The narrative revolves around the life and crimes of Jeffrey Epstein, a financier who was named an International Moneyman of Mystery by New York Magazine in 2005. Allegations of him engaging in sexual acts with minors surfaced around this time, and investigators realized it was not an ordinary crime. Epstein, known for his high-profile lifestyle and connections, evaded accountability for his crimes for over a decade until his arrest in 2019.
Epstein was born in 1953 in Brooklyn, New York, and was known for his affinity for numbers and mathematics. He briefly studied math and physics at Cooper Union and NYU but did not receive a degree. Instead, he began teaching calculus and physics at the Dalton School, a private school in New York City. His behavior towards female students was disconcerting, and one student reported his behavior to a school official. He was let go from the staff due to poor performance.
In 1976, Epstein was hired as a junior assistant at Bear Stearns, a company that targeted individuals like him. He became a senior partner in 1980 and left Bear Stearns to open his own wealth management firm, J. Epstein & Co., in 1981. His business model was different from the rest of the industry; he only accepted clients with at least $1 billion in assets and controlled all investments, tax strategies, and philanthropic endeavors. He charged a flat fee and demanded power of attorney to control his clients' entire fortune.
Epstein also had a network of friends, often men with political power or in the sciences. He was romantically linked to Ghislaine Maxwell, the daughter of British media mogul, Robert Maxwell. His alleged crimes began to unravel in March 2005 when a 14-year-old girl confessed to her parents that she had been molested by Epstein in his Palm Beach mansion. Despite the confirmed credibility of the accusations and support of investigators, Epstein was able to negotiate a plea deal with the U.S. attorney, Alex Acosta, and was sentenced to serve just 13 months in a Florida county jail.
Epstein was found dead in his cell on July 23, 2019, and the New York Medical Examiner officially ruled the death a suicide by hanging. Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested on charges related to the sexual trafficking of minors and is currently in prison awaiting trial. The victims of Epstein's crimes still await any form of justice, and the continued failure of the legal and criminal justice systems to protect them has left many deeply traumatized.
1. Jeffrey Epstein was born on January 20th, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York. He was known for his fondness for numbers and was good at them. He briefly studied math and physics at both Cooper Union and NYU but never received a degree.
2. Epstein began teaching calculus and physics at the Dalton School in New York City in the mid-1970s. He was known for his flashy attire and was sometimes seen at high school parties.
3. Epstein was hired as a junior assistant in 1976 and became a senior partner in Bear Stearns four years later. He then opened his own wealth management firm called J. Epstein & Co.
4. Epstein's business model was unique as he refused to take any client who didn't have at least $1 billion in assets and acted as their financial architect controlling all investments, tax strategies, and philanthropic endeavors.
5. Epstein was accused of sexual misconduct with minors. He was let go from the Dalton School due to poor performance but was later connected to powerful parents through his students.
6. Epstein's business operated slightly differently than the rest of the industry. He charged a flat fee and demanded power of attorney to control his clients' entire fortune.
7. Epstein's alleged crimes began to unravel in March 2005 when a 14-year-old girl confessed to her parents that she had been molested by Epstein in his Palm Beach mansion.
8. Epstein was able to negotiate a plea deal with the U.S. attorney, Alex Acosta, and was sentenced to serve just 13 months in a Florida county jail.
9. Epstein was placed in a private wing of the Palm Beach County Jail instead of a state prison. He was given release privileges to work in his office in West Palm Beach.
10. Epstein was charged with the sexual trafficking of minors in Manhattan in 2019. He was found dead in his cell in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Lower Manhattan on July 23rd, 2019. The New York Medical Examiner officially ruled the death a suicide by hanging.
11. Ghislaine Maxwell, who was allegedly one of Epstein's recruiters, was arrested on charges related to the sexual trafficking of minors in 2020 and is currently in prison awaiting trial.
12. Many of the women Epstein allegedly abused are still awaiting justice. Jennifer Araoz, who accused Epstein of raping her when she was 15, has issued a statement expressing her perspective.