Richard Branson told Jeffrey Epstein to "bring your harem" and gave him public relations advice in response to an email from the disgraced pedophile financier.
The Virgin Group founder's name is mentioned hundreds of times in more than three million documents relating to Epstein published by the US Department of Justice on Friday.
In emails sent after a business meeting on Necker Island in 2013, Epstein wrote to Branson "nice seeing you, thanks for your hospitality", adding: "I appreciate your public relations thoughts".
Replying to the email on September 11 2013, Branson replied: "Dear Jeffrey, It was really nice seeing you yesterday. The boys in Watersports can't stop speaking about it! Any time you're in the area would love to see you. As long as you bring your harem!"
The email also mentioned Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, another former associate of Epstein.
"I think if Bill Gates was willing to say that you've been a brilliant advisor to him, that you slipped up many years ago by sleeping with a 17 1/2 year old woman and were punished for it, that you've more than learnt your lesson and have done nothing that's against the law since and, yes, as a single man you seem to have a penchant for women," he wrote.
"But there's nothing wrong with that. Anyway something along those lines."
According to Branson's team, Epstein referred to three adult women on his staff as his "harem" and, "regrettably", Branson used Epstein's language in a follow up email but would never have used the term or contacted the American if he had known "the full facts".
The businessman's team said a comment about "moving on" after serving a sentence was a "general" comment after Epstein mentioned in passing that he had previously served a prison sentence, having framed the situation as a consensual encounter with an individual "one day shy of 18".
Branson's private Necker Island is said to host thousands of guests each year, including large conferences, charity events and business meetings.
A spokeswoman for Virgin Group said Branson had not been in contact with Epstein for many years.
"Any contact Richard and Joan Branson had with Epstein took place on only a few occasions more than 12 years ago, and was limited to group or business settings, such as a charity tennis event," she said.
"When Epstein offered a charity donation, the Bransons asked their team to carry out due diligence before accepting the donation, which uncovered serious allegations.
"As a result of what the due diligence uncovered, Virgin Unite did not take the donation and Richard and Joan decided not to meet or speak with Epstein again.
"Had they had the full picture and information, there would have been no contact whatsoever - Richard believes that Epstein's actions were abhorrent and supports the right to justice for his many victims."
Virgin Unite is the independent non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group.
