Steven Sinofsky

Steven Sinofsky is a longtime technology executive who spent more than two decades at Microsoft. He joined the company in 1989, rose to lead the Office product unit through the 1990s and 2000s, and became president of the Windows Division in July 2009, overseeing Windows 7 and Windows 8 as well as the launch of the Surface line. He left Microsoft on December 31, 2012, in the wake of Windows 8’s troubled reception, departing with a retirement package of roughly $14 million in stock. He subsequently became a board partner at the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where Fortune reported in March 2026 he remains listed.

Sinofsky’s name surfaced in connection with the 2026 releases of Epstein-related documents through emails describing his exit from Microsoft. As reported by The Register on February 2, 2026, Sinofsky turned to Jeffrey Epstein for advice as he negotiated his departure, forwarding internal correspondence about the Surface RT shortfall and seeking guidance on leverage and compensation; The Register wrote that Epstein repeatedly urged him to hold out for a larger sum, telling him to “Just repeat 20. Do not let [them] talk you down.” Fortune, in a March 10, 2026 report, quoted an April 3, 2013 message in which Epstein offered to handle the exit for a fee — “I will charge you a one million dollar fee” — and described records indicating that on September 16, 2013, a $1 million wire to Epstein was confirmed (“Confirming $1,000,000”). Fortune also reported that Sinofsky’s longtime partner, Gates Foundation senior adviser Melanie Walker, had her own earlier acquaintance with Epstein; reporting on the released files similarly notes that Walker was described as a “science advisor” to Epstein in the 1990s and that Sinofsky met with Epstein several times to negotiate his exit from Microsoft. A follow-up Fortune piece on March 12, 2026 reported that Sinofsky “remained in contact with Epstein in a personal capacity until at least late 2017” and referenced more than 1,400 emails and mentions of Sinofsky in the material.

Both The Register and Fortune emphasized that the documents do not implicate Sinofsky in any criminal conduct. The Register stated plainly that “there’s no suggestion of criminal behavior by Sinofsky,” and Fortune wrote that he “hasn’t been charged with any crime, nor accused of any wrongdoing.” When approached for comment, Sinofsky declined to respond to Fortune; Fortune additionally reported that a16z did not respond to its request for comment and that Microsoft declined to comment.

Is Steven Sinofsky in the Epstein files?

Yes — Steven Sinofsky appears in the 2026 Epstein document releases, primarily through emails concerning his 2012–2013 departure from Microsoft. Reporting by The Register (February 2, 2026) and Fortune (March 10 and March 12, 2026) describes Sinofsky consulting Epstein for advice on his exit negotiation, Epstein offering and being paid a $1 million fee around the time Sinofsky secured an approximately $14 million package, and contact continuing in a personal capacity until at least late 2017. The reporting stresses that he has not been charged with or accused of any wrongdoing, and his connection as documented is financial and advisory rather than involving the criminal allegations central to the Epstein case. Sinofsky declined to comment to Fortune.

Evidence

These passages come from the Epstein email correspondence released by the House Oversight Committee and the broader DOJ files, transcribed below as reported by The Register and Fortune, with our annotations tying each to what this profile states. The reporting stresses Sinofsky has not been charged with or accused of any wrongdoing; he declined to comment to Fortune.

Read the originals: House Oversight Committee release ↗ · Zeteo searchable copy ↗

Documents

Primary-source records that reference Steven Sinofsky. Inclusion in these documents is not, by itself, evidence of wrongdoing; the reporting stresses that Sinofsky has not been charged with or accused of any wrongdoing.

• House Oversight Committee — Epstein email correspondence release (Nov. 2025) — Sinofsky appears in Epstein’s email correspondence among the records made public in the 2025–2026 disclosures. As reported by The Register and Fortune, the emails — concerning his 2012–2013 departure from Microsoft — show Sinofsky seeking Epstein’s advice on his exit negotiation, Epstein offering a “one million dollar fee,” and a $1 million wire later confirmed; Fortune cited more than 1,400 emails and mentions of Sinofsky and reported contact continuing until at least late 2017.
• DOJ Epstein Files (full EFTA release portal) — The Sinofsky correspondence forms part of the broader body of Epstein records released by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.