ISTANBUL 

Billionaire businessman Tom Pritzker, whose name appears in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, wrote in a 2011 email that he had been loaned a helicopter by retired Gen. David Petraeus during a trip to Afghanistan.

In the email dated June 6, 2011, Pritzker told Epstein he was in a “remote valley” in Afghanistan and described the trip as fulfilling his birthday wish.

“I am in a remote valley of Afghanistan (its my birthday wish) with Boys with Toys. Spent time w(ith) Patraeus yesterday and he loaned me a chopper (actually two with one as a back up). Can't call till tomorrow,” the message said.

At the time, Petraeus -- who later served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency -- was commanding US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Recently released documents show Pritzker exchanged multiple emails with Epstein over several years, discussing topics ranging from current events to travel plans.

Pritzker announced on Feb. 17 that he would step down as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels’ board following the release of the documents.

Jeffrey Epstein case

Jeffrey Epstein, who faced charges of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls, including victims as young as 14, and running a sex trafficking network, was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, New York, on August 10, 2019, while in custody.

Epstein’s court files named numerous high-profile individuals, including Prince Andrew, President Donald Trump, former US President Bill Clinton, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, former US Vice President Al Gore, actor Kevin Spacey, illusionist David Copperfield, attorney Alan Dershowitz, and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in conjunction with the Department of Justice, concluded that there was no evidence to support the existence of a “client list” of prominent figures.

While some claims suggested that Epstein was killed to cover up the involvement of government officials, celebrities, and businesspeople, official investigations determined that Epstein died by suicide in his cell.