The Ireland-based American theatre director behind the proposed 30-metre statue in Dublin refuses to comment on his inclusion in Jeffrey Epstein’s black book and repeated references to him in the Epstein files.
Contacted by The Ditch last week, Eric Fraad said he’d be prepared to take questions about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein in 20 minutes and hung up the phone. He didn’t answer his phone again despite repeated calls.
Fraad’s first major role in Ireland was director of Dublin children’s theatre the Ark and he’s the founder of Heresy Records and co-founder of META Productions. He’s directed productions at the Kilkenny Arts Festival, Dublin Theatre Festival and National Gallery of Ireland.
His name and contact details are included in one of Jeffrey Epstein’s address books, verified by Insider, while his name appears in the Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice.
Last week he told the Irish Independent that Dublin could host a 30-metre statue similar to one his Giant Company plans to soon launch in Las Vegas and said PwC had conducted a feasibility study.
“It’s something spectacular and iconic,” he told the newspaper.
‘Me+ maybe Fraad’
Originally from the US, Eric Fraad moved to Ireland in the early noughties and was named artistic director of children’s cultural centre the Ark in 2001.
He’d previously established Millennial Arts Productions with Paula Heil Fisher, Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-girlfriend and longtime associate. Fisher later produced Fraad’s film The Island of Saints, which received funding from the Arts Council of Ireland, Fingal County Council and Bank of Ireland's Begin Together Arts Fund.
During the three years Fraad directed the children’s theatre it received €533,000 in funding from Atlantic Philanthropies “to implement ArkLink so that a greater number of children from disadvantaged backgrounds can participate more intensively in its programmes”.
US Department of Justice documents released as part of the Epstein files refer to Fraad. The emails released place Fraad in Epstein’s social circle after his 2008 conviction.
“Eric Fraad is coming to Paris to see me tomorrow for my last two days and for us to have some meetings--I’m really looking forward to that--he gets here about 4pm paris time-- We could call you together--for some laughs”, reads one email sent to Epstein on 1 May, 2009, with the sender redacted.
Another email, sent from “Sarah K” to “Paula Blackberry” – likely Paula Heil Fisher – on 12 January 2010, says, “Hi Sarah, I could see Jeff on my way to work, about 11am or if he wants to see Mia/Tora with me+ maybe Fraad we could come after 6pm,” in reference to a potential meeting with Epstein in New York.
A 10 September, 2010 email sent to Epstein names Fraad directly. "Fraad might come too from Ireland," writes the sender, who signs off as "Noodle" and whose identity is redacted. The pair were arranging a theatre box and pre-show reception.
Two of Fraad’s phone numbers are listed in an address book of Jeffrey Epstein, one for the US and one for Israel. Insider verified the contents of the address book and dated it to 1997.
Fraad repeatedly declined to answer his phone to The Ditch and didn’t respond to a WhatsApp asking if he’d like to comment on his inclusion in the address book and the references to him in the Epstein files.
