Jeffrey Epstein: Biography, Career, Sex Crimes, and Suicide

Introduction

• Jeffrey Epstein (January 20, 1953 – August 10, 2019) was an American financier and convicted sex offender.
• He became a multimillionaire through his financial career and had associations with wealthy and influential individuals.
• Accused of running a vast human-trafficking operation involving women and girls for sex with himself and associates.
• Died in jail awaiting trial; his death was ruled as suicide, but surrounded by conspiracy theories.

Early Life

• Born in Brooklyn, New York to Paula Stolofsky and Seymour Epstein.
• Excelled in mathematics and was a talented pianist.
• Attended Lafayette High School, then Cooper Union, and later NYU, but did not graduate.
• Taught physics and mathematics at Dalton School, where he was dismissed due to inappropriate behavior and lack of improvement in teaching skills.

Finance Career

• Started at Bear Stearns, became a limited partner in 1980.
• Founded J. Epstein & Company in 1988, managing finances for billionaires, notably Leslie H. Wexner.
• Owned properties in multiple locations including Manhattan, Palm Beach, and the Virgin Islands.
• Allegedly used hidden cameras for blackmail; private jet nicknamed "Lolita Express".

Sex-Crime Allegations

• First accused in Palm Beach in 2005, leading to an investigation by the FBI.
• 2008 plea deal allowed him to serve 13 months in prison with work privileges.
• Renewed charges in 2019 led to arrest and new charges of sex trafficking.
• Circumstances of his death in jail led to widespread speculation and conspiracy theories.

Death and Aftermath

• Officially ruled a suicide by hanging, but lawyers claim evidence points to murder.
• Ghislaine Maxwell, his partner, was convicted in 2021 for aiding Epstein in sex crimes.