A registered sex offender —
who made a fortune
as a hedge fund manager
in the 1980s and ’90s —
known for his lavish lifestyle
and high-profile connections,
Jeffrey Epstein is
facing new allegations
that he exploited dozens
of young girls for sex.
“Victims were given
cash payments
if they could bring
other underage girls
to be similarly
abused, and that’s
how he continued to expand
the number of new victims
that he had—”
It’s the latest in a
decades-old saga that’s
been held up as an example
of how powerful, rich men
avoid accountability.
So who is Jeffrey Epstein?
The 66-year-old was born and
raised in Brooklyn, New York.
In his early 20s,
he taught physics and math
at the Dalton School, an elite
Manhattan prep school.
Connections he made there
got him a job
at the investment bank
firm Bear Stearns.
He then went on to open his
own finance firm in 1982.
And that’s where he
amassed his fortune.
His firm reportedly
only accepted clients
worth $1 billion
or more.
Epstein tried to lead a private life.
But his work managing the
money of the very wealthy
got him into some very
high-profile social circles.
He became friendly with
former President Bill Clinton,
and current President
Donald Trump.
Also Britain’s Prince Andrew.
Epstein has six
residences, including
an entire private
island in the Caribbean,
and this $56 million mansion.
The seven-story house
is one of the largest private
residences in Manhattan.
These recent charges include
allegations he sexually
abused underage girls
from 2002 to 2005
inside his Manhattan
and Palm Beach homes.
When he faced
similar allegations
a decade ago, federal
prosecutors in Florida
struck a secret plea deal
with Epstein.
He avoided a possible
life sentence in prison
and spent 13 months
in Palm Beach jail,
where he was allowed to leave
for work six days a week.
That 2008 plea deal
was negotiated in part
by Trump’s current labor
secretary, Alexander Acosta,
who was then the top
federal prosecutor in Miami.
Now prosecutors
and investigators
are seeking to hold
Epstein without bail
and have appealed for other
victims to come forward.
“Your bravery
might just empower
others to speak
out about crimes
committed against them.
It’s important
to remember,
there never was,
nor will there be,
an excuse for this
kind of behavior.”
Epstein could face up
to 45 years in prison.
