#11. Jeffrey Epstein: Scandal. Influence. Conspiracy.
A look into who Epstein was and how he turned from a nobody to a power broker to one of the most evil criminals in US history.
Introduction
Well this isn’t an article I particularly want to write but it is one of the most important stories of our time.
I’ve been following the Epstein scandals for years where, despite mounting evidence of criminal activity, he still managed to evade a serious criminal conviction. That changed in 2019 where the events that unfolded culminated in his alleged suicide while in prison.
Epstein was a serial sexual abuser of minors that, with the help of his lover and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, trafficked children for his own pleasure as well as his powerful clients.
This article will provide some background on Epstein and how he went from a working class child to a high society child trafficker.
Background and Rise
Jeffrey Epstein's journey from a working class Brooklyn upbringing to the apex of high society is a study in ambition, intellect, and the allure of wealth. Born in 1953, his mother was a school aide and his father was a groundskeeper. He wasn’t particularly gifted but was notably smart at Math.
Epstein's ambitious career trajectory began as a teacher at the Dalton School in Manhattan. While there, early signs of what was to come was noticed as he would allegedly flirt with female students. It was at Dalton that he bumped into Alan Greenberg, the Chairman of investment firm Bear Stearns, who offered him a job at the Bank after he was fired from Dalton for “poor performance”.
Soon he was managing funds for billionaires which marked the start of his meteoric rise. By the 1980s, Epstein had established his own financial management firm, J. Epstein & Co., catering exclusively to billionaires, which cemented his status in elite circles.
The Scandals Emerge
Despite his financial acumen, Epstein's legacy would be irreversibly tainted by scandal. In 2005, he came under investigation by the FBI after accusations surfaced of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. This led to the discovery of a horrifying pattern: Epstein had allegedly orchestrated a sex trafficking ring, exploiting and abusing underage girls.
Epstein's 2008 plea deal, where he pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution and served a controversially lenient 13-month sentence, sparked public outrage. It highlighted systemic failures and the influence of power and money in the criminal justice system.
Alexander Acosta, who was the US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, accepted the plea deal as he was told Epstein “belonged to intelligence”, “was above his pay grade” and told to" “leave it alone”.
While in prison Epstein was given the freedom of the place where his cell was un-locked, he had guests and clients visit, and his driver drove from prison to appointments.
In 2019 his biggest scandal would take place. He was arrested on sex trafficking charges by the FBI Crimes against Children Task Force. When searching his home they found mounting evidence of sex trafficking and underage sexual material. Epstein offered a $100 million bond for bail which was denied due to the nature of the charges and the obvious flight risk. A few weeks later he was found dead in his cell.
Ghislaine Maxwell: The Accomplice
Central to understanding Epstein's world is his relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of the late British media mogul Robert Maxwell. Maxwell was a fixture in Epstein's social life and is alleged to have played a critical role in his criminal activities. Accusations against her include recruiting and grooming young girls for Epstein's trafficking ring.
Their relationship, both personal and professional, was complex and symbiotic. Maxwell's social connections and poise complemented Epstein's financial prowess, helping them gain entry into the highest echelons of society. Her arrest and 2021 conviction on sex trafficking charges underscored her integral role in Epstein's schemes.
The Island
Epstein owned an Island in the Caribbean, an unfortunate hotbed of human trafficking activity that goes grossly under reported, called Little St James Island.
The island, often referred to in the media as "Epstein Island," was purchased by Epstein in 1998. Over the years, it was developed with various structures including a mansion, guest houses, tunnels and what appears to be a symbolic and rather strange looking temple. Epstein's ownership of the island came under intense scrutiny following allegations and subsequent legal actions related to sexual abuse and trafficking.
Little St. James was often mentioned in investigations and reports concerning Epstein's criminal activities. Allegations included that the island was used for trafficking and abusing young women and girls.
There were often reports from St Thomas Airport [the mainland] that young girls were seen “getting off the plane” with Epstein. Once landed Epstein would travel by boat to the island where he was mostly disconnected from the rest of the world.
Since Epstein’s death, people have managed to illegally get on the island and film themselves near the structures. The ownership status of the island is currently in limbo although there are reports that it is guarded.
High-Profile Connections
Epstein's network included the world's most powerful and influential, from former Presidents Clinton and Trump to British Royalty in Prince Andrew. The Monarchy, through the current King, famously had very close relations with serial pedophile, Jimmy Saville.
Andrew himself settled a $16m lawsuit, paid for by Queen Elizabeth, with the most high profile Epstein victim, Virginia Guiffre.
There are also multiple claims about high profile businessmen and A-list celebrities which I won’t go into.
These associations have fueled intense speculation and scrutiny, especially following Epstein's 2019 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges and his subsequent death in custody, which was ruled a suicide despite multiple irregularities. Keep in mind, a lot of these friendships were maintained even after Epstein’s charges in 2008.
A notable connection is with the Attorney General at the time, Bill Barr. Bill Barr’s father, Donald Barr, had hired a 21 year old and severely underqualified Jeffrey Epstein to teach at the prestigious Dalton University. Bill Barr, is notably the last person to see Epstein alive.
The cache of court documents released pertaining to the associations Epstein had with celebrities and high society can be found here.
The Honey Trap
There are serious allegations that Epstein was using his ability to procure and supply young children, to filming his clients acts and use that as leverage. This gave him enormous power and influence over people in positions of significant power.
Furthermore, there is also the belief that Epstein was operating on behalf of an intelligence agency. This is where the Maxwell connection gets far more interesting. Robert Maxwell, Ghislaine’s father, was a member of the parliament in the UK. He was also a media mogul through his acquisition of The Mirror Group newspapers in the 80s.
Notably however, Maxwell faced constant allegations of being a Mossad “superspy”. Allegations which he of course denied. Nevertheless the Foreign Office of the UK, akin to the Secretary of State in the US, suspected he was indeed a spy, a double agent or even a triple agent for Mossad and the KGB.
In 1991, Robert Maxwell’s dead body was found after he went missing aboard his yacht. The cause of death is a suspected heart attack but pathologists have not been able to agree.
Israel gave Maxwell a lavish funeral with the Prime Minister and President both in attendance.
Knowing this, the Maxwell-Epstein relationship and the alleged blackmail and honey trap, take on a whole new dimension.
Death by Suicide [Apparently]
Epstein’s “suicide”, which many including myself had predicted would happen, shone a bigger light on the case and raised several questions surrounding the death.
Weeks prior to his hanging, Epstein was found in his cell with injuries around his neck. It was not established whether these injuries were a result of suicide or an assault. Epstein was thus placed on suicide watch.
Despite this, Epstein was taken off suicide watch shortly before his death, a move that has been critiqued since it’s protocol to monitor inmates placed on watch for longer periods. Further to this on the night of his death, Epstein’s cellmate was moved from his cell which left Epstein alone. Epstein was also removed from the need of constant monitoring. Another controversial decision.
Cameras which were in place had allegedly malfunctioned, meaning there is no video evidence of the events that transpired that night. Obviously. To add to this, the guards on duty falsified records of their monitoring of Epstein, instead reportedly being asleep. Their case of was dropped and they faced no charges. Obviously.
The autopsy conducted on Epstein concluded that he had committed suicide by hanging. A separate autopsy, paid for by Epstein’s brother disagreed, stating that the injuries were more consistent with homicide.
These irregularities surrounding Epstein’s death have left many people questioning the narrative. There is speculation that he was murdered to stop him from disclosing his tapes or knowledge of his high profile connections.
There is also speculation that he was actually broken out of prison and swapped with a double. Plausible if Epstein had back up plans or a “dead man switch” that protected him.
Due to the failures noted, we will never know what happened.
Impact
The Epstein scandal’s high-profile associations and controversial judicial handling, has had a profound impact on various facets of society.
It has exposed systemic failures within the criminal justice system, where Epstein's wealth and influence seemingly allowed him to evade the full consequences of his actions for years. This inequity in the legal process, particularly evident in his initial lenient sentence and the handling of his plea deal, has raised serious concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of the legal system, especially when dealing with affluent and influential individuals. It was something known to happen but never so blatant for such a heinous crime.
Moreover, the scandal has significantly undermined public trust in key institutions. The irregularities and perceived injustices surrounding Epstein's case, including the circumstances of his death, have contributed to a deep erosion of trust in the justice system, the media, and political entities. Epstein's extensive network of influential connections, encompassing politicians, businessmen, moguls and celebrities, has come under intense scrutiny, raising questions about accountability and moral responsibility in high society.
Finally, the Epstein saga has highlighted the grim realities of sexual abuse and human trafficking at the highest levels of society, challenging the assumption that such issues are confined to less affluent or marginalized communities. It has also fueled a range of conspiracy theories, reflecting a growing public skepticism towards official narratives in high-stakes cases.
Nevertheless, we’ll try to end on a positive note.
The case has brought attention to the plight of survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking, empowering them and promoting advocacy for stronger protective measures and justice. We can only hope that with the newly released documents, the people who aided and participated in Epstein’s crimes will be brought to justice.