Filipino employees find Jeffrey Epstein a generous, ‘amazing boss’
By Cristina DC Pastor
Filipinos who worked for Jeffrey Epstein spoke appreciatively of the late convicted pedophile in emails contained in the so-called Epstein Files, with one referring to him as an “amazing boss.”
A review of emails currently accessible on the U.S. Department of Justice website shows several Filipino names on Epstein’s payroll, including the couple Rosalyn and Jojo Fontanilla, Merwin Dela Cruz, Leo, Tess, Renato Lacson, and Karen. An unnamed Filipino couple was being considered for hiring and was scheduled for an employment interview at the time. It is not knows if they were actually hired.
The emails depict a workplace in which Filipino employees sought assistance for family emergencies and travel home, and in multiple instances, Epstein approved paid leave or covered the airfare.
Many of the emails reviewed by The FilAm were dated after 2008, the year Epstein pleaded guilty to “soliciting prostitution,” and was subsequently convicted. Despite being required to register as a sex offender, he continued to move in elite social circles. His plea deal drew widespread criticism as being overly lenient.
In a June 17, 2017 email, Lesley Groff, identified in media reports as Epstein’s longtime assistant, wrote: “Tess and Merwin. Jeffrey says he will pay for Tess and Karen’s tickets home!! So happy he is such a wonderful boss… please do as before—book the tickets and get reimbursed…”
Groff was responding to an email where one of the employees needed to return to the Philippines due to her mother’s stroke. The email’s subject line reads: “Re: Jeffrey will pay for tickets home to the Philippines.” Some names were redacted, making it unclear whose mother was ill.
The employee replied: “I will keep you posted about my mom’s situation. She’s been sleep from the day she has strokes. I cannot assure you how long I’ll be in the Philippines. I’ll will keep you posted…Thank you so much. We really appreciate the help. Mr. Epstein is an amazing boss. Thanks again.”
In another email dated August 15, 2016, with the subject line “Request for vacation,” an employee wrote: “My big brother in the Philippines is seriously ill. I have not seen my brother for 12 years & family. My sister from Texas and me are going to see him in the Philippines. Can I request to be out from September 22 back October 22, 2016? Hoping for your kind consideration.”
A September 11, 2013 email described the Fontanilla couple’s roles in the Epstein household: “Lyn and Jojo Fontanilla—House Woman and Man. Jojo is Jeffrey’s driver. They have been with Jeffrey for a very long time. They live in his home when he is in NY. Lyn does light cooking (breakfast). Since we have no chef at the moment, we order out for any lunch or dinners. Jojo serves. Lyn makes JE’s special bran/flax seed muffins which JE eats every day—he usually travels with these muffins as well. Lyn and Jojo are going home to the Philippines Sept. 30 to Nov. 3. Back to work Nov. 4…”
On January 12, 2015, Merwin Dela Cruz emailed a superior requesting a three-week vacation in July: “It’s probably not the best time but I thought I’d give it a shot. We’re looking to go back to the Philippines in July for three weeks with my wife and my daughter. Can you please ask Mr. Epstein if I can go since I have a back-up guy that can look after the house while I’m gone? I’d like to buy the tickets in advance since it’s cheaper. Thank you very much.”
In a February 23, 2019 email to Renato Lacson, the sender whose name was redacted wrote: “Good morning Renato! Jeffrey has said YES to your vacation days (May 13 to June 10) as well as paying for the trip. Very happy for you.” Lacson had requested emergency leave to visit his ailing father.
In a September 7, 2012 email, Jojo Fontanilla asked if he could “possibly borrow $3,000” for a trip to the Philippines. A one word reply from Epstein: “gift”
Epstein’s alleged accountant, Richard Kahn, informed Lyn Fontanilla: “Jeffrey has kindly said he will purchase your two tickets to the Philippines as a gift.”
An NBC report of October 8, 2019 quoting accuser Jennifer Araoz names housekeeper Rosalyn Fontanilla as one of the four women who allegedly facilitated Epstein’s operation. With her were Ghislaine Maxwell, Lesley Groff, and Cimberly Espinosa. The report says Fontanilla passed away in 2016.Bottom of Form
A press statement from the Department of Justice published on January 30, 2026 says it is releasing over 3 million additional pages in response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on November 19, 2025. More than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images are included in this publication. Combined with prior releases, this makes the total production nearly 3.5 million pages released in compliance with the Act. These files were collected from five primary sources including the Florida and New York cases against Epstein, the New York case against Maxwell, the New York cases investigating Epstein’s death, the Florida case investigating a former butler of Epstein, Multiple FBI investigations, and the Office of Inspector General investigation into Epstein’s death.
