Jeffrey Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender. Despite lacking a college degree, he began his career as a teacher but was later dismissed. He transitioned into finance, working at Bear Stearns before founding his own firm. Epstein cultivated an elite social circle, which he leveraged to procure women and children for sexual abuse, involving his associates in the crimes.
Seymour George Epstein, Jeffrey Epstein's father, was born in 1916.
Pauline "Paula" Stolofsky, Jeffrey Epstein's mother, was born in 1918.
Pauline Stolofsky and Seymour George Epstein married in 1952.
Jeffrey Edward Epstein was born on January 20, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York.
In 1967, Epstein attended the National Music Camp at the Interlochen Center for the Arts.
Epstein graduated from Lafayette High School and briefly attended Cooper Union for advanced math classes in 1969.
Epstein began attending the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University in September 1971 to study mathematical physiology.
Donald Barr, known for unconventional hiring practices, finished his term as headmaster of the Dalton School in June 1974.
Epstein left the Courant Institute in June 1974 without receiving a degree.
Epstein started working as a physics and mathematics teacher at the Dalton School in September 1974.
Allegations of sexual abuse against Jeffrey Epstein surfaced in August 2020, with one accuser claiming the abuse began in 1975, further extending the timeline of his alleged predatory behavior.
After being dismissed from Dalton, Epstein was offered a job at Bear Stearns by Alan Greenberg, the company's CEO, in June 1976.
Epstein joined Bear Stearns in 1976 as a junior assistant and quickly rose to become an options trader, eventually advising wealthy clients.
After being dismissed from the Dalton School for "poor performance" in 1976, Epstein was offered a job at Bear Stearns by Alan Greenberg, the father of one of his students.
In 1980, Epstein became a limited partner at Bear Stearns, four years after joining the firm.
Epstein founded his own consulting firm, Intercontinental Assets Group Inc. (IAG), in August 1981. The firm specialized in helping clients recover stolen money.
Epstein was asked to leave Bear Stearns in 1981 for a "Reg D violation".
Epstein helped Spanish actress and heiress Ana Obregón recover millions in lost investments in 1982.
A lawsuit filed in December 2019, revealed allegations of abuse by Jeffrey Epstein dating back to 1985, highlighting the long history of his alleged predatory behavior.
Jeffrey Epstein and Leslie Wexner were introduced in 1986 through mutual acquaintances in Palm Beach.
Epstein and Hoffenberg, using Towers Financial, made an unsuccessful attempt to take over Pan American World Airways in 1987.
In 1987, Jeffrey Epstein was hired as a consultant by Steven Hoffenberg for Towers Financial Corporation. He received a salary of US$25,000 per month and worked on debt collection.
Jeffrey Epstein's fraudulent Austrian passport, which he acquired under another name and used for international travel, expired in 1987. The passport, discovered in a safe, contained entry and exit stamps from various countries, including France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia.
Steven Hoffenberg set up offices for Epstein at the Villard House in 1987 when he was consulting for Tower Financial.
Another unsuccessful takeover bid orchestrated by Hoffenberg and Epstein, targeting Emery Air Freight Corp., took place in 1988.
In 1988, Wexner purchased the townhouse at 11 East 71st Street, next to the Herbert Straus House.
While still working for Hoffenberg, Epstein established his financial management firm, J. Epstein & Company, in 1988. The company's purported focus was managing assets for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
In 1989, Les Wexner, Epstein's mentor, bought the Herbert N. Straus House for $13.2 million.
Epstein started donating to U.S. political candidates and committees in 1989.
Epstein left Towers Financial Corporation in 1989 before the company's collapse and subsequent exposure as a Ponzi scheme.
Epstein bought a residence in Palm Beach, Florida, in 1990.
In July 1991, Leslie Wexner, CEO of L Brands, granted Epstein full power of attorney over his financial affairs, giving Epstein extensive control over Wexner's assets and business dealings.
Epstein was among the donors who pledged to raise funds for a Hillel student building at Harvard University in 1991.
Jeffrey Epstein met Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of media tycoon Robert Maxwell, in 1991. Epstein invited Maxwell to the United States following her father's death, and she would later become central to his life and the allegations of sexual abuse against him.
Seymour George Epstein passed away in 1991.
A video surfaced showing Trump and Epstein socializing at Mar-a-Lago in 1992, contradicting Trump's later claims of limited interaction.
According to testimony from Epstein's employees in 2009, Ghislaine Maxwell took on a managerial role in his household around 1992, handling tasks such as hiring, supervising, and firing staff.
Footage of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein interacting at a 1992 party held at Mar-a-Lago was featured in the 2020 mockumentary comedy "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm."
From 1992 to 1995, Epstein lived in a townhouse on East 69th Street, a former Iranian government building, for $15,000 per month.
Epstein bought a 7,500-acre ranch in New Mexico, named Zorro Ranch, in 1993.
In 1993, Epstein visited the White House during Bill Clinton's presidency, attending a donor event with Ghislaine Maxwell. He also met with Clinton's aide, Mark Middleton, at least three times during this period.
Towers Financial Corporation, revealed as a Ponzi scheme, collapsed in 1993, resulting in the loss of over US$450 million of investors' money. While Hoffenberg claimed Epstein's involvement, Epstein faced no charges.
In 1994, a California woman alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump at Epstein's Manhattan residence when she was 13 years old. This claim became the basis of multiple lawsuits filed in 2016.
A lawsuit filed in January 2020 alleged that in 1994, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell recruited a 13-year-old music student from the Interlochen Center for the Arts, marking the beginning of years of alleged sexual abuse.
After Wexner married and relocated, Epstein moved into the mansion in 1995.
By 1995, Epstein had become a director of the Wexner Foundation and Wexner Heritage Foundation and served as president of Wexner's Property. He earned substantial fees managing Wexner's finances and was involved in various projects, including the development of New Albany, Ohio. Despite not being directly employed by L Brands, Epstein frequently communicated with its executives and played a role in the company's activities, particularly those related to Victoria's Secret.
Epstein attended a small political fundraiser dinner for Bill Clinton in 1995, alongside individuals like Ron Perelman, Don Johnson, and Jimmy Buffett. This event highlighted his involvement in political circles.
Epstein moved out of the townhouse on East 69th Street in 1995.
In 1995, Jeffrey Epstein changed the name of one of his companies to "The Ghislaine Corporation" in Palm Beach, Florida, further highlighting Ghislaine Maxwell's presence in his life and business dealings. The company was dissolved in 1998.
In 1995, Maria Farmer met Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at her graduate art gallery reception at the New York Academy of Art. The following year, they hired her to work on an art project, leading to her alleged sexual assault.
In 1996, Maria Farmer alleged she was sexually assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Leslie Wexner's Ohio mansion. Farmer also claimed that Epstein and Maxwell sexually abused her then-15-year-old sister, Annie, at his New Mexico property.
In 1996, seeking tax benefits, Epstein renamed his firm to the Financial Trust Company and moved it to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, taking advantage of the location's status as an offshore tax haven while remaining within the U.S. banking system.
Maria Farmer, an artist who worked for Epstein, claimed that in 1996 she was shown a hidden media room in his New York mansion where individuals appeared to be monitoring footage from pinhole cameras placed throughout the house, including in private areas.
The townhouse at 11 East 71st Street was sold to the Comet trust in 1996.
In February 1997, Epstein became a client of Appleby, a Bermuda-based law firm known for assisting the ultra-wealthy with offshore companies and investment strategies. His client profile intriguingly listed his occupation as "Manager of Fortune."
From 1998 onwards, Jeffrey Epstein began making significant charitable donations through his three private charities: Epstein Interest, the COUQ Foundation, and Gratitude American Ltd.
The Ghislaine Corporation, a company named after Ghislaine Maxwell by Jeffrey Epstein in Palm Beach, Florida, was dissolved in 1998.
Prior to Jeffrey Epstein's death in 2019, the last recorded suicide at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Manhattan was in 1998.
Epstein sold a mansion he owned outside Columbus, Ohio, in 1998.
An unrelated company named Towers Financial Corporation was founded in 1998.
Epstein acquired a private island, Little Saint James, near Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, in 1998.
Epstein purchased the mansion from Wexner for $20 million in 1998, gaining complete ownership.
In 1999, Virginia Giuffre, then known as Virginia Roberts, began being sexually trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, according to her sworn affidavit filed in December 2014. She claimed to have been abused and forced to recruit other underage girls.
Epstein founded the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation in 2000 to support science research and education.
Epstein took on the role of president at Liquid Funding Ltd. in 2000.
Ghislaine Maxwell moved into a 7,000-square-foot townhouse located less than ten blocks from Jeffrey Epstein's New York mansion in 2000. The property was purchased for $4.95 million by an anonymous limited liability company with an address matching Epstein's company, J. Epstein & Co., and the purchase was handled by Epstein's longtime lawyer, Darren Indyke.
In September 2002, Jeffrey Epstein flew former President Bill Clinton, actor Kevin Spacey, and actor Chris Tucker to Africa on his private jet.
In 2002, a woman known as Jane Doe alleged she was recruited by Jeffrey Epstein and subsequently sexually abused for three years, starting at age 14. This claim was part of a federal lawsuit filed in September 2019 against Epstein's estate.
Virginia Giuffre's alleged period of being sexually trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell ended in 2002, as per her December 2014 sworn affidavit. She claimed to have served as Epstein's sex slave from 1999 to 2002.
In 2002, discrepancies arose between flight logs and statements regarding Bill Clinton's trips on Jeffrey Epstein's airplane. While flight logs lacked Secret Service detail for some Asia trips, a Clinton spokesperson later confirmed four trips in 2002 and 2003 with staff and security.
In 2002, a spokesperson for Bill Clinton commended Epstein as a dedicated philanthropist, acknowledging his insights and generosity. At this time, Epstein held prominent positions in various organizations and was a significant donor to Harvard University.
In 2002, Teala Davies met Jeffrey Epstein, marking the beginning of what she would later allege were years of sexual assault and trafficking.
In 2002, Epstein shared his investment approach, stating, "I invest in people - be it politics or science."
In 2002, Donald Trump, in a New York magazine profile on Epstein, described him as "terrific" and jokingly acknowledged their shared affinity for young women.
Between 2002 and 2005, Epstein made an $80 million investment in the D.B. Zwirn Special Opportunities Fund, focusing on illiquid debt securities.
Epstein held a dinner party at his Manhattan residence in April 2003, intended to honor Bill Clinton, who was unable to attend. Notably, Donald Trump was present at the event, further showcasing their social connection during that period.
Epstein pledged $30 million to Harvard University in May 2003 to create a program for mathematical biology and evolutionary dynamics, although the actual amount received was $6.5 million.
Epstein continued to use the offices at the Villard House until at least 2003.
Epstein participated in the bidding for New York magazine in 2003, competing with other prominent figures but ultimately losing to Bruce Wasserstein.
Epstein's political contributions stopped in 2003.
In 2002, discrepancies arose between flight logs and statements regarding Bill Clinton's trips on Jeffrey Epstein's airplane. While flight logs lacked Secret Service detail for some Asia trips, a Clinton spokesperson later confirmed four trips in 2002 and 2003 with staff and security.
In 2003, Jeffrey Epstein flew to Cuba on his private jet with Colombian President Andrés Pastrana Arango at the invitation of Cuban President Fidel Castro. This trip, amidst an ongoing investigation into Epstein by U.S. law enforcement, raised speculation about his potential interest in relocating to Cuba to evade authorities.
In a 2003 Vanity Fair article, Jeffrey Epstein referred to Ghislaine Maxwell as "my best friend," publicly acknowledging their close relationship.
In November 2004, Epstein and Trump's friendship faced a strain as they engaged in a bidding war for a luxurious Palm Beach mansion, Maison de L'Amitié. Trump emerged victorious with a $41 million bid and later sold the property for a significant profit. This marked the last documented interaction between the two.
Pauline Stolofsky passed away in 2004.
Epstein and Mortimer Zuckerman jointly invested up to US$25 million in Radar, a celebrity and pop culture magazine, becoming equal partners in the venture, which unfortunately folded after three print issues and transitioned into an online publication.
In 2004, a woman identified as Jane Doe 15 alleged she was manipulated, trafficked, and sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein at age 15. She publicly announced her lawsuit against Epstein's estate on November 18, 2019.
According to a lawsuit filed later, Jane Doe No. 2 claimed that she was sexually abused by Epstein in 2004, adding to the mounting accusations against him.
In 2004, a Palm Beach County resident, later identified as JJ Doe, was allegedly abused by Jeffrey Epstein when she was 14 years old, as claimed in a lawsuit filed in December 2019.
In March 2005, the Palm Beach Police Department began a 13-month undercover investigation into Epstein following allegations from a woman who claimed her 14-year-old stepdaughter had been taken to his mansion and offered money for sexual acts.
Epstein's investment in the D.B. Zwirn Special Opportunities Fund continued until 2005.
In 2005, police in Palm Beach, Florida began investigating Epstein after receiving a report that he had sexually abused a 14-year-old girl.
Jane Doe No. 2 further alleged in her lawsuit that the abuse by Epstein continued into 2005, highlighting the alleged pattern of predatory behavior.
The FBI joined the investigation into Epstein's activities in 2005. A search of his Florida home uncovered incriminating items, including hidden cameras, photographs of young girls, and an Amazon receipt for books on sadomasochism.
In May 2006, based on their investigation, the Palm Beach police filed a probable cause affidavit recommending that Epstein be charged with four counts of unlawful sex with minors and one count of sexual abuse.
In July 2006, the FBI began investigating Jeffrey Epstein in a case nicknamed "Operation Leap Year," marking the start of a significant federal inquiry into his alleged crimes.
On July 27, 2006, Epstein was arrested by the Palm Beach Police Department on state felony charges related to procuring a minor for prostitution and solicitation. He was later released on bond.
In August 2006, a Palm Beach County grand jury indicted Epstein on a single charge of felony solicitation of prostitution. Epstein pleaded not guilty, assembling a high-profile legal team.
In August 2006, just after a federal investigation into his activities began, Epstein invested $57 million in the Bear Stearns High-Grade Structured Credit Strategies Enhanced Leverage hedge fund, heavily invested in mortgage-backed collateralized debt obligations.
In November 2006, Epstein sought to redeem his $140 million investment from the D.B. Zwirn Special Opportunities Fund following reports of accounting discrepancies. The fund, however, refused his redemption request.
Police discovered concealed cameras in Epstein's Palm Beach residence in 2006 during a raid. Allegations surfaced that Epstein had installed cameras in multiple properties to record illicit activities, potentially for blackmail.
In 2006, Jeffrey Epstein donated $25,000 to the Clinton Foundation. He was also involved in the initial group that conceptualized the Clinton Global Initiative.
Epstein contributed to Democrat Bill Richardson's successful reelection campaign for Governor of New Mexico in 2006.
On April 18, 2007, a significant investor in the Bear Stearns hedge fund, having invested $57 million, requested a redemption. This request, amplified by the fund's 17:1 leverage ratio, had a ripple effect on the market for collateralized debt obligations (CDOs).
In May 2007, as the Bear Stearns fund began failing, Epstein started negotiating a plea deal with the U.S. Attorney's Office to address impending charges related to sex with minors.
In June 2007, Epstein faced a 53-page indictment, but a controversial plea deal, negotiated in part by Alan Dershowitz, granted him immunity from federal charges. This agreement, overseen by then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta, drew criticism for its leniency and secrecy.
In August 2007, a month after the Bear Stearns fund collapsed, U.S. attorney Alexander Acosta agreed to a lenient plea deal with Epstein, reportedly under the direction of high-ranking government officials who deemed Epstein a person of importance.
Epstein's time as president of Liquid Funding Ltd. concluded in 2007.
In 2007, Trump allegedly barred Epstein from Mar-a-Lago due to Epstein's inappropriate behavior towards young girls. This allegation, while part of court documents, remains unconfirmed.
The financial crisis of 2007-2008 was triggered in part by the failure of complex securities, such as those utilized by Liquid Funding.
Epstein faced a new legal challenge on February 6, 2008, when an anonymous Virginia woman, identified as Jane Doe No. 2, filed a $50 million lawsuit alleging that Epstein sexually assaulted her in 2004 and 2005 when she was a minor.
The implosion of complex securities, including those related to Liquid Funding, contributed to the collapse of Bear Stearns in March 2008, marking a pivotal moment in the financial crisis.
The Bear Stearns hedge fund collapsed in July, ultimately contributing to the downfall of Bear Stearns itself in March 2008 during the financial crisis. Epstein's losses in this event remain unknown.
In a growing wave of legal action, another woman, represented by the same lawyer as Jane Doe No. 2, filed a $50 million lawsuit against Epstein in March 2008, alleging similar abuse.
Epstein traveled to Israel in April 2008, where he engaged with research scientists and visited multiple Israeli military bases, highlighting his connections to the country's defense sector.
Reports emerged alleging that Epstein may have provided information to New York federal prosecutors as part of his plea deal, potentially influencing their unsuccessful June 2008 case against Bear Stearns hedge fund managers. These claims were disputed by Epstein's attorney, Alan Dershowitz.
On June 30, 2008, Epstein received an 18-month sentence after pleading guilty to a state charge of procuring a minor for prostitution. However, his imprisonment in a private wing of the Palm Beach County Stockade and generous work-release privileges sparked controversy and allegations of preferential treatment.
Bear Stearns, where Epstein had been a client, collapsed in 2008.
The D.B. Zwirn fund closed down in 2008.
Following Epstein's 2008 guilty plea to solicitation charges, doubts arose about his billionaire status. Sources, including The New York Times and Forbes, challenged the legitimacy of his wealth, suggesting it was more "illusion than fact." The 2008 financial crisis also reportedly impacted his finances, and he experienced a decline in support from former associates.
Epstein pleaded guilty and was convicted in 2008 by a Florida court for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute. He served almost 13 months in custody with extensive work release.
Alexander Acosta handled Epstein's 2008 criminal case as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.
Adding to the legal battles surrounding Epstein, his 2008 plea agreement faced challenges in federal court as victims sought to reopen the case.
A lawsuit filed in March 2021 alleged that Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell trafficked and repeatedly raped a woman in Florida in 2008.
In 2008, then-US Attorney Alexander Acosta agreed to a plea deal with Epstein's lawyers, resulting in a lenient sentence for Epstein.
Epstein's release from jail on July 22, 2009, after serving only 13 months, ignited further controversy. His probation terms, including home confinement with liberal travel allowances, fueled public outrage and accusations of a lenient justice system.
During Jeffrey Epstein's legal proceedings in 2009, several of his household staff members testified that Ghislaine Maxwell held a significant position in both his personal and professional life, describing her as his "main girlfriend" and detailing her responsibilities in managing staff and his affairs.
Fortress Investment Group purchased the remaining assets of the D.B. Zwirn fund in 2009, including Epstein's investment, the fate of which remains undisclosed.
In 2009, Jeffrey Epstein's brother, Mark, revealed that Donald Trump had flown on Epstein's private plane on multiple occasions, contradicting earlier statements about the extent of their interactions.
In a development that shed light on Epstein's efforts to conceal his activities, his former house manager, Alfredo Rodriguez, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on June 18, 2010, for obstructing justice by withholding evidence. Rodriguez's attempts to sell a journal detailing Epstein's actions raised further suspicions.
Despite completing his probation in August 2010, Epstein remained under public scrutiny. His status as a level-three sex offender and the controversy surrounding his previous plea deal continued to draw attention.
Epstein co-organized the Mindshift Conference in 2010, a science event held on his private island, Little Saint James. The conference featured notable attendees such as scientists Murray Gell-Mann, Leonard Mlodinow, and Gerald Jay Sussman.
Epstein was informed by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety that he was not required to register as a sex offender in the state, contradicting federal law.
Between 2010 and 2016, approximately 20 inmates per year, out of a total of 180,000, died by suicide in federal custody.
A 2010 study revealed that 25% of hanging cases resulted in hyoid bone breaks. This information became relevant during the investigation into Epstein's death, as it provided context for the injuries he sustained.
In January 2011, a judge upheld Epstein's classification as a level-three sex offender, rejecting arguments from his defense for a lower-risk designation. This ruling cemented his lifelong registration and highlighted the seriousness of his past offenses.
Bill Gates's association with Jeffrey Epstein commenced in 2011, a few years after Epstein's initial conviction, and continued for some time.
On August 6, 2012, Pedro Gaspar, a model associated with MC2, died from what some believe was a drug overdose.
An article highlighting Epstein's support for cutting-edge science was published in 2013.
In December 2014, Virginia Giuffre alleged in a sworn affidavit that Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell had sexually trafficked and abused her from 1999 to 2002. She also claimed that Epstein and Maxwell trafficked her to several others, including Prince Andrew and Alan Dershowitz, and suggested the FBI might have been involved in a cover-up. Prince Andrew, Epstein, and Dershowitz denied the allegations, with Dershowitz taking legal action.
In a significant legal development, Jane Doe 1 (Courtney Wild) and Jane Doe 2 filed a federal civil suit on December 30, 2014, against the United States government. This lawsuit alleged violations of the Crime Victims' Rights Act stemming from the handling of Epstein's plea agreement.
Epstein donated to Democrat Gary King's unsuccessful campaign for Governor of New Mexico in 2014.
The Towers Financial Corporation founded in 1998 was acquired by Old National Bancorp in 2014.
On April 7, 2015, Judge Kenneth Marra issued a ruling in the ongoing Epstein case, stating that allegations made by Virginia Roberts against Prince Andrew were not directly relevant to the lawsuit's focus on the federal plea agreement. While the judge ordered the allegations struck from the record, he did not rule on their validity and acknowledged the possibility of Roberts providing evidence later.
In September 2015, Virginia Giuffre sued Ghislaine Maxwell for defamation following Maxwell's comments on Giuffre's allegations. The case was eventually settled under seal in May 2017.
In 2015, news broke about Epstein's investment in Reporty Homeland Security, an Israeli startup with links to the country's defense industry. The company, later renamed Carbyne, was led by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and other prominent figures from Israel's military and intelligence communities.
In 2015, the New York Attorney General attempted to investigate Epstein's charities due to a lack of transparency regarding their donations. However, the investigation was hampered because the charities were based outside of New York State and did not solicit funds within the state.
In April 2016, a California woman filed a federal lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, alleging they sexually assaulted her at Epstein's Manhattan residence in 1994 when she was 13 years old. The suit was dismissed in May 2016.
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit in May 2016 filed by a California woman against Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, which alleged sexual assault at Epstein's Manhattan residence in 1994 when she was 13 years old.
In June 2016, the California woman filed another federal suit in New York against Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, but it was withdrawn three months later without being served on the defendants.
A third federal lawsuit was filed in New York in September 2016 by the same California woman against Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, alleging sexual assault at Epstein's Manhattan residence in 1994.
On November 4, 2016, the lawsuit filed by a woman known as Jane Doe against Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump was dropped. The woman had canceled a scheduled press conference, reportedly due to threats.
Between 2010 and 2016, approximately 20 inmates per year, out of a total of 180,000, died by suicide in federal custody.
Epstein purchased the neighboring island, Great Saint James, in 2016.
Flight records obtained in 2016 revealed that Bill Clinton flew on Jeffrey Epstein's private jet 27 times to at least a dozen international locations.
A larger study from 2010 to 2016 indicated that hyoid bone damage occurred in only 6% of hanging cases. This finding further complicated the investigation into Epstein's death.
Virginia Giuffre's defamation lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell was settled under seal in May 2017 after a lengthy legal confrontation. Media outlets and Alan Dershowitz filed to have the documents unsealed, but their request was dismissed.
According to author Michael Wolff, Steve Bannon, former chief strategist for President Trump, was introduced to Jeffrey Epstein in December 2017 and subsequently met with Epstein multiple times at his New York mansion.
In 2017, it was reported that Alexander Acosta, who had handled Epstein's 2008 criminal case, had been told to "leave it alone" because Epstein "belonged to intelligence."
In 2017, Sarah Ransome filed a lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, alleging that Maxwell had hired her to give massages to Epstein and later threatened her to comply with their sexual demands. The suit was settled in 2018 under undisclosed terms.
In December 2018, a state civil lawsuit filed by attorney Bradley Edwards against Jeffrey Epstein was settled on the first day of the trial. Epstein publicly apologized to Edwards, and other terms of the settlement were kept confidential.
Allegations emerged in January 2020 suggesting that Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking operation continued until 2018, further extending the timeline of his alleged criminal activities.
By 2018, Epstein's donations through his private charities totaled $30 million. However, following his death, numerous scientists and institutions, including Harvard University and MIT, faced criticism for accepting his money. Some individuals even offered to return the donations due to the controversy surrounding Epstein.
During an off-the-record conversation with a New York Times reporter in 2018, Epstein suggested that he possessed compromising information about powerful individuals, including details about their sexual habits and drug use.
In 2018, the Miami Herald published groundbreaking exposés by Julie K. Brown, uncovering a vast network of alleged victims of Epstein's abuse. The reports identified eighty victims and suggested a pattern of exploitation involving girls recruited from various countries.
In late 2018, a stop-work order was issued on Epstein's construction project on Great Saint James, but work continued despite the order.
Sarah Ransome's 2017 lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell was settled in 2018 under undisclosed terms. Ransome had accused Maxwell of hiring her to give massages to Epstein and threatening her to comply with their sexual demands.
The Israeli startup Reporty Homeland Security, in which Epstein had invested, underwent a rebranding in 2018, changing its name to Carbyne.
In a significant victory for Epstein's accusers, Senior Judge Kenneth Marra ruled on February 21, 2019, that federal prosecutors had broken the law by failing to inform victims before granting Epstein his plea deal. This ruling opened the door for potential legal remedies for the victims.
On March 11, 2019, the Second Circuit Court gave parties one week to provide good cause for keeping documents related to the 2017 defamation settlement of Giuffre v. Maxwell under seal. Without a valid reason, they would be unsealed on March 19, 2019.
On March 19, 2019, the Second Circuit Court ordered the unsealing of documents related to the 2017 defamation settlement of Giuffre v. Maxwell, after redacting information to protect innocent parties.
On April 16, 2019, Maria Farmer went public and filed a sworn affidavit alleging that she and her 15-year-old sister, Annie, were sexually assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 1996. Farmer reported the incident to the New York City Police Department and the FBI.
Epstein was arrested again on July 6, 2019, on federal charges for the sex trafficking of minors in Florida and New York.
On July 12, 2019, federal prosecutors declared Epstein as "extravagantly wealthy," citing assets of at least $500 million and an annual income exceeding $10 million. However, the full scope of his wealth remained unclear due to the absence of a financial affidavit for his bail application. Investigations by various media outlets, including Bloomberg News and the Miami Herald, suggested that his wealth was likely distributed globally and shrouded in secrecy.
In July 2019, Donald Trump distanced himself from Epstein, claiming limited acquaintance despite video evidence of them socializing in 1992. Trump denied being a "fan" and claimed no contact for fifteen years.
In a dramatic turn of events, Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking, reigniting the controversy surrounding his past conduct and raising questions about potential accomplices.
As public outcry over the Epstein case intensified, Alexander Acosta resigned as Secretary of Labor on July 19, 2019. His resignation followed renewed scrutiny of his role in the 2008 plea deal and allegations of leniency towards Epstein.
On July 22, 2019, while Jeffrey Epstein was in jail awaiting trial, he was served with a petition regarding a pending state civil lawsuit filed by Jennifer Araoz. Araoz alleged she was recruited by an associate of Epstein at age 14 and raped by Epstein at age 15.
On July 23, 2019, Jeffrey Epstein was discovered injured in his jail cell with marks around his neck, prompting an investigation into a potential suicide attempt or assault. His cellmate at the time, Nicholas Tartaglione, denied any involvement. Following the incident, Epstein was placed on suicide watch.
After being on suicide watch for six days, Epstein was transferred to a special housing unit with a cellmate on July 29, 2019. Despite concerns about his previous injuries, Epstein's associates reported that he was in good spirits.
On August 8, 2019, just two days before his death, Jeffrey Epstein signed his last will and testament, leaving his entire estate to a trust. This act raised further questions about the circumstances surrounding his death and the management of his wealth.
On August 9, 2019, Epstein's cellmate was transferred, leaving him alone. This transfer, coupled with the failure to provide him with a new cellmate and the guards neglecting their rounds, constituted a breach in standard prison protocol at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. Adding to the unusual circumstances, two cameras positioned in front of Epstein's cell malfunctioned that night.
Jeffrey Epstein died in his jail cell on August 10, 2019. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging by the medical examiner.
An autopsy conducted on August 11, 2019, revealed that Epstein's neck bones were broken, including the hyoid bone, which is more commonly associated with strangulation than suicide by hanging. This finding fueled speculation about the circumstances surrounding his death, as it contradicted the initial assumption of suicide.
On August 14, 2019, Jennifer Araoz filed a lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein when New York State law was updated to allow adult survivors of child sexual abuse to sue for previous offenses. Araoz alleged that Epstein raped her when she was 15 years old.
Reports surfaced in August 2019 detailing Epstein's interest in genetic engineering and transhumanism, aiming to "improve" the human race. He reportedly aspired to use his New Mexico compound as a "baby ranch" to impregnate multiple women with his sperm, intending to spread his DNA. Additionally, Epstein was an advocate of cryonics, planning to have his head and penis frozen for preservation.
Despite ongoing speculation, New York City's medical examiner, Barbara Sampson, officially ruled Jeffrey Epstein's death a suicide by hanging on August 16, 2019. This ruling was met with skepticism from Epstein's lawyers, who claimed that the evidence suggested foul play.
Epstein's last will and testament, signed on August 8, 2019, surfaced, revealing that he had bequeathed all his assets to a trust. The will was witnessed by two attorneys, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigations surrounding his finances and death.
On August 20, 2019, three women sued the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, alleging they were recruited, subjected to unwanted sex acts, and controlled by Epstein and a 'vast enterprise' of co-conspirators. Two of the women were 17 and one was 20 when they met Epstein.
On August 23, 2019, French authorities initiated a preliminary investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, focusing on allegations of rape and sexual assault of minors, criminal association, and association with criminals. The investigation aimed to uncover potential crimes committed in France and elsewhere against French citizens.
Following Epstein's death, all criminal charges against him were dismissed on August 29, 2019.
On September 5, 2019, Jeffrey Epstein was laid to rest in an unmarked grave next to his parents at the I.J. Morris Star of David Cemetery in Palm Beach, Florida. To prevent potential vandalism, his parents' names were removed from their tombstone. This decision reflects the lasting impact of the controversies surrounding Epstein's life and death.
On September 18, 2019, a woman known only as Jane Doe filed a federal lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein's estate in the Southern District of New York. She alleged she was recruited in 2002 and sexually abused for three years starting at age 14.
In October 2019, Jennifer Araoz amended her lawsuit to include over twenty corporate entities associated with Jeffrey Epstein and named additional individuals as enablers. Araoz accused Epstein of grooming and raping her at age 15.
In October 2019, Michael Baden, a pathologist hired by the Epstein estate, challenged the official ruling of suicide. Baden argued that Epstein's injuries, including a broken neck bone, were more consistent with homicide by strangulation. This dispute further fueled the controversy surrounding Epstein's death.
In November 2019, five women – Teresa Helm, Annie Farmer, Maria Farmer, Juliette Bryant, and an unidentified woman – sued Jeffrey Epstein's estate in Federal District Court in Manhattan, accusing him of rape, battery, and false imprisonment. They sought unspecified damages.
On November 18, 2019, a woman identified as Jane Doe 15 made a public appearance with her attorney Gloria Allred to announce a lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein's estate. She alleged Epstein manipulated, trafficked, and sexually abused her in 2004 when she was 15 years old.
On November 19, 2019, two Metropolitan Correctional Center guards, Michael Thomas and Tova Noel, were charged by federal prosecutors with conspiracy and falsifying records related to their alleged negligence in the hours before Jeffrey Epstein's death.
On November 21, 2019, Teala Davies, represented by Gloria Allred, filed a lawsuit in a Manhattan federal court against Jeffrey Epstein's estate, alleging sexual assault and trafficking that began in 2002 and took place across multiple locations, including New York, New Mexico, Florida, the Virgin Islands, and France.
On December 3, 2019, lawyer Jordan Merson filed a lawsuit in New York against Jeffrey Epstein's estate on behalf of nine anonymous accusers. The lawsuit alleged battery, assault, and intentional emotional distress stemming from incidents that occurred between 1985 and the 2000s, with some accusers as young as 13 years old at the time of the alleged abuse.
In December 2019, a lawsuit was filed by attorney Bradley Edwards on behalf of his client, identified as JJ Doe, a resident of Palm Beach County, who accused Jeffrey Epstein of abusing her in 2004 when she was 14 years old.
Forbes deleted a 2013 article that portrayed Epstein as a major supporter of science after it was revealed that the author had been paid to publish it under his name.
In 2019, Virginia Giuffre filed a defamation suit against Alan Dershowitz, claiming he made defamatory statements about her. Epstein entered an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre. Giuffre was also interviewed by the BBC's Panorama, where she reiterated her accusations against Epstein and Prince Andrew, appealing for public support.
Amidst Epstein's arrest in 2019, Clinton's spokeswoman stated that Clinton had not communicated with Epstein in over a decade and denied ever visiting Epstein's private island, ranch, or Florida residence.
In 2019, federal prosecutors valued the mansion at $77 million, while the city assessed it at $56 million.
A lawsuit filed in January 2020 in the U.S. Virgin Islands alleged that Jeffrey Epstein orchestrated a sex trafficking conspiracy spanning over two decades, until 2018, involving children as young as 11 years old on his private Caribbean islands. The lawsuit claimed that Epstein used a complex network of companies to conceal his criminal activities.
In January 2020, a lawsuit surfaced accusing Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of recruiting a 13-year-old music student from the Interlochen Center for the Arts in 1994 and subjecting her to sexual abuse over a four-year period. The lawsuit claimed that Maxwell played a key role in recruiting the victim and participating in the assaults.
"Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich," a Netflix documentary series exploring the life and crimes of Jeffrey Epstein, premiered in May 2020.
Between June 2020 and December 2020, Epstein's estate paid out nearly $50 million to over 100 women through the "Epstein Victims Compensation Fund." This fund, established in the U.S. Virgin Islands, aimed to provide redress to those who suffered abuse.
On July 1, 2020, a statue of Jeffrey Epstein unexpectedly materialized in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In August 2020, Lifetime aired "Surviving Jeffrey Epstein," a documentary series featuring accounts from individuals who alleged abuse by Epstein.
In August 2020, a woman identified as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein, accusing him of sexually abusing her for over a year, starting when she was 18 years old.
In August 2020, nine women, identified as Jane Does, filed a lawsuit accusing Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse. The alleged victims included an 11-year-old and another individual who claimed abuse dating back to 1975.
A November 2020 internal review by the Department of Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility concluded that Alexander Acosta exercised "poor judgment" in the Epstein non-prosecution agreement. The review criticized the lack of victim notification and the deal's terms.
Between June 2020 and December 2020, Epstein's estate paid out nearly $50 million to over 100 women through the "Epstein Victims Compensation Fund." This fund, established in the U.S. Virgin Islands, aimed to provide redress to those who suffered abuse.
By February 2021, the value of Epstein's estate had significantly decreased to $240 million, down from an estimated $630 million the previous year. This prompted the U.S. Virgin Islands attorney general to file for an emergency asset freeze, alleging mismanagement of funds by the estate executors. Victims joined the legal action, raising concerns about the handling of Epstein's assets.
In March 2021, a woman from Broward County, Florida, filed a civil lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein's estate, accusing Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of trafficking and repeatedly raping her in Florida in 2008.
On May 22, 2021, Michael Thomas and Tova Noel, the two guards accused of falsifying records related to Jeffrey Epstein's death, admitted to the charges but avoided jail time through a deal with federal prosecutors.
In August 2021, Bill Gates publicly addressed his association with Jeffrey Epstein, stating that their meetings, which began in 2011, were motivated by Gates's hope that Epstein could contribute to his philanthropic endeavors. Gates admitted that meeting with Epstein was a "huge mistake."
Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite with close ties to Epstein, was convicted in 2021 on U.S. federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy for her role in procuring girls for Epstein.
In 2022, the U.S. government filed a lawsuit against JP Morgan Chase Bank, alleging that the bank "facilitated, sustained, and concealed the human trafficking network operated by Jeffrey Epstein." A related class action lawsuit claimed that JP Morgan assisted Epstein in structuring large cash withdrawals.
On June 27, 2023, a U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General report was released, concluding that Epstein's death was a suicide. The report criticized the Metropolitan Correctional Center staff for negligence and misconduct leading up to the event but ultimately refuted claims suggesting it was anything other than suicide.
A New York judge ruled on December 19, 2023 that a list containing the names of over 170 individuals associated with Jeffrey Epstein should be made public on January 1, 2024. Those named on the list were given until January 1 to appeal the decision.
As of 2023, Epstein's 1987 salary of US$25,000 per month is equivalent to $67,000.
The US$450 million loss in 1993 is equivalent to $949,136,000 in 2023.
A New York judge ruled on December 19, 2023 that a list containing the names of over 170 individuals associated with Jeffrey Epstein should be made public on January 1, 2024. Those named on the list were given until January 1 to appeal the decision.