Jeffrey Epstein (1953–2019) rose from a middle-class Brooklyn background to become a financier with ties to global elites. A math prodigy, he taught at prestigious schools without a degree, then joined Bear Stearns, advancing rapidly before departing under unclear circumstances.
He founded his own firm, managing assets for billionaires and earning rare trust—most notably power of attorney from Les Wexner (Victoria’s Secret founder). Epstein associated with convicted Ponzi schemer Steven Hoffenberg but faced no charges himself.
Alongside Ghislaine Maxwell (later convicted for sex trafficking), Epstein allegedly orchestrated a long-running operation exploiting and trafficking underage girls.
First arrested in 2005, he received a controversial 2008 non-prosecution plea deal. Rearrested in 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges, he died in a New York jail on August 10, 2019—officially ruled suicide, though the circumstances remain heavily debated.
Unsealed court files expose a vast network of powerful connections, fueling ongoing questions about wealth, influence, and accountability in the justice system.
