hotel he was developing in Dubai.

In a May 29, 2015, message cited by The Lever, bin Sulayem asked Epstein whether he could “put me in touch with Elon Musk or ask him to refer me to someone at his company so we can discuss.” Musk, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, would later go on to serve in Trump’s second administration.

The Oversight Committee said the newly released images were part of a broader collection of more than 95,000 photos turned over by the Epstein estate. The photos were released without captions or contextual details such as dates or locations.

“We have released an additional 70+ photos sent to our Committee. More to come,” the committee wrote in a statement accompanying the release.

As with previous batches, lawmakers emphasized that the images do not depict illegal activity, and those shown in the photos have previously denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, according to public reporting.

The release follows earlier photo dumps that included images of President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Woody Allen, Steve Bannon, and Prince Andrew, continuing to raise questions about Epstein’s access to powerful figures across politics, business, and entertainment.

House Democrats say additional photos and documents are expected to be released as the congressional review continues.